MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
NOVEMBER 9, 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 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, Rich Grier, Brian Forman 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 three matters of personnel, three matters of potential litigation and four existing matters of litigation. The litigation matters included Mirabella v. Montgomery Township, Brogan-Lesinski v. Montgomery Township, Lamb EEOC and Marvin Cohen Zoning Appeal. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters were legitimate subjects 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 October 26, 2015 Board meeting. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Director of Finance Shannon Drosnock presented the 2016 Preliminary Budget. Four public workshops were conducted by the Board and staff during the month of October. Ms. Drosnock stated that the proposed Total Revenues for 2016 reflect a 2.24% increase over 2015. General Fund Revenues consist of the real estate mileage remaining at 1.49 mills in 2016 and over 80 percent of residential property owners are participating in the Homestead Exclusion (currently at $30,000) which was implemented in 2003. Total Expenditures for 2016 show a 2.24% increase. Upon adoption of a preliminary budget by the Board, a notice must be advertised stating that the proposed budget is available for public inspection at the Township Building. After the approved preliminary budget has been available for public inspection for twenty (20) days, the Board of Supervisors must adopt a final budget no later than December 31, 2015. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, adopted the 2016 Preliminary Budget for all funds and set Monday, December 14, 2015 after 8:00 p.m. in the Township Building as the date, time and place for the public meeting for consideration of adoption of the 2016 Final Budget.
Township Engineer Jim Dougherty of Gilmore Associates presented a draft of an MS4 Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Strategy for the Township. The TMDL is a set of limits on pollutants that can be discharged to area streams, a portion of which, known as the Waste Load Allocation (WLA) is attributable to the Township. The Township is required under the MS4 program to adopt a strategy to meet these limits. Mr. Dougherty discussed the amounts of the existing pollutant loads for the Neshaminy Creek Watershed, the West Branch Sub-Basin and Wissahickon Creek Watershed and the Township’s pollutant reduction strategy. The plan proposes a strategy of implementing various Best Management Practices, such as naturalized basins, riparian buffer restoration, stream bank restoration, street sweeping and a proposed rain garden at Fellowship Park to meet its reduction obligation. The Township is required to submit this TMDL Strategy to DEP by December 31, 2015 along with any public comments provided in response to this presentation.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman announced the annual 2015 Holiday Lights Contest and Breakfast with Santa event. The Holiday Lights Contest encourages residents to decorate their homes in the Township for the holiday season. Entries are due by Friday, December 4, 2015 at 8:00 p.m. The categories include Most Colorful, Most Variety, Most Traditional and the Grand Prize Winner – “Car Stopper Award”. Entries will be judged on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 8 and 9 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Winners will be recognized at the December 14th Board of Supervisors meeting. The Township will also host a Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, December 5 in the Community and Recreation Center. The event is for the whole family with a buffet breakfast provided by Our Towne Catering, holiday music, crafts and much more. With assistance from the FDMT, Santa will arrive on the Fire Truck for a special visit.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman reported that the Township is requesting proposals for professional janitorial services to be performed daily at the Community and Recreation Center. Proposals are due on December 10, 2015 by 10:00 a.m. and will be considered for award at the Board of Supervisors meeting on December 14, 2015. The estimated cost for the services is approximately $60,000 for one year. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, authorized the Township to advertise for proposals for janitorial services in the Community and Recreation Center.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman reported that AGT Fitness Management, Inc., the firm currently staffing the Community and Recreation Fitness Center, is proposing addendums to their agreement to offer Group Exercise, personal training and nutritional services to patrons of the Community and Recreation Center. The proposal includes the scheduling of group exercise programs and contracting the Township’s current instructors to conduct these programs. The second proposal would provide personal training and nutritional services, provided on an hourly basis and at no cost to the Township. The Township would receive a percentage of gross sales from these services. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the execution of Addendums A & B to the Agreement with AGT Fitness Management Inc. to provide group exercise, personal training and nutritional services at the Community and Recreation Center.
Director of Planning Bruce Shoupe reported that on June 22, 2015, the Board of Supervisors approved a request from Family Dining, Inc. owner of the Burger King Restaurant located at 560 DeKalb Pike, for a waiver of the requirement of a formal land development application in order to construct a 510 square foot indoor playground area onto the side of the existing building as part of their renovation project. Since then the applicant has amended the plan to provide for the addition of a 10 foot wide drive-thru bypass lane and the applicant is requesting that the Board of Supervisors amend their prior waiver approval to include this additional work. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the amended waiver of formal land development process for the Burger King renovation at 560 DeKalb Pike.
Director of Planning Bruce Shoupe reported that there are two traffic signal locations on DeKalb Pike that will receive turn lane improvements by the developers of the Burger King restaurant and require that revisions be made to both traffic signal permits, #64-1056 and #64-1985. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, authorized the submittal of applications for traffic signal upgrades to PennDOT for DeKalb Pike (SR 2202) and Bethlehem Pike (SR 309) and DeKalb Pike (SR 2202) and Montgomery Mall Access Driveway.
Director of Fire Services Rick Lesniak reported that Firefighter Robert Hedden currently holds three certifications in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and has recently submitted an application for renewal of those certifications for a new three year cycle (2013-2016). Firefighter Hedden is requesting approval to take a course titled “2015 Mechanical and Fuel Gas Code” and “The Code and the Internet” courses to satisfy 16 of his required 45 Continuing Education credits. These courses are being offered through the New Jersey Center for Services in Hamilton, NJ and Burlington, NJ. These courses are free of charge. Resolution #6, made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, authorized the out-of-state training for Firefighter Robert Hedden.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig reported that the Police Department is requesting approval for Officer Robert Johnson and Detective Ricardo DeJesus to attend a DARE Instructor Training Program being held at the Ocean County Police Academy in Lakewood, New Jersey in November, 2015. The two week program is designed to provide DARE officers specialized instruction in public speaking, classroom management techniques, lesson planning, and team building. Montgomery Township currently conducts this program at all elementary schools in the Township. The Police Department has two officers teaching DARE in the three elementary schools. One of those officers is scheduled to retire shortly. Resolution #7 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the request for Officer Robert Johnson and Detective Ricardo DeJesus to attend DARE training at the Ocean County Police Academy in Lakewood, New Jersey.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that in July, the Board authorized the Township’s participation in a County program allowing first responders throughout the County to purchase portable and mobile radios for emergency communications under the County’s new radio system. To help reduce the financial burden resulting from the purchase of the new radios, the Montgomery County Commissioners arranged with the Delaware Valley Regional Finance Authority (DVRFA) to allow municipalities to borrow funds through the County to cover the costs of the new radios with repayment of the principal of those loans over a five-year period. Under the financing arrangement, the County will pay the interest and administrative costs for the loans. In order to move forward with the purchase, it is necessary for the Township to adopt an Ordinance authorizing the Township to borrow the funds through the issuance of a Promissory Note with Montgomery County. In conjunction with the adoption of this ordinance, the Township will enter into separate loan agreements with the FDMT and VMSC to secure their obligation for repayment of their share of the loan to the Township. Resolution #8 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement of proposed Ordinance #15-290, authorizing the borrowing by the Township from Montgomery County in the principal amount of $536,651.72 with the proposed ordinance scheduled for consideration at the November 23, 2015 Board meeting.
Township Manager Lawrence Gregan reported that with the opening of the Community and Recreation Center, it is proposed that the Board of Supervisors form a Community and Recreation Center Advisory Committee. This committee would be able to assist with identifying the needs of the Community and Recreation Center, recommend activities and programming, and recommend plans and policies regarding the programs and services of the Community and Recreation Center. The committee would meet on a monthly basis and the Director of Recreation and Community Center would serve as Staff Liaison for the Committee. Supervisor Robert Birch asked for clarification of the goal of the Committee. Resolution #9 made by Chairman Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Joseph Walsh and adopted unanimously, established the Community and Recreation Center Advisory Committee and approval of the bylaws.
Chairman Michael Fox made a motion to approve the payment of bills for November 9, 2015. Supervisor Joseph Walsh seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.
Under other business, Chairman Michael Fox acknowledged the Birthday of the Marine Corps on November 10th and Veterans Day on November 11th. The Board of Supervisors offered their thanks to the Township’s resident Veterans.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:52 p.m.