MINUTES OF MEETING

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

May 22, 2006

At 7:00 p.m. Chairman William Sarosky called to order the Executive Session.  In attendance were Supervisors Greenberg, Kuhn and Witmer.  Supervisor Prousi was absent.  Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, Richard Brady and William Brightcliffe. Personnel matters were discussed.

At 7:30 p.m. Chairman Sarosky called to order the Work Session.  In attendance were Supervisors Greenberg, Kuhn and Witmer.  Supervisor Prousi was absent.  Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, Jerry Grover, Richard Brady, William Brightcliffe, and Bernd Heinze, David Vasconez, and David Wolfe and of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township, John Weed of the Public Safety Committee and Shirley Snyder.

Chairman Sarosky thanked the Fire Department of Montgomery Township for providing a white paper titled “The Business Case & Justification for Replacing Rescue 18”.  Chairman Sarosky commended the Fire Department of Montgomery Township on an exceptional presentation.  The Board was in agreement that the Fire Department has provided adequate information for their approval of the purchase of a heavy rescue vehicle.  Public Safety Chairman, John Weed advised that Public Safety Committee passed a resolution supporting the purchase of a heavy rescue vehicle.  Other issues, mainly the purchase of gear, raised by the Board at the last meeting were addressed.  David Wolfe advised that the some of the older breathing apparatus is being upgraded, but is still NFPA compliant.  Six new self contained breathing apparatus are being purchased and will be state of the art.  The following equipment will be purchased by the Fire Relief Association of Montgomery Township  in fiscal years 2006 - 2009:  four (4) new 800 MHz Radios, foam firefighting capability, seven (7) sets of turn out gear, and helmets for the Fire Police.  Supervisor Witmer requested that the Fire Department of Montgomery Township officials check with Tom Sullivan at the County to ascertain that the County has completed all radio changes associated with the FCC’s re-banding to the 800 MHz banding .  Some of the equipment will be purchased with grant monies obtained by the Fire Department.  The Board reiterated that the purchase of this equipment was part of the “spending plan”, not a “grant plan”.  After some additional discussion, the Board of Supervisors, staff and Fire Department of Montgomery Township are in agreement on the strategic financial plan.  It is estimated that the purchase of the above mentioned equipment, including the rescue vehicle, will total approximately $599,000.  The loan for the purchase of the heavy rescue vehicle will be paid for over a period of seven years.  Resolution #1 unanimously resolved that the Board of Supervisors concur with the purchase of significant capital items with funds from the Fire Relief Association of Montgomery Township, and that this concurrence is consistent with a meeting held by the Fire Relief Association on May 1, 2006, agreeing to the purchase of the above referenced capital items in fiscal years 2006 – 2009, with the heavy rescue vehicle loan to be spread over a seven (7) year period. 

John Weed, Chairman of the Public Safety Committee thanked the Board for keeping the lines of communication open.  He expressed thanks to Supervisor Prousi for his commitment to the committee.  This committee prides itself on listening to residents concerns and recommendations, and being able to resolve most issues at a committee level. 

The work session adjourned at 7:58 p.m.

At 8:04 p.m., Chairman Sarosky called to order the regular meeting.  In attendance were Supervisors Greenberg, Kuhn and Witmer.  Supervisor Prousi was absent.  Also in attendance were John Nagel, Ed Slaw, Matt Johnston, Rick Tralies, Merle Ochrach, Richard Brady, Kevin Costello, Jerry Grover, and Shirley Snyder.

The Board of Supervisors commended Gerald F. Grover for an excellent job and dedication in the formation of the Department of Fire Services.  Chairman Sarosky presented Mr. Grover with a plaque recognizing him for his excellent attitude, superior performance and positive accomplishments.  Chairman Sarosky also recognized and thanked Mr. Grover’s wife, Eileen for her support.  Resolution #2 recognized and commended Gerald F. Grover for his role in the establishment of the Department of Fire Services.

William E. Brightcliffe was appointed and welcomed as the new Director of Fire Services. Mr. Brightcliffe has served with the Philadelphia Fire Department for 33 years, serving as Battalion Chief and former Executive Chief.  Resolution #3 unanimously appointed William E. Brightcliffe as the Director of Fire Services of Montgomery Township, effective June 2, 2006.

Under Public Comment, Steve Long of 329 Abbey Lane advised that there are some parking concerns at Rt. 202 Marketplace, where patrons and pizza delivery vehicles are parking in the handicapped spaces.  Also of concern to Mr. Long is the traffic hazard created by the Outback Steakhouse “curb side pick up”.  Chief Brady stated that Officer James Matlack had addressed the issue at Rt. 202 Marketplace and that the Highway Safety Unit is making periodic checks of the area.  Mr. Long also stated that Comcast had been digging in the neighborhood without proper notification of residents.  Mr. Long’s wife has tripped over cable that was left to block off the area.  Several calls to Comcast by Mr. Long have gone unanswered.  Chairman Sarosky stated that the staff has provided Mr. Long with a telephone number for Comcast.  This is an issue that will need to be resolved between Mr. Long and Comcast.

Patty Asheuer of 1127 Vilsmeier Road requested that the white stop bands on the roadway be re-painted at the stop sign areas along Vilsmeier Road.  Several accidents have occurred in this area, due to failure to stop at the stop signs.  These bands are a visual to remind drivers to stop.  After the last Novachip repaving, these bands were never re-painted.  Kevin Costello and Chief Brady reported that these lines are not required by PennDOT, and require maintenance by the Public Works Department.  The Board requested that the white stop bands again be painted in an effort to ensure public safety. 

Bernd Heinze, President of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township welcomed the new Director of Fire Services, William Brightcliffe and his family.

Merle Ochrach announced that the Board had met earlier in an Executive Session to discuss personnel issues.

Priti Patel advised that the 2005 Annual Report is complete and available to all residents and businesses within the township.  The report provides consolidated reports and information on township projects.  In the near future, the report will be available on line.

Mr. Cliff Stout, Engineer of Stout, Tacconelli & Associates, Inc. provided a brief over view of the proposed Paone Minor Subdivision.  There was some discussion as to whether this minor subdivision complied with the township requirements for Minor Subdivisions.  Supervisor Kuhn stated that this is actually the third subdivision to this piece of property.  Solicitor Merle Ochrach said that technically this particular subdivision is for two lots, and is staying within the limits of the requirements.  The Board concurred that they had no concerns with the waivers that are being requested.  Resolution #4 unanimously approved the plan for the Paone Minor Subdivision.

John Nagel gave a brief summary of the Local Cable Franchise Legislation, stating that there are two legislative bills being considered at the federal and state levels that would eliminate municipal franchising authority over cable operators.  Mr. Nagel, President of the Montgomery County Consortium of Communities that is working on an agreement with Verizon, requested that the Board enact the resolution which would oppose both state and national franchising legislation currently being considered by the Pennsylvania State Legislature and the United States Congress.  Mr. Dan Reavy of Verizon was present and requested that the Board table the matter until the June 12^th meeting.  Mr. Reavy stated that the Consortium and Verizon are very close to reaching an agreement.  Mr. Reavy expressed concern that enacting the resolution could send a “mixed” signal to all parties involved.  After some discussion, the Board unanimously agreed to table this matter until the June 12, 2006 meeting.

Chairman Sarosky provided background information on the T-Mobile Zoning Hearing Board Application.  T-Mobile has filed an application to allow construction of a cell tower behind the Mallard Pond Development.  The site of the proposed tower is right in the middle of an R-1 residential area, and is on a residential parcel.  Merle Ochrach advised that this use is not permitted in the district.  The Planning & Economic Development office has sent out letters informing residents of this request.  Resolution #5 unanimously opposed the Zoning Hearing Board application filed by T-Mobile.

Tom Schatzman of the Smith Barney Consulting Group gave a presentation on the investment changes being proposed by his company for the Montgomery Township Police Pension Plan.  Mr. Schatzman recommended that the township replace the firm of Rorer, which has been experiencing some style drifts and staffing changes.  New investment managers are presently being considered, and should be in place by the third quarter.  Rick Morrow of the Pension Committee stated that the committee feels this is a prudent approach.  Resolution #6 unanimously authorized Smith Barney Consulting Group to liquidate the Montgomery Township Police Pension holdings at Rorer, and to invest the proceeds into a stock index fund.  It was further resolved that Citigroup Global Markets be authorized to act as custodian for investments of the Montgomery Township Police Plan.

Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for May 1, 2006 and the payment of bills were approved as submitted.  Resolution #7 approved the award of bids for annual public works materials, equipment rental without operator, stone aggregate, petroleum products, tree and lawn care treatments, equipment rental with operator and crack sealer.  Resolution #8 authorized the township staff to piggyback on State Contract for bituminous materials.  Resolution #9 approved extension request for Longhorn Steakhouse.  Resolution #10 approved the proposed Horsham Road right-of-way plans.  Resolution #11 appointed J. Robert Witmer as a member of the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority, with a term to end January 1, 2009.  Resolution # 12 approved the revised rules and regulations governing Montgomery Township’s Bark Park.  Resolution #13 authorized the Township Manager to advertise for bids for the sundial for the Memorial Grove.  Supervisor Witmer abstained from the vote on Resolution #11.  All other resolutions were approved unanimously.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:08 p.m.