MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
JUNE 23, 2014
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 Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Bruce Shoupe and Police Chief J. Scott Bendig.
Chairman Joseph Walsh called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Supervisor Robert Birch was absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief J. Scott Bendig, Rick Lesniak, 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 and there was none.
Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire reported that the Board had met in an executive session earlier in the evening at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Bartle reported that the Board discussed three matters of potential litigation which were Zoning Hearing Board cases for Goodwill Keystone Area – 753 Bethlehem Pike, North Wales Plaza Associates – North Wales & Bethlehem Pike and Scott & Crystal Young – 207 Broad Acres Road. The Board also discussed a matter of litigation -Trippet vs. Montgomery Township officers, a Federal Court matter. 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 Michael Fox seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the June 9, 2014 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Resolution #1, made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, appointed Mary Griffith-Alfarano to the Finance Committee with a one year term set to expire on January 1, 2015.
Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade reported that in March 2014, the National Recreation and Park Association instituted a new program in conjunction with Macy’s “Heart Your Park” campaign to help raise awareness and funds for local parks across the country. The employees at the Montgomery Mall Macy’s asked customers to donate $1 or more at the time of purchase to be used for improvements/enhancements to the William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae. The Montgomery Mall Macy’s matched customer contribution funds and recently sent a contribution check in the amount of $250 to Montgomery Township. The money will be applied to the Capital Reserve Fund for Park Improvements at the William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae. Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Chimera and adopted unanimously, recognized and thanked Macy’s and the National Recreation and Park Association for the funds donated as a result of the Macy’s “Heart Your Park” Campaign.
Director of Planning Bruce Shoupe introduced revised land development plans for LDS #630 Firefox Townhouse Development which is located at the intersection of Line Street and Bethlehem Pike. The development is located partly in Montgomery Township and partly in Hatfield Township. One hundred and fifteen townhouses are proposed to be constructed in Montgomery Township. The development was originally conditionally approved by the Board of Supervisors, by Resolution #3, dated October 22, 2007. All conditions of this approval must still be satisfied. The revised plan, dated May 19, 2014, amends the approved plan as follows: Subdivision of the open space area to allow for phased construction of the north and south villages; revised several storm water management details to use HDPE pipe in place of reinforced concrete pipe in certain locations; all units are now proposed to have two garages; and driveways have been widened to accommodate the larger garages. Mr. Shoupe reported that an additional waiver has been requested for the use of Belgian block curbing along the private roads of the development. The Township staff and consultants have all reviewed the plan for compliance with Township codes. Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera inquired if the Agreements of Sale and other sales related documents will clearly disclose that the property owners will not be permitted to put patios on the back of the homes. Clay Chandler of the Klein Company indicated that they are selling the property to Select Properties and that while they will make this request known to Select Properties, the Klein Company does not have control of the individual lot sale agreement documents. Members of the Board were concerned that this notice would not be given to each potential homeowner of this development and incorporated into the HOA agreements. Resolution #3, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, approved the revised Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan for LDS#630 – Firefox with the condition that all potential sales documentation include the information that patios will not be permitted in this development.
Director of Planning Bruce Shoupe introduced the waiver request by Select Properties for the use of Belgian block curbing for land development plan LDS #639A – Crystal Road and Maple Drive Townhouses. The waiver request for Belgian block curbing is being submitted for approval to provide consistency between the two developments. Resolution #4, made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the waiver request for Belgian block curbing for the land development plan LDS #639A – Crystal Road and Maple Drive.
Director of Planning Bruce Shoupe introduced land development plan LDS#672 – Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan for General Hancock Pad Site #4 – Quaker Steak and Lube Restaurant. Mr. Shoupe reported that the property is located within the General Hancock Partnership development site within the ECPOD zoning district. The applicant proposes to subdivide the property into two lots. Lot 2A will include the construction of a 31,157 square foot building planned for a future retail use. Improvements to Lot 2B include the construction of a 6,000 square foot building for a Quaker Steak and Lube restaurant. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, approved the preliminary/final land development plan LDS#672 for the Quaker Steak and Lube Restaurant.
Resolution #6 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously approved the construction escrow release #3 for Montgomery Preserve Phase 1 in the amount of $10,907.50.
Director of Planning Bruce Shoupe reported that during the review of the proposed BJ’s Wholesale project at Five Points Plaza, PennDOT requested that the right-of-way along Cowpath Road and Bethlehem Pike be dedicated to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The appropriate documents have been created to accomplish this transfer and the transfer will be coordinated through the Township’s Traffic Engineer, Traffic Planning and Design. Resolution #7 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconding by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the transfer of the area between the legal and ultimate right-of-way along Cowpath Road and Bethlehem Pike for the BJ’s Wholesale Project to PennDOT.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that the Township’s contract for the purchase of fuel will be expiring on June 30 and staff have been investigating different Cooperative Purchasing Programs for the best price. After reviewing several options available, including the Montgomery County Consortium of Communities Cooperative Purchase Contract and the Southeastern PA Counties Cooperative Purchasing Board Contract, cost projections made on previous purchases show that the Southeastern PA Counties Cooperative Purchasing Board contract would provide an estimated savings of $983 for the year. Resolution #8 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the Township’s participation in the Southeastern PA Counties Cooperative Purchasing Board contract award for the purchase of fuel for a period of two years beginning on July 1, 2014.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that in March 2011, the Board authorized the submission of an application for a grant under the 2011 Montgomery County Community Development Block Grant Program to be used for the replacement of handicap access curb ramps along roads within Montgomery Township. In December 2011, the Township entered into a grant agreement for this project for $200,000. Due to some issues with the use of the grant and Township funds on state roads, the Township requested a reduction in the scope of the work to only include Township roadways and specifically Stump Road. The Township has been working with Gilmore and Associates to execute this project and the bid specifications are now ready to be advertised. Resolution #9 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the Township Manager to advertise for bids for the Replacement of Handicap Accessible Curb Ramps on Stump Road.
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.