MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MAY 12, 2014
Chairman Joseph Walsh called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Robert Birch and Jeffrey McDonnell. Vice Chairman Michael Fox was absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief J. Scott Bendig, Richard Lesniak, Shannon Drosnock, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Kevin Costello, Bruce Shoupe, Richard Grier, Kelsey McMeans and Deb Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Joseph Walsh called for public comment from the audience. Township resident Ralph Schurr thanked the Board of Supervisors for the traffic light changes at the North Wales and Knapp Road intersection. Mr. Schurr reported that the modifications are working very well to clear traffic and the changes have relieved a lot of stress that the area residents had been experiencing due to the increase in traffic volume in that location. Mr. Schurr provided a brief biography and asked the Board of Supervisors and residents to support Beverly Plosa-Bowser in the Congressional primary election to be held on May 20, 2014.
Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion and Supervisor Robert Birch seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the April 28, 2014 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Public Information Coordinator Kelsey McMeans reported that Township resident Mary McKeown was celebrating her 100th Birthday today, May 12, 2014. Mrs. McKeown's daughter Mary Ann Beck and her husband, Charles, were present to accept a Certificate of Recognition and Congratulations for their mother. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, recognized and congratulated Township Resident Mary McKeown on her 100th Birthday and celebrated her extraordinary life dedicated to family and service to others.
Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade announced the upcoming retirement of long time employee Marge LaCorte. Mrs. LaCorte has served as the Public Works Department's Part Time Secretary since May 16, 2000, completing exactly 14 years of service with the Township. As a resident of the Township, Marge has been a major asset to the Public Works Department with her vast knowledge of the Township, making it easier for her to assist the residents with their concerns. She worked closely with the Finance Department to handle all of the Public Works invoices and she also maintained the PA One Call System for the department. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, recognized the retirement of Marge LaCorte and thanked her for her commitment to public service during her employment at Montgomery Township.
Police Chief J. Scott Bendig announced that the Montgomery Township Police Department has successfully achieved its fourth consecutive Accreditation Award under the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Program. Chief Bendig acknowledged and thanked Officer Brian Gerrard for handling the duties of Accreditation Manager for this process. Chief Bendig introduced Abington Police Chief William J. Kelly, who currently serves as the Chairman of the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC), as well as the 1st Vice President of the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association.
Chief Kelly reported that many municipalities claim that their Police Department is the very best and many wonder what criteria is being used when a statement like that is made. He explained that a major criteria for making such a claim is for the department to receive accreditation under the PLEAC program. He further explained that out of 1200 Police Departments in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, only 360 of them have entered the accreditation process, which is approximately 30%. Out of those 360 departments, only 90 have actually achieved accreditation, placing them in the top 7.5% of Police Departments in the State. Chief Kelly also said that beyond those departments who have been accredited, there is a small number, such as the Montgomery Township Police Department, that have achieved accreditation four consecutive times, placing this department in the top 1.5% of all Police Departments in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Chief Kelly presented the Re-Accreditation plaque to Chief Bendig and the Montgomery Township Police Department. Resolution #3, made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, recognizing and congratulating the Police Department on achieving the Re-Accreditation Award from PLEAC for the fourth consecutive time.
Police Chief J. Scott Bendig announced that in honor of Police Week, the Police Department would like to recognize the following members of the Department for their outstanding performance in the line of duty during the second half of the 2013 calendar year as recommended by the Police Department's Award Committee:
- Officer Todd Walter was awarded a Letter of Official Commendation for his investigation into prescription drug fraud.
- Officer John Rushin was awarded an Official Commendation for Merit for his investigation involving the theft of copper from commercial air conditioning units in Montgomery Township and surrounding municipalities in Montgomery County.
- Officer Thomas Ward and Officer Michael Jenkins were awarded Letters of Official Commendation for their investigation involving a traffic stop and suspected drug activity.
- Officer Jeffrey DePolo and Officer Jake Beebe were awarded Official Commendations for Life Saving.
- Officer Daniel Rose/K9 Duke and Officer Brian Schreiber/K9 Bauer were awarded the United States Police Canine Association's Third Quarter Detector Award for assisting in the search of a suspect's vehicles and alerting to the presence of drugs, resulting in the recovery of $2,000,000 in heroin, over $17,000 in currency and three vehicles.
- Officer Daniel Rose/K9 Duke received an Official Commendation for Merit from the Lansdale Police Department for conducting a track which resulted in the apprehension of a subject wanted for an attempted abduction in a park. Resolution #4, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera, and adopted unanimously, recognized and commended the officers for their outstanding performances as Montgomery Township Police Officers in the line of duty.
Police Chief J. Scott Bendig reported that in 1962, President John F. Kennedy proclaimed May 15th as National Peace Officers Memorial Day and the calendar week in which May 15th falls as Police Week. Police Week pays special recognition to these law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others. Chief Bendig also stated that this is a significant week in our community as Montgomery Township Police Officer David Hancock lost his life on December 11, 1976, while protecting the citizens of Montgomery Township. National Police Week 2014 will be recognized from Sunday, May 11th through Saturday, May 17th. The Montgomery Township Police Department hosted a special celebration of National Police Week on Saturday, May 10th at the Montgomery Mall. Resolution #5, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera, and adopted unanimously, recognized the week of May 11th through May 17th, 2014 as National Police Week.
Public Works Director Kevin Costello reported that the American Public Works Association (APWA) has sponsored “National Public Works Week” since 1960, and this year it is being celebrated the week of May 18th through May 24th, 2014. Across the nation, the APWA membership uses this week to energize and educate the public on the importance of the Public Works contributions to their daily lives such as planning, building, managing and operating the heart of our local communities and building a great quality of life. Resolution #6, made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera, and adopted unanimously, recognized the week of May 18th through May 24th as National Public Works Week.
Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak announced that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded a grant in the amount of $240,000 to the Fire Department of Montgomery Township (FDMT) for the purchase of forty-four (44) SCBA Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus units. Mr. Lesniak reported that there is a grant sharing requirement and that the FDMT would be required to provide a cost share of $24,000. Resolution #7, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the acceptance of the grant by the FDMT for the purchase of forty-four SCBA units.
Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak reported that Firefighter Robert Hedden currently holds three certifications in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has recently submitted an application for renewal of those certifications for a new three year cycle (2013-2016). Firefighter Hedden is requesting approval to take a course titled “Right of Entry” and “Fire Sprinkler Protection in Storage Applications” courses to satisfy 16 of his required 45 Continuing Education credits. These courses are being offered through the New Jersey Center for Services in Lambertville, NJ. These courses are free of charge. Resolution #8, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the out-of-state training for Firefighter Robert Hedden.
Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade reported that a Facilities and Field Use request has been received from Cub Scout Pack 229 for the use of Spring Valley Park to hold their annual rocket launch on Sunday, June 15, 2014. Cub Scout Pack 229 has also requested a waiver of the $50.00 permit fee for their rocket launch. Resolution #9, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the Cub Scout Pack 229 annual Rocket Launch at Spring Valley Park on Sunday, June 15, 2014 and waived the special event permit fee.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan presented proposed Ordinance #14-278, Stormwater Management Regulations, an ordinance that will comply with the requirements of the Neshaminy Creek Watershed Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan. The ordinance regulates activities for land developments and subdivisions, construction or reconstruction of, or addition of new impervious or semi-pervious surfaces (driveways, parking lots, roads, etc.), construction of new buildings or additions to existing buildings and nonstructural and structural stormwater management Best Management Practices (BMPs) or appurtenances. The ordinance also incorporates an exemption for residential projects of less than 1,000 square feet of impervious surface, and “small projects design standards” for residential projects of less than 5,000 sq. ft. of impervious coverages and less than one acre of earth disturbance. Residential Projects between 1,000 sq. ft. and 5,000 sq. ft. of impervious coverage will also be eligible for payment of a “fee-in-lieu of” alternative to installing improvements, which fees will be used for Township wide water quality improvements. Resolution #10, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, adopted Ordinance 14-278, the Montgomery Township Stormwater Management Ordinance, providing for General Provision; Definitions; Stormwater Management; Stormwater Management Site Plan Requirements; Inspection; Fees and Expenses; Maintenance Responsibilities; Prohibitions; Enforcement and Penalties; and Related Appendices, and amending the Montgomery Township Code to include the Montgomery Township Stormwater Management Ordinance as Chapter 206.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan requested that the Board consider a proposal for change order approval of certain change orders for the Recreation/Community Center Building Construction Project. During past building construction projects, there were several high priority change orders which were required to be executed in order to keep the project moving along. It was decided that the Township Manager and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors would jointly approve any change orders under a specified value for the project and reported to the full Board at the next regular public meeting. Any significant change orders over the specified value would require the approval of the Board at a public meeting before being executed. Mr. Gregan recommended that the limit for change orders to be approved by the Township Manager and Chairman be set at $10,000. Resolution #11, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the Township Manager and Chairman of the Board be authorized to jointly approve any change orders for the Recreation/Community Center Project not exceeding $10,000. Any change orders over $10,000 will require Board of Supervisor approval at a public meeting.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the Public Works Department is proposing the demolition of the structures on Township owned property at 1237 Stump Road. The property was purchased by the Township in December 2011 to provide for a future trail connection between the Township's Zehr Park and the 202 Parkway Trail. Proposals were obtained from three (3) demolition contractors to perform this work with the lowest responsible proposal received from Kneckel Demolition and Excavating of Harleysville, PA in the amount of $16,900. Resolution #12, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the award of the contract for the demolition of the structures on Township owned property at 1237 Stump Road to Kneckel Demolition and Excavating at a cost of $16,900.
Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the waiver of permit fee for Bharatiya Temple for a freestanding sign to be placed on their property, and Supervisor Robert Birch seconded the motion. Resolution #13, adopted unanimously, approved the waiver of the permit fee.
Resolution #14, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the escrow release #2 for LD/S #664OHB for Maple Brook Estates in the amount of $136,965.12.
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.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:05 p.m.