MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
JULY 13, 2015
Chairman Michael Fox called the work session to order at 7:00 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, representatives of the North Wales Water Authority (NWWA), Robert C. Bender, Executive Director, Bradley Fisher, P.E., Director of Operations and Engineering, Joseph Murphy, Operations Manager and Mark Elser. Bruce Shoupe, Stacy Crandell and Deb Rivas were also in attendance.
Robert Bender of the NWWA reported that the authority was investigating additional water storage possibilities in Montgomery Township. The authority must refurbish the existing two tanks which are too big to put completely out of service. The authority is seeking to construct an additional 4 million gallon tank as an expansion of the current water system. As Montgomery Township is the highest elevated location in the NWWA service area, the authority is seeking to locate a site within a certain ridge boundary of which to place the proposed tank. Mr. Bender indicated that the authority wanted to bring the matter to the Board of Supervisors prior to seeking out any private land acquisition. Bradley Fisher reviewed the current NWWA water system profile. Joseph Murphy explained the operational benefits of gravity vs. pump pressure supply system and the history of the NWWA water tank construction. Mr. Fisher reviewed the planned improvements and supply requirements for the water system, the methodology utilized to determine tank locations and also reviewed the regional water service map, showing the desired tank elevations. Mr. Bender stated that the authority currently has 12 hours of water in the air and they would prefer to have 24 hours of water to cover power problems and safety concerns. The biggest benefit to the Township, in addition to water service and safety, would be an improvement in the ISO fire safety ratings. Mr. Bender indicated that the authority would begin to investigate private property acquisition by September 1, 2015 and would prefer if the Township would provide some input as to the possible locations for a new tank. The work session concluded at 7:50 p.m.
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, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, 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.
Chairman Michael Fox recognized the Boy Scout Troop that was attending the meeting this evening. Billy Snow introduced himself and the members of Troop #152 out of West Point Village. They were in attendance at the meeting to earn their Community Merit Badge.
Supervisor Joseph Walsh made a motion and Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the June 22, 2015 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig introduced new employee, Adrianna Ciliberto, who joins the Township as a Police Dispatcher in the Police Department. Adrianna began her employment on June 22, 2015 and comes to the Township with a background in emergency dispatching and communications. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, welcomed new employee Adrianna Ciliberto to Montgomery Township, effective June 22, 2015.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock introduced two new employees, Maryann Sanders and Deborah Varga, who join the Township as Accounting Associates in the Finance Department. Ms. Sanders began her employment on July 13, 2015 and comes to the Township with an extensive background in finance and accounting. Ms. Varga began her employment on July 8, 2015 and comes to us with an extensive background in management and accounting. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, welcomed new employees Maryann Sanders and Deborah Varga to Montgomery Township effective July 13, 2015 and July 8, 2015.
Edward J. Furman, CPA, Partner of Maillie, LLP provided an overview of the 2014 Audit Results for Montgomery Township. Mr. Furman announced that Montgomery Township had a solid year for 2014, with strong balance sheets and an extremely strong financial report. Resolution #3, made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and unanimously approved, accepted the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for Year Ended December 31, 2014, as prepared by Maillie, LLP and Finance Department staff.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the Township has received an application for a Liquor License Transfer for LL# 15-04 – Barbeque Integrated, Inc. (Smokey Bones Restaurant). The Smokey Bones restaurant will be located at Montgomery Mall. For this intermunicipal transfer of a liquor license, it is required that a public hearing be held on the application within 45 days or by August 8, 2015 unless the applicant agrees to an extension of time. It is recommended that the public hearing be scheduled for Monday, July 27, 2015. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, set Monday, July 27, 2015 after 8:00 p.m. for the Public Hearing for an Intermunicipal Liquor License Transfer for LL# 15-04 – Barbeque Integrated, Inc. for a Smokey Bones Restaurant to be located at Montgomery Mall.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that a request has been received by the Penn Suburban Chamber of Commerce to waive the permit fees associated with their Networking Event which was held on June 30, 2015. In the past, it has been the policy of the Board of Supervisors to waive permit fees for non-profit and religious organizations. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the request of Penn Suburban Chamber of Commerce to waive all permit fees associated with their Networking Event held on June 30, 2015.
Resolution #6 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the start of the maintenance period and construction escrow release #1 for LDS #669 for Chick Fil-A in the amount of $813,585.43.
Resolution #7 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the start of the maintenance period and construction escrow release #4 for LDS #671 for 127 Stevers Mill Road in the amount of $5,323.55.
Resolution #8 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the construction escrow release #4 for LDS #664OHB for Maple Brook Estates in the amount of $138,691.71.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak requested approval to enter into a contract to resurface the engine bay floor at Battalion 2. Representatives from the Department of Fire Services met with three vendors to review the scope of the project. The lowest responsible quotation was provided by Criterion Firestation Flooring of Elkridge, MD in the amount of $14,784.00. This vendor proposed a 1/8” epoxy/urethane floor coating system with a three (3) year warranty. Resolution #9 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the resurfacing of the engine bay floor at Battalion 2 to Criterion Firestation Flooring at a total cost of $14,784.00 in accordance with their proposal dated June 25, 2015.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority (MTMSA) will be undertaking a project this fall to perform sanitary sewer mainline repair, service lateral repair/replacement and manhole rehabilitation work within a number of Montgomery Township streets located within MTMSA’s sewer Drainage Basins “B” and “E”. The work will require a Township Road Occupancy permit and the Authority is requesting a waiver of the $3,090 permit fee. The project also requires that the Authority meet trench/pavement restoration requirements as detailed in Chapter 201 “Streets and Sidewalks” of the Township Code. The Authority is proposing to perform a standard trench/pavement restoration as part of the project and is requesting that the Township postpone a final decision on the method for trench/pavement restoration for a period of up to one year following completion of the project. At that time, the Township and Authority would evaluate the condition of the road surfaces impacted by the project and reach an agreement as to the acceptance of the restoration performed by the Authority or if any additional restoration will be required. Resolution #10 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the waiver of the permit fee and agreed that a final decision on the method for trench/pavement restoration be postponed for a period of up to one year.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that a proposal has been submitted by the Township’s Traffic Engineer Kevin Johnson to perform engineering services to design ADA ramps, prepare an easement plan/description and design crosswalk pavement markings and a signage plan for the proposed marked pedestrian crosswalk on Claremont Drive to access Spring Valley Park. Citizen requests were received for the installation of a pedestrian crosswalk and Police Department Traffic Safety Officer David Dunlap has recommended the location for the crosswalk to be at the intersection of Claremont Drive and Beacon Court. Resolution #11 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the Traffic Engineer Study Proposal from Traffic Planning and Design, Inc., dated June 25, 2015 to prepare the ADA ramp and crosswalk designs for a pedestrian crossing on Claremont Drive at Beacon Court at a flat fee cost of $7,800.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the Public Works Department is requesting approval to enter into a contract to resurface the Rose Twig Park Hockey Court. The work involves cleaning of the court surface, filling of all cracks with crack filler, the application of three coats of resurfacing material and lining of the courts. Representatives from the Public Works Department met with three vendors to review the scope of the project. The lowest responsible quote was received from Ten-Trac, Inc. of Souderton, PA who proposed to perform the work at a cost of $14,900 less $2,650 if Township personnel would complete the filling of all cracks for a net cost of $12,250. Resolution #12 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract to resurface the Rose Twig Park Hockey Court, less the crack filling work to be performed by Township personnel, to Ten-Trac, Inc. as described in their attached proposal dated June 9, 2015 for a total cost of $12,250.
Chairman Michael Fox made a motion to approve the payment of bills for July 13, 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 8:50 p.m.