MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FEBRUARY 10, 2014
Chairman Joseph Walsh called the Executive Session to order at 7:30 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 and Bruce Shoupe.
Chairman Joseph Walsh called the action meeting to order at 8:02 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, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Kevin Costello, Bruce Shoupe, Richard Grier, Kelsey McMeans, Sharon Tucker and Shirley Snyder.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Joseph Walsh called for public comment from the audience and there was none. Chairman Walsh expressed his appreciation to Kevin Costello and the Public Works Department for going “above and beyond” their regular work in keeping the Township streets plowed and salted during the recent snow and ice storms.
Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire reported that the Board had met in an executive session earlier in the evening at 7:30 p.m. Mr. Bartle reported that the Board discussed four matters of litigation: Zehr Tract Acquisition, RD Management Validity Challenge, Commerce Group matter and right-to-know requests concerning RD Management and the Commerce Group. 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 and Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the January 27, 2014 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chairman Joseph Walsh announced that Officer Mark Webster has resigned as a member of the Pension Committee. Mr. Walsh thanked Officer Webster for serving on this committee. Chairman Walsh announced that Officer Michael Jenkins is seeking appointment to the Pension Committee to fill the vacancy created by Officer Mark Webster. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, accepted the resignation of Officer Mark Webster as a member of the Pension Committee and thanked him for his efforts and dedication while serving on this committee, and appointed Officer Michael Jenkins to fill the vacancy on the Pension Committee.
Director of Fire Services, Rick Lesniak reported that the Fire Department of Montgomery Township (FDMT) is requesting approval for their annual fundraising events. The FDMT would like to hold the following activities in 2014: Car Wash, tentatively scheduled in May; Coin Toss scheduled in December; Car Show, tentatively scheduled for August; and the MMR Carnival in June. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the FDMT fundraising events: Car Show, Car Wash, Coin Toss and participation in the MMR Carnival.
Director of Fire Services, Rick Lesniak introduced Alex Olimpo, FDMT President, William Wiegman, Fire Chief and Michael Shinton, President of the Relief Association, who introduced the FDMT and FDMT Relief Association (RA) 2014 Officers. Chairman Walsh thanked the members of FDMT for the assistance and contributions they make to Montgomery Township. Resolution #3 made by Vice Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted and approved the FDMT and FDMT RA 2014 Leadership.
Director of Fire Services, Rick Lesniak reported that the Department of Fire Services (DFS) and the FDMT is requesting approval to purchase equipment through the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner's Office Annual Volunteer Firefighter/Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant program. The intended purchase for the DFS would include four (4) portable radios. The FDMT intended purchases would include: one (1) new thermal imaging camera and one (1) 5-gas meter. Resolution #4 made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the DFS and FDMT to purchase equipment through the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner's Office Annual Volunteer Firefighter/Ambulance Service Grant.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig reported that on January 11, 2014, a Montgomery Township Police vehicle, in route to a call, was struck by a vehicle that failed to obey a traffic control device. The 2011 Ford Police Interceptor Sedan assigned to the Canine Unit, was deemed a total loss by the Township's insurance carrier. The cost for a new vehicle and replacement equipment is $32,082.02. Using the monies provided by the Township's insurance carrier, and a surplus in the Police Department's Capital Replacement-Police Vehicles category of the 2014 approved budget, a total of $6,311.02 is needed from unbudgeted funds to replace the police vehicle and equipment. Resolution #5, made by Vice Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the purchase of a police vehicle to New Holland Auto Group, an authorized vendor under Cooperative Purchasing Program at a cost of $26,500.00 and authorized the release of $6,311.02 in unbudgeted funds for the replacement vehicle and equipment.
Recreation Coordinator Sharon Tucker requested consideration for approval of the 2014 Kids University Trip Fees. The planned trips for 2014 are: Pump It Up; Facenda Whitaker Bowling; DaVinci Science Center; Adventure Aquarium; Ozzy's Family Fun Center; Philadelphia Zoo; Franklin Institute and Crystal Cave. In addition, a trip to the Hatfield Aquatic Center is planned each Tuesday, weather permitting. Resolution #6 made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the amendment to the Fee Schedule to include the summer 2014 Kids University trip fees.
Recreation Coordinator Sharon Tucker reported that Community Day is to be held on Saturday, September 20, 2014 and will be taking the place of Autumn Festival for this year. Community Day is an all-day community celebration filled with activities, musical entertainment and culminating with a fireworks display. As part of the committee's fundraising efforts, a solicitation letter is sent to business in the Township seeking various levels of sponsorship in order to fund the activities. Resolution #7 made by Vice Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the 2014 Community Day Solicitation Letter and Brochure.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that road improvements along Horsham Road at the new Community/Recreation center include requirements for upgrades to the traffic signal at Stump and Horsham Roads. Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. has prepared the plans and application to be submitted to PennDOT for these improvements. Resolution #8 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Vice Chairman Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, adopted the resolution to be submitted to PennDOT requesting revisions to the Traffic Signal Permit for the intersection of Stump Road and Horsham Road. The required improvements will include the addition of video detection for all four approaches, installation of wavetronix volume density system, countdown pedestrian signal heads and handicap access ramps on Horsham Road and Stump Road.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that Winter Storm Niko caused significant power outages, roadway closures and damage to public and private property on Wednesday, February 5th through 7th. Forty-six hundred properties and businesses reported power outages at the height of the storm on February 5th. As a result of the damages from the storm, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that federal emergency aid has been made available to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to supplement the commonwealth and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from the storm. Resolution #9 made by Vice Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously ratified the adoption of the Declaration of Disaster Emergency for Winter Storm Niko on February 5, 2014.
Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Vice Chairman Michael Fox seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.
Chairman Joseph Walsh reported that the Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan – LDS 663 - for Commerce Group at 744 Bethlehem Pike which had been previously tabled by the Board of Supervisors, was being considered for approval. Frank Bartle, Esquire stated that the resolution included 17 waivers. Resolution #10 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Vice Chairman Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, approved the Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan for the Commerce Group.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.