MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
JANUARY 25, 2016
At 7:00 p.m. Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called to order the executive session. In attendance were Supervisors Robert J. Birch, Michael J. Fox and Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Chairman Joseph P. Walsh was absent. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan and Frank Bartle, Esquire.
Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called the action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert J. Birch, Michael J. Fox and Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Chairman Joseph P. Walsh was absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief Scott Bendig, Richard Lesniak, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Brian Forman, Rich Grier and Deb Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called for public comment from the audience and there was none.
Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting and discussed two Zoning Hearing Board applications, one for 400 Doylestown Road and the other for 1146 Stump Road. The Board also discussed two matters of litigation: Mirabella vs. Montgomery Township and RD Management vs. Montgomery Township. In addition, a potential real estate acquisition matter and personnel matter were discussed. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 4, 2016 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Michael J. Fox seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that the 2016 Fee Schedule has been updated with fee changes for building and related permits, zoning permits, subdivision applications and highway occupancy permits. In addition, the 2016 fee schedule includes per diem rates, fees and hourly charges for the Township Engineer, Traffic and Street Light Engineer, Landscape Architect, Township Solicitor, Zoning Hearing Board Solicitor, Planning Consultant, Special Legal Counsel, Labor Counsel, Building Inspector, Business Tax Auditor and Court Reporter. Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the 2016 Fee Schedule as presented.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman reported that an open RFP process to solicit proposals for Janitorial Service at the Community and Recreation Center was authorized at the November 9, 2015 Board of Supervisors meeting. Proposals were submitted by 17 professional janitorial services companies. The responses were evaluated on fees, operation plan details, organizational structure, proximity to the Township and references. Township staff is recommending that the contract for janitorial services be awarded to ELITE 3 Facilities Maintenance. The proposed fee is $4,240 per month and the contract would be for one year beginning on February 1, 2016. Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for Janitorial Services to ELITE 3 Facilities Maintenance for a one year term at a cost of $4,240 per month beginning on February 1, 2016.
Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig reported that the Police Department is proposing a change in the work schedule for the civilian dispatchers to better coordinate their schedule with the Patrols. The new schedule will provide for a combination of 12 and 8 hour shifts in a work week totaling 40 hours. Chief Bendig stated that implementing the new schedule will require changes to certain provisions of the Employee Handbook. Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the change in the schedule for Police Dispatchers to a combination of 12 and 8 hour shifts in a work week totaling 40 hours and revise the following sections of the Employee Handbook, Section 5 – Pay Practices to revise the definitions of pay periods, pay days and time sheets and Section 6 – Holidays to revise the Dispatcher option for taking time off on holidays.
Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig reported that the Police Department is scheduled to replace three patrol vehicles in 2016. At this time, the Police Department is proposing to replace two of these vehicles and purchase a 2015 Dodge Charger and a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe as approved in the 2016 Final Budget. The third vehicle is proposed to be purchased later in the year. Resolution #4 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract to purchase a 2016 Chevrolet Tahoe from Whitmoyer Auto Group, an authorized vendor under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchase Program at a total cost of $37,900.00, and the contract for the purchase of a 2015 Dodge Charger from New Holland Auto Group, an authorized vendor under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchase Program, at a total cost of $24,300.00.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that the Public Works Department is proposing the purchase of three major pieces of equipment as approved in the 2016 Budget. The proposed purchases include an 11’ Everest Snow Plow with associated hardware, a 2016 F3990 4WD Kubota Tractor with mower and snow attachments, and a 2016 Kubota ZTR Mower. These three items will be purchased under the Co-Stars contracts. Resolution #5 made by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the contracts for the purchase of an 11’ Everest Plow to SMF, Inc. at a cost of $10,988.60, a 2016 F3990 4WD Kubota Tractor to C.H. Waltz Sons, Inc. at a cost of $30,601.71 and a 2016 Kubota ZTR Mower to C.H. Waltz Sons, Inc. at a cost of $12,524.85.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that staff is requesting the Board’s authorization to advertise and solicit for bids for the annual Curb and Sidewalk Project. Annually, the Township performs repairs / replacement of certain curbing and sidewalks throughout the Township in anticipation of the future resurfacing of the streets. The bid specifications have been prepared by Township Engineer, Gilmore & Associates, and reviewed by staff. Resolution #6, made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement for bids for the 2016 Curb and Sidewalk Project. The bids are to be received on or before February 11, 2016 at 10:00 a.m.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that staff is requesting the Board’s authorization to advertise and solicit for bids for the annual Equipment Rental, Paving materials and Services contract for the Public Works Department. Resolution #7, made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement for bids for Rentals, Materials and Services, including Asphalt, Crack Sealer, Stone Aggregate, Lawn Care Treatments and Equipment Rental. The bids are to be received on or before February 11, 2016 at 10:30 a.m.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that a land development application has been received from the North Penn School District proposing renovations to the Montgomery Elementary School located at 1221 Stump Road. The applicant proposes a building addition, replacing the existing modular classrooms, temporary relocation of the modular classrooms, and reconfiguration of the existing parking area to include a parent pick-up/drop-off lane. The northern access drive is proposed to be widened to accommodate left and right turn exit lanes. Township staff and consultants have reviewed the plan as proposed. Resolution #8 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the final plan, LDS #686 for the Montgomery Elementary School Expansion.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that the Park and Recreation Board had received a request from a resident asking the Township to consider revising the hours of operation of the Bark Park due to complaints about noise levels at the park. The resident submitted a petition to the Park and Recreation Board in support of this request. At its meeting on December 9, 2015, the Park and Recreation Board voted to recommend to the Board of Supervisors the adoption of an amendment to the Township Code, Chapter 166, Parks and Recreation Areas, Section 1 – Hours, to revise the hours of operation of the Township’s Bark Park to open at 8:00 a.m. The current approved hours are from sunrise to one hour after sunset. Resolution #9 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement of proposed Ordinance #16-294 – Amending Chapter 166 of the Township Code, Parks and Recreation Areas, Section 1 – Hours, to set the hours of operation of the Township’s Bark Park from 8:00 a.m. to one hour after sunset.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that the municipalities located in the Wissahickon Creek watershed are obligated under the PADEP’s MS4 and NPDES programs to develop and implement a stormwater management plan, and to comply with their respective Sewage Facilities Plans, which contain the strategies to meet the municipality’s MS4, NPDES and TMDL obligations. The US EPA is poised to issue a new TMDL for the Wissahickon Creek Watershed which will include a new Total Phosphorus TMDL, which if technically defensible, is believed to include requirements that are unachievable. The municipalities and wastewater treatment plant operators in Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties recognize that watersheds such as the Wissahickon Creek Watershed, cross municipal boundaries. With this in mind, it is recognized that it is in the best interest of their residents and property owners to participate in a collaborative effort to develop an Alternative to the proposed EPA Total Phosphorus TMDL. A draft resolution has been prepared by the Montgomery County Planning Commission to advance the development of an alternative plan to the proposed EPA TMDL with terms to be formalized in a future Inter-Municipal Agreement. Resolution #10 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, adopted the resolution authorizing Montgomery Township’s participation in an Inter-Municipal Collaboration for Development of an Alternate TMDL for Wissahickon Creek Watershed.
A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, and adopted unanimously, approved the payment of bills as submitted.
Under other business, Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera thanked the Township staff and volunteers for their efforts during the recent storm coverage. The Board specifically recognized the Public Works Department, the Police Department, the Fire Department and FDMT, as well as the Volunteer Medical Service Corps for their services during the storm.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.