MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
AUGUST 12, 2013
Chairman Joseph Walsh called the executive session to order at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Supervisor Robert Birch was absent. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan, Frank Bartle, Esquire, Chief J. Scott Bendig and Bruce Shoupe.
Chairman Joseph Walsh called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Jeffrey McDonnell. Supervisors Robert Birch and Michael Fox were absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief J. Scott Bendig, Richard Lesniak, Kevin Costello, Bruce Shoupe, Shannon Drosnock, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Richard Grier and Shirley Snyder.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Joseph Walsh called for public comment from the audience. There was no public comment at this evenings meeting.
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 potential litigation discussed, a PennDOT Compensation for Right-of-Way matter, litigation for a Zoning Hearing Board matter at 1630 County Line Road and two personnel updates. 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 July 22, 2013 Board meeting, and Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chairman Joseph Walsh expressed his thanks to the Recreation Department and the staff for a successful and well-run Kids University program.
Chairman Joseph Walsh announced three employee resignations. Laura Duff has resigned her position as Public Information Coordinator effective August 14, 2013. Laura will be pursuing her Master's Degree at the University of Pittsburgh.
Margaret "Peggy" Steinbacher is resigning her position as a Police Dispatcher, effective August 31, 2013 after serving the Township since 1989. Barbara Friel has resigned her position as a Police Dispatcher, effective August 11, 2013 after serving the Township since 2007. Resolution #1, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the resignations of Laura Duff, Margaret "Peggy" Steinbacher and Barbara Friel from their positions with Montgomery Township and thanked them for their commitment to public service during their employment at Montgomery Township.
Director of Fire Services, Rick Lesniak reported that six volunteers of FDMT have completed the Basic Fire Fighter training course over the past two years. Training time requirements have risen steadily over the years and the Basic Fire Fighter training now required for new volunteer firefighters is 194 hours. Resolution #2, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously recognized Peter Chimera, Michael Fassnacht, Carl Herr, Mary Newell, Marvin Mosby and Adam Webster for successfully completing the Basic Fire Fighter Certification Training Course.
Rick Lesniak reported that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced the application period for the SAFER Grants will close on August 30, 2013. The SAFER Grant, in the amount of $211,444.00, would enhance the local fire departments' abilities to comply with staffing, deployment, response and operational standards. If awarded to Montgomery Township, the recommendation would be that the grant be used to hire one full time career firefighter. Resolution #3, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the application for the FY2013 SAFER Grant by the Montgomery Township Department of Fire Services.
Director of Planning and Zoning, Bruce Shoupe reported that the staff and Township Solicitor have developed an amendment to the Zoning Code, Section 230-5 - Definition of Family. This proposed Ordinance is needed to bring the Zoning Code in compliance with recent court decisions. Resolution #4, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously set Monday, September 9, 2013 after 8:00 p.m. in the Township building as the date, time and place for a Public Hearing to consider proposed Ordinance #13-275Z, an ordinance amending the Zoning Code regarding Section 230-5 - Definition of Family.
Resolution #5 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized a construction escrow release for Keystone Homebrew in the amount of $22,926.00.
Resolution #6 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized a construction escrow release for General Hancock Partnership for the townhouse development in the amount of $193,583.67.
Resolution #7 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized a construction escrow release for the Pulte Groupe for Montgomery Pointe Phase III in the amount of $5,831.10
Resolution #8 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized a construction escrow release for the Pulte Groupe for Montgomery Pointe Phase IIB in the amount of $7,072.75.
Bruce Shoupe reported that in March 2013 the Board accepted PennDOT's just compensation offer for right-of-way and/or land owned by the Township for the County Line Road widening project which required the relocation of the Rex Property driveway located at 104 Limekiln Pike. Resolution #9, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized Joseph P. Walsh, Chairman to sign and execute the private access easement for the Rex property driveway agreement for the property located at 104 Limekiln Pike.
Chief of Police, J. Scott Bendig reported that the Police Department is scheduled to replace two marked patrol vehicles and is proposing to purchase a 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe and a 2014 Dodge Charger as approved in the 2013 final budget. The Chevrolet Tahoe, at a cost of $30,981.00 will replace a 2009 Ford Expedition. The Dodge Charger, at a cost of $24,386.00 will replace a 2010 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan. Resolution #10, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the purchase of a 2014 Dodge Charger from Lansdale Auto Group, an authorized vender under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchase Program, at a cost of $24,386 per their quote dated August 2, 2013, and awarded the contract for the purchase of a 2014 Chevrolet Tahoe from Day Chevrolet, an authorized vendor under the CWCOG Cooperative Purchasing Program at a cost of $30,981.00 per their quote dated August 2, 2013.
Chief J. Scott Bendig reported that new uniform specifications have been proposed by the Police Department and staff are ready to solicit bids for the new contract. Resolution #11, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the Township Manager to advertise for bids for Police Uniforms. Said Bids are to be received on or before 10:00 a.m. on August 29, 2013, and will be opened at that time. Bids will be considered for award at the September 9, 2013 Board of Supervisor's meeting after 8:00 p.m. at the Township building.
Township Manager, Lawrence Gregan reported that consideration is being given to a "No turn On Red" restriction on the north bound approach of Upper State Road at the intersection with Horsham Road. Implementation of this restriction requires submission of a request to PennDOT to modify the Traffic Signal Permit. Kevin Johnson of Traffic Planning and Design has submitted a proposal to perform a traffic study to determine if this restriction is warranted at this intersection. The analysis would include a detailed investigation including preparation of a speed study and sight distance measurements, attendance at Township meeting and field meeting with PennDOT Representatives. Phase I of this request is to submit a letter to PennDOT along with the recommendation by Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig. If the request is unsuccessful, additional studies would need to be done, using data from the Police Department and submitted to PennDOT. Resolution #12, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously approved the Traffic Engineer Study Proposal from Traffic Planning and Design, Inc., dated August 1, 2013 to perform a traffic Study to determine if a "No Turn On Red" restriction is warranted on the northbound approach of Upper State Road at the intersection with Horsham Road at a not to exceed cost of $2,350.
Lawrence Gregan reported that as a condition of the approval of the Wegman's Land Development plan, the Township required Simon Properties to perform a traffic impact study to determine what traffic improvements would be needed as a result of the development. The report was recently completed and reviewed by the Township Traffic Engineer, Kevin Johnson. The report recommended signal timing changes to the intersections of North Wales Road and Harbob Lane and a full traffic signal upgrade to the intersection of North Wales Road and Mall Entrance "F" including all new equipment and poles. The costs for upgrading these two traffic signals are the responsibility of the developer. Resolution #13, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, adopted the resolutions authorizing the Township Manager to submit applications to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for approval of the signal timing changes to the intersections of North Wales Road and Harbob Lane, and a full traffic signal upgrade to the intersection of North Wales Road and Mall Entrance "F".
Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m.