MINUTES OF MEETING

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

JUNE 26, 2006

 At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Bill Sarosky called to order the executive session.  In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn and Witmer.  Supervisors Greenberg and Prousi were absent.  Also in attendance were John Nagel and Merle Ochrach.  Personnel matters were discussed. 

At 7:15 p.m. Chairman Bill Sarosky called to order the work session.  In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn and Witmer.  Supervisors Greenberg and Prousi were absent.  Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, Rich Brady, Bill Brightcliffe, Jonathan Trump, Bernie Heinze and Deb Rivas. 

Chairman Sarosky introduced the committee bylaws project.  Mr. Sarosky indicated that the staff and he had been working on updating the bylaws to make them more concise and uniform for all committees and boards.  Supervisors Witmer and Kuhn made several suggestions for the draft bylaws provided to the Board for their review.  Discussions were held concerning term limits, conflicts of interest and violations of conflicts of interest.

Jonathan Trump of Kimmel Bogrette was present to discuss the Master Concept Plan for the Stump Road Fire station.  A staff meeting was held last week and several minor changes were made to reduce the size of the building.  At this point, it was agreed that Mr. Trump should meet with the Fire Services Department and the FDMT and finalize the Master Concept Plan.  The Board asked Mr. Trump to prepare a proposal to take the next step after the Master Concept Plan is finalized.

John Nagel presented a concept drawing of a 20’ x 12’ canopy to cover the entrance of the Township building and provide protection to visitors from weather elements.  The approximate cost would be $25,000.  The Board was pleased with the concept and asked Mr. Nagel and Mr. Trump to proceed with the necessary steps to move forward.

At 8:00 p.m. Chairman Sarosky called to order the regular meeting.  In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn and Witmer.  Supervisors Greenberg and Prousi were absent.  Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, Rich Brady, Rick Peterson, Bill Brightcliffe, Ken Amey, John Chambers, Earl Armitage, Rick Trailes and Deb Rivas.

Under public comment, Dorothy Wideman of the Village of Neshaminy Falls inquired if it was legal for the proposed developer of the Zehr Tract to offer one million dollars to the Village of Neshaminy Falls to encourage the residents’ support for the rezoning of the Zehr Tract.  Merle Ochrach indicated that it was not illegal to offer residents money in exchange for their support.  It would be illegal to offer money to the Board of Supervisors to influence their vote.

Also under public comment, Bernie Heinze announced that the new rescue truck had arrived this past week and it should be ready to be placed into service within two weeks.

Also under public comment, Frank Bartle, representing Commerce Bank, asked the Board for its support of a zoning variance application.  Mr. Bartle showed a modified plan to the Board involving a revised stacking lane for the bank.   The Board was not unanimous in its support of the variance and decided to remain non-committal and allow the Zoning Hearing Board to make their decision.

Merle Ochrach announced that the Board had met earlier in an Executive session to discuss a personnel matter. 

Chairman Sarosky announced that the consideration of plan for Skrolling Stones was being postponed to the July 10, 2006 Board meeting at the request of the applicant.

The quarterly budget status report was postponed to the July 10, 2006 meeting as the Finance Director, Monica DeCaro, was not present at this meeting.

Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting of June 12, 2006 and payment of bills were approved as submitted.  Resolution #1 approved the GASB 45 Actuarial Study.  Resolution #2 authorized the signers for the PNC Investment account.  Resolution #3 approved the hiring of Equity Appraisers to appraise the right-of-way on Horsham Road.  Supervisor Kuhn asked why the Township was picking up the purchase of the right-of-way on a PennDOT project.  John Nagel indicated that PennDOT would not pay for the property and therefore, the Township had no choice.  Resolution #4 approved the destruction of old Code Enforcement files.  Merle Ochrach indicated that it was important that the Township not destroy any Kasorex files at this time.  Resolution #5 designated the current capital reserve.  Resolution #6 approved the Deed of Dedication from Horsham Township.  Resolution #7 authorized the Township Manager to advertise for the 45 day review period for the Open Space Draft Plan.  All resolutions were unanimous.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:21 p.m.