MINUTES OF MEETING
OCTOBER 12, 2010
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the executive session. In attendance were Supervisors Robert J. Birch, Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Supervisor Michael Fox was absent. Also in attendance were Solicitor Frank Bartle and Interim Township Manager Lawrence Gregan. Matters of potential acquisition of real estate, litigation and personnel were discussed.
At 8:10 p.m. Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the action meeting and led the pledge of allegiance. In attendance were Supervisors Robert J. Birch, Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Supervisor Michael J. Fox was absent. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Lawrence Gregan, Kevin Costello, William Brightcliffe, Richard Brady, Bruce Shoupe, Ann Shade, Shannon Drosnock and Shirley Snyder.
Under public comment, Steve Filipe of Warrington Township said that the Planning Commission of Warrington Township had recommended approval of Teva's rezoning request and the matter will now go before the Warrington Township Board of Supervisors. Mr. Filipe advised that he had sent documentation to Kevin Johnson and was hoping to get an update concerning any new information he may have received from Penn DOT, Warrington Township or Teva. Chairman Joseph Walsh advised that Mr. Johnson was not in attendance tonight and that he had received an email with information on the Warrington Township Planning Commissions ruling and some information from the Bucks County Planning Commission. Mr. Walsh advised the he would be speaking with Mr. Johnson about this matter and thanked Mr. Felipe for providing this information to the Township.
Solicitor Frank Bartle announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting to discuss four items of potential acquisition of real estate. Also discussed was a litigation matter pertaining to the Costco appeal to the Zoning Hearing Board, and personnel matters. These matters are permissible in executive session under the guidelines of the Sunshine law.
The minutes of the September 27, 2010 Board meeting were approved as submitted.
Resolution #1 unanimously recognized and welcomed Shannon Drosnock as the Interim Director of Finance with Montgomery Township. Shannon started with Montgomery Township on October 4, 2010, after serving as Finance Director in the Borough of Perkasie.
Dave Wolfe, President of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township was present to accept a check on behalf of the Fire Department's Fire Relief Association. Resolution #2 unanimously presented a check in the amount of $255,535.74 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the FDMT Fire Relief Association.
The Autumn Festival volunteers and workers were acknowledged for their efforts in coordinating and hosting the 2010 Autumn Festival on October 2, 2010. The following groups were recognized for their participation: the Autumn Festival Committee, Chambers Associates, volunteers of FDMT, Volunteer Medical Service Corps, The North Penn High School Key Club and National Honor Society, residents and employees of Montgomery Township. Ann Shade reported that there were approximately 100 volunteers and workers who participated in the event. Resolution #3 unanimously acknowledged 100 volunteers and workers for their diligent contributions toward the success of Autumn Festival held on October 2, 2010. Chairman Joseph Walsh expressed the Boards appreciation to all who helped to make this event a success, and especially to the Autumn Festival Committee.
The Board acknowledged and thanked the following employees who recently submitted their resignation notices, in order to pursue other employment opportunities: Christopher Beck, Management Analyst with the Administration Department and Carmen Conicelli, Dispatcher with the Police Department. Mr. Beck is presently employed with Senator Arlen Specter's Philadelphia Office as a Staff Assistant. Mr. Conicelli started employment with Lower Merion Township as a Firefighter. Mr. Conicelli will resume part-time Dispatcher duties on a temporary, as-needed basis. Resolution #4 unanimously acknowledged the voluntary resignations of Christopher Beck and Carmen Conicelli and recognized these employees for their commitment to public service during their employment at Montgomery Township.
Ralph Schurr, Chairman of the Senior Committee provided a report on the activities of the committee. The Senior Committee is comprised of seven resident members, Jeffrey McDonnell, Board liaison to the committee and Stacy Crandell, staff liaison to the committee.
The committee has created a Senior Resource Center in the lobby of the Township building, held two safety seminars, an elder care seminar and a long term care seminar. On November 3rd, a consultant from Consumer Credit Counseling Service will provide an overview of financial planning. The Committee also took part in Autumn Festival, attended the summer concerts in the Park and sponsors a walking club at Spring Valley Park. Mr. Schurr requested a minimal budget be allocated for the Senior Committee for 2011. The matter will be discussed during the Budget Workshop meetings. Mr. Schurr also noted that the committee would like to consider the option of recording the seminars they provide, and make them available to those who are unable to attend. Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell thanked Mr. Schurr and the members of the Senior Committee for their dedication to this committee, noting that it is one of the most active committees within the Township.
The Police Department has requested approval to purchase replacement weapons. The 2010 budget for weapons and ammunition previously approved $12,475 for target ammunition, but did not propose any weapons replacement. The Township Purchase Policy requires Board approval of unbudgeted expenditures over $1,000. Resolution #5 unanimously approved the expenditure of unencumbered funds for the purchase of two Remington Shotguns at a cost of $1,360, one Patrol Rifle at a cost of $850 and one Patrol Vehicle Mount at a cost of $290 for a total cost of $2,500.
In 1993 amendments were made to the Peddling and Soliciting code, permitting solicitation in the Township from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. In response to recent complaints to the Board of Supervisors and Police Department, the Township Solicitor has reviewed the current case law and determined that further limit to the hours of door to door canvassing can be made. Resolution #6 unanimously authorized the Township Solicitor to prepare and advertise the amendment to Chapter 170 of the Township Code, Peddling and Soliciting, to further limit door to door canvassing and peddling in the Township to the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
The Township has recently received a payment of $547,348 from Penn Dot made in conjunction with the acquisition of additional Township owned Right of Way for the Rt. 202 Parkway Project. The funds have been deposited into the Capital Reserve and the Board is being asked to consider designating these funds to the 14 Year Road Program Reserve Fund to assist in planning for the 2011 budget. Resolution #7 unanimously approved designating the Right of Way funds received in September 2010 totaling $547,348 to the 14 Year Road Plan Reserve.
In accordance with the Police Pension Plan established in 1976, officers are required to make a contribution to the Police Officer Pension Plan. Consideration of the rate for 2011 is being considered this evening. Resolution #8 unanimously requires Police Officer contributions to the Police Pension Plan in the amount of 5% of Base Salary, Longevity and Holiday pay for the year 2011 and direct that notice of the contribution be provided to the representatives of the Police collective Bargaining Unit.
The Shade Tree Commission's Fall Project at Usher Lane and Spring Valley Park was budgeted at $29,000, and came in under budget. The Shade Tree Commission solicited bids for an additional project to be completed this season. The Commission wishes to replace six dead Okame Cherry trees along Doylestown Road, and install nine dogwoods along the future trail at the Memorial Grove site. Resolution #9 awarded the Doylestown Road and Memorial Grove Projects to Land Tech Enterprises of Warrington, PA as submitted in bid documents in the amount of $4,485.
The bills were approved as submitted.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:37 p.m.