MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
AUGUST 22, 2016
At 7:30 p.m. Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called to order the executive session. In attendance were Supervisors Robert J. Birch and Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Supervisor Michael J. Fox was absent. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan and Frank R. 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, and Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Supervisor Michael J. Fox was absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Chief Scott Bendig, Ami Tarburton, Ann Shade, Stacy Crandell, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Floyd Shaffer, 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 one matter of litigation, the Zoning Hearing Board Appeal of Montgomery Carpet Mart; and one matter of personnel which was the contract negotiations for the Police Department. 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 August 8, 2016 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Robert J. Birch seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Lisa Knapp Siegel of the Montgomery Township Historical Society was present to accept a Township donation of $6,000. Ms. Siegel provided a brief update on the Knapp Farm restoration project and announced that the Historical Society had recently updated the book, An Erudite Little Township, a history of Montgomery Township. Ms. Siegel thanked the Board of Supervisors for their continuous support and for the donation to the organization.
Kathy Arnold-Yerger of the Montgomery County Norristown Public Library was present to accept a Township donation of $10,000. Ms. Arnold-Yerger provided a brief update on the activities and services provided to the residents of Montgomery Township. Ms. Arnold-Yerger thanked the Board of Supervisors for their continuous support and for the donation to the library.
Mary Metz, Board President, and Sarah Whetstone, Interim Executive Director of The PEAK Center were present to accept the Township’s donation of $3,000. Ms. Metz and Ms. Whetstone provided a brief updated on the activities and services provided to the senior residents of Montgomery Township. Ms. Metz and Ms. Whetstone thanked the Board of Supervisors for the donation to their organization.
Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig reported that the Police Department’s Highway Safety Unit recently identified several intersections within the Township where traffic control devices (signs) had not been installed or more appropriate signs should be installed. The signs had been posted in this manner when the developments were built over 25 years ago. It was recommended that signs be posted at the following intersections to ensure sign consistency with other Township intersections. Those developments are Meadow Glen, Parkwood, Pennwood Gardens, Stoneridge, Beechwood Drive and West Thomas Drive. An ordinance is required to authorize the placement of the signage. Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement of proposed Ordinance #16-299, Amending Stop Intersections and Yield Intersections, Vehicle Weight and Type and Restrictions for consideration and adoption at the Board of Supervisors Meeting to be held on Monday, September 12, 2016 after 8pm in the Township building.
Director of Finance Ami Tarburton reported that the Board had authorized staff to pursue the advance refunding of the General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2013. An aggressive timeline for refunding the Bonds in early October 2016 is being proposed in order to take advantage of current interest rates to realize the greatest possible savings, estimated to be in excess of $650K. Bond Counsel is preparing a proposed ordinance that would establish the “parameters” of the refinancing of the indebtedness which would be considered for adoption at the Board of Supervisor’s meeting on September 12, 2016. Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the advertisement of a proposed Ordinance to refinance the Township’s General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2013.
Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig reported that the Police Department is scheduled to replace three patrol vehicles in 2016. Two of the vehicles were previously approved for purchase in January, 2016. The third vehicle is ready for replacement at this time. The Police Department has obtained a quote from Fred Beans Ford Lincoln, an authorized vendor under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchase Program. Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey M. McDonnell and adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the purchase of a 2016 model police vehicle to Fred Beans Ford Lincoln at a cost of $27,671.18.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that a request for the waiver of a formal land development process has been received by 289 DeKalb Pike, L.P. for the property located at 289 DeKalb Pike. The applicant is proposing the addition of a 180 square foot third bedroom addition on the existing EZ Storage resident manager’s apartment. This apartment received Zoning Hearing Board approval for the resident manager apartment in November 2004, which was constructed with a living/dining area, kitchen, two bedrooms, two bathrooms and an enclosed screened in patio and a garage. Mr. Shoupe stated that a review of the plan showed that the proposed 180 square foot addition is de minimis and does not impact the dimensional requirement for this property. Resolution #4 made by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and adopted unanimously, granted the waiver of the requirement of a formal land development application for 289 DeKalb Pike, L.P. for the property located at 289 DeKalb Pike (EZ Storage).
Resolution #5 made by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, approved the request of Bharatiya Temple to waive the $100.00 special event permit fee for the Ganesh Festival to be held From September 3, 2016 until September 15, 2016.
Resolution #6 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell and adopted unanimously, authorized a construction escrow release in the amount of $98,284.12, as recommended by the Township Engineer for the Narayan Guest House.
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.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.