MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
August 24, 2015
Chairman Michael Fox called the executive session to order at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Robert Birch, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Scott Blissman, Esquire and Lawrence Gregan.
Chairman Michael Fox called the action meeting to order at 8:03 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Robert Birch, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Scott Bendig, Rick Lesniak, Ann Shade, Shannon Drosnock, Bruce Shoupe, Brian Forman, Stacy Crandell, Kelsey McMeans, and Lance Allen.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Michael Fox called for public comment from the audience. Sam Dugan, 143 Pinecrest Lane, commented about the maintenance of 202 and County Line Road. Mr. Dugan said that he understood the matter was coming in front of the Board tonight for maintenance of County Line Road. The Board explained the Township has been in contact with the Bucks County Maintenance Department for PennDOT since the maintenance of County Line Road is their responsibility. Some parts of County Line Road have been mowed but there is still some work left to do and the Township will continue to follow up. He appreciated the Board looking into this matter.
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 five matters. The Board will go back into executive session at the conclusion of the action meeting. There were two potential matters of litigation, discussion regarding union negotiations, and one real estate matter. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Chairman Michael Fox made a motion and Supervisor Robert Birch seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the August 10, 2015 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
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 $6,000 to the Montgomery Township Historical Society. Lisa Knapp Siegel was present to accept the check on behalf of the Montgomery Township Historical Society.
Chairman Michael Fox presented a donation check in the amount of $10,000 to the Montgomery County Norristown Public Library. Kathy Arnold-Yerger was present to accept the check on behalf of the Montgomery County Norristown Public Library.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan discussed the landscapes and sidewalk maintenance agreements being required by PennDOT for maintenance of sidewalk and landscape improvements scheduled to be installed as part of the WD2 County Line Road Widening Project. As presented, the agreements would make the Township responsible for 6,881 linear feet of new sidewalk and 2,380 linear feet of new landscape planting areas (over 622 trees and shrubs in 29 planting areas) between Stump Road and Limekiln Pike under the WD2 County Line Road Widening Project.
The Landscape agreement would also make the Township responsible for the maintenance of the original 4,669 linear feet of landscape planting areas from the original WD1 County Line Widening project (Doylestown Road to Upper State Road). PennDOT’s contract for the WD2 project includes the option for the Resident Engineer to install new landscaping in the original WD1 project area. No plans have been provided to the Township for these landscape improvements.
PennDOT has advised that acceptance of the maintenance agreements for of all these areas is a condition of installation of these improvements under the WD2 project. If the Township does not accept the maintenance responsibility for the landscape and sidewalk improvements (with the exception of the ADA ramps), they would be removed from the project. The Township would still be responsible for year-round maintenance of the ADA ramp facilities under the State Highway Law of 1945.
The Township had Boucher & James, Inc., Township’s Landscape Engineer, review the landscaping agreement and they had a number of concerns. The language in the proposed contracts provides that should the Township not perform the maintenance work within a specified period of time or to PennDOT’s standards, PennDOT would have the authority to “withhold so much of the Township’s Liquid Fuels Tax Fund Allocation as may be needed to complete any necessary work and to reimburse PennDOT in full for all costs due thereof.”
The Board of Supervisors discussed the agreements and while they feel strongly about making the community accessible via interconnection of neighborhood by sidewalks, the agreements are not a good deal for the Township and will result in significant cost to the Township. In addition, it was discussed that the way the area was constructed makes it difficult to mow and maintain landscaping as well as the sidewalks would be difficult to keep clear in winter storms. The consensus of the Board was to not execute the agreements.
Recreation & Community Center Director Brian Forman requested authorization to execute an agreement in order to participate in the Healthways Silver Sneakers Fitness Program. The program is typically available to Medicare-eligible members of a sponsoring health plan at no cost to the eligible member. Medicare eligible members are adults age 65 or older, or, in some cases, those of any age deemed disabled and receiving Medicare. There are six Pennsylvania Health Plan Providers offering this programs including AARP Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan, Aetna Medicare, Highmark, Inc., Humana, Independence Blue Cross and United Healthcare.
There is no cost to the Township to allow program participants access to the fitness equipment in the Community and Recreation Center. The Township will receive $3.50 per person, per visit, up to a maximum $30 per person in a given month. (Senior Membership to the Community and Recreation Center are $16 per month per person, with the ability to bring 1 guest each visit).
Program participants would have access to the Fitness Room and all of its equipment, but they would not have full member benefits, such as discounted program pricing or access to member only events. As the number of Silver Sneakers participants grows past 30 individuals, we will eventually have the ability to offer Silver Sneakers Group Exercise classes, also at no cost to the Township or the eligible participant.
Resolution#1 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the Township’s participation in the Healthways Silver Sneakers Fitness Program for the Community and Recreation Center and authorize execution of the Healthways Mature Market Agreement.
Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the construction escrow release #8 for LDS #630 for the Firefox Phase 1 Townhouse Development in the amount of $244,516.62.
Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the construction escrow release #5 for LDS #639 for the Maple Drive / Crystal Road Townhouse Development in the amount of $178,447.28.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan asked to have the bills paid with one more addition from E.R. Steubner for work completed up to July in the amount of $242,892.67. Chairman Michael Fox made a motion to approve the payment of bills for August 24, 2015 with the addition of the E.R. Steubner bill. 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.
Chairman Michael Fox announced that the Board would be re-convening in executive session to discuss personnel matters and matters of potential litigation and would not be coming back for any further public action.