MINUTES OF MEETING
AUGUST 23, 2010
At 7:30 p.m. Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the executive session. In attendance were Supervisors Birch, Chimera and McDonnell. Supervisor Fox was absent. Also in attendance were Solicitor Robert Iannozzi and Acting Township Manager Larry Gregan. Items of personnel were discussed.
At 8:00 p.m. Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the action meeting and led the pledge of allegiance. In attendance were Supervisors Birch, Chimera and McDonnell. Supervisor Fox was absent. Also in attendance were Robert Iannozzi, Lawrence Gregan, Kevin Costello, William Brightcliffe, Richard Brady, Bruce Shoupe and Deb Rivas.
Chairman Walsh indicated that the Board wanted to have a moment of silence to honor the memory of Detective Ward Thomas who passed away on August 13, 2010. Mr. Walsh read a statement describing the honorable career of Detective Thomas and paused for a moment of silence.
There was no public comment.
Solicitor Robert Iannozzi announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting to discuss personnel matters. These matters are permissible in executive session under the guidelines of the Sunshine law.
Chairman Walsh announced that the Board would be presenting some of its annual donations this evening. Mr. Walsh presented a check for $1,500 to the Visiting Nurses Community Association, who was represented by Denise Frattar. The Visiting Nurses Community Association is a non-profit agency that provides community based programs to the residents of Montgomery County. Richard Roller accepted a check for $6,000 to help support the programs of the Montgomery Township Historical Society. The Historical Society is dedicated to preserving the history of Montgomery Township and is currently overseeing the renovation of the Knapp Farmhouse, the only property left in Montgomery Township that is on the National Register of Historic Places. The North Penn Visiting Nurses Association will receive a check in the amount of $2,000 to help support the non-profit home health agency that provides community-based healthcare services to the residents of the North Penn area. Lastly, Cathy Arnold-Yerger accepted a check in the amount of $9,000 to support the Montgomery County Norristown Public Library which services Montgomery Township through the various stops of its bookmobile. Residents of Montgomery Township can also visit other local library branches as well as take advantage of the online services and bookmobile stops of the County library.
The next item on the agenda was the swearing in of two new police recruits. Police Chief Richard Brady introduced Thomas Ward and Jason English. He reported that both recruits had passed an extensive and competitive process to be the top candidates for the two open positions of police recruit. Chairman Walsh administered the oath of office to Thomas Ward and Jason English and family members presented each with their police badges. Resolution #1 unanimously authorized the hiring of Thomas Ward and Jason English as Police Recruits with the Montgomery Township Police Department with a start date of August 27, 2010.
Anthony Diasio, Vice-Chairman of the Montgomery Township Finance Committee, made a presentation to the Board on the activities of the Finance Committee. Mr. Diasio said that there are six members of the Finance Committee, all with various backgrounds. Mr. Diasio said that the Finance committee reviews the Finance reports each month to check for comparisons to prior years. Mr. Diasio indicated that at their June meeting, the committee met with Ed Furman of the auditing firm Maillie Falconiero to review the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). Mr. Diasio thanked Mr. Gregan and indicated that he does an excellent job of preparing the reports for review. The Finance committee will now begin the budgeting process this fall. Supervisor Birch said that he is the liaison to this committee and there is great talent on the committee with the members coming from different career backgrounds.
Under the consent agenda, the Minutes of Meeting for August 9, 2010 and Payment of Bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #2 approved the Fall Recreation programs and fee schedule. Resolution #3 reaffirmed the resolution approving the Liquor License Transfer for Bertucci's Restaurant. Resolution #4 approved the Parking Lot Resurfacing projects (Administrative complex and Public Works garage). Resolution #5 approved the 2010 Extra Curb and Sidewalk Concrete Work. Resolution #6 approved the Release of the Maintenance Period Security for LDS 620 - Gateway Plaza Gambone Release of Letter of Credit. Resolution #7 authorized the Preparation and Advertisement of the Ordinance regarding Mandatory Solid Waste Collection. Resolution #8 authorized the Change of Signatories on the Morgan Stanley/Smith Barney pension accounts. Resolution #9 approved the Construction Escrow Release for Kidalas Court. All consent agenda resolutions were unanimously approved, except for the Release of Maintenance Period Security for LDS 620 - Gateway Plaza Gambone. Mr. Walsh recused himself from the vote as his law firm had previously done business with the Gambone organization.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.