MINUTES OF MEETING
April 12, 2010
At 6:45 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, Frank Bartle, Bob Brant, Jack Pachella, Bruce Shoupe, Richard Brady, Don Simes, and Scott Bendig. Items of potential litigation and personnel matters were discussed.
At 8:03 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, Stacy Crandell, Rich Grier and Shirley Snyder.
There was no public comment at this evenings meeting.
Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting and discussed matters of potential litigation and personnel matters. These matters are permissible in executive session under the guidelines of the Sunshine law.
Eugene Ross was introduced and welcomed to his position as Recreation Intern. Eugene is in his sophomore year at Drexel University and is majoring in Sports Management. Eugene will be assisting in the Park & Recreation office until September.
Rich Grier provided an update on televising Board meetings. The camera is mounted on the wall in the rear of the room. Testing has been on-going and has provided ample audio and a good quality image. Tonight's meeting is being taped, but not broadcast. Neil McDevitt has requested closed captioning so he may view these televised meetings. Solicitor Frank Bartle noted that once a request for this service has been made, the Township must comply. Staff will add the close captioning of this evening's meeting and a DVD will be made for viewing by the Board. Staff will be investigating possible ways to provide the close captioning feature and will present a recommendation to the Board.
John Nagel outlined the agenda and the discussion points for the Legislative Breakfast which will be held at the Township building on Friday, April 16, 2010. State representatives, local officials, Township committee chairs, representative from PSATS, PennSuburban Chamber and Comcast will be in attendance. The meeting will follow a continental breakfast which will be served beginning at 8:00 a.m. Chairman Joseph Walsh recommended that staff send out an ENews blast announcing this event.
Stacy Crandell announced that Local Government week is being celebrated throughout the state from April 12th to April 16th. Montgomery Township activities will include a visit from students from Mary Mother of the Redeemer and Montgomery Elementary schools. A tour of the building and demonstrations by the Administration, Fire and Police Departments will be provided. Ms. Crandell also extended a special invitation to all to attend the committee meetings being held this week. Supervisor Chimera noted that the Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 15th has been cancelled. Resolution #1 unanimously recognized April 12th to April 16, 2010 as Local Government week, and recognized area elementary schools for sponsoring student government programs, and being committed to developing the leaders of the future.
Larry Gregan summarized the upcoming events to be held in celebration of Earth Day and Arbor Day. On Saturday, April 24, 2010, beginning at 9:00 a.m., Arbor Day will be celebrated in Gazebo Park. The annual Arbor Day Tree Give-Away will be held in conjunction with the Environmental Advisory Committee's Earth Day celebration. The 2009 Tree City USA and Growth Award will be presented to Montgomery Township by a representative of the Bureau of Forestry. The winners of the Earth Day/Arbor Day Kids Poster Contest will be recognized and their posters will be on display. Other displays will include information on water pollution, sustainability and recycling programs.
Vice Chairman, Michael Fox provided an update on the Montgomery County Stormwater Coalition strategy. The Coalition has made several presentations throughout the area providing information about what has been accomplished thus far and encouraging other municipalities to join in the effort. The draft resolution prepared by the Coalition has been included in the PSATS agenda for their consideration at the annual conference in April. The group is reaching out to the Association of Township Commissioners and the Association of Boroughs in an effort to include their municipalities in this joint venture. The Coalition is made up of a good core group of professionals with good skill sets, and is comprised of managers and engineers who are working diligently to recommend a workable solution that will benefit all entities. While there is a lot of work yet to be done, the progress to date has been rewarding. John Chambers noted that the Coalition has done a great job in keeping things moving with this project.
Bruce Shoupe provided the Board with an overview of the status of current land development projects and construction activity. The building permit submissions have increased slightly this month over the same time last year. The following is a breakdown of the approximate number of projects currently in various stages of planning: renovations to existing commercial buildings - 5; permits issued for new construction on commercial projects - 1; permits issued on new construction in residential projects - 2; approved projects with permits submitted - 4; approved projects with pending permit submission - 12; and seven projects are under review.
John Chambers requested approval from the Board to submit a Community Development Block Grant for handicap ramps. This grant in the amount of approximately $400,000, if awarded, would be used to update and rebuild about 80 existing handicap ramps within the Township. These ramps need to be rebuilt to comply with the new state standards. This project would be done in the year 2011. This is a 100% grant, with the only expenditure by the Township to be the costs incurred in engineering costs to monitor the project. Resolution #2 unanimously approved the submission of the 2010 Community Development Block Grant, at approximately $400,000 to be used for replacement handicap ramps in Montgomery Township in the year 2011.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for March 22, 2010 and payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #3 authorized membership in the Montgomery County Lands Trust with a donation of $250 for the year 2010. Resolution #4 approved the installation of a baseball field watering system at Windlestrae Park at a cost not to exceed $3,500. Resolution #5 proclaimed Saturday, April 24, 2010 as Arbor Day in Montgomery Township. Reaffirmation of the Land Development Resolution for Bertucci's was approved by Resolution #6. Resolution #7 authorized the advertisement for public hearings for proposed Ordinance #10-240Z, Floodplain Conservation District, proposed Ordinance #10-241Z, Subdivision and Land Development Landscaping Code, and proposed Ordinance #10-242Z, Shade Trees for Monday, May 10, 2010 after 8:00 p.m. at the Township building. Resolution #8 authorized the release of escrow for WB Commons. Resolution #9 authorized the release of escrow for Montgomery Walk, Phase I to the David Cutler Group. The 2010 Summer Kids University Trip fees were approved by Resolution #10. All consent agenda resolutions were unanimously approved.
The Board extended a special thank you to Rick Miniscalco for the work he and his company have done at Windlestrae Park. Mr. Miniscalco is providing the trench for the irrigation project at no charge to the Township. Mr. Miniscalco has done other things throughout the Township, such as the pavers around the Memorial monument at Neshaminy Falls, the pavilion at Montgomery Elementary School and snow plowing at Mary Mother of the Redeemer.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.