MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FEBRUARY 23, 2015
Chairman Michael Fox called the executive session to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan and Ann Shade.
Chairman Michael Fox called the action meeting to order at 8:03 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief J. Scott Bendig, Rick Lesniak, Shannon Drosnock, Ann Shade, Kevin Costello, Bruce Shoupe, Brian Forman, Rich Grier, Kelsey McMeans and Deb Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Michael Fox called for public comment from the audience.
Joseph Del Ciotto requested that his application for a Minor Subdivision Plan LDS #678, 1701 N. Line Street be postponed until the next Board meeting on March 9, 2015. There were no additional public comments from the audience.
Township Solicitor Robert Iannozzi, Esquire reported that the Board had met in an executive session earlier in the evening at 7:30 p.m. to discuss two personnel matters and two legal matters. Mr. Iannozzi stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Chairman Michael Fox made a motion and Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the February 9, 2015 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chairman Michael Fox reported that the Township currently has two vacancies for the position of Elected Township Auditor. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Auditor, the Board of Supervisors may appoint a successor who is an elector of the Township and has resided in the Township continuously for at least one year prior to their appointment. The Board of Supervisors wishes to appoint Township resident Gary Thom to the position of elected Auditor. Mr. Thom shall serve in this capacity until the first Monday of January, 2016. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, appointed Gary Thom to fill a vacancy on the Montgomery Township Board of Auditors.
Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak reported that the Fire Department of Montgomery Township is nominating Timothy Johnson to be appointed as a Special Fire Police Officer under the Pennsylvania State Fire Police Statute – Act of 1941, P.L. 137, No. 74, Amended July 11, 1980, P.L. 580, No. 122. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, appointed Timothy Johnson to the position of Special Fire Police Officer with the Fire Department of Montgomery Township. Mr. Johnson was sworn in by Chairman Michael J. Fox.
Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak reported that the Fire Services Agreement provides that the Volunteer Fire Department of Montgomery Township (FDMT) annually advise the Board of Supervisors of its planned fundraising activities and requests the Board of Supervisor’s approval of the events. The FDMT proposes to host the following fund raising activities in 2015: Car Washes, Coin Toss, Car Show and Mary Mother of the Redeemer Carnival. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the fund raising events as noted above.
Director of Planning Bruce Shoupe reported that an application for a Preliminary/Final Subdivision plan LDS# 680 had been received for a developed 1.4 acre parcel located at 1023 Lansdale Avenue. The site currently contains a single family residence with an accessory carport and a paved driveway accessing Lansdale Avenue northwest of its intersection with Pecan Drive. The applicant proposes to subdivide the property into two parcels, containing areas of .682 acres and .527 acres. Robert Jordan, P.E., an engineer representing the applicant, explained that several of the waivers listed in the proposed resolution can be removed as those waivers are no longer being requested. The waivers included the requirement for street trees, the requirement for softening buffers and the requirement for three shade trees. Landscaping fees will be held in escrow. All other requirements listed on the resolution are acceptable to the applicant. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the Preliminary/Final Subdivision Plan LDS# 680 for 1023 Lansdale Avenue, subject to the revised resolution, eliminating waivers #1, #2 and #3.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman presented the 2015 Spring and Summer Recreation programs and fees. These programs will be offered to the public during the months of April through August, 2015 and will be advertised in the Recreation Newsletter which will be distributed to Township residents by the middle of March. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the 2015 Spring and Summer Recreation Programs and Fee Schedule amendment as submitted.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman reviewed a proposal for the purchase of the fitness equipment required for the cardio/exercise rooms in the Community and Recreation Center. The equipment proposed to be purchased includes: 7 treadmills, 5 cross trainers, 2 recumbent bikes, 1 upright bike, 19 station Hammer Strength circuit, 3 adjustable benches, 1 Smith Machine, 20 weight plates ranging from 2.5lbs. to 45lbs., Dumbbells from 5lbs. to 75lbs., and 11 Spin Cycles. Quotes to supply and install the equipment were obtained from three nationally recognized fitness equipment vendors. All three of the vendors are qualified suppliers under the Pennsylvania State COSTARS Cooperative Purchase Contract #14-16. The Community and Recreation Center Steering Committee, consisting of Board/Commission volunteers and staff, reviewed the specifications and cost proposals for the equipment and is recommending that the Township proceed with the purchase of the fitness equipment from Life Fitness at a total cost of $179,396.81. Resolution #6 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera awarded the contract for the purchase of fitness equipment for the Community and Recreation Center to Life Fitness in the amount of $179,396.81, in accordance with their proposal dated February 2, 2015.
Public Works Director Kevin Costello reported that the bids for the annual Curb and Sidewalk project were opened on February 12, 2015. The Township Engineer, Gilmore and Associates, reviewed the bids and has provided a recommendation that the contract be awarded to the lowest responsible bidder, Patriot Grounds & Site Services, Inc., with a bid of $113,353.75. Resolution #7, made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, authorized the award of the 2015 Curb and Sidewalk project to Patriot Grounds & Site Services, Inc. for a total projected cost of $113,353.75.
Public Works Director, Kevin Costello, reported that the annual bids for Materials, Services and Equipment Rentals were opened on February 12, 2015 and reviewed by the staff. The staff’s recommendation is to award the bids to the lowest responsible bidders. Resolution #8 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, authorized contracts with the following companies: Asphalt/Bituminous Concrete to Eureka Stone Quarry., amount not to exceed $324,600; Stone Aggregate to Glasgow, Inc., various unit pricing; Lawn Care Treatments to Moyer & Son, Inc., $17,100; Equipment Rental with Operator to P.K. Moyer & Sons, Inc., amount not to exceed $216,400; and Crack Sealer to Crafco, Inc. at $.52 for pickup and $.54 delivered pricing.
Director of Planning Bruce Shoupe reported that staff is recommending that the Board authorize the advertisement of a proposed Ordinance #15-288 – Amending Chapter 82 – Contractors, Section 7.B – Insurance, to revise the Contractor’s Registration requirements in the Code to conform to insurance standards. He recommended that the proposed ordinance be considered at the March 9, 2015 Board of Supervisors meeting. Resolution # 9 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, set Monday, March 9, 2015, after 8:00 p.m., in the Township Building, as the date, time and place for consideration of Ordinance #15-288 which would regulate Contractor’s Registration requirements.
Chairman Michael Fox made a motion to approve the payment of bills for February 23, 2015. Supervisor Joseph Walsh seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.
Under other business, Resolution #10 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, authorized the Township Solicitor to represent the Township and appear before the Zoning Hearing Board in opposition to the Christopher Lear / 1079 Horsham Road Zoning Application.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:42 p.m.