MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
Chairman Michael J. Fox called the executive session to order at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Supervisors Robert Birch, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, and Lawrence Gregan.
Chairman Michael J. Fox called the action meeting to order at 8:06 p.m. In attendance were Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Supervisors Robert Birch, 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, Rich Grier, Brian Forman, Kelsey McMeans and Deb Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Michael J. 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 two matters. The litigation matter was the Zoning Hearing Board case for the Pour House Restaurant Signage. The second item was a 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 Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2015 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell introduced Katie Walker of The PEAK Center who was present to accept the Township’s donation check in the amount of $3,000. Ms. Walker reported that The PEAK Center has an annual budget of $680,000 and that the County funds approximately 40% of that amount, so donations such as the one from the Township are very helpful to keep the center thriving. Ms. Walker reported on the current construction status of the new facility which will be completed in the Fall of 2016, and showcased some of the popular programs that the senior center offers to the Township and surrounding area residents.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak reported that the national observance of Fire Prevention Week 2015 will be held from October 5th through October 11th. This year’s theme is “Hear the Beep Where You Sleep – Every Bedroom Needs a Smoke Alarm”. A fire safety educational display will be located in the lobby of the Township building from October 5th through the 10th and the Fire Department of Montgomery Township (FDMT) will be hosting an Open House on Monday evening, October 5th at Wegmans. Members of the Department will be displaying the apparatus and distributing public education materials. In addition to those activities, during the month of October, the Department of Fire Services will be conducting fire drills, fire safety inspections and fire prevention talks at all schools, day care centers, health care facilities and hotels. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, and adopted unanimously, recognized October 5th through October 11th as Fire Prevention Week.
Police Chief Scott Bendig reported that the Police Department would be recognizing several members of the Department for their outstanding performance in the line of duty on June 6, 2015 as recommended by the Police Department’s Award Committee. The Official Commendation for Life Saving was awarded to Officers Daniel Rose, Peter Bryne and Anthony Long for an incident involving a bicyclist who had collapsed on a roadway. Mr. Andy Cousin was present and thanked each officer for saving his life. Without them, Mr. Cousin said he would not be standing here today. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, recognized and commended Officers Daniel Rose, Peter Byrne and Anthony Long for their outstanding performances as Montgomery Township Police Officers in the line of duty.
Police Chief Scott Bendig reported that at the July 27, 2015 Board of Supervisors meeting, the Board authorized the Township’s participation 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 has negotiated a one-time bulk purchasing agreement that resulted in a $300 savings per radio. Montgomery County has also 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. At this time, the Police Department, Fire Services Department, Fire Department of Montgomery Township and the Volunteer Medical Service Corp of Lansdale have submitted their requested number of radios required to be purchased at this time. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, authorized the purchase of radio equipment for the Township’s Police, Fire, and Volunteer Emergency Medical Services agencies through Montgomery County at a cost of $536,651.72.
Police Chief Scott Bendig announced the resignation of Police Dispatcher Joseph M. Bennett. Mr. Bennett worked for the Police Department as a Police Dispatcher since September 3, 2013. His separation was effective September 22, 2015. Chairman Michael Fox commented that the Township is appreciative of his service and wishes him well in his future endeavors. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, recognized the resignation of Joseph M. Bennett from his position as a Police Dispatcher with Montgomery Township.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell announced that the date of the Fall 2015 Curbside Leaf and Yard Waste Pickup will be on Saturday, November 21, 2015. In order to participate, residents must place the collected leaf and yard waste materials in biodegradable paper bags at the curb prior to 7:00 a.m. the day of the collection. In addition to the curbside leaf waste collection, the Township will continue to conduct its monthly leaf and yard waste drop off collection site on the third Saturday of every month. The location for the drop off site is the William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae (Main Section/Kenas Road) from 8:00 a.m. to Noon.
Planning & Zoning Director Bruce Shoupe introduced the Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan LDS #685 for PJW Restaurant Group – Pour House Restaurant at 801 Bethlehem Pike. The applicant intends to construct a 72 seat, 1,405 square foot four-season building addition to an existing restaurant building (former Macaroni Grill) at the Airport Square Shopping Center. Additional improvements include the construction of a new landscape area, concrete curb and a reconfigured sidewalk. The Township Staff and Consultants have reviewed this plan for compliance with Township Codes. Chairman Michael Fox confirmed with the applicant and his attorney that they concur with the proposed resolution and conditions of approval. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, granted conditional, preliminary/final approval of the land development application and plan LDS #685 for PJW Restaurant Group – Pour House Restaurant at 801 Bethlehem Pike.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that during the Fuel System Upgrade Project at the Public Works Facility, several conditions developed when the old pumps and the concrete tank pad were removed. During the excavation, some contaminated soil was discovered under the old fuel pumps that needed to be excavated and disposed of in accordance with the DEP Regulations. In anticipation of this, bid specifications included a unit price schedule for soil remediation, labor and equipment. Also, the project required installation of extra concrete for the widening of the concrete pad located over the underground tanks and to relocate the pump island further from the building, the installation of one new tank probe and the replacement of two deteriorated underground vent pipes and a vacuum vent. As a result of this additional work, a change order was generated in the amount of $11,555.78. Resolution #6 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved Change Order #1 to the contract with Miniscalco Construction LLC for the Fuel System Upgrade project at a cost of $11,555.78.
Autumn Festival Committee Chairman Mary Griffith Alfarano and Township Athletic and Recreation Coordinator Matt Reimel provided highlights for the upcoming Autumn Festival Community Day scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2015 at the William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae. The Autumn Festival Committee has received numerous sponsorships, has secured over 59 vendors and an additional 10 food vendors. The Opening Ceremony will begin at 12:00pm with the presentation of the American Flag by the North Penn High School Junior ROTC Color Guard. Day long highlights will include amusement rides, corn maze, Fire and Police demonstrations, hay rides, pony rides, petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, dance and gymnastics demonstrations, scarecrow making and a special appearance by the Amazing Spiderman. A disc jockey will be at the event the entire day. The event will conclude with a concert by the Mango Men and a spectacular fireworks show.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman reported on the budget for the Autumn Festival and requested that the Board authorize the transfer of $7,000 to the Autumn Festival fund to support the expenditures for the event. Resolution #7, made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the transfer of $7,000 from the General Fund to the Autumn Festival Fund.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock reported that Act 205, Section 304 requires that the Chief Administrative Officer for Montgomery Township submit the Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) for the upcoming budget year to the Board on or before the last business day in September. The MMO is the calculated funding obligation to the Township's Police and Non-Uniform Employee Pension Plans. Resolution #8 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, accepted the 2016 MMO for the Montgomery Township Police Pension Fund in the amount of $761,309 and the 2016 MMO for the Montgomery Township Non-Uniform Employee Pension Fund in the amount of $279,591.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock reported that each year the Board of Supervisors and Township staff participate in budget workshops to discuss and finalize plans for the coming year. This year, the staff proposes the following dates for the budget workshops: Tuesday, October 20, 2015, Wednesday, October 21, 2015, Thursday, October 22, 2015, Wednesday, October 28, 2015, and Thursday, October 29, 2015, if needed. Resolution #9 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, authorized the dates as referenced for the 2016 Budget workshops.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that the Township is proposing to install a marked pedestrian crosswalk on Claremont Drive between Beacon Court and the Township’s Spring Valley Park. Also incorporated into the project will be implementation of “traffic calming” improvements to encourage a reduction in vehicle speed along Claremont Drive at the crossing. In order to implement the project, two ADA ramps will need to be installed along with appropriate crosswalk and lane striping. One of the required ADA ramps will encroach onto the property of the Wethersfield Home Owners Association, and a temporary construction easement will be required for this encroachment. Resolution #10 made by Supervisor Joseph Walsh, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the execution of the Temporary Construction Easement with the Wethersfield Home Owners Association for the Claremont Drive Pedestrian Crosswalk Project.
Chairman Michael Fox made a motion to approve the payment of bills for September 28, 2015. Supervisor Robert Birch 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.