MINUTES OF MEETING
SEPTEMBER 13, 2010
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the executive session. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Also in attendance were Township Solicitor Frank Bartle and Interim Township Manager Lawrence Gregan. Items of personnel and potential litigation were discussed.
At 8:06 p.m. Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the action meeting and led the pledge of allegiance. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Lawrence Gregan, Kevin Costello, William Brightcliffe, Richard Brady, Bruce Shoupe, Ann Shade and Shirley Snyder.
There was no public comment.
Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting to discuss three personnel matters and two matters of potential litigation. These matters are permissible in executive session under the guidelines of the Sunshine law.
Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to accept the minutes of the August 23, 2010 Board of Supervisors meeting as submitted. The motion was seconded by Candyce Chimera and unanimously approved.
The resignation and formal separation agreement from former Township Manager, John B. Nagel was approved. Chairman Walsh thanked Mr. Nagel for his decades of service to Montgomery Township, having been employed at the Township for approximately twenty two years as Director of Finance and then as Township Manager. Resolution #1 unanimously accepted the resignation of John B. Nagel as Township Manager and authorized the appropriate Township officials to execute all necessary documents in connection therewith. The resolution further states that the Board approves, on behalf of the Township, the Separation Agreement and General Release, dated September 2, 2010.
Lawrence J. Gregan was appointed and sworn in as the Interim Township Manager/Secretary. Mr. Gregan has served as the Finance Director for the Township since 2007, after serving as Township Manager in Whitemarsh Township, and in other local government positions in Springfield Township and Lady Lake Florida. Lawrence J. Gregan was unanimously appointed Interim Township Manager/Secretary of Montgomery Township by Resolution #2.
Ruth Hardin and Sue Dessner, Co-Chairs of the Autumn Festival Committee gave a presentation on Autumn Festival which will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Windlestrae Park from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Autumn Festival Committee thanked the Board for dedicating this year's event to the memory of William Maule, who was instrumental in the inception of this annual event. In addition to dedicating the day to "Bill", a plaque will be presented to the Maule family during the opening ceremonies. Mrs. Hardin provided an overview of the scheduled events, and Ms. Dessner reported that we have over 40 vendors attending the festival. Supervisor Candyce Chimera inquired about the donation of scarecrow clothes from Impact. Stacy Crandell reported that staff had made a trip to Impact and were able to obtain some jeans and long sleeve shirts. Ms. Hardin also reported that in honor of the 10th Anniversary of Autumn Festival, she and Ms. Dessner will be handing out special bags of candy to the children attending. Chairman Walsh suggested checking with Pennbrook Middle School for some additional volunteers to help with the event. Lawrence Gregan noted that in the absence of a Recreation Coordinator, Ann Shade assumed the leadership and coordination of the Autumn Festival at the staff level. It was also noted that while donations are down from previous years, Autumn Festival will continue to be an outstanding, fun filled day for all!
Lawrence Gregan reported that the Board of Supervisors and Department Heads will be attending a Budget Workshop on Saturday, September 18, 2010 from 9:30 a.m. to approximately 2:30 p.m. at the Township building. This meeting is open to the public and will be advertised and publicized.
The Park and Recreation Board has recommended renaming Friendship Park to William F. Maule Friendship Park, in memory of, and as an honor and tribute to Mr. Maule. As a member of the Park & Recreation Board for decades, Mr. Maule was instrumental in the development of the Township's vibrant park and recreation system. Mr. Maule played a key role in the acquisition and development of many of the Township parks. David Keightly, a collegue and former member of the Park & Recreation Board stated that naming a park in Mr. Maule's memory is a nice idea. Mr. Keightly recommended that instead of renaming Friendship Park, he would suggest renaming Windlestrae Park to The William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae. Michael Fox, liaison to the Park & Recreation Board stated that he would like to take the new recommendation back to the Park Board for discussion and concurrence. Resolution #3 unanimously altered the name of Windlestrae Park to The William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae in honor of Mr. Maule's decades of distinguished and selfless service to the citizens of Montgomery Township, contingent upon approval by the Park & Recreation Board.
Resolution #4 unanimously awarded the bid for the Usher Lane Turnaround and Spring Valley Park Project to Land-Tech Enterprises, as submitted in the bid documents, in an amount of $18,989.
Bill Brightcliffe requested the Board's approval to submit the FY 2010 SAFER Grant Application which, if awarded, could be used for the possible hiring of up to two full time career firefighters. Resolution #5 unanimously approved the application for the FY 2010 SAFER Grant by the Montgomery Township Department of Fire Services.
Lawrence Gregan stated that bids were opened on September 1, 2010 for the Leaf and Yard Waste Collection. The contract will include two curbside pickups per year and a dumpster at the Park for one Saturday per month. Mr. Gregan stated that leaf bags will be purchased and distributed at Autumn Festival, and the date of the Fall 21010 curbside collection will be publicized via the website and e-news. Resolution #6 unanimously awarded the bid for Leaf and Yard Waste Collection Services for a three (3) year contract to Republic Services, Inc., DBA as BFI Waste Services of PA, LLC, at a cost of $30,551 per year, with a total three year cost of $91,654.
Staff is requesting authorization to obtain a Township Visa card through Univest Bank. The previous card was in the name of the Township and Township Manager and was cancelled. Supervisor Robert Birch made a motion to accept the Corporate Resolution authorizing the application for a Township Visa credit card through Univest Bank. The motion was seconded by Chairman Joseph Walsh, with a vote of 4 - 0 (Supervisor Michael Fox abstained). Resolution #7 authorized the application for a Township Visa card.
Chairman Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve all bills as presented. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch and unanimously approved by a 5 - 0 vote.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:32 p.m.