MINUTES OF MEETING
APRIL 8, 2013
Chairman Joseph Walsh called the executive session to order at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan and Frank Bartle, Esquire.
Chairman Joseph Walsh called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief J. Scott Bendig, Richard Lesniak, Kevin Costello, Bruce Shoupe, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Laura Duff, Richard Grier and Deborah Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Joseph Walsh called for public comment from the audience and there was none.
Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire reported that the Board met in an executive session earlier in the evening at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Bartle reported that there were two matters of personnel and one matter of litigation regarding the application of Capital Telecom LLC which is before the Zoning Hearing Board. Mr. Bartle also reported that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Law.
Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the minutes of the March 25, 2013 Board meeting, and Supervisor Michael Fox seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chairman Joseph Walsh reported that the Board has received and reviewed proposals for the architectural, site engineering, traffic engineering and landscape improvements for the proposed Community/Recreation Center. Motion #1, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, the Board awarded contracts for Site Engineering Services to Graf Engineering LLC in the amount of $106,000, for Landscape Design Services to Boucher & James, Inc. in the amount of $12,000, and for Traffic Engineering services to Traffic Planning & Design, Inc. (TPD) in the amount of $20,000. A decision on the award of Architectural Design services was postponed to the next Board meeting.
Public Information Coordinator Laura Duff reported that the Township will be celebrating Local Government Week during the week of April 8th through April 12th by hosting area school children for tours of the Township building and with demonstrations by the Township Police and Fire departments, as well as the Volunteer Medical Service Corps. The Township will also be hosting a Legislative Breakfast on Friday, April 12, 2013 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Local, county, state and federal officials representing the North Penn area have been invited to the breakfast to discuss issues affecting the local community. Ms. Duff reported that, at this time, a member of Representative Allyson Schwartz's staff, First Assistant District Attorney Kevin Steele, State Representative Kate Harper, State Representative Todd Stephens, State Senator Stewart J. Greenleaf, Montgomery County Treasurer Jason Salus and Montgomery County Controller Stewart J. Greenleaf, Jr. are all confirmed to attend the event. Resolution #1, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, officially recognized Local Government Week.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell presented an update on fundraising efforts and upcoming events for the 300th Anniversary Celebration. On May 9, 2013, the 300 Committee will host a Golf Outing at Pine Crest Country Club, which includes a day of golf followed by evening activities and dinner. Non-golfers are invited to attend the evening activities and dinner. The golfing is limited to the first 144 golfers and reservations are being accepted through April 25, 2013. On November 30, 2013 and November 29, 2014, the committee will host a tour of historic houses in the Township. The following events are also in the planning stages for 2014: April 26, 2014 - Day of Service, May 26, 2014 - Commemoration Day, including a Reenactment along and a possible 5K Run, September 20, 2014 - Community Day, a super-sized Autumn Festival Community Day which will culminate in a spectacular Fireworks display. Ms. Crandell also reported that sponsors are being sought for the various 300th Anniversary events. The website for the committee is www.montgomery300.com. The committee is also selling Save Around Books that include coupons for local businesses for $20 and Commemorative 300th Anniversary Tiles for $30.
At 8:13 p.m., Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire, opened a Public Hearing for proposed Ordinance #13-273-Z, Amending the Provisions of Article V R-1 Residential District Section 230-26.J - Open Space Design Overlay Option. Notes of testimony were taken by Court Reporter, Tim Kurek. Planning Director Bruce Shoupe summarized the ordinance amendments which would clarify that a minimum of 20% of the area of the tract, or 1500 square feet per dwelling unit, whichever is greater, be set aside for common open space; and to provide a minimum frontage for each lot of 70 feet. Township Solicitor Frank Bartle introduced the exhibits and confirmed that the proposed Ordinance had been advertised in compliance with the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code. Under public comment, Mike Burns of 14 Shady Lane asked about not being permitted to back out of his driveway. Chairman Joseph Walsh responded that the Board would be fixing that situation in the next ordinance being considered at this evening's meeting. Resolution #2, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved Ordinance #13-273-Z, which amends the Zoning Code regarding the Open Space Design Overlay Option.
At 8:24 p.m., Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire, opened a Public Hearing for proposed Ordinance #13-272-Z, Amending the Provisions of Article XIX, Section 230-134 - Off Street Parking and loading/required parking. Notes of testimony were taken by Court Reporter, Tim Kurek. Planning Director Bruce Shoupe summarized the proposed ordinance that limits the requirements for front way egress to streets to secondary Township, State and County roads. Township Solicitor Frank Bartle introduced the exhibits and confirmed that the proposed Ordinance had been advertised in compliance with the Pennsylvania Municipal Planning Code. Resolution #3, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved Ordinance #13-272-Z, which amends the Zoning Code regarding off street parking requirements.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that on March 11, 2013, a conditional use hearing was held to consider the request of Giant Food Stores and Horsham Realty Associates to construct a Giant to Go facility consisting of a 5,000 square foot convenience store with a gasoline filling station at 741 Bethlehem Pike. At the March 11, 2013 meeting, the Board of Supervisors granted the requested conditional use approval. The Township Solicitor, Frank Bartle, Esquire, has prepared a formal decision and order memorializing the Board's grant of the requested conditional use. Resolution #4, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the Memorandum, Findings of Fact, Opinion and Order regarding the Conditional Use application of Giant Food Stores and Horsham Realty Associates for 741 Bethlehem Pike for a Giant to Go convenience store and a fueling station.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe presented an offer from PennDOT for the acquisition of land owned by the Township at the intersection of County Line Road and Kenas Road for road improvements for the County Line Road - WD2 project. The land is proposed to be used as right-of-way. The compensation offered is $12,000. Resolution #5, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the offer of just compensation of $12,000 from PennDOT for Parcel No. 523, located at County Line Road at the intersection of Kenas Road.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe presented escrow releases for LD/S #627R - Montgomery Walk Phase IIA in the amount of $25,159.00, and one for LD/S #653 - Montgomery Knoll Phase IA in the amount of $59,007.00. Resolutions #6 and #7, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the escrow releases for Montgomery Walk Phase IIA and Montgomery Knoll Phase IA.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the construction of Friendship Park is currently underway. The David Cutler Group is funding the improvements and requests the Township's authorization to release progress payments to its contractor, Wolverine Constructors. Mr. Gregan reported that the total cost for the park improvements is $546,463.82 and Wolverine Constructors is seeking a progress payment #6 in the amount of $16,578.70. The Township Engineer has inspected the site and found the work completed to date to be satisfactory. Chairman Joseph Walsh inquired as to when the park will be ready for residential use. Mr. Gregan responded that Phase 1 will be completed this spring and includes the walking path, parking lot and final site grading. The soccer and baseball playing fields will be seeded and it will take at least two years for the grass to mature sufficiently to be able to sustain recreational use. Supervisor Michael Fox indicated that he had walked the path and was impressed with the size of the park. Resolution #8, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh, and adopted unanimously, accepted the Township Engineer's recommendation that the site work was performed satisfactorily and that the David Cutler Group can proceed with progress payment #6 to Wolverine Constructors in accordance with the provisions of their contract.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that two change orders have been submitted for the Friendship Park Site Grading/Paving Improvements proposing additions and deletions from the project. The changes include the addition of electrical junction boxes, the deletion of two "wet taps" water services lines, the deletion of the construction of a sewage waste line to a future restroom facility and the change in detail specification for the construction of the walking trail. Resolution #9, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Chimera, and adopted unanimously, accepted the Township Engineer's recommendation that the scope of the site work for Friendship Park be revised per Change Orders #2 and #3 for a total reduction in the project cost of $32,782.45.
Police Chief Scott Bendig reported that the existing fourteen Mobile Data Computers (MDCs) in the patrol vehicles were installed in 2006 and are in need of replacement. Chief Bendig reported that staff had re-evaluated the equipment needs and specifications previously budgeted for this equipment and are proposing replacement of the fourteen MDCs with mounts and all necessary support equipment at a cost of $47,595.12, utilizing vendors under the COSTARS Cooperative Purchasing Program. Resolution #10, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Chimera, and adopted unanimously, approved the purchase of the fourteen MDCs with mounts and all necessary support equipment at a cost of $47,595.12 utilizing vendors under the COSTARS Cooperative Purchasing Program Contract #003-32. Supervisor Robert Birch complimented the Montgomery Township Police Department for their quick and successful response to a friend's son who had lost his iPod.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak proposed that the $13,115.60 grant from the PA State Fire Commissioner's Office Annual Volunteer Firefighter/Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant program be used to purchase additional personal protective equipment for the part-time firefighting staff and physical fitness equipment to replace existing equipment that is beyond its life expectancy. Mr. Lesniak presented quotes for the purchase of physical fitness equipment at a cost of $6,545.00 and for personal protective equipment at a cost of $5,459.68. The remaining portion of the grant funding, $1,110.92, will be used to purchase minor personal protective equipment such as gloves, hoods and suspenders as needed. Resolution #11, made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and approved unanimously, granted approval for the purchase of additional personal protective equipment for the part time firefighting staff and physical fitness equipment at a total cost of $13,115.60.
Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Vice Chairman Jeffrey McDonnell seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.
Under other business, Mike Burns of 14 Shady Lane, inquired as to who pays for the electricity for the lights at Whistlestop Park because they are on quite frequently. Chairman Joseph Walsh responded that the Township pays for the electricity; however, the lights are on a timer and should not be on for long periods of time. Kevin Costello will have the timer checked at Whistlestop Park.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:48 p.m.