MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MARCH 23, 2015
Chairman Michael Fox called the work session meeting to order at 5:30 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, Shannon Drosnock, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Sharon Tucker, Bruce Shoupe, Brian Forman, Rich Grier, Ralph Schurr, John Holsinger and Jim Kelly. The Montgomery Township Community and Recreation Center construction progress, operating hours, fees, programming and other matters were discussed.
Chairman Michael Fox called the executive session meeting 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 and Lawrence Gregan.
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, Scott Bendig, Rick Lesniak, Shannon Drosnock, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Brian Forman, Rich Grier, Kelsey McMeans and Deb Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Michael Fox 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 7:30 p.m. to discuss seven matters of litigation. The litigation matters included the Airport Square Associates Land Use Appeal, Mirabella v. Montgomery Township et al., Brogan-Lesinski v. Montgomery Township, EEOC Complaint – Deborah Lamb, the Marvin Cohen Zoning Appeal, the Commerce Group Board of View and Land Development Plan, and the Zehr Tract Board of View. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Supervisor Joseph Walsh made a motion and Supervisor Robert Birch seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the March 9, 2015 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig introduced the Township’s newest Recruit Police Officer, Anthony Long. Mr. Long was selected as a top candidate from a recruiting process that included a written examination, a physical agility test, police oral review board, a background investigation, including a polygraph examination, neighborhood interviews, employer interviews, and a Public Safety Committee oral interview. Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, appointed Anthony Long to the position of Recruit Police Officer in the Montgomery Township Police Department, effective March 24, 2015.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig reported that the Police Department is scheduled to replace two patrol vehicles in 2015. The Police Department is proposing to purchase a 2014 Dodge Charger and a 2016 Ford Police Interceptor Utility as approved in the 2015 Final Budget. The Police Department received two quotes from New Holland Group, an authorized vendor under the COSTARS Cooperative Purchasing Program to provide the requested equipment at a total cost of $52,824.00. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the purchase of two police vehicles to New Holland Auto Group at a cost of $52,824.00.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig reported that the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety sponsors an Emergency Vehicle Operator’s Course (EVOC) for law enforcement and other emergency vehicle operators. EVOC provides emergency vehicle operators with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely operate an emergency vehicle in emergency and non-emergency mode. Funding for vehicles utilized for EVOC practical exercises is limited. Currently, vehicles utilized for the EVOC are retired police service vehicles donated by municipalities that make use of the training. The Police Department is proposing the donation of a 2010 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor for the EVOC program. The vehicle has 89,298 miles and was retired from the fleet this year. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the donation of a 2010 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor to the Montgomery County Department of Public Safety for use in Emergency Vehicle Operator Courses (EVOC).
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that staff received and opened bids on March 5, 2015 for the Underground Storage Tank Upgrades at the Public Works Facility. In addition to the original scope of work, the removal of the concrete pad over the top of the tanks was added in order to replace the fuel lines and install leak detection sensors to stay in compliance with the UST and DEP regulations. Environmental Control Systems, Inc. (ECS) reviewed the bids and made a recommendation to award the bid to the lowest responsible bidder, Miniscalco Construction, LLC of Skippack, PA. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, awarded the bid for the Underground Storage Tank Upgrades at the Public Works Facility to Miniscalco Construction, LLC of Skippack, PA for a total projected cost of $95,946.00.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that it has been the policy of the Board of Supervisors in the past to waive permit fees for non-profit and governmental organizations. The Township has received a request from the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority to waive the building permit fee for the improvements to the Hauler’s Septage receiving station building. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the request of the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority to waive the permit fee for the improvements for the Hauler’s Station.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the Shade Tree Commission has obtained a professional services proposal from Timberlink Consulting, LLC for Phase II and III of the Forestry Management plan to be completed by July 30, 2015. Over the past several years, the Shade Tree Commission has researched the impact and alternatives in addressing the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) infestation and it’s devastation of the Ash Tree population across the Northeastern United States. Through the process, the Commission recognized that developing an overall Forestry Management Plan with the management of the EAB as a component was the best option. Phase I of the Forestry Management plan included Windlestrae Park and was completed in June of 2014. Phase II includes Fellowship Park and the Natural Area and Phase III includes Spring Valley Park. Specific areas to be addressed include long term aged management, invasive species, wildlife, and overall health of the forest stands throughout the Township. Resolution #6 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the proposal from Timberlink Consulting for the development of Phase II and III of the Forestry Management Plan in the amount of $2,700.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the McDonald’s restaurant, located in Horsham Township at the English Village location, is proposing to make improvements to the existing parking lot by adding an additional drive-thru lane adjacent to the existing land and remove an existing playground area and replace it with an outdoor seating area. All proposed improvements and site modifications depicted on the plan are within Horsham Township with the exception of a small portion of the parking lot, which is within Montgomery Township. The plans have been reviewed by the Montgomery Township Engineer who has indicated that Horsham Township’s Zoning and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances are consistent with Montgomery Township’s Ordinances. It is recommend that the plans be approved. Resolution #7 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the Waiver of Land Development for the McDonald’s Restaurant – Horsham Township English Village Location - #M-15-70.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported on the construction progress for the Montgomery Township Community and Recreation Center. The project is on time for a mid-Summer 2015 completion. Programming, policies, membership information and fees are currently under development and will be presented to the Board for approval at a future date.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the Natural Lands Trust, in partnership with the Montgomery County Association of Township Officials (MCATO) honored Montgomery Township with the County’s first “Growing Greener Communities Award” at the MCATO Spring Conference held on February 27, 2015 at Presidential Caterers. Roy Rodriguez, a dedicated volunteer for the Open Space Committee and Shade Tree Commission, accepted this award on behalf of the Township. The award recognized a Montgomery County municipality that has engaged in dynamic initiatives to save land, steward natural resources, and connect people to nature. Montgomery Township received this honor for the assemblage of the 13 municipal parks and protected natural areas that make up almost 730 acres of permanently conserved land, almost 500 of which are managed as publicly accessible parkland. Resolution #8 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, acknowledged the receipt of the first annual Growing Greener Communities Award from the Natural Lands Trust in partnership with the Montgomery County Association of Township Officials.
Chairman Michael Fox made a motion to approve the payment of bills for March 23, 2015. Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.
Under other business, Chairman Michael Fox reported that the Township’s annual Volunteer Brunch was held on Sunday, March 22, 2015 at the Pine Crest Country Club. The event honors all the Volunteers who serve the Township. Chairman Fox congratulated and thanked Public Information Coordinator Kelsey McMeans, Receptionist Charlotte Becker and Planning Coordinator Marita Stoerrle for their efforts in planning and running the event.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.