MINUTES OF MEETING

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

JULY 27, 2015

 

 

            Chairman Michael Fox called the executive session to order at 7:00 p.m.  In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh.  Supervisor Robert Birch was absent.  Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, and Lawrence Gregan.

            Chairman Michael Fox called the action meeting to order at 8:05 p.m.   In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh.   Supervisor Robert Birch was absent.  Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Scott Bendig, Rick Lesniak, Shannon Drosnock, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Rich Grier, Brian Forman, Stacy Crandell, 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 7:00 p.m. to discuss four matters.  The personnel matter was the Fire Union Labor Negotiations.  The litigation matters included two Zoning Hearing Board cases, the Joseph Ambler Inn and the Murwin property at 1936 County Line Road, and one matter of potential litigation.  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 Chairman Michael Fox seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the July 13, 2015 Board meeting.  The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.

            Township Manager Lawrence Gregan introduced Karen Grant who had expressed interest in serving on the Senior Volunteer Committee.  Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, appointed Karen Grant to serve as a member of the Montgomery Township Senior Volunteer Committee with a term to expire on January 1, 2016.

            Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell introduced the organizations that were receiving donations from the Township.  Chairman Michael Fox presented a donation check in the amount of $1,500 to the Visiting Nurse Association Community Services organization.  Richard Cirko was present to accept the check on behalf of the Visiting Nurse Association Community Services organization.

Chairman Michael Fox presented a donation check in the amount of $1,500 to the North Wales Library.  Jayne Blackledge was present to accept the check on behalf of the North Wales Library.

A public hearing for a liquor license transfer for Barbeque Integrated, Inc. for the Smokey Bones Restaurant to be located at the Montgomery Mall was opened at 8:18 p.m.  Notes of testimony were taken by Court Reporter Tim Kurek.  John McCreesh, III, Esquire and Jon G. Shell, CFO of Barbeque Integrated, Inc. were present.  Barbeque Integrated, Inc. will be operating a restaurant at Montgomery Mall, and their intent is to sell alcohol at the restaurant as a compliment to the food.  Mr. McCreesh reviewed the qualifications necessary to permit a transfer of a liquor license from another municipality.  Mr. McCreesh also presented the concept of the Smokey Bones restaurant.  The hearing concluded at 8:26 p.m.  Resolution #2, made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the transfer of liquor license to Barbeque Integrated, Inc.- Smokey Bones Restaurant, to be located at the Montgomery Mall, Montgomery Township, Pennsylvania.

Chairman Michael Fox opened a public hearing on the Conditional Use Application, #C-64, for DJJZ Enterprises, L.P.- Marks Jewelers for 975 Bethlehem Pike. Notes of testimony were taken by Court Reporter, Tim Kurek. Township Solicitor Frank Bartle introduced the conditional use application, read the legal advertisement and listed the exhibits on the record. Robert Brant, Esquire, legal representative for the applicant, introduced the owner of Marks Jewelers, James Brusilovsky, and Rolph Graf, the engineer for the project.  The proposed use is to reuse and renovate the existing industrial building, located at 975 Bethlehem Pike, and convert it to a retail jewelry store. The applicant represented that they meet the conditional use requirements of the Montgomery Township Zoning Code for approval as a specialty retail store, which is authorized in the HLI District by Conditional Use.  The hearing was closed at 8:45 p.m. Resolution #3, made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the Conditional Use, #C-64, for DJJZ Enterprises, L.P. for 975 Bethlehem Pike.

            Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the construction escrow release #7 for LDS #630 for Firefox Phase I in the amount of $230,876.47.

            Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the construction escrow release #4 for LDS #639 for Maple Drive/Crystal Road Townhouse Project in the amount of $57,042.01.

            Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak requested authorization to participate in the Montgomery County Purchase and Interest Free Finance Program for Public Safety Radios.  This program was announced in 2012 by the Montgomery County Commissioners to upgrade the aging radio system used by first responders throughout the County.  To help reduce the financial burden on the first responders, the Montgomery County Commissioners negotiated a one-time bulk purchasing agreement that resulted in a $300 savings per radio.  Montgomery County has worked out a program with the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority (DVRFA) to provide financing for local governments.  Municipalities will be able to borrow funds to cover the costs of new radios and repay the principal of those loans over a five-year period to the DVRFA, which will administer the loan and the county will pay the interest and administrative costs. 

              Any fire companies, EMS squads or other agencies that would like to take advantage of the one-time financing opportunity to purchase radios must do so through a sponsoring municipality that will be responsible for repayment.  In order to participate in the financing the Township needs to provide the County with details of their planned equipment purchase in writing and submit the required paperwork to participate in the one-time interest-free financing package being offered though the County by Oct. 1, 2015.  The Department of Fire Services/Office of Emergency Management, Fire Department of Montgomery Township, Montgomery Township Police Department, and Volunteer Medical Service Corps – Lansdale estimated the number of radios it plans to purchase as part of the bulk purchasing program.  Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak recommended that the Board of Supervisors authorize the participation in the Montgomery County one-time bulk radio purchase and loan program.  Resolution#6 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, authorized the Township’s participation in the Montgomery County one-time bulk radio purchase and loan program.    

Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock presented the 2nd Quarter 2015 Budget report.  Ms. Drosnock’ s presentation summarized the year-to-date operating results through June 30, 2015 and identified the significant activities in the fund balance, revenues and expenses.  Ms. Drosnock reported that overall the Township finances are in excellent condition, with the 2nd Quarter revenues and expenses tracking as expected in the 2015 Budget. 

            Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman presented the 2015 Fall Recreation programs and fees.  These programs will be offered to the public during the months of September through December 2015 and will be advertised in the Recreation Newsletter which will be distributed to Township residents by the middle of August.  Resolution #7 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the 2015 Fall Recreation Programs and Fee Schedule amendment as submitted.

            Township Manager Lawrence Gregan provided an update on the progress of the construction of the Community and Recreation Center with a slide show of photographs and detailed descriptions of the current status of the various locations throughout the building.  The building is expected to open in late August.  The Township will host a Dedication Ceremony on Saturday, October 24th from 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.   

            Township Manager Lawrence Gregan requested an additional item for the agenda to authorize the Board Chairman to execute a letter to the EPA Region 3 in regards to new stormwater regulations.  Resolution#8 made by Chairman Michael Fox and seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved authorizing the Board Chairman to execute the letter to the EPA Region 3 in regards to new stormwater regulations. 

            Chairman Michael Fox made a motion to approve the payment of bills for July 27, 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 9:15 p.m.