MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OCTOBER 13, 2015
Chairman Michael J. Fox called the executive session to order at 7:00 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, Ann Shade and Shannon Drosnock.
Chairman Michael J. Fox called the action meeting to order at 8:03 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, 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 7:00 p.m. to discuss a personnel matter regarding employee benefits. Mr. Bartle stated that this matter was a legitimate subject of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Chairman Michael Fox made a motion and Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the September 28, 2015 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman announced that the Community and Recreation Center was now opened to the public for tours during certain days and times. Also, Mr. Forman reminded everyone that the Dedication Ceremony for the building was being held on Saturday, October 24, 2015 from 11am to 3pm. The day will include Police and Fire Department demonstrations, as well as Recreation Program demonstrations for the public to participate in. The Montgomery County Bookmobile will be onsite in addition to a DJ, moon bounces, face painting, balloon artist, magician and more. From 2pm to 3pm, the event will conclude with a Mango Men concert. The event is free to the public. Mr. Forman also announced that the Community and Recreation Center will officially open for business at 5:30 a.m. on Monday, October 26, 2015.
Police Chief Scott Bendig announced that earlier this year, Canine Jammer retired after over ten years of service to the Montgomery Township Police Department. Jammed entered service with the Township Police Department in 2005, serving as a dual purpose canine, specializing in both patrol work and drug detection. During his distinguished career, Canine Jammer and his handler, Sgt. Robert Hart, responded to over 400 calls for service, resulting in the arrest of numerous offenders and the seizure of significant quantities of drugs. This team also competed yearly in the United States Police Canine Associations Police field trials, obtaining numerous tracking, narcotic, Detector Dog and PD1 Certifications. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, recognized Canine Jammer for his ten years of service to the Police Department and citizens of Montgomery Township. In addition, Canine Police Officers Daniel Rose, Joseph McGuigan, Brian Schreiber and Tim Woch presented Sgt. Robert Hart with a plaque honoring him and his three canine partners, Bart, Astro and Jammer, during his over 25 years of service as a Canine Police Officer with Montgomery Township.
Police Chief Scott Bendig announced the resignation of Police Officer Brandi McCoy. Ms. McCoy worked for the Police Department as a Police Officer since July 29, 2011. Her separation will be effective October 15, 2015. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, recognized the resignation of Brandi McCoy from her position as a Police Officer with Montgomery Township.
Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak reported that the Department of Fire Services (DFS) and the Fire Department of Montgomery Township (FDMT) are requesting the Board’s approval to submit applications through the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner’s Office annual Volunteer Firefighter/Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant program. Each grant application will be approximately $15,000.00, requesting the purchase of fire hose for a total grant of $30,000.00. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, granted approval to the DFS and FDMT to submit applications for the grants.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that the Township has regularly participated in the Montgomery County Consortium Cooperative Rock Salt Contract that is administrated by Upper Dublin Township. It has been the Township’s experience that the cost per ton through the Consortium Bid has been lower than administering our own bid and saves the cost of advertising. The Consortium recently completed the public bidding process for the purchase of bulk salt for the 2015-2016 winter season and has awarded the contract to Oceanport, LLC of Claymont, Delaware, at a price of $66.10 per ton delivered. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the Township’s participation in the Montgomery County Consortium Rock Salt Purchase Contract for 2015-2016.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that the Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission (NMCRC) negotiated a new Compost Agreement with Barnside Farms Compost Facility. The main purpose of the Compost Agreement is to continue to designate an official Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection permitted compost facility for residents to use as a drop-off facility for leaf and yard waste generated in municipalities which do not have curbside pickup for leaf and yard waste at least once per month. The initial term of the agreement is three years and will automatically renew for an additional three years unless written notice is provided by either party. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, approved the renegotiated Compost Agreement with Barnside Farms Compost Facility.
Police Chief Scott Bendig reported that members of the Police Highway Safety Unit recently identified several intersections where traffic control devices (signs) had not been installed or more appropriate signs should be installed. The signs were posted in this manner when the developments were built over 25 years ago. The Police Department has been working to prioritize the signs to be modified for several developments in the Township. An ordinance has been prepared to amend stop and yield regulatory signs at ten locations in Montgomery Village and is ready to be advertised. Resolution #6 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement of Proposed Ordinance #15-289 Amending Stop Intersections and Yield Intersections – Montgomery Village Development for consideration and adoption at the Board of Supervisors meeting to be held on Monday, October 26, 2015 after 8pm in the Township building.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that when the Township built the current building facilities in 1995, the construction included an addition to house the Volunteer Medical Service Corps (VMSC) Ambulance. The Township and VMSC entered into a ten year lease agreement in exchange for VMSC providing continuing emergency service to the Township. The VMSC is required to perform maintenance and maintain a capital maintenance fund for future replacement of items such as the roof, heaters, garage doors, generator and air conditioning system. The lease was extended for a second 10 year term in November 2005 with an expiration date of August 1, 2015. The VMSC has requested an extension of the lease for another 10 year period under the same terms. Resolution #7 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, authorized the execution of the Lease Agreement Extension between Montgomery Township and the Volunteer Medical Service Corps until August 1, 2025.
Resolution #8 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the cash escrow release of $35,000.00 to be returned to Montgomeryville Investors, LP for the Taco Bell Restaurant if a traffic signal was not constructed at the location by September 27, 2015.
Chairman Michael Fox made a motion to approve the payment of bills for October 13, 2015. Supervisor Robert Birch seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted. Supervisor Joseph Walsh inquired about the payment made to Celebration Fireworks in light of the Autumn Festival being cancelled due to inclement weather. Township Manager Lawrence Gregan explained that the payment had been a deposit and that Celebration Fireworks has agreed to keep the deposit for the Township’s next Autumn Festival event.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.