MINUTES OF MEETING
MAY 24, 2010
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the executive session. In attendance were Supervisors Birch, Chimera, Fox and McDonnell. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan, Frank Bartle, Bruce Shoupe, John Chambers and Roy Rodriguez. Items of litigation, potential litigation and personnel were discussed.
At 8:05 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, Bruce Shoupe, Lawrence Gregan, Kevin Costello, Richard Brady and Deb Rivas.
There was no public comment from members of the audience.
Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting and discussed matters of personnel, potential litigation and litigation. The matter of litigation was concerning the status of a property at Route 309 and Vilsmeier Road. These matters are permissible in executive session under the guidelines of the Sunshine law.
Mr. Walsh stated that the Board would soon be broadcasting their meetings on the cable channel, and that it was a good time to review the guidelines for public comment at the meetings. Mr. Walsh indicated that he reviewed the current guidelines which were adopted on January 26, 2009 and said that he thought they were sufficient for the Township's needs. After some discussion regarding residents and taxpayer comments, the Board agreed that the current guidelines were sufficient.
Rich Grier updated the Board on the status of televising the Board meetings on the cable channel. Mr. Grier indicated that the production was ready for broadcast, including closed captioning, and asked the Board to confirm the schedule. The Board agreed that broadcasting the meeting several times a day, one week after the actual meeting and until the next meeting was ready, was sufficient. It was agreed that this meeting would be the first to be broadcast on Comcast channel 22 and Verizon channel 34. The Board thanked Mr. Grier and Ms. Crandell for staying with the project, moving it forward and getting it done.
Chairman Walsh reported that in the past, the Township has broadcast videos provided by State Representatives and Senators, which usually involved topics of interest to our residents. Earlier this year, the Township suspended broadcast of these videos so that the Township Solicitor could research the Township's obligations to, and impact of, broadcasting non-township related material. Mr. Bartle provided information regarding content neutral regulations and content based regulations. Mr. Bartle indicated that it is in Montgomery Township's best interest to follow a content neutral policy. Mr. Walsh asked Mr. Bartle to draft a policy for the Board's consideration for the next meeting or the following meeting.
Lt. Gordon Simes was present to discuss a problem with the Police Department's telephone and radio voice recording equipment. The current system, which was installed in October, 2004, is running in back-up mode because the main unit has failed. Lt. Simes stated that the equipment is no longer supported by the manufacturer and obtaining parts has become a problem. Lt. Simes indicated that the department has been recording telephone and radio voice transactions since the late 1970s. Lt. Simes said that this function is so critical that the PA Accreditation Commission requires this as a "mandate" with which accredited Police agencies must comply. Lt. Simes presented a proposal for a new replacement system which can be purchased through PA cooperative purchasing contract for $25,855. In addition, he advised that a file server and related network hardware would be required at a not to exceed cost of $3,000. After some discussion, Resolution #1 unanimously approved the purchase of the recorder and necessary hardware at a cost not to exceed $28,855.
Township Engineer, John Chambers, announced that the Bucks County Planning Commission (BCPC) has a goal of obtaining approval from the DEP of the revised Neshaminy Watershed Stormwater Management Plan by June 30, 2010. Bucks County would then require all municipalities within the watershed to adopt an ordinance within six months, or by December 31, 2010. Mr. Chambers said that the writers of the Little Neshaminy Stormwater Plan will be giving a workshop on Tuesday, May 25, 2010. Mr. Chambers pointed out that the Bucks County alternative being discussed would require a graduated application of stormwater regulations based on the amount of increase in impervious coverage. Mr. Chambers discussed the potential impact of the regulation on small projects noting that in his opinion their application to such projects would have virtually no impact on storm water management and water quality in the watershed, while at the same time requiring thousands of dollars in engineering to prepare plan. Mr. Chambers noted that the Montgomery Stormwater Consortium continues to promote an alternate approach that would exempt projects generating less than an acre of impervious coverage to reduce the potential impact on the Township's residents. Mr. Fox commented that it appears that Bucks County's plan is to get DEP approval of their plan for the Little Neshaminy water shed and then basically push it on to the local municipalities. The plan will affect 90% of the Township that flows to this watershed. Mr. Chamber further pointed out we still don't have any idea where the DEP stands on getting their own version of the model ordinance out, and that there is a pending deadline of September 15th to apply for a new permit even though the plans for the watershed and DEP's model ordinance have not been adopted. It was the consensus of the Board that Mr. Chambers attend the meeting and continue to promote the Township's position regarding the impact on small projects.
Supervisor Birch reported that a group of businessmen from South Korea recently visited the Township and met with members of the Montgomery Township Business Development Partnership to discuss how each group could benefit the other. Mr. Birch indicated that it was a very good meeting. Both groups are looking at future opportunities to work together.
Chairman Walsh indicated that Montgomery Township will be celebrating its Tricentennial in 2013 and it is recommended that the Board commission a planning committee this year to start the planning of celebration events. The Board asked Assistant Township Manager, Larry Gregan, to provide some direction based on his past experiences with celebrations in other municipalities. Mr. Gregan stated that these events take lots of planning and money. Mr. Gregan said that the key element is engaging the community. Mr. Gregan also said that successful events were the result of the development of a committee to research the various activities and the selection of a dynamic community minded leader with a business background to gather the support and necessary funding. Mr. Gregan listed some of the activities that other municipalities held such as fireworks shows, history presentations, videos, resident of the month awards, and other celebration events. The Board asked Mr. Gregan to reach out to other municipalities and gather up information such as how they went about planning the celebration, what was the process, and what events were well received.
Chairman Walsh made a motion authorize the law firm of Dischell, Bartle, Yanoff and Dooley to review the zoning application #10050001, filed by Montgomeryville Carpet Mart, LLC, in preparation for the hearing scheduled for June 1st, 2010, and to enter their appearance on behalf of the Board of Supervisors, and present testimony in opposition to the zoning application. Supervisor Chimera seconded the motion and resolution #2 unanimously approved it.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for May 10, 2010 and payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #3 approved the current 2010 capital expenditures. Resolution #4 approved the 2010/2011 Act 147 Grant Application for Fire Services. Resolution #5 authorized the Township Manager to advertise for bids for Asphalt/Bituminous concrete materials. Resolution #6 approved the amendment to the Delaware Valley Health Insurance Trust Agreement. Resolution #7 approved the amendment to the Recreation Program Refund Policy.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:05 p.m.