MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MARCH 9, 2015
Chairman Michael Fox called the action meeting to order at 8:00 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, Stacy Crandell, Kevin Costello, Bruce Shoupe, Brian Forman, Rich Grier and Kelsey McMeans.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Michael Fox called for public comment from the audience and there was none.
Supervisor Joseph Walsh made a motion and Chairman Michael Fox seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the February 23, 2015 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak reported that the Fire Department of Montgomery Township has selected its officers for the year 2015 to be presented to the Board of Supervisors. Unfortunately, most of the volunteer firefighters are currently working at an emergency at this time and are not able to be present. Vince Zirpoli, Deputy Chief, announced the names of the Operational Officers: William Weigman, Fire Chief, Vince Zirpoli, Deputy Chief, Joseph Simes, Assistant Chief, Joseph Bennett, Battalion Chief, Joseph Bifolco, Captain, Frank Colelli, Captain, John Scheiter, Captain, Paul Smith, Captain, Paul Mogensen, Lieutenant, Michael Shinton, Lieutenant, Vinay Setty, Lieutenant, Warren Fuchs, Chief Engineer, Mathew Palm, Fire Police Captain, William Adams, Fire Police Lieutenant. Glen Roetman, President, announced the Administrative Officers: Glen Roetman, President, Michael Shinton, Vice-President, Michael Goldberg, Financial Secretary, Rachel Troutman, Secretary, Philip Stump, Head Trustee and the Relief Association Officers: Matthew Palm, President, Michael Shinton, Vice-President, Joel Silver, Treasurer and Rachel Troutman, Secretary. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the Fire Department of Montgomery Township and the Fire Department of Montgomery Township Relief Association 2015 Officers.
A public hearing for Conditional Use #C-63 – Wilkinson Five Point, LP – BJ’s Fueling Station was opened at 8:05 p.m. Notes of testimony were taken by Court Reporter Mark Manjardi. Bruce Shoupe reported that an application for a conditional use, #C-63 – Wilkinson Five Point, LP has been received by the Township. The applicant proposes to demolish the existing bank building and construct a gasoline fueling facility with an associated 157 square foot building, 14 fueling stations and a drive-through automated teller machine. A fueling station is permitted as a conditional use in the shopping center district. Mr. Shoupe also reported that the applicant represented that they met the requirements of Section 230-86 Use Regulations, and Table 230 A – Table of Permitted Uses. Adjoining property owners were notified of this hearing, the property was posted and all Township consultants have provided review letters. Township Solicitor Frank Bartle convened the public hearing on the application presenting Township exhibits into the record, calling for questions from the Board of Supervisors and requesting public comment on the application. Robert Brandt, Esquire, Luke Teller, P.E. and Patrick Netreba of BJ’s were present on behalf of the applicant. Mr. Brandt stated that the applicant had no objections to the exhibits, which included the application, the proof of publication, the posting of the property, the notice to neighbors and the review letters of all Township consultants. Resolution #2, made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the Conditional Use #C-63 – Wilkinson Five Point, LP – for BJ’s Fueling Station.
Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade reported that Montgomery Township Police Officer Andrew Dalton is currently serving on active duty with the United States Army overseas. While the military provides health benefits to Officer Dalton, it has been the practice of Montgomery Township to continue to provide health benefits to the Officer’s family for 180 calendar days effective with the start of the military leave. Officer Dalton’s military leave began on October 1, 2014 through March 31, 2015 (180 days). As Officer Dalton continues to be on military leave, it is requested that the Board of Supervisors consider the extension of continued health benefits to his family for an additional 180 days, beginning on April 1, 2015. It has been the practice of the Board of Supervisors to approve previous requests for continuation of health benefits for the family of employees in the military who are called to active duty. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the continuation of health benefits to the family of Officer Andrew Dalton for an additional180 days, effective April 1, 2015.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman reported that as a condition of the approval of the Enclave Development by the Cutler Group in 2007, the developer dedicated a 20 acre parcel of land adjacent to the development (Friendship Park) to the Township and committed to make an additional contribution for each dwelling unit developed on the site. The commitment will ultimately result in a contribution of $1.4 million in improvements. In 2011, the developer undertook construction of Phase I of the improvements to the park which included grading of the site, installation of an asphalt parking lot, construction of storm water management facilities and construction of an asphalt walking trail looping around the park. At the completion of Phase I, $726,666 remains available for construction of Phase II improvements. The Park and Recreation Board has been working over the past several months with Chris Green from Gilmore & Associates to develop an updated list of amenities to be built on the park under Phase II. Those improvements include an extension of the asphalt walking trail, installation of a pavilion with restrooms, water and sewer service to the restrooms, completion of skinned baseball field with fencing, accessible walkway and player’s benches and a new playground with equipment appropriate for children ages 2 to 12. Space has also been allocated for a future bocce court facility. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the revised scope of amenities for Friendship Park and authorized staff to work with the Cutler Group to complete the installation of the amenities as recommended by the Park and Recreation Board.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman reported that the Community and Recreation Center Steering Committee has been meeting to work together to create an operating schedule for the Community and Recreation Center that will best serve the needs of the community, with an awareness of the costs of being open. The committee members reviewed the current operating hours of several area municipal community centers, as well as local fitness facilities. The recommendation will provide for the Community and Recreation Center to be open and available for use by the public nearly every day of the year. There will be three days during the course of the year that the committee is recommending a full closure of the facility (Easter, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day). Regular operating hours will include early morning, evening and weekend hours. The recommended hours will provide an opportunity to fully serve the public while allowing us to manage operating costs in a fiscally conservative manner. Supervisor Joseph Walsh recommended that the facility stay open on New Year’s Day as many people frequent fitness centers on that day and instead close the facility on the 4th of July. Supervisor Robert Birch inquired if these were initial suggested hours and whether or not the hours might be increased in the future. Mr. Forman stated that it was discussed by the steering committee that the hours could always be increased or modified as needed. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the following operation hours for the Community and Recreation Center: Monday through Thursday, 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Saturday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Holiday hours as follows: January 1st, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Easter Sunday, closed, Memorial Day, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., July 4th, closed, Labor Day, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Thanksgiving Eve, 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Thanksgiving Day, 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., December 24th, 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., December 25th, closed, and December 31st, 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman reported that the Community and Recreation Center Steering Committee has worked to create a fee structure for membership at the new Center that provides a revenue source for operation of the facility that is fair to our residents while being competitive in the market place. The Committee members reviewed the current membership and facility rental fee schedules of several area municipal community centers, as well as local fitness facilities. The proposed fees will provide for the Community and Recreation Center to develop the most appropriate initial fee structure possible for our new Community Center. Supervisor Joseph Walsh expressed some concerns about the fees and the use of the facility in general and requested that a separate workshop meeting be scheduled to have a more in depth discussion regarding the fees for the facility. This item was tabled for a future meeting.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that several change orders for the Community and Recreation Center have developed since the award of the contract and start of work. These change orders include revisions for various storm sewer modifications, construction modifications, technology modifications, and electrical modifications. Resolution #6, made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the following Change Orders to the General Construction Contract for the Community/Recreation Center Building Project with an increase cost in the amount of $49,845.97: GC PCO’s #00009, 00010, 00012, 00013, 00014, 00015, 00016, 00019, 00022, 00023, 00024 and 00025. HVAC PCO #00001. EL PCO #00010, 00011, 00012, 00013, 00014, 00015.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that staff is requesting the Board’s approval to purchase a 2016 Ford Super Duty F-550 Crew Cab Truck to be utilized by the Public Works Department to transport mowing equipment through cutting season and set up to plow and salt during the winter months. This purchase was proposed in the 2015 final budget. A quote was received from Whitmoyer Auto Group, an authorized vendor under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchase Program, to provide the requested equipment at a cost of $50,600.00. In addition, the purchase of a Custom Flatbed Dumping Stake Body is being requested to be installed on the 2016 Ford F-550. A quote was received from U.S. Municipal Supply Company, Inc., an authorized vendor under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchasing Program, to provide the requested equipment at a cost of $34,193.00. Resolution #7, made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the purchase of the 2016 Ford F-550 to the Whitmoyer Auto Group, at a cost of $50,600.00 and to U.S. Municipal Supply, Inc., at a cost of $34,193.00.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that staff is recommending the Board’s consideration of Ordinance #15-288 – Contractor’s Registration – Insurance Requirements. Mr. Shoupe reported that the ordinance would amend the Contractor’s Registration requirements, requiring commercial contractors to take out and maintain, during the life of the registration, commercial general liability insurance, business auto liability insurance and workman’s compensation insurance, as well as providing for a waiver of such insurance requirements. This change would also name the Township as a Certificate Holder but not as an additional insured as previously required. This concurs with the insurance industry change. Resolution #8 made by Chairman Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved Ordinance #15-288 – Contractor’s Registration Insurance.
Chairman Michael Fox made a motion to approve the payment of bills for March 9, 2015. Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera 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 9:00 p.m.