MINUTES OF MEETING
APRIL 26, 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 John Nagel, Frank Bartle, Bruce Shoupe and Richard Brady. 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, John Nagel, Bruce Shoupe, Larry Gregan, Kevin Costello, William Brightcliffe, Richard Brady and Deb Rivas.
Under public comment, Dr. Joseph Nasife of 1322 Lansdale Avenue said that he came to address the Board as the Chairman of the Public Safety Committee. Dr. Nasife stated that he had sent a letter to the Board of Supervisors back on January 30th requesting an executive meeting with the Board and had not received a reply. Dr. Nasife said that the lack of a reply was unacceptable and arrogant. Dr. Nasife read a statement from another Public Safety committee member, Nancy DelVecchio. In the statement, Ms. DelVecchio indicated that she was resigning from the committee because of the way that the dismissal of two previous committee members was handled. Dr. Nasife said that in the past committee members would normally interview interested volunteers for vacant positions and make recommendations to the Board. Dr. Nasife said that this is no longer the practice and that new members are being appointed without the knowledge of the committees. Dr. Nasife said that the dismissed members were told that the Township Supervisors were going in a new direction. Dr. Nasife stated that he reluctantly resigns from his position on the committee. Chairman Walsh stated that Dr. Nasife's resignation was accepted and told Dr. Nasife that the way he treated the new members on the committee was a disgrace. Mr. Walsh said that both of the new members had contacted him. Mr. Walsh stated that the Township is blessed to have so many qualified volunteers who want to serve the Township and that it was decided to give other people the opportunity to serve. Supervisor Birch said that he was at the Public Safety committee meeting and that he spoke to the committee on behalf of the Board. Supervisor Birch indicated that two members of the committee had invited Democratic Candidates to the Public Safety committee meeting over his protest, and that although the Republican Candidates could have been invited, Mr. Birch told the Public Safety Committee that no Township volunteer committee should be used for a political forum. Mr. Birch said that, therefore, Dr. Nasife should not act surprised.
Additionally, under public comment, Richard Roller, representing the Northern Montgomery County Recycling Commission, presented a check to the Board for $60,172.48 representing 2007 grant money for recycling efforts in Montgomery Township. Mr. Roller also mentioned that the Township was founded in 1714 and that in 2014 the Township will be celebrating its 300th anniversary. Mr. Roller wanted to bring up the subject now because this type of event takes a lot of planning in advance. Mr. Roller also offered the planning efforts of the Historical Society.
Supervisor Mike Fox announced that he had attended this past Saturday's Arbor Day and Earth Day celebration sponsored by the Shade Tree Commission, Environmental Advisory Committee and Township Staff. Mr. Fox indicated that the event was well planned, executed, organized and well attended by the residents of the Township. Mr. Fox thanked the staff for their work on this event.
Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting and discussed two matters of personnel, potential litigation and litigation. The matter of litigation was the Zoning Hearing Board application for Costco. These matters are permissible in executive session under the guidelines of the Sunshine law.
Chief Brady introduced Nicholas Lindsay who will become a dispatcher with the Montgomery Township Police Department. Mr. Lindsay is a graduate of Pennridge High School and is presently employed by the Tilley Fire Equipment Company. The Board formally welcomed Mr. Lindsay to the Township.
Stacy Crandell announced the latest E-News Subscription Promotional Campaign Phase II. Ms. Crandell said that the Township was looking to increase the number of subscribers to its weekly email newsletter and created the promotion as an incentive for residents to sign up. The deadline for signing up will be June 1st. Winners must be residents of the Township, and employees, board members and committee members are not eligible for the prizes. The prizes include an Apple I-Pad, two One Week of Kids University Camp, four VISA or American Express gift cards and a pair of tickets for a trip to New York City in December. Ms. Crandell stated that the promotion kicked off at the Arbor Day Celebration and was already showing signs of being very successful.
Larry Gregan provided the 1st Quarter 2010 Budget Report. Mr. Gregan said that compared to this time last year, revenues were slightly lower and expenditures were slightly higher. Mr. Gregan said that overall, the general fund balance is slightly higher at this time than it was in 2009. Mr. Gregan said that the Township was in good financial condition at this time.
Richard Grier provided an update on the Township's efforts to broadcast the Board of Supervisors meetings. Mr. Grier said that the April 12, 2010 Board meeting was recorded for the purpose of determining the efforts needed to make the recorded material ready for broadcasting and to include closed captioning. Mr. Grier reviewed the significant amount of time that was needed to process the high definition video from the camera to the computer and then to prepare the piece for closed captioning. Staff then attempted to utilize a program for in house closed captioning. This program took a long time to process the information and it was found that most of the closed captioning was inaccurate. Mr. Grier indicated that he had located a company online that provides closed captioning services for approximately $3 a minute. Mr. Grier had created a 10 minute sample for the Board to review. Mr. Grier said that the company does provide a discount for time purchased in bulk. Mr. Grier also noted that the staff would need to acquire an additional upgraded computer to aid in the processing time. Mr. Grier also indicated that he was taping this evening's meeting in a standard definition to see if it will reduce the processing time. After some discussion, the Board asked Mr. Grier to prepare options and pricing for their consideration.
Chairman Joe Walsh said that the Township was blessed to have terrific residents and great people. Mr. Walsh said that tonight the Board wanted to honor one of those residents who continues to give of himself to the community. Rick Miniscalco recently offered to assist the Public Works Department with a baseball field watering system which is necessary for the safety of the field. Mr. Miniscalco offered to install the equipment for the Public Works Department. Mr. Miniscalco also recently installed pavers to create a walkway around the War Memorial at the Village of Neshaminy Falls. Mr. Bill Conway, a resident of Neshaminy Falls, provided a description of his encounter with Mr. Miniscalco, and how grateful he and the residents were to Mr. Miniscalco for the beautiful work that he did at the memorial. John Schilling, member of the North Penn School Board, also thanked Mr. Miniscalco for the services he has provided to the school district and how much of a help he has been to the board, especially while serving on the Support Services committee. Resolution #1 unanimously commended and recognized Rick Miniscalco for his dedication and commitment to Montgomery Township by volunteering his time and services to Township projects.
Chairman Joe Walsh indicated that the Board wished to take action on an item that was discussed in executive session. The Board wished to oppose the zoning hearing board application of Costco. Mr. Walsh made a motion that the Board of Supervisors of Montgomery Township oppose the Costco application before the Montgomery Township Zoning Hearing Board. Mr. Walsh further moved that the Township Solicitor, Frank Bartle, Esquire, is hereby appointed and directed to attend all Zoning Hearing Board hearings regarding Costco and present the Township's case in opposition of the application. Supervisor McDonnell seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for April 12, 2010 and payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #2 approved the first quarter 2010 budget amendments. Resolution #3 approved the advertisement of a public hearing for the Amendments to Proposed Ordinance #10-240Z, #10-241S, #10-242 - Flood Plain Conservation District, SALDO and Shade Tree Ordinances for June 28, 2010. Resolution #4 approved the purchase of Bituminous Paving Materials from the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchase Contract. Public Works Director, Kevin Costello explained that he would be evaluating the current pricing on asphalt prior to making any purchases on the state contract. Mr. Costello indicated that it may be possible that it would be less expensive to go out to bid for asphalt. Resolution #5 approved the Memorandum of Understanding and Amendment to the Police Pension Plan for the Killed in Service Benefit (Act 51). Resolution #6 approved the application for the Bullet Proof Vest Partnership Grant. Resolution #7 authorized the Township Manager to advertise for a public hearing for a text amendment to R3B Zoning District for June 28, 2010 . All consent agenda items were unanimously approved.
Under other business, Chairman Walsh said that he wanted to thank the Township staff, Shade Tree Commission and Environmental Advisory committee for their work at the Arbor Day and Earth Day celebration.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:25 p.m.