MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SEPTEMBER 12, 2016
At 8:00 p.m. Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called to order the action meeting. In attendance were Supervisors Robert J. Birch, Michael J. Fox and Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Also in attendance were Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire, Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan, Police Chief J. Scott Bendig, Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak, Director of Finance Ami Tarburton, Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade, Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell, Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe, Director of Public Works Kevin Costello, Director of Recreation and Community Center Floyd Shaffer, Director of Technology Richard Grier and Recording Secretary Deborah Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called for public comment from the audience and there was none.
Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 22, 2016 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Michael J. Fox seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello introduced and welcomed new employee Evan Chwastiak to Montgomery Township as a Laborer in the Public Works Department. Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, welcomed Evan Chwastiak to the Township in the position as Laborer in the Public Works Department effective September 2, 2016.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Floyd Shaffer introduced State Representative Todd Stephens and Montgomery Township Baseball and Softball Association President Brian Ferko. State Representative Todd Stephens reported that he had held a fundraising event earlier in the year to raise funds to purchase an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) for the Montgomery Township Baseball and Softball Association. A percentage of the proceeds raised at the fundraiser paid for half of the cost associated in purchasing the AED and Rep. Stephens secured the funding for the other half of the cost through the generous donation from the Bruce Toll Foundation. Mr. Ferko and members of the Board of Supervisors thanked Representative Stephens for the AED and for his hard work and dedication to the residents of Montgomery Township.
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 the current low interest rate environment to realize the greatest possible savings, estimated to be in excess of $650K. Bond Counsel has prepared a proposed ordinance that would establish the “parameters” of the refinancing of the indebtedness which is being considered for adoption this evening. Supervisor Michael J. Fox inquired about the timeline for the refunding of the bonds because of the current market climate. Brian Bradley of RBC Capital Markets reported that the pricing would most likely occur the first week of October and that the staff and Board will be kept apprised of the timing. Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the Ordinance #16-300 – Authorizing the Incurrence of Non-Electoral Debt to refinance the Township’s General Obligation Bonds, Series of 2013.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig reported that Montgomery Township Highway Safety Officer David Dunlap has prepared a grant application to the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation on behalf of the Montgomery Township Regional DUI Enforcement Team. The Team was established in 1993 to combat the serious problem of drivers operating vehicles while impaired due to alcohol or drugs and removing those drivers from the highways. Montgomery Township serves as the administrator and the grant funds are used to support sobriety checkpoint operations and roving DUI patrols. The grant amount requested is $50,000.00 and will provide funding for the purchase of equipment and payment of overtime for enforcement activities. Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox and adopted unanimously, approved the submission of the 2016/2017 DUI Grant on behalf of the Montgomery Township Regional DUI Enforcement Team in the amount of $50,000.00.
Chief of Police Scott Bendig reported that the Police Department participates in the Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement/Education Grant Project and the Buckle-Up Enforcement Grant. These grants are statewide initiatives dedicated to targeting aggressive driving locations and raising the seat belt usage level in Pennsylvania. During the 2015/2016 grant period, the Police Department received $7,675.00 in funding to participate in these initiatives. Eligibility for additional funding under these programs for the 2016/2017 grant period requires the execution of grant extension agreements. Resolution #4 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox and adopted unanimously, approved the execution of extension agreements for the Pennsylvania Aggressive Driving Enforcement/Education Grant Project and Buckle-Up Enforcement Grant.
Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig reported that the Police Department’s Highway Safety Unit recently identified several intersections within the Township where “yield” traffic control signs were installed at intersections instead of a more appropriate “stop” sign. The “yield” signs had been posted in this manner when the developments were built over 25 years ago. It was recommended that “stop” signs be posted at the various locations in the ordinance to ensure sign consistency with other Township intersections. An ordinance is required to authorize the placement of the signage. Resolution #5 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox and adopted unanimously, approved Ordinance #16-299, Amending Stop Intersections and Yield Intersections, Vehicle Weight and Type and Restrictions.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that the bids for the Residential Leaf and Yard Waste Collection and Disposal project were received and opened on August 31, 2016. Upon review of the bid packages submitted, it was determined that the bid from the lowest bidder, Republic Services, was not a complete package as a signed Addendum #1 acknowledgment page was missing. Ms. Crandell explained that the Board could reject the bid from Republic Services as an incomplete submission and award the contract to the second low bidder or the Board could reject all bids and authorize the rebidding of the project. The Board discussed the options available and agreed to reject all bids and rebid the project. Resolution #6, made by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, rejected all bids and authorized the re-advertisement for bids for Residential Leaf and Yard Waste Collection and Disposal with the understanding that the Board of Supervisors will consider the award of the bid at a meeting in October.
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, with the exception of Supervisor Robert J. Birch abstaining from voting on the invoices for Eckert Seamans, otherwise, approval was given for the payment of bills as submitted.
Under other business, Supervisor Michael J. Fox reported that with the current vacant position on the Board of Supervisors due to Joseph Walsh’s resignation, two candidates have come forward expressing an interest in the Board position. Those candidates are Rick Miniscalco and Mary Kay Kelm. He opined that the current Board of Supervisors are not in agreement as to which candidate is the best choice to fill the vacancy at this time and the issue has not been decided. Supervisor Fox reported that he wanted the residents to know the current status of the Board of Supervisors vacancy. There was no public comment on this matter.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:32 p.m.