MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MARCH 13, 2006
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman William Sarosky called to order the Executive Session. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Greenberg, Prousi and Witmer. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, Kevin Costello, Andrea Collins, Roy Rodriguez, Matt Johnston and Leo Bagley. Matters of personnel and litigation were discussed. Leesa Meade joined the meeting to be interviewed for a Park & Recreation Board vacancy. Ms. Meade departed the meeting at the conclusion of her interview.
At 7:44 p.m. Chairman William Sarosky called to order the Work Session. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Greenberg, Prousi and Witmer. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, Andrea Collins, Kevin Costello, Maryann McConnell, Rick Tralies, Matt Johnston, Jerry Grover, Shirley Snyder, and Roy Rodriguez, John Antonucci and Bob McConnell of the Shade Tree Commission.
Roy Rodriguez, Chair of the Shade Tree Commission provided an overview and sketch of the proposed Memorial Park to be situated on a portion of the Horvath Tract on Kenas Road. Memorial Park, as proposed, will consist of trails, benches, parking lot, sundial, and landscaping. The landscaping is proposed to be done in the fall of 2006. The Shade Tree Commission recommended that two bids be advertised, one for construction of parking lot, trail and hardscaping, and a second for the sundial. The sundial is proposed to be the centerpiece of the project. Due to the vandalism that occurs on township property, the Shade Tree Commission is recommending that the sundial be made of brass or bronze, which will maintain its beauty for years. The total estimated cost for Memorial Park is expected to be approximately $120,000. The Board liked the concept and proposed design of Memorial Park.
The work session adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Chairman Sarosky called to order the regular meeting at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Greenberg, Prousi and Witmer. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, Kevin Costello, Rich Brady, Jerry Grover, Monica DeCaro, Mike Solomon, Matt Johnston, Rick Tralies, and Shirley Snyder.
Resolution #1 unanimously appointed Leesa Meade to the Park and Recreation Board with a term set to expire January 1, 2007.
Under public comment, Roy Rodriguez of 127 County Club Drive and representing the Historical Society, explained that PennDOT was planning to demolish an historic stone bridge on Limekiln Pike. The bridge dates back to about 1830. Mr. Rodriguez asked for the township’s assistance in requesting that PennDOT retain and restore the bridge. Chairman Sarosky made a motion that the township draft a letter to PennDOT requesting that this historic bridge not be demolished, but be preserved as an historic structure. The Board unanimously approved the motion.
Merle Ochrach announced that the Board had met earlier in an Executive session to discuss matters of potential litigation and personnel.
The Environmental Advisory Committee’s annual report was presented by John Carbone. Under Monthly Reports, Chief Brady reported that the Police Department had handled 2,005 calls during the month of February. Kevin Costello reported that the Public Works Department had handled one snow storm on February 11, 2006, and was hopeful that snow storms were over for this year. Jerry Grover reported that the Fire Marshal’s office had completed 29 fire safety inspections in February. The Fire Department had responded to 34 calls. Mr. Grover will be retiring from his position as Director of Fire Services, Fire Marshal and Emergency Management Coordinator effective in June 2006. Mr. Grover expressed his thanks to the Board of Supervisors, staff, and the Fire Department of Montgomery Township for making his tenure with Montgomery Township enjoyable. Monica DeCaro reported that the auditors are waiting for a few documents in order to complete the 2005 audit. Ms. DeCaro also reported that the transition to Harleysville Bank is going smoothly.
Mike Solomon, interim Director of Planning and Economic Development provided a comprehensive summary on re-use and occupancy inspections. Mr. Solomon reported that only 8 local municipalities perform re-use and occupancy inspections. One of the most significant inspection items with respect to attached dwellings is the fire separation between the units. This inspection must be done during the course of construction. Most prospective homebuyers have a thorough home inspection done prior to purchasing a house. Deb Grasso of 414 South Stone Ridge Drive and a realtor concurred that nearly every one of her clients has a home inspection done prior to purchasing a house. The Board asked for the opinion of Bernd Heinze of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township. Mr. Heinze stated that he would like to discuss some legal issues with the township solicitor and report back to the Board at their next meeting. After some additional discussion, the Chairman Sarosky made a motion to repeal the re-use and occupancy inspection program, including attached dwelling units. Supervisor Prousi seconded the motion and the Board unanimously approved the motion. Chairman Sarosky amended the motion to include a public information program be established to stress fire safety and prevention to residents of the township. The amended motion was unanimously approved by the Board.
Monica DeCaro provided the budget status of the township as of December 31, 2005.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for February 27, 2006 and payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #2 awarded the Public Works Annual Materials bids as follows: asphalt/bituminous concrete to Eureka Stone Quarry; crack sealer to Crafco, Inc.; equipment rental with operator to P.K. Moyer & Son, Inc.; equipment rental without operator to Eagle Power & Equipment; stone aggregate to Glasgow, Inc.; tree and lawn care treatments to Moyer & Son, Inc.; petroleum – gas & #2 fuel oil to Sunoco, Inc.; and petroleum – diesel fuel to Farm & Home. Resolution #3 authorized an amendment to the fourth quarter budget, and authorized the transfer of $1,963,000 from the 2005 surplus in the General Fund to the Capital Reserve Fund. Resolution #4 approved designating a total of $1,963,000 in Capital Reserve Funds for the following projects: Stump Road Fire Station Renovation - $1,100,000; Open Space - $300,000; 202 Parkway - $200,000; Undesignated - $178,000; Horsham Road Improvements - $175,000; NPDES Permit Application - $10,000. Resolution #5 approved construction and application escrow release for North Penn Church of Christ. Construction escrow release for Manor View II was approved by Resolution #6. An extension request was approved for Logos Group by Resolution #7. Resolution #8 approved extension request for AAA Montgomeryville (Dunkin Donuts). Extension request for Paone subdivision was approved by Resolution #9. Resolution #10 approved waiver for modular classroom for Mary, Mother of the Redeemer Catholic Education Center. All consent agenda resolutions were unanimously approved.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:43 p.m.