MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MAY 28, 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, Frank Bartle, Esquire and Bruce Shoupe.
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, Shannon Drosnock, Stacy Crandell, Richard Grier and Deb 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 matters of personnel and potential litigation discussed. Mr. Bartle also reported that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Law.
Supervisor Michael Fox made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 13, 2013 Board meeting, and Supervisor Robert Birch seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chairman Joseph Walsh announced that as part of the Township's celebration of its 300th Anniversary in 2014, the 300th Anniversary Committee will be honoring one of the Township's most notable historic residents, General Winfield Scott Hancock. General Hancock was born in Montgomery Township in 1824 and served as a leader of union forces during the Civil War, including the battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor and the Battle of Gettysburg. In 1880, General Hancock ran as a candidate for President of the United States, but lost by the narrowest of margins to James Garfield. The Montgomery Bar Association and members of its Community Outreach Committee recently sponsored a "Courting Art" event to promote a more comfortable, visitor-friendly atmosphere at the Montgomery County Court house by populating it with artwork for and by residents of Montgomery County. At this event, a portrait painting of General Hancock was entered by Thomas Lebish. Bruce Stocking, a member of the WS Hancock Society, and the gentleman who portrays General Hancock at historic events, sat for the portrait. At the request of Board Chairman Joseph Walsh, Mr. Lebish graciously donated his painting of General Winfield Scott Hancock to Montgomery Township. The portrait will be posted on the 300th Website and displayed in the lobby of the Township Building in celebration of the 300th Anniversary of the Township. A plate acknowledging the gift will be added below the picture. Resolution #1, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the donation of the portrait of General Winfield Scott Hancock from its artist, Thomas Lebish, and extended the Township's grateful appreciation to Mr. Lebish for his generous donation of the portrait.
A public hearing for a liquor license transfer for Giant Food Stores, LLC located at 1201 Knapp Road was opened at 8:10 p.m. Notes of testimony were taken by Court Reporter Tim Kurek. Stan Wolowski, Esquire and John MacDonald, Director of Marketing were in attendance, representing Giant Food Stores, LLC. Giant will be operating a restaurant inside its grocery store, and their intent is to sell beer for consumption at the restaurant and also "to go". Mr. Wolowski reviewed the qualifications necessary to permit a transfer of a liquor license from another municipality. Mr. Wolowski and Mr. MacDonald also presented the concept by which Giant will offer beer while dining in the restaurant and also allow six packs of beer to be purchased on the go. The hearing concluded at 8:42 p.m. Resolution #2, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the transfer of liquor license to the restaurant facilities within the Giant Food Store located at 1201 Knapp Road, Montgomery Township, Pennsylvania.
The Cutler Group is requesting an escrow release #1 for the Montgomery Knoll Phase IB project in the amount of $13,118.00. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved escrow release #1 in the amount of $13,118.00 for the Montgomery Knoll Phase IB Project.
The Cutler Group is also requesting an escrow release #1 for the Montgomery Preserve Phase I project in the amount of $29,497.00. Resolution #4, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved escrow release #1 in the amount of $29,497.00 for the Montgomery Preserve Phase I Project.
Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak reported that the Department of Fire Services continuously looks for innovative ways to protect the community from the risk of fires and other emergencies. One way is to partner with organizations that support the various activities taken to prevent fires or reduce the impact should a fire occur. The Department of Fire Services is requesting approval to participate in the Vision 20/20 Project. The Project's purpose is to implement the Community Risk Reduction (CRR) concepts for the fire service organizations within the United States. The CRR is a process of identifying risks for a community, and creating strategies to mitigate those risks by integrating emergency response with prevention activities. As an incentive to participate in the program, thirty free smoke alarms for use in the thirty home safety visits, will be provided by the Institute of Fire Engineers. Resolution #5 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously granted approval for the Department of Fire Services to participate in the Vision 20/20 Community Risk Reduction Program.
Township Manager, Lawrence Gregan reported that the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors (PSATS) is requesting support from its member municipalities in calling upon the Pennsylvania General Assembly to enact common sense and meaningful reforms to the Prevailing Wage Act, which was enacted in 1961 and has been unchanged since that time. The three reforms being requested include: Raising the threshold for prevailing water compliance from $25,000 to account for inflation since the 1960's and providing for future automatic adjustments based on the consumer price index; excluding "maintenance work" on roads and bridges from compliance with the act, including the replacement of guiderails and curbs, pavement overlays up to 3.5 inches, road widening that does not result in additional lanes, and bridge cleaning and resurfacing; and revising the manner in which prevailing wage rates are calculated to include both union and non-union rates. Resolution #6 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera adopted unanimously urged the Pennsylvania General Assembly to enact common sense and meaningful reforms to the Prevailing Wage Act of 1961.
Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Supervisor Robert Birch seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.
Under other business Supervisor Michael Fox encouraged residents of the Township to contact State Representative Todd Stephens' office to show their support for the RACP Grant for the Township's proposed Community/Recreation Center.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 p.m.