MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
JULY 28, 2014
Vice Chairman Michael Fox called the executive session to order at 7:45 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Jeffrey McDonnell. Chairman Joseph Walsh was absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire and Lawrence Gregan.
Vice Chairman Michael Fox called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Jeffrey McDonnell. Chairman Joseph Walsh was absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief J. Scott Bendig, Rick Lesniak, Shannon Drosnock, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Kevin Costello, Bruce Shoupe, Sharon Tucker, Kelsey McMeans, Rich Grier and Deb Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice Chairman Michael Fox called for public comment from the audience.
Richard Roller of 1142 Knapp Road, and the Township representative on the Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission, presented the annual check received from the Department of Environmental Protection for the 2012 recycling efforts of Township residents and businesses. Mr. Roller stated that the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has again withheld 40% of the monies owed to Montgomery Township. The 2012 Recycling efforts generated $46,957.26 after the 40% was withheld by the DEP.
Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire reported that the Board had met in an executive session earlier in the evening at 7:45 p.m. Mr. Bartle reported that the Board discussed one matter of litigation, Del Ciotto, Jr. – 1701 North Line Street and one matter of potential litigation and one personnel matter. Mr. Bartle also reported that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Vice Chairman Michael Fox made a motion and Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the July 14, 2014 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig requested that the Board recognize the donation of automatic external defibulators (AEDs) from Mr. and Mrs. Modestine, owners of the Village Tavern. Chief Bendig stated that in an effort to make AEDs readily available throughout the community, Mr. and Mrs. Modestine and the Village Tavern host a St. Patrick’s Day 5K run to raise money to purchase AEDs. The AEDs are then donated to local organizations. This year, they selected Montgomery Township’s Fire and Police Departments to each receive an AED. On July 2, 2014, Mr. and Mrs. Modestine presented the Fire the Police Departments with the AEDs to be placed in the Fire Department’s Fire Police vehicle and in the Police Station. Resolution #1 made by Vice Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, recognized Mr. and Mrs. Modestine and the Village Tavern for their donation of automatic external defibulators to the Fire and Police Departments of Montgomery Township.
Recreation Coordinator Sharon Tucker reported that the schedule of the Fall Recreation programs and the fees associated with the programs were ready for release to the public. Mrs. Tucker stated that the popular Breakfast with Santa program would be returning. Mrs. Tucker also stated that the online recreation program registration and payment system was fully functioning and residents were beginning to take advantage of the convenience of online registration and payments. The fall programs will be promoted by posting on the Township’s website, cable channels, E-News, and printed in the Fall Recreation Newsletter. Resolution #2 made by Vice Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and approved unanimously, approved the 2014 Fall Programs and Fee Schedule as submitted.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak reported on the hiring of a new full time firefighter. Carmen J. Conicelli was welcomed and introduced as the newest member of the Department of Fire Services. Mr. Conicelli comes with a solid background in firefighting experience, working most recently since 2010 as a Firefighter/Engineer for Gladwyne Fire Company. Mr. Conicelli has a broad range of certifications and years of experience as a volunteer Firefighter with the Southampton Fire Company #1, the Fire Department of Montgomery Township and the Sellersville Fire Department. Resolution #4 made by Vice Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and approved unanimously, welcomed new employee Carmen Conicelli as Firefighter in Montgomery Township effective August 5, 2014.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak reported that part time firefighter John Ardiff had recently submitted his resignation from the Department of Fire Services. Mr. Ardiff was employed as a part time firefighter from June 5, 2012 through July 11, 2014. Resolution #3 made by Vice Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, acknowledged the employment of and recognized the resignation of John Ardiff from his position as Firefighter Part Time with Montgomery Township.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak reported that the department had not proposed funding for the purchase of an additional workstation for the Stump Road Fire Station in the 2014 Budget because the SAFER Grant, which allowed the Township to add to its full time firefighting staff, had not been approved until late January 2014. Mr. Lesniak reported that a quote had been received from Lizell Office Furniture in the amount of $5,195.00 to provide an additional workstation. Resolution #5 made by Vice Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the supplemental appropriation and expenditure of unencumbered funds from the Undesignated Reserve Fund Balance in the Capital Reserve Fund for the purchase of the additional workstation for the Stump Road Fire Station in accordance with the proposal from Lizell Office Furniture dated July 25, 2014 in the amount of $5,195.00.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that the Township received two bids on July 15, 2014 for the Replacement of Handicap Accessible Curb Ramps on Stump Road Project. Reamstown Excavating, Inc. is the low bidder with a total of $79,800 for the project. The County approved Reamstown and verified that they are eligible to be awarded a federally assisted contract, which is the grant from the 2011 Montgomery County Community Development Block Grant Program. The estimated cost for the project is $90,000 with the Township funding the engineering/design costs estimated at $15,000 and the Community Development Block Grant paying for 100% of the construction costs estimated at $76,000. Funding for the project was included in the 2014 Capital Budget and the Township can cover the additional cost of $3,800. Resolution #6 made by Vice Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, awarded the bid for the Replacement of Handicap Accessible Curb Ramps – Stump Road to Reamstown Excavating Inc. in the amount of $79,800.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) has been discussing ways to implement the Sustainability Audit that was completed in 2009. The discussion led to undertaking a planning study to make Montgomery Township a more bike-friendly community. The Committee discussed the Green Streets Strategy, which encourages residents to walk or ride bikes instead of driving vehicles throughout the community. The Committee has also been working with the Township Traffic Engineer, Traffic Planning and Design, Inc. (TPD) to assist with this project. TPD has introduced three different options for the Township to start the planning process in order to keep this project moving forward. The Committee has recommended that the Board of Supervisors allow TPD to perform a preliminary bicycle and pedestrian connectivity assessment. This option would evaluate the existing conditions, identify key gaps, and prioritize projects for future grant opportunities. This process would cost about $10,000 and the end product deliverables would include a series of maps and typical roadway section graphics and prioritization tables. Resolution #7 made by Vice Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved Option C in the proposal from Traffic Planning and Design in the amount of $10,000 to perform a Preliminary Bicycle and Pedestrian Connectivity Assessment.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig requested approval for three department Officers to participate in out of state training programs. The Township Police Department participates in a cooperative agreement with other Montgomery County police departments in the Central Montgomery County Special Weapons and Tactics (CMSWAT) Team. Currently, the Police Department has two officers, Corporal Andrew Benner and Officer Thomas Ward assigned to the CMSWAT task force. CMSWAT is scheduled to attend training at Fort Dix in New Hanover Township, New Jersey from October 14 through October 16, 2014. The training will consist of team movements, search techniques, and firearms training in a multitude of environments not readily available in our area. In May 2014, the department received a grant for $14,945.00 from the Homeland Security Grant Program – Urban Areas Security Initiative for a new canine team trained in explosives detection. This funding includes the purchase of the canine, the training for the canine team, and lodging during the training program. On August 11, 2014, Officer Joseph McGuigan is scheduled to begin training with the canine at Tarheel Canine Training in Sanford, North Carolina. This training is scheduled to conclude on September 5, 2014. Resolution #8 made by Vice Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the requests for out of state training for Corporal Andrew Benner, Officer Thomas Ward and Officer Joseph McGuigan.
Finance Director Shannon Drosnock presented the Second Quarter 2014 Budget Report. Ms. Drosnock reported that the Township has received $8.19M of the general fund revenues budgeted in the second quarter. These revenues were comparable to revenues received during the 2nd Quarter 2013. In addition, expenditures during the 2nd Quarter 2014 were $4.58M, which was 5.2% higher than the $4.35M in expenditures during the 2nd Quarter 2013. Ms. Drosnock reported that overall, expenditures in each department are consistent with the budget as of the end of the 2nd Quarter.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the Board has twice previously authorized the execution of a Cooperative Memorandum of Agreement between PennDOT and Montgomery Township for the S.R. 202 Parkway Section 7IT intelligent transportation system devices and communication infrastructure project. PennDOT is now requesting that the agreements be authorized again after they have added a listing of the locations of the devices to the agreements. Resolution #9 made by Vice Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the Vice Chairman to sign the attached Cooperative Memorandum of Agreement for the installation of various traffic signals and communication equipment for the State Project No. S.R. 202 Section 7IT.
Vice Chairman Michael Fox 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 8:35 p.m.