MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
JANUARY 3, 2005
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Steve Prousi called to order the Executive Session. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Sarosky and Witmer. Supervisor Greenberg was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, Monica DeCaro, David Smith, and Chief Richard Brady. Personnel and litigation matters were discussed. The Executive Session adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Chairman Prousi called the Reorganization Meeting to order at 8:05 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Sarosky and Witmer. Supervisor Greenberg was absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Rich Brady, Kevin Costello, Jerry Grover, Mike Solomon, Merle Ochrach, Phil Wursta, Judith Stern Goldstein, Lonnie Manai, and Shirley Snyder. Chairman Prousi became the Temporary Chairman until a new Chairman was elected. Chairman Prousi then requested that the Board nominate a new Chairman. Chairman Prousi nominated Supervisor Greenberg to be the 2005 Chairman of the Board. Supervisor Kuhn seconded the nomination. Supervisor Greenberg was elected Chairman of the Board for 2005 by a unanimous vote (4-0, Greenberg absent) and by Resolution #1. Supervisor Prousi nominated Supervisor Sarosky to be the Vice Chairman. Supervisor Witmer seconded the nomination. The Board voted unanimously (4-0, Greenberg absent) to elect Supervisor Sarosky to be the Vice Chairman for 2005 by Resolution #2.
Vice Chairman Sarosky then commended the Township=s volunteer Boards and Committees for their service during the 2004 year. Supervisor Kuhn requested that the Board of Auditors and the Fire Department of Montgomery Township also be commended, and be included yearly.
Monica DeCaro was introduced and sworn in as the Finance Director and Treasurer of Montgomery Township, effective January 10, 2005. Resolution #3 unanimously appointed Monica DeCaro to the position of Finance Director and Treasurer of Montgomery Township.
John Nagel reaffirmed his commitment to adhere to the International City Managers Association Code of Ethics for the year 2005 and was supported by the Board of Supervisors in that effort with unanimous approval of Resolution #4.
Under the Consent Agenda for the Re-Organization meeting, Resolution #5 established the Township holidays for 2005. Resolution #6 established the meeting dates for 2005. Resolution #7 set the Treasurer and Business Tax Collector=s bonds. Resolution #8 qualified Sovereign Bank as the Township depository. Resolution #9 appointed the officials for 2005. Resolution #10 certified Supervisor Kuhn as the delegate to the Pennsylvania State Association for Township Supervisors for 2005. Resolution #11 established the Board of Supervisors liaisons to the Township Committees. Resolution #12 approved the authorized drivers for Township vehicles for 2005. Resolution #13 appointed the Fire Department of Montgomery Township Fire Police for 2005. Resolution #14 established the 2005 Fee Schedule. Vice Chairman Sarosky motioned that the consent agenda be approved and Supervisor Witmer seconded the motion. The Board voted unanimously (4–0, Greenberg absent) to approve the consent agenda.
The re-organization meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Vice Chairman Sarosky called to order the regular meeting at 8:15 p.m.
The first item of business was to appoint David B. Smith to the Environmental Advisory Committee. Resolution #15 unanimously approved Mr. Smith’s appointment.
Merle Ochrach announced that the Board had met in an Executive Session earlier this evening to discuss matters of personnel and litigation. The litigation matters discussed were Montgomery Mall Tax Assessment Appeal, Franklin Services Corporation vs. Montgomery Township Board of Supervisors, and Water Tower Square Association – Land Use Appeal.
There was no public comment at this evening’s meeting.
Under the Manager’s Report, Director of Planning & Land Development and Assistant Township Manager, Mike Solomon, whose last day with Montgomery Township is Friday, January 7, 2005, thanked the Board of Supervisors, the staff, consultants, volunteer Boards and Commissions, and the residents and businesses for their dedication and interest in Montgomery Township.
Marc Jonas, attorney with Eastburn and Gray, and representing the Klein Company, provided a summary of the proposal to build 120 townhouse units on property located at Route 309 & Crystal Roads, and request for the rezoning of the parcel. Mr. Van Rieker was also present and provided additional information for the Board’s review. After some discussion, the applicant requested a public hearing be scheduled to consider the rezoning of the property. Before the Board can set a date for the hearing, the applicant will need to file a formal rezoning application.
John Nagel provided an update on the Route 202 Bypass. Mr. Nagel advised the Board that Governor Rendell had announced a short term funding fix for SEPTA, which could have an effect on other state projects, such as the Route 202 Bypass. Mr. Nagel stated that the township has written to the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) to request their continued support for this project.
Under Monthly Reports, Chief Brady reported that Mr. Nand Todi attended the police departments monthly staff meeting and discussed the new Bharatiya Temple and Cultural Center. Mr. Todi conducted this presentation as part of the department’s cultural diversity program. Kevin Costello reported that the Public Works Department is preparing for the winter weather. Jerry Grover reported that the Fire Marshal’s office had completed eighteen inspections for the month of December, and the Fire Department responded to thirty six incidents during December. Bernie Heinze of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township provided comments on fire calls, budget, Santa stops, and stated that the department had celebrated their two year anniversary in December.
At 8:49 p.m. Vice Chairman Sarosky opened the public hearing for Conditional Use for Xceleration. Notes of testimony were taken by Court Stenographer, Cole Schenk. George Ozoraski, attorney for the applicant, and Mark Marion of Xceleration provided a summary of and exhibits for the proposed use of the existing building for an indoor athletic facility at 101 Domorah Drive. The facility will provide individualized training for athletes to improve their performance. Mr. Ozoraski and Mr. Marion provided answers to the Board’s questions concerning this proposed facility. The hearing was closed at 9:12 p.m. Resolution #16 unanimously approved the conditional use application of Xceleration, LLC for an indoor athletic facility use in the LI – Limited Industrial zoning district at 101 Domorah Drive.
At 9:13 p.m., Vice Chairman Sarosky opened the public hearing to consider Proposed Ordinance #04-189Z – Rezoning of Routes 63 & 202 from Limited Industrial to Commercial. Notes of testimony were taken by Court Stenographer Cole Schenk. Marc Jonas, attorney with Eastburn and Gray, and Mr. Van Rieker, consultant for the applicant, Summit Realty Advisors, LLC were present and provided a summary and exhibits of the proposed project. The property seeking to be developed involves three existing properties owned by PECO, PennDot and Nappen Associates. John Zaharchuk of Summit Realty Advisors, LLC, answered questions about the installation of a traffic signal at the site, as well as other questions raised by the Board. After considerable discussion, the applicant agreed to continue the public hearing, in order for the Board to consider all of the information presented. The hearing closed at 9:55 p.m. The hearing will be continued to Monday, January 24, 2005 after 8:00 p.m. in the township building.
Under the Consent Agenda, the minutes of the December 13, 2004 meeting and payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #17 unanimously approved the Montgomery Township Sewer Authority tapping fee for the Fox Property. Resolution #18 unanimously approved the DUI Grant with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in the amount of $28,325. Resolution #19 unanimously approved escrow release for Lowe’s, Resolution #20 unanimously approved escrow release for Integral Development Associates, and Resolution #21 unanimously approved escrow release for Springville Farms. Resolution #22 unanimously approved the extension request for Country Lane Estates, and Resolution #23 unanimously approved the extension request for Spagnolo Minor Subdivision.
Consent Agenda item #20D – Authorize the Township Manager to Advertise for bids for fire substation was removed from the consent agenda, and was discussed immediately following the approval of the consent agenda. Jonathan Trump highlighted the major changes in the plans and specifications for the proposed new fire substation. After some discussion, Resolution #24 unanimously approved authorizing the Township Manager to advertise for bids for the fire substation.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:05 p.m.