MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
JANUARY 3, 2006
At 7:30 p.m. Vice Chairman William Sarosky called to order the Executive Session. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Prousi and Witmer. Chairman Greenberg was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel and Merle Ochrach. Personnel matters were discussed. The Executive Session adjourned at 7:45 p.m.
At 7:47 p.m., Vice Chairman William Sarosky called to order the Work Session. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Prousi and Witmer. Chairman Greenberg was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, Jerry Grover, Andrea Collins, Carol Tukey, Kevin Costello, Richard Brady, Monica DeCaro, and Shirley Snyder.
The first item of business was a discussion of the Board liaisons to township committees. The liaisons will remain the same as 2005.
Under Monthly Reports, Chief Richard Brady reported that the department responded to 2282 calls in December, two officers were slightly injured in an arrest at Montgomery Mall, and Canine Officers Harry Vitello and Robert Hart and their canines have recently completed training programs. The police department will also begin advertising for a recruit officer. Carol Tukey reported that World Town Planning Day was celebrated in November with a bagel brunch in the Planning & Economic Development office. The GIS project is on going and the ordinance review is also proceeding. Monica DeCaro reported that the Finance Department is attending year end training procedures with Pentamation, and that the auditing process has begun. Jerry Grover reported that the Fire Marshal’s office has completed 23 inspections in December, and responded to 47 calls. Mr. Grover also thanked Gene Zeiner, Treasurer of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township for his assistance with the auditing process.
Vice Chairman Sarosky stated that in the year 2006, Executive Sessions will be held for approximately 15 minutes, allowing more time for a Work Session to be held before each Board of Supervisors Action Meeting. The Work Session adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Vice Chairman Sarosky called the Re-Organization Meeting to order at 8:03 p.m.. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Prousi and Witmer. Supervisor Greenberg was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Richard Brady, Kevin Costello, Gerald Grover, Monica DeCaro, Andrea Collins, Carol Tukey, Merle Ochrach, Rick Tralies, Earl Armitage, Lonnie Manai and Shirley Snyder. Vice Chairman Sarosky became the Temporary Chairman until a new Chairman was elected. Vice Chairman Sarosky then requested that the Board nominate a new Chairman. Supervisor Prousi nominated Supervisor Sarosky to be the 2006 Chairman of the Board. Supervisor Witmer seconded the nomination. Supervisor Sarosky was elected Chairman of the Board for 2006 by a unanimous vote (4 – 0, Greenberg absent), and by Resolution #1. Supervisor Prousi nominated Supervisor Witmer to be the Vice Chairman. Chairman Sarosky seconded the nomination. The Board voted unanimously (4 – 0, Greenberg absent) to elect Supervisor Witmer to be the Vice Chairman for 2006 by Resolution #2.
District Justice David Keightly was present to swear in Patricia Gallagher as the Real Estate Tax Collector for Montgomery Township. Joseph Ochotny, Board of Auditors, had been sworn in prior to tonight’s meeting by District Justice Keightly.
The newly elected Fire Police were sworn in by Chairman Sarosky. Resolution #3 unanimously appointed William Adams to the position of Fire Police Officer with the Fire Department of Montgomery Township, Resolution #4 unanimously appointed Kevin Galante to the position of Fire Police Officer with the Fire Department of Montgomery Township, and Resolution #5 unanimously appointed Glen Scheinder to the position of Fire Police with the Fire Department of Montgomery Township.
Chairman Sarosky then commended the Township’s volunteer Boards and Committees for their service during the year 2005. Chairman Sarosky thanked each committee member for their dedication and time in serving on township committees.
John Nagel has been elected as President of the Montgomery County Consortium of Communities for 2006. The Board recognized Mr. Nagel’s new position with the Consortium.
Under the Consent Agenda for the re-organization meeting, Resolution #6 established the Township holidays for 2006. Resolution #7 established the meeting dates for 2006. Resolution #8 set the Treasurer and Business Tax Collector’s Bonds. Resolution #9 qualified Sovereign Bank as the Township depository. Resolution #10 appointed the officials for 2006. Resolution #11 certified Supervisor Kuhn as the delegate to the Pennsylvania State Association for Township Supervisors for 2006. Resolution #12 established the Board of Supervisors liaisons to the Township Committees. Resolution #13 approved the authorized drivers for Township vehicles for 2006. Resolution #14 appointed the Fire Department of Montgomery Township Fire Police for 2006. Resolution #15 established the 2006 Fee Schedule. Resolution #16 reaffirmed the Board’s support of the commitment by the Township Manager to adhere to the International City Managers Association Code of Ethics for the year 2006. Chairman Sarosky motioned that the consent agenda be approved and Vice Chairman Witmer seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously (4 – 0, Greenberg absent) to approve the consent agenda.
The re-organization meeting adjourned at 8:13 p.m.
Chairman Sarosky called to order the regular meeting at 8:13 p.m.
Under public comment, Dan Dunleavy of Upper State Road presented a packet of information and drawings pertaining to the condemnation of a portion of his land by the township for the purpose of widening Upper State Road. Mr. Dunleavy requested that the Board confirm that the documents pertaining to the right of way that have been submitted are accurate and correct. Mr. Dunleavy has obtained the services of a land planner with the possibility of developing a portion of his property, and needs confirmation on this matter. Chairman Sarosky requested that the Solicitor and Township Engineer provide the information for the Board’s review. The Board will reply to Mr. Dunleavy’s request within two weeks. Ginger Petro-Roy of 104 Old Oak Tree Road inquired about the status of the Beechwood drainage matter. Merle Ochrach advised Ms. Petro-Roy that a letter had been sent to her attorney today.
Bernd Heinze was appointed as a member of the Industrial Development Authority with a term to expire in 2010. Resolution #17 unanimously confirmed the appointment of Bernd Heinze to the Industrial Development Authority.
Resolution #18 unanimously appointed Ralph Melone as a member of the Finance Committee with a term to expire January 1, 2007.
The 18 participants of the second Citizens’ University class were recognized. Public Information Coordinator, Priti Patel thanked the residents for their participation in the ten week program and presented each with a Certificate of Appreciation from the township. Resolution #19 recognized and commended the following participants of the second Citizens’ University class: Bassam Annous, Jorge Arsuaga, Jeffrey Barthelmes, David Berman, Seth Braverman, Nicholas Corbi, Pauline Corbi, Charles Cordeau, Alan Fishbein, Stuart Frey, Howard Haber, Bill Hixon, Janice Johnson, Jason Maher, Jacob Meeter, Kiran Padgadnkar, Robert Paradysz and Joanne Rowland.
Priti Patel thanked the participants of the 2005 Holiday Lights Contest and the sponsors and provided each winner with a Certificate of Appreciation from the township and a gift certificate from a local business. Resolution #20 unanimously recognized and commended Susan and Norman Shaw, Will Canum, Robert Fiorito, Kim Webster, Bob Menno, Tom Coffey as the winners of the 2005 Montgomery Township Holiday Lights Contest, and Fancy This, Holly Days, Montgomery Mall, Outback Steakhouse, Sal’s Nursery, World Wide Stereo and FastSigns as sponsors of the event. The township also thanked all families who participated in the contest.
John Nagel announced the creation of a new office, the Community Services Office, under the Administration Department. This office will be prepared to meet the growing communications needs of the township and its residents, and will oversee the recreation and public information aspects of the township. The Community Services Office will be under the direction of Andrea Collins, Assistant to the Township Manager, and will consist of Eve DiFeo, Recreation Coordinator, Priti Patel, Public Information Coordinator, and Michael Galla, Management Analyst.
Merle Ochrach announced that the Board had met in Executive Session earlier in the evening to discuss matters of personnel.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for December 12, 2005, and the payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #21 approved extension request for Montgomery Commons Shopping Center, and Resolution #22 approved extension request for Logos Hotel (Revised Plan). Resolution #23 approved escrow release for Levine Tract Lot #3, and Resolution #24 approved escrow release for Levine Tract Lot #4. Resolution #25 authorized the Township Manager to advertise for bids for 2006 curb and sidewalk projects. Resolution #26 approved request of waiver for Spagnolo Subdivision, and Resolution #27 approved request for waiver of permit fee for Montgomery Elementary School. All consent agenda resolutions were unanimously approved the Board.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.