MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
FEBRUARY 8, 2016
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Joseph P. Walsh called to order the executive session. In attendance were Supervisors Robert J. Birch, Michael J. Fox and Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera was absent. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan and Frank Bartle, Esquire.
Chairman Joseph P. Walsh 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. Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera 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, Chairman Joseph Walsh 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 four personnel matters, including a Fire Union labor negotiations update. The Board also discussed one matter of litigation, the RD Management vs. Montgomery Township zoning matter. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Supervisor Michael Fox made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 25, 2016 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Robert Birch seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig reported that in 2015 the Hilltown Dog Training Club contacted the Police Department to inquire about donating funds for a ballistic vest for one of the police canines. The canine ballistic vests are similar to those worn by officers and provide the canine a level of protection from traumatic injuries, including gunfire. The training club was referred to Vested Interest in K9’s Inc., a non-profit organization from Massachusetts that works to provide the vests to eligible agencies. In November 2015, canine “Major” received a ballistic vest from Vested Interest in K9’s Inc. The purchase and receipt of this ballistic vest was made possible through the generous donation of the Hilltown Dog Training Club and also made on behalf of former Montgomery Township Canine Police Officer Ward Thomas. Members of the dog training club and family of Officer Ward Thomas were present. The Board appreciated the kind generosity of the dog training club and canine “Major” tried on his vest for a photo opportunity. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Joseph P. Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox and adopted unanimously, recognized the Hilltown Dog Training Club for their generous donation which was used to provide a ballistic vest to the Police Department’s Canine Unit.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman reported that a new fee schedule for outdoor facilities, including fields, pavilions and courts had been approved by the Board of Supervisors at their November 23, 2015 meeting. The effective date of the new schedule was January 1, 2016. At the December 9, 2015 Park Board meeting, the Montgomery Township Baseball and Softball Association (MTBSA) requested more time to evaluate their usage needs and financial impacts of the fees. A recommendation was made at that meeting to delay implementing the fees for both MTBSA and Montgomery United Soccer (Mon U) until January 1, 2017 to provide those organizations the opportunity to assess any impact the negotiated fees may have. Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the requests of MTBSA and MonU to waive the scheduled fees of the Township’s outdoor facilities for the 2016 calendar year.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman presented the 2016 Spring and Summer Recreation programs and fees. These programs will be offered to the public during the months of April through August, 2016 and will be advertised in the Recreation Newsletter which will be distributed to Township residents by the middle of March. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, approved the 2016 Spring and Summer Recreation Programs and Fee Schedule amendment as submitted.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman 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 #4 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved Ordinance #16-294 – Hours of Operation of Bark Park, amending Chapter 166 of the Township Code, Parks and Recreation Areas, Section 1 – Hours, setting the hours of operation of the Township’s Bark Park from 8:00 a.m. to one hour after sunset.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Brian Forman reported that the Township is ready to move forward with the solicitation of bids for the Spring Valley Tennis Court Repair Project. The project will include removing a 65’ x 40’ section of failing asphalt, base repair, asphalt crack repair, asphalt paving, acrylic color coating and line striping for all four courts at Spring Valley Park. The Park Board unanimously endorsed the project and it was included as part of the 2016 Approved Capital Budget. Resolution #5 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, authorized the Township Manager to advertise for bids for the Spring Valley Tennis Court Repair Project. Bids will be received on or before March 2, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. and will be opened at that time. Bids will be considered for award on March 14, 2016.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the Township has received a request from the Bharatiya Temple to waive the building permit fee for the interior bathroom renovations for the temple. The fee is $549.00. In the past, it has been the policy of the Board of Supervisors to waive nominal value permit fees for non-profit and religious organizations. Resolution #6 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Michael Fox and adopted unanimously, approved the request for a waiver of building permit fees for the Bharatiya Temple at 1612 County Line Road.
Resolution #7 made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the construction escrow release #1 for LDS #677 for the Narayan Guest House at 1630 County Line Road in the amount of $28,611.26.
A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Chairman Joseph Walsh, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, and adopted unanimously, approved the payment of bills as submitted.
Under other business, Chairman Joseph Walsh acknowledged a member of the Boy Scouts in the audience. Christopher Loftus, a member of Boy Scout Troop 547 from Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Church was present for the meeting, earning his Citizenship of the Community Badge.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.