MINUTES OF MEETING
MARCH 8, 2010
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the executive session. In attendance were Supervisors Birch, Chimera, Fox and McDonnell. Also in attendance were John Nagel and Frank Bartle. Items of potential real estate acquisition and personnel matters were discussed.
At 8:09 p.m. Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the action meeting and led the pledge of allegiance. In attendance were Supervisors Birch, Chimera, Fox and McDonnell. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, John Nagel, Bruce Shoupe, Larry Gregan, Kevin Costello, William Brightcliffe, Richard Brady, John Chambers, Kevin Johnson and Shirley Snyder.
There was no public comment for matters other than the Teva matter at this evenings meeting. Public comment on the Teva matter will be heard at the conclusion of the presentations by Bruce Shoupe and Traffic Engineer, Kevin Johnson.
Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting and discussed matters of potential real estate acquisition and personnel matters. These matters are permissible in executive session under the guidelines of the Sunshine law.
Chairman Joseph Walsh announced that Montgomery Township has been honored, by being named as the 5th Most Affordable Suburb in America by Business Week. This rating is based on the following criteria: quality of living, reasonable expense of raising a family, and quality of school district.
Chairman Walsh opened the discussion for the proposed Teva plan. John Nagel stated that several public meetings on the proposed Teva project have been held in Warrington Township over the past several weeks. Michael Fox and Kevin Johnson have attended these meetings. Bruce Shoupe stated that presently Warrington Township has received a sketch plan outlining Teva's proposed 'concept' plan. Through discussion and information that has been obtained, this proposed plan could be a by right plan, meaning that the property is currently zoned for this intended use. Teva's intention is to consolidate all their warehousing facilities into one central location, closing the present warehouses in Montgomeryville, New Britain and Kutztown, and proposing construction of a 1,541,100 square foot, 85 foot high-cube warehousing facility and a possible future administration building located along Lower State Road, between County Line Road and Bradley Road, with a proposed opening date of the high-cube warehouse building sometime in 2013. This proposed facility would be the U.S. Headquarters for all pharmaceutical deliveries. Township Traffic Engineer, Kevin Johnson provided a summary of the overall plan concept as it pertains to traffic issues at the proposed site and the adjacent roadways. On the preliminary sketch plan, two access sites are being proposed by Teva. Mr. Johnson noted that in the traffic study provided by Teva's Engineer, CMX shows that the hours analyzed were morning and evening commute hours, with no study of school arrivals and departures or shift work schedules. Teva is proposing minimal road improvements to ease the traffic congestion by adding right and/or left turn lanes on the three roads involved, County Line, Lower State and Limekiln Pike, as well as changing some of the timing of the traffic signals, to assist with the flow of traffic. Mr. Johnson recommended that road widening and road improvement projections need to be re-evaluated by PennDOT to include Teva's proposed project, as the present road widening plans for County Line Road (WD2) were completed prior to Teva's proposal. Due to the close proximity of three major intersections near the proposed warehouse facility, additional studies would need to be done to assure that traffic would not back up through multiple intersections. Two of the traffic signals on County Line Road are maintained by Montgomery Township, providing the Township with some leverage in traffic flow decisions. The main concern of residents and businesses of Montgomery Township is the increased truck traffic through both Townships. It has been estimated that the plant could generate up to 200 incoming and 200 outgoing trucks on any given day. Kevin Johnson noted that it is anticipated that 90% of the trucks would travel County Line Road to the 202 Parkway. The road infrastructure is not conducive for that type of traffic. It was also pointed out that the roads involved are both Township and State Roads. The widening of County Line Road has been on PennDOT's road improvement list, but has been dormant. However, recently, this project has been re-activated. Mr. Nagel recommended that we invite Leo Bagley to participate in discussions regarding traffic issues and concerns with this project. Mr. Bagley provided valuable direction and information in the planning of the 202 Parkway and County Line Road projects, and would be helpful in coordinating efforts between Montgomery and Bucks Counties in respect to this proposal. Under public comment, Mike Kelly of 135 Muirfield Lane in Warrington Township expressed concern about the possible proposed office building, which could employ 2,000 employees throughout Bucks and Montgomery Counties. This additional traffic has not been calculated into the traffic studies and could pose an even larger traffic problem along these roadways. Montgomery Township resident David McCarthy stated his concern that the truck traffic could decide to use Kenas or Stump Roads as an alternate route, and create traffic issues along these roads. Will Chapman of 129 Thames Drive noted that in his opinion, most of the people in the audience are opposed to Teva's proposed plan, and questioned whether Warrington Township is in favor or opposed to the plan. Mr. Chapman also inquired as to what the residents or Township can control, and how to be effective in the process. Chairman Walsh advised that there is a meeting scheduled with PennDOT on March 11, 2010, which will be attended by Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Johnson and Leo Bagley, and representatives of the Montgomery County Planning Commission. Attendance at this meeting, will keep the Township abreast of the status of this proposed project. Steven Filipe of Kulp Road East in Chalfont, Warrington Township stated that his home backs up onto County Line Road, and he has a first- hand view of the present traffic conditions. Mr. Felipe is part of a group of concerned residents who are working with Warrington Township on numerous matters, including traffic congestion, environmental issues, noise concerns, wetlands and pollutants caused by the increased traffic. Mr. Filipe also noted that the estimated truck traffic did not include trucks such as Fed Ex, UPS, etc. that also will access the site, and there is no way of knowing the number of trucks that will access these key intersections. Kevin Johnson will check into the validity of the number of trucks that could be arriving and departing the site. Mr. Johnson also noted that presently this site is being proposed to be developed by Teva, but it could be developed by another developer with multiple tenants. Jeffrey Dougherty of 101 Thatcher Court noted that the land has been zoned industrial, but inquired whether there was any precedent to change the zoning based on the time frame or the development of the area. Mr. Dougherty also noted that it seems like there is overwhelming support in opposition of this proposed project, and questioned what residents can do to have an impact. Frank Bartle noted that the Board of Supervisors of Montgomery Township will be keeping a close eye on this proposed project and will continue to attend meetings pertaining to this issue. Montgomery Township can also participate in land development meetings along with Warrington Township. Mr. Bartle also suggested that residents can seek counsel with their private attorney for other options open to them. Mr. Dougherty thanked the Board of Supervisors for their professionalism and for keeping informed with this project. Tim Formika of Chalfont stated that he feels that Teva is making a major error in considering this site for their expansion. He also stated that when a new drug is released on the market, it will generate a major influx of truck traffic in a short period of time. Liam Neuyen of 204 Rebecca Court in Chalfont noted that Teva's proposal is for 141 truck bays slated for the project, and the intersection improvements being proposed by Teva will not support the increased traffic, resulting in safety concerns. Mr. Neuyen also inquired as to what this proposed development would do to property values in the area. Chairman Joseph Walsh thanked everyone for coming and for speaking about this issue and reiterated that Montgomery Township will continue to be involved in the meetings and discussions concerning this project. Mr. Walsh noted that Teva has been a good neighbor in Montgomery Township and while the Township appreciates that Teva would like to remain local and keep jobs within the area, there are also some serious concerns about how it will effect residents, traffic and the infrastructure of the Township. Mr. Walsh also encouraged Warrington Township residents to sign up for Montgomery Township E-News, so they can be informed with Montgomery Township's involvement in this project.
John Chambers reported on the status of the Whistlestop Park project. Mr. Chambers reported that the design is complete and all permits have been obtained, and the Township is in a position to go forward at any time. Mr. Chambers noted that the plan has been sent to Reading Construction, and he has had no further discussions with them on this matter. Mr. Chambers noted that the Conservation District prohibits the stock piling of fill on the site. Mr. Chambers will reach out to Reading Construction for their status with this plan. Michael Fox and John Chambers will meet with Reading Construction to discuss this matter.
John Chambers addressed the Knapp Road Park Project status noting that a sketch plan has been submitted to Montgomery Township by Michael Baker Company, and has been submitted to the Conservation District for permits. No plans have been received, and presently, Eckman Construction does not have a permit to proceed. Mr. Chambers will check the status of this project with the Conservation District.
Michael Fox provided a brief overview of the steps that have been taken thus far by the Montgomery County Stormwater Consortium and noted that the resolution being considered will bring this matter to the attention of MCATO and SEATO and will be presented to PSATS, at their annual conference in April. Resolution #1 unanimously approved the stormwater management resolution outlining guidelines and recommendations by the Board of Supervisors of Montgomery Township to PSATS.
Lt. Gordon Simes provided a brief summary of the history of the Police Departments voice and data systems infrastructure and the recommendations for updating this Infrastructure. A Network Audit of the Police Department has been completed by Adam Lion. This audit has determined that the greatest need of the Police Department is the centralization of network services, allowing files to be stored in a secure central location and backed up, and updates to Windows and antivirus protection. Lt. Simes recommended that Montgomery Township staff do as much training as possible, rather than bring in an outside vendor. Resolution #2 unanimously authorized staff to obtain a proposal to assist the Police Department in implementing the recommendations of the audit, including additional consulting services, software, software licensing and hardware.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for February 22, 2010 and payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #3 approved the award of bids for Public Works Departments Annual Road Materials to the following contractors: Glasgow, Inc. for Stone Aggregate, Farm & Home for Petroleum Products, Moyer & Son, Inc. for Lawn Care Treatments, P.K. Moyer & Sons, Inc. for Equipment Rental with Operator and Crafco, Inc. for Crack Sealer. Resolution #4 approved the award of contracts for the following: Case 621E Rubber Tire Loader at a cost of $111,424.20; the purchase of eight replacement desktop computer systems for the Police Department at a cost of $6,217.16; and a forty eight month lease for six Combination Photo/Copy/Fax/Scanner/Network Printer units at an annual cost of $18,288. Resolution #5 approved the execution of Professional Service Agreement between Montgomery Township and Carrigan GEO Services for a hosted Geographic Information System. Resolution #6 approved the request by Detective Michael Solis to attend the Middle Atlantic Great Lakes Organized Crime Law Enforcement Network Conference (MAGLOCLEN) in Columbus, Ohio from March 29th through April 1st, 2010. All consent agenda items were unanimously approved.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:53 p.m.