MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
AUGUST 8, 2016
At 6:30 p.m. Chairman Joseph P. Walsh called to order the executive session. In attendance were Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Supervisors Robert J. Birch and Michael J. Fox. Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell was absent. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan and Frank R. Bartle, Esquire.
Chairman Joseph P. Walsh called the action meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Supervisors Robert J. Birch, and Michael J. Fox. Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell was absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief Scott Bendig, Rick Lesniak, Ami Tarburton, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Floyd Shaffer, Lance Allen, Kelsey McMeans and Deb Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Joseph P. 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 one matter of litigation, Commerce Limited Partnership vs. Montgomery Township, and two matters of potential litigation. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Chairman Joseph P. Walsh made a motion to approve the minutes of the July 25, 2016 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Michael Fox seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Richard Cirko of the Visiting Nurses Association Community Services organization was present to accept a Township donation of $1,500. Mr. Cirko provided a brief update on the services offered to the residents of Montgomery Township and thanked the Board of Supervisors for the donation to his organization.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell presented the proposed bid for Residential Leaf and Yard Waste. Ms. Crandell explained that a condition of eligibility for funding under DEP’s 904 Recycling Performance Grant Program is that the Township provide a separate collection of leaf and yard waste with disposal at a composting facility. The regulations specifically require that the Township provide for a curbside pick-up of bagged leaf and yard waste at least twice per year in the spring and fall, and provide for a drop-off and disposal of leaf and yard waste at least once per month. The current contract expires on October 31, 2016 and the Township needs to solicit bids for a new contract to start November 1, 2016. Resolution #1, made by Chairman Joseph P. Walsh, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement for bids for Residential Leaf and Yard Waste Collection and Disposal.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak reported that in October, 2015, Bucks County activated a new radio system which caused our Fire Department to lose its ability to efficiently and effectively communicate with fire apparatus responding to emergency incidents and firefighters operating on fire scenes in Bucks County and in Montgomery County as well. As a result, the Warrington Fire Department loaned our Fire Department two radios for temporary use. In July, 2016, those radios needed to be returned to the Warrington Fire Department. The Fire Department is requesting approval to purchase two portable radios that will allow our department to communicate with departments in Bucks County. Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, granted approval for the Department of Fire Services to purchase two (2) portable radios in the amount of $8.591.68.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that each year, funds are allocated for extra curb and sidewalk concrete work throughout the Township. This work is in addition to the work done on roads in anticipation of resurfacing. The criteria for this work is based on the Public Works Departments inspection to identify sidewalks that have the potential of tripping hazards or have significant deterioration. The work will be performed under the current contract with Drumheller Construction Inc., based on unit prices in their approved contract. Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Michael Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, authorized the expenditure in the amount of $29,842.00 to perform repairs/replacement of sidewalks throughout the Township.
A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Chairman Joseph P. Walsh, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, and adopted unanimously, approved the payment of bills as submitted.
As this meeting was Chairman Joseph P. Walsh’s final meeting as a member of the Board of Supervisors, Township staff, family, friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate. Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera read a statement recognizing the accomplishments and public service of Chairman Joseph P. Walsh, who will be appointed as a Judge in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas in mid-August. Supervisor Michael Fox stated that it has been an honor and a privilege to have served on the Board with Joe, as they both share a deep passion for the Township. Congratulations and presentations were also made by State Representative Todd Stephens and U.S. House Representative Brendan Boyle’s Chief of Staff, Anthony Luker. A letter of congratulations was also received from PA State Senator Stewart Greenleaf. Chairman Joseph Walsh thanked his wife Nancy and family, as well as the Board members, staff and residents of Montgomery Township for their support. Following the meeting, friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate Joe’s years of service to Montgomery Township.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:26 p.m.