MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
JUNE 8, 2015
Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called the executive session to order at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh. Chairman Michael Fox was absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, and Lawrence Gregan.
Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh. Chairman Michael Fox was absent. 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 and Deb Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called for public comment from the audience.
Under public comment, Sandy Watson of 672 Boxwood Terrace, stated that last year she had addressed the Board of Supervisors and the Park and Recreation Board with concerns about the loud speakers being used at Windlestrae Park during the baseball games. She thanked the Township for making the situation better last year. Ms. Watson said that recently sounds coming from the loud speakers were very noisy. As she was walking her dog, she saw that the speakers were directed towards the residential neighborhood of Neshaminy Falls. Ms. Watson understood that the rules created by the Board of Supervisors stated that the speakers were not to be directed towards the residential neighborhood. She asked if Mr. Ruggieri could look into the matter as he did last year and if she should address the Park and Recreation Board about her concerns. The next Park and Recreation Board meeting will be this Wednesday, June 10, 2015. In addition, Ms. Watson praised Officer James Matlack for his handling of an issue regarding loose dogs running after small children in the park. Ms. Watson said Officer Matlack was wonderful with the children and he handled the situation professionally.
Also under public comment, Rich Roller of 1142 Knapp Road, the Township’s Representative on the Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission reported that the Township received $73,353.40 from the DEP Recycling Grant Program for Township residents/businesses recycling efforts of 2013. Also, Mr. Roller announced that he was stepping down as the President of the Montgomery Township Historical Society and passing the torch onto the new President, Lisa Knapp Siegel. The Board welcomed Ms. Siegel as the new President of the Township’s Historical Society.
Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire reported that the Board had met in an executive session earlier in the evening at 7:00 p.m. to discuss one matter of potential litigation and labor negotiations. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera made a motion and Supervisor Joseph Walsh seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the May 26, 2015 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock recognized the upcoming retirement of Finance Department Accounting Associate Gwen Bryant. Ms. Bryant will be retiring from her full time position with the Township on June 19, 2015. Ms. Bryant has served as an Accounting Associate in the Finance Department since July of 2006, first in a temporary capacity and later, in 2007 accepting a full time position. Ms. Bryant has provided exceptional service to the staff and business customers of Montgomery Township and she will be greatly missed. Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, recognized the retirement of Gwen Bryant and take this opportunity to thank her for her commitment to public service during her employment with the Township.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that a Facilities and Field Use request has been received from Cub Scout Pack 229 for the use of Spring Valley Park to hold their annual rocket launch on Sunday, June 21, 2015. Cub Scout Pack 229 has also requested a waiver of the $50.00 permit fee for their rocket launch. Resolution #2, made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the Cub Scout Pack 229 annual Rocket Launch at Spring Valley Park on Sunday, June 21, 2015 and waived the special event permit fee.
Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the construction escrow release #5 for LDS #651P for the Montgomery Pointe Phase III in the amount of $7,608.44.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that an application has been received for a Conditional Use Approval from DJJZ Enterprises, LP proposing the reuse and renovation of the existing industrial building at 975 Bethlehem Pike to be converted to a retail jewelry store. A retail jewelry store is permitted in the HLI Overlay District by conditional use. The building was formerly occupied by E.A. Dages, Inc. as a warehouse and distribution center. Resolution #4 made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, set Monday, July 27, 2015 after 8:00 p.m., in the Township building as the date, time and place for a Public Hearing to consider the Conditional Use application of DJJZ Enterprises, LP.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that with the upcoming completion of the Community and Recreation Center, the Township is ready to purchase the kitchen equipment for the building. The equipment consists of a commercial grade refrigerator, a commercial grade freezer, a commercial grade ice machine, a drop-in electric range and oven and a microwave oven. The Township proposes to purchase the equipment from three different vendors. Resolution #5 made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, authorized the purchase of the kitchen equipment for the Community and Recreation Center at the cost of $10,422.97.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig reported that the Police Department is requesting approval for Officer Daniel Rose and canine ‘Duke’ to attend the SKIDDS Canine Training Program in Rochester, New York from June 16 through June 18, 2015. The three day program is designed to educate and train canine handlers on the deployment of police canines in conjunction with a SWAT team operation. Resolution #6 made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the request for Officer Daniel Rose and canine ‘Duke’ to attend the SKIDDS Canine Training Program in Rochester, New York.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that resident Patricia Forbes has submitted her letter of resignation as a member of the Senior Committee. Ms. Forbes had served on the Senior Committee since February, 2013 and was an integral part of Committee discussions and recommendations. Resolution #7 made by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, accepted the resignation of Patricia Forbes from the Montgomery Township Senior Committee and thanked Ms. Forbes for her contributions during the time she served as a member of this committee.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade has requested to attend the Delaware Valley Health Trust (DVHT) conference being held on June 24 to June 26, 2015 in Cambridge, Maryland. The Trust is responsible for the payment of the costs associated with the conference. In general, the conference workshops are designed to inform members about the operations of the Trust, trends in health insurance and DVHT customized services. Resolution #8 made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the request by Ann Shade to attend the out-of-state DVHT training conference on June 24 to 26, 2015.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that in September 2012, the Cutler Group authorized its contractor, Wolverine Constructors, to proceed with site grading and paving improvements on Friendship Park in accordance with plans prepared by Chambers and Associates and in compliance with the approved NPDES permit for this work. The Township Engineer has inspected the site and has found the work completed to date to be satisfactory and in accordance with the approved plans. Resolution #9 made by Supervisor Robert Birch, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, accepted the Township Engineer’s recommendation that the site work being performed at Friendship Park by Wolverine Constructors, Inc., as detailed in Wolverine’s Payment request #13 Final has been completed in accordance with the approved plans and specifications and that the Cutler Group be notified of the Township’s acceptance so that they can proceed with payment to Wolverine in accordance with the provisions of their contract.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the Pennsylvania DEP recently held a number of meetings with municipal representatives and other stakeholders in the Wissahickon Creek Watershed. The purpose of the meetings were to encourage municipalities to “commit to participating in discussions to explore” an alternative watershed wide TMDL effort to improve the water quality of the Wissahickon Creek. The Pennsylvania DEP has asked municipalities in the watershed for a letter committing to participate in discussions to explore this “alternative watershed wide TMDL effort” by June 12, 2015. Resolution #10 made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, authorized sending a letter to the Pennsylvania DEP committing the Township to participating in discussions to explore “an alternative watershed wide TMDL effort” to improve the water quality of the Wissahickon Creek.
Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera made a motion to approve the payment of bills for June 8, 2015. Supervisor Joseph Walsh 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 8:30 p.m.