MINUTES OF MEETING

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

OCTOBER 15, 2013

 

            Chairman Joseph Walsh called the executive session to order at 7:30 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 and Robert Iannozzi, Esquire. 

Chairman Joseph Walsh called the action meeting to order at 8:01 p.m.   In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell.  Supervisor Robert Birch was absent.  Also in attendance were Robert Iannozzi, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief J. Scott Bendig, Kevin Costello, Bruce Shoupe, Shannon Drosnock, Ann Shade, Richard Lesniak, Stacy Crandell, Rich Grier and Shirley Snyder.

            Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Joseph Walsh called for public comment from the audience.  Mike Starner of 3429 County Line Road stated that on Friday evening he heard what he thought were gunshots and called 911.  When the police arrived and checked the area, they found that the Bharatiya Temple was holding an event that included fireworks.  Mr. Starner requested that neighbors be notified of these types of activities prior to the event.  Chief J. Scott Bendig reported that a few issues surrounding this event had been reported and a meeting will be scheduled with the leaders of the Bharatiya Temple to discuss and resolve these issues for future events. 

Township Solicitor Robert Iannozzi, Esquire reported that the Board met in an executive session earlier in the evening at 7:30 p.m.  Mr. Iannozzi reported that two potential litigation matters and an update on the Zehr matter were discussed.  Mr. Iannozzi 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 September 23, 2013 Board meeting, and Supervisor Michael Fox seconded the motion.  The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.

            Ann Shade, Director of Administration and Human Resources, acknowledged the 2013 Autumn Festival Workers and Volunteers who participated in the Autumn Festival celebration on Saturday, October 5, 2013.  The following service groups and committees were recognized for their service:  Residents of Montgomery Township, Pennbrook Middle School Volunteer Corps, North Penn High School Junior ROTC, Volunteer FDMT, Volunteer Medical Service Corps, 300th Anniversary Committee, Senior Committee, Park and Recreation Board, Environmental Advisory Committee, Autumn Festival Committee and the Employees of Montgomery Township.  Mrs. Shade reported that a total of about 173 volunteers participated during the course of the day.  Supervisor Michael Fox expressed his appreciation to the Public Works Department for the new "wider" path around Windlestrae Park.  Chairman Joseph Walsh thanked Ann Shade, Director of Administration and Human Resources and Sharon Tucker, Recreation Coordinator and Stacy Crandell, Assistant to the Township Manager and the entire staff for their time and dedication in making Autumn Festival a success.  Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, acknowledged the volunteers and workers for their diligent contributions toward the success of Autumn Festival held on October 5, 2013.

            J. Scott Bendig, Chief of Police reported that on September 7 through September 9, 2013, two Montgomery Township Canine Teams participated in the United States Police Canine Association Regional Trials in Delaware County, Pennsylvania.  Officer Dan Rose and Canine Duke placed 1st in the Novice Class (4th overall), and Officer Brian Schreiber and Canine Bauer placed 2nd in the Novice Class (10th overall).  Each team received a trophy in every evaluation category while also obtaining their Police Dog I Certifications.  Officer Rose/Canine Duke were unable to attend the meeting as they were assisting a neighboring municipality in a search.  Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, recognized Officer Dan Rose/Canine Duke and Officer Brian Schreiber/Canine Bauer for their outstanding achievements at the 2013 United Stated Police Canine Association Regional Field Trials.

            Chairman Joseph Walsh announced that Maryann Hermann has submitted her resignation from the Industrial Development Authority and the Montgomery Township Pension Committee as she will be moving out of the Township.  In addition, Jackie Keenan has submitted her resignation as an alternate member of the Zoning Hearing Board due to other obligations, but will continue serving on the committee until the end of the year, if needed.  Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the resignations of Maryann Hermann from the Montgomery Township Industrial Development Authority and the Pension Committee and Jackie Keenan from the Zoning Hearing Board and thanked them both for their contributions to Montgomery Township.

            Shannon Drosnock, Director of Finance reported that in July 2013 the Board of Supervisors approved the request to solicit proposals to perform the annual audits of the financial statements of the Township, FDMT and FDMT Relief Association.  The Finance Committee met several times to review the proposals and is recommending that the Board engage the firm of Maillie and Company to perform the audits for the next three years.  Resolution #4 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the proposal from Maillie and Company to perform the annual audits of the financial statements of the Township, Fire Department of Montgomery Township and the Fire Department of Montgomery Township Relief Association for the periods ending December 31, 2013, December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2015, at an annual cost of $29,000 per year in accordance with their proposal dated August 9, 2013.

            Shannon Drosnock reported that the annual General Municipal Pension System State Aid allocation for 2013 has been received in the amount of $435,048.16, which is an increase of 14% from the 2012 allocation.  Resolution #5 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, accepted the recommendation to allocate the 2013 Act 205 General Municipal Pension System State Aid to the Police Pension Plan in the amount of $240,147.16 and to the Non Uniformed Employee Pension Plan in the amount of $194,901.00.

            Richard Lesniak, Director of Fire Services reported that the annual share of the allocation from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Foreign Fire Insurance Tax has been received.  These funds are allocated by the State to support the Volunteer Fire Relief Association that serves the Township.  Fifty percent of the allocation is based on the population of the Township and fifty percent is determined by the market value of real estate in the Township compared to the state average.  Alex Olimpo, President of FDMT, Joel Silver, Treasurer of the FDMT Relief Association and Bill Goltz, Battalion Chief were present to accept the check.  Resolution #6 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously acknowledged the presentation of a check in the amount of $268,316.79 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the Fire Department of Montgomery Township Fire Relief Association.

            Richard Lesniak reported that an annual evaluation for compliance with the applicable provisions of NFPA Standard 1911, Inspection, Maintenance, Testing and Retirement of In-Service Automotive Fire Apparatus was completed on the fire service vehicles.  During the inspection several items related to the operation of the aerial device on Ladder 18 are in need of repair.  Glick Fire Equipment Company, Inc, submitted an estimate to perform the repairs.  It is expected that Ladder 18 will serve Montgomery Township for at least the next ten years.  The Department is recommending that the damaged equipment be repaired.  Resolution #7 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized Glick Fire Equipment Company, Inc. of Bird In Hand Pennsylvania to perform repairs to the hydraulic cylinders on Ladder 18 at a cost of $6,864.00.

            Richard Lesniak reported that a training seminar entitled "Fire Department Administrative Investigations and Firefighter Discipline" is being held in Wilmington, Delaware on November 6th  and 7th 2013.  Mr. Lesniak is requesting the Board's approval to attend this out-of-state seminar.  Resolution #8 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, authorized the Director of Fire Services, Richard Lesniak, to attend the Public Agency Training Council's "Fire Department Administrative Investigations and Firefighter Discipline" course to be held on November 6th and 7th 2013 in Wilmington, Delaware.

            Richard Lesniak reported that approval to attend two out-of-state training courses for Firefighter Robert Hedden were being requested.  These courses are being offered through the New Jersey Center for Services at no charge to the attendees.  Resolution #9 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, authorized Firefighter Robert Hedden to attend the "International Fuel Gas Code/international Mechanical Code Update" course on October 31, 2013 in Lambertville, New Jersey.  Resolution #10 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, authorized Firefighter Robert Hedden to attend the "UCC special Inspections Program Requirements" course on November 6, 2013 in Bordentown, New Jersey.

            Resolution #11 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the construction escrow release by the Pulte Group for Montgomery Pointe Phase IIB - LDS#651P-B in the amount of $1,990.00.

            Resolution #12 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the 3rd construction Escrow Release by the Pulte Group for Montgomery Pointe Phase III, LDS#651P in the amount of $7,584.96.

            Lawrence Gregan, Township Manager reported that the Township's Traffic Engineer, Traffic Planning and Design (TPD) has conducted a review of the need for the addition of a "No Turn on Red" restriction for the north bound approach of Upper State Road to Horsham Road.  Based on the recommendation from the Police Department, a geometric review, review of traffic speed on Horsham Road and site distance at the intersection, TPD has prepared an application to be submitted to PennDOT to revise the traffic signal permit plan for this intersection to include the addition of this restriction.  Resolution #13 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the Township Manager to submit an application to PennDOT for the addition of a "No Turn on Red" restriction for the north bound approach of Upper State Road to Horsham Road.

            Lawrence Gregan reported that the Simon Property Group, owner of the Montgomery Mall, is completing the construction of a new Wegmans Supermarket at the Mall.  As part of the development, Simon has agreed to fund certain traffic improvements including improvements to the traffic signal at the intersection of Knapp Road and North Wales Road.  To accomplish the improvements at this intersection, Simon has agreed to contribute $300,000 to the Township to be used toward the design, permitting, right of way acquisition and construction of improvements.  Resolution #14 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized execution of the Agreement with Simon Properties providing for the contribution of $300,000 to the township to be used for the design, permitting, right of way acquisition and construction of improvements at the intersection of North Wales Road and Knapp Road.

            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 8:35 p.m.