MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OCTOBER 14, 2014
Chairman Joseph Walsh called the executive session to order at 7:45 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 and Brian Forman.
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, Shannon Drosnock, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Kevin Costello, Bruce Shoupe, Brian Forman, Rich Grier, Kelsey McMeans and Deb Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Joseph Walsh called for public comment from the audience.
John and Maureen Mirabella of 104 Churchill Circle stated that they have had an ongoing problem regarding Township open space and neighbors who have been cutting and clearing that open space. Mrs. Mirabella stated that the Township has sent multiple letters to the residents telling them to stop cutting the open space, but the cutting continues. Mrs. Mirabella said that they were concerned that the Board of Supervisors had an executive meeting and violated the Pennsylvania Sunshine Law by discussing and taking action on this matter in a closed door session. Township Solicitor Frank Bartle stated that potential litigation matters are permissible to be discussed in executive session in accordance with the Pennsylvania Sunshine Law. Mr. Bartle said that this matter is considered a potential litigation matter because the Board of Supervisors discussed whether or not to consider filing a claim against the homeowners. Mr. and Mrs. Mirabella also stated that they are concerned about the number of residents who are cutting Township owned open spaces. Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the Township is investigating other areas and reviewing maps which show the status of various Township parcels. He noted that aerial maps showed that the area behind 110 Poe Court was cleared as far back as 1992. These lands were farmlands that were maintained by the owners without restrictions at that time. Mrs. Mirabella also read an email that was sent to her and her husband from Board Chairman Joseph Walsh. Mrs. Mirabella said that she found the email to be very disturbing and wanted to bring it to the full Board’s attention.
Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion and Supervisor Michael Fox seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the September 29, 2014 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan and Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade announced the hiring of Brian Forman as the Director of Recreation and Community Center. Mr. Gregan reported that the Board of Supervisors authorized a search for a Director back in May, 2014 and the Township staff began an extensive recruitment and interview process to ultimately select a final candidate. Mr. Forman holds an M.A. degree in Sports Administration from Ball State University and a B.S. degree in Recreation Administration from York College. Most recently he worked for the City of Apopka, Florida where he was the Recreation Operations Manager responsible for managing facilities, programs and staff, and prior to that from the Town of Plymouth, Connecticut, as the Parks and Recreation Director. Mr. Forman’s responsibilities will including planning, directing, and managing the daily operations of Montgomery Township’s recreation programs and facilities, and in particular, the multi-purpose community center planned to open in June 2015. Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the appointment of Brian Forman to the position of Director of Recreation & Community Center and welcomed him to the Montgomery Township staff.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak reported that the annual allocation of state aid from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Foreign Fire Insurance Tax has been received. These funds are allocated by the State to support the activities of the Volunteer Fire Relief Association that serves the Township, and this year’s allocation for the Fire Department of Montgomery Township Relief Association is $252,363.85. Fifty percent of the allocation is based on the population of the Township and fifty percent is determined by the market value of real estate in the Township compared to the state average. Mike Shinton, President and Matt Palm, Vice President of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township’s Fire Relief Association were present to accept the check. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, acknowledged the presentation of a check in the amount of $252,363.85 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the Fire Department of Montgomery Township Fire Relief Association.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak reported that Firefighter Robert Hedden recently submitted an application for renewal of his three certifications as an inspector under the Uniform Construction Code (UCC). These certifications require continuing education classes over a three year period. Mr. Hedden is requesting approval to take two courses being offered in New Jersey to satisfy 16 of his required 45 continuing education credits. Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized Firefighter Hedden to attend two courses on November 12 and November 25, 2014 at the Burlington City Emergency Services Training Center.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported on the progress of the building of the Recreation and Community Center. Mr. Gregan reported that current construction activities include widening improvements on Horsham Road, installation of the steel beams over the gymnasium area and the installation of the stone sub-base for the parking lot. The exterior walls for the building are being prefabricated offsite and are expected to be installed beginning on October 27, 2014. On October 23, 2014, there will be a roofing pre-construction meeting with roof construction to start in early November. The building is expected to be fully closed in by the end of November. Mr. Gregan also reported on the progress for the purchase of the property on the corner of Stump and Horsham Roads.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that several change orders for the Recreation and Community Center project have developed since the award of the contract and start of work. These change orders include a contract deduction for water pipe materials, sanitary sewer system materials changes, revision to a sanitary sewer manhole, an additional water line wet tap and modifications to the storm sewer management basin. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, approved the following change orders to the General Construction Contract for the Recreation and Community Center Building Project with an increase cost in the amount of $46,716.56. Township CO #003 – Contract Deduction; PCO #0003/Township CO #005 – Sanitary Sewer System Materials Changes; PCO #00005/Township CO #006 – Additional Water Line Wet Tap; PCO #00004/Township CO #004 – Revision to Sanitary Sewer Manhole; and PCO #00001/Township CO#007 – Modification to Storm Sewer Management Basin.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock reported that the annual General Municipal Pension System State Aid allocation for 2014 has been received in the amount of $429,867.48, which is a decrease of 1% from the 2013 allocation. The funds are allocated by the Township to the Police and Non-Uniformed Pension plans to offset the cost of these plans. Resolution #5 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the recommendation to allocate the 2014 Act 205 General Municipal Pension System State Aid to the Police Pension Plan in the amount of $238,576.48 and to the Non Uniformed Employee Pension Plan in the amount of $191,291.00.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock reported that the State Municipal Records Manual requires that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution to authorize the destruction of Non-Permanent records. Township staff has prepared a list of non-permanent records that may be destroyed in accordance with the approved retention schedule for the Board’s review. Resolution #6 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, authorized the disposition of the public records as presented to the Board.
Police Chief Scott Bendig reported that the Police Department is requesting the Board’s approval to sell at auction a 2009 Ford Expedition and a 2010 Ford Crown Victoria. Resolution #7 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the sale at auction of the 2009 Ford Expedition and 2010 Ford Crown Victoria through J.J. Kane Auctioneers of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
Resolution #8 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the construction escrow release #5 for LDS #661P-B for Montgomery Pointe – Phase IIB in the amount of $3,563.28.
Resolution #9 made by made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the construction escrow release #4 for LDS #651P for Montgomery Pointe Phase III in the amount of $27,405.00.
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 8:50 p.m.