MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
NOVEMBER 11, 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, 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 the Board discussed a personnel matter and the Zehr Tract Condemnation case, which is currently at the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. 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 October 28, 2013 Board meeting, and Supervisor Michael Fox seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chairman Joseph Walsh announced that Township resident John C. Malley has expressed an interest in becoming a member of the Montgomery Township Pension Committee. Mr. Malley has a degree in Finance and an MBA from the Fox School at Temple. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, appointed John C. Malley to serve as a member of the Montgomery Township Pension Committee with a term to expire on January 1, 2014.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell announced that the Recreation office is planning the 10th Annual Holiday Lights Contest and the new Breakfast with Santa event. All entries for the Holiday Lights Contest are due by Friday, December 6th at 4:30 p.m. The winners will be recognized at the December 16th Board of Supervisors meeting and will earn a gift card and a lawn sign to place in their yard. Ms. Crandell also announced that this year the Township will be celebrating the season by holding a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 14th. This event is for the whole family with a buffet breakfast provided by Our Towne Catering, holiday music, crafts and much more! With the assistance of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township, Santa will arrive on the Fire Truck for a special visit.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell announced the upcoming 2014 Winter Recreation Programs and Fees. Ms. Crandell said that the offerings include many popular programs with some new programs being introduced as well. The programs will be promoted by posting on the Township's website, cable channels, E-News and printed in the Winter Recreation Newsletter. Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the 2014 Winter Recreation Programs and Fee Schedule amendments as submitted.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that a request had been received by a resident of the Montgomery Oaks Development inquiring about the possibility of the Township installing a sidewalk across the frontage of PECO's Powerline right of way property on Hartman Road, between the Montgomery Oaks and Montgomery Walk Developments. Currently an unimproved path exists at this location and is used by walkers, bicyclists and runners to cross between the neighborhoods. Due to the unimproved surface of this path, many are forced to walk in the Hartman Road cartway, which is a heavily traveled state highway with a 45MPH speed limit. Mr. Gregan also reported that the developer for the Montgomery Walk project is required to install an asphalt trail through the PECO Powerline property and constructing the sidewalk across the PECO Powerline right of way is a natural expansion to that trail project and consistent with the Township's goal of improving the walkability of the Township. Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized Drumheller Constructors to install a new 5' wide concrete sidewalk across the frontage of the PECO Right of Way on Hartman Road at an estimated cost of $13,800.00.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the Board previously approved the design of the HVAC system for the Recreation/Community Center using a ground source (Geothermal) water loop heat pump system. The approval was conditioned upon the Architect proceeding with drilling a test well to determine the depth and formation thermal conductivity of the groundwater and its ability to support this environmentally friendly HVAC system. Since that time, the test well has been drilled and the ground water has been tested on two different occasions to determine its suitability for a ground source (Geothermal) water loop heat pump system. The Architect, Jonathan Trump, is recommending that the Board reconsider its approval of the geothermal system based on the test results which show that there is low conductivity on the property. The test results show that additional bores would need to be drilled and add approximately $100,000 to $150,000 on top of the initial $350,000 cost over what would be required for a natural gas system. Based on the new testing information provided, the Board unanimously decided to not proceed with the geothermal system for the Recreation/Community Center and to utilize a natural gas system instead.
Police Chief Scott Bendig reported that the Montgomery Township Police Department continues to be one of only a handful of police agencies in the area that conducts the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) training. This program is currently conducted at all elementary schools in Montgomery Township and the Township has two officers teaching DARE in the three elementary schools. In January, 2014, a DARE Instructor Training Program is being held at the New York State Fire Academy in Montour Falls, New York. Officers Thomas Ward and Brandi McCoy have been chosen to attend this training. Chief Bendig stated that the cost of the training is $975 per officer for the two week program and includes meals, accommodations, training, training materials and supplies. Resolution #4 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the request for Officers Thomas Ward and Brandi McCoy to attend DARE training at the New York State Fire Academy in Montour Falls, New York.
Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak reported that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced the opening of the 2013 Assistance to Firefighters Grant application period. The goal of the grant is to enhance, through financial assistance, the safety of the public and firefighters regarding fire and fire related hazards. Mr. Lesniak explained that under this grant, fire companies can either apply as individual organizations or join together with a group of companies for a joint application. In 2012, the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners announced a $29.97 million dollar upgrade to the aging, fault-prone radio system used by first responders throughout the county. The Commissioners also announced that the individual emergency service organizations would be responsible to purchase their own radios to communicate with this new system. The Montgomery Township Volunteer Fire Department and the Department of Fire Services will need to replace seventy-one radios as a result of this upgrade. The Hatboro, Horsham and Montgomery Township Fire Departments have joined together to submit a regional grant application to purchase the radios. In addition to the radios, the FDMT intends to submit a grant application to replace its aging self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). According to the grant program, 20 of our 36 SCBA units are considered to be obsolete by the DHS. Mr. Lesniak also reported that there would be a 10% match required by the Township if the grant were to be awarded. Resolution #5 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the submission of two applications for the FY2013 Assistance to Firefighters Grant by the Montgomery Township Department of Fire Services/Fire Department of Montgomery Township for the purchase of seventy one (71) radios and forty-four (44) SCBA units in the amount of $524,000.00, which a required grant match of 10% or $52,400.00, if awarded.
Technology Manager Richard Grier reported that the leases on the Township's six photocopiers are scheduled to expire on March 19, 2014. Mr. Grier stated that Canon, an authorized vendor under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchasing program, has offered to provide an early renewal on a new 48 month lease for six new copiers that meet or exceed the current equipment standards at an annual cost of $22,288. The new lease also offered several incentives for the Township including lower monthly costs and additional features. Resolution #6 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved entering into a 48 month lease with Canon Business Solutions to provide six photocopiers to Police, Administration, Finance, Fire Services, Planning/Zoning and Public Works Departments at an annual cost of $22,288.
Director of Planning Bruce Shoupe reported that an application for a Liquor License Transfer has been received by the Township from Druzak Merchant Development, Inc. for a Quaker Steak & Lube restaurant to be located at 790 Upper State Road. Resolution #7 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, set Monday, January 27, 2014, after 8:00 p.m., as the date and time for a Public Hearing for an Intermunicipal Liquor License Transfer for Druzak Merchant Development, Inc. for a Quaker Steak & Lube Restaurant, which is to be located at 790 Upper State Road.
Resolution #8 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, authorized a construction escrow release 4th for Montgomery Pointe Phase IIB - LDS#651P-B in the amount of $7,405.00.
Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Supervisor Michael Fox 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 8:30 p.m.