MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
MARCH 14, 2005
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Pete Greenberg called to order the Executive Session. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Prousi, Sarosky and Witmer. Also in attendance were John Nagel and Merle Ochrach. Personnel and litigation matters were discussed. The Executive Session adjourned at 7:48 p.m.
At 7:50 p.m. Chairman Greenberg called the work session to order. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Prousi, Sarosky and Witmer. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Gerald Grover, Kevin Costello, Merle Ochrach, John Chambers, Mike Solomon and Deb Rivas.
John Nagel explained that the Township wanted to acquire the services of a Construction Management company to oversee the construction of the new fire substation. Mr. Nagel explained that Allied Building Corporation had been recommended and had provided a proposal to the Township. Allied Building Corporation President, Anthony Scarcia, made a brief presentation on the services that his company would provide during the construction of the fire substation. The Board was very much in favor of utilizing a construction management firm to keep the project on time and within cost. The matter was on the action meeting agenda for approval.
The second item on the work session was a continuation of the discussion regarding the Beechwood Drainage matter. John Chambers outlined the events that lead to the drainage problem. Mr. Chambers said that he has tried to resolve the issue between the neighbors and the developer, but has come to an impasse. Merle Ochrach explained that she has been in contact with Mr. Chambers and representatives of the developer and the affected residents. As the resolution to the problem appeared to be of minimal cost, Ms. Ochrach inquired, and the Township agreed to see if it could assist in solving the matter to avoid litigation. Michael Yanoff, representing the Petro-Roy family, made a presentation along with engineer, Jeff Wert, showing an aerial photograph along with a proposed resolution to the problem with a storm sewer installation and possible berm. The Board asked if the homeowners were willing to contribute to the resolution. Mr. Yanoff and the residents said that they wanted the Township to participate because the problem was not caused by the residents. Mr. Yanoff indicated that it would be cheaper for everyone involved to participate in the resolution rather than expend the monies on possible litigation. After some additional discussion, the Board proposed that the engineers get together to provide a better estimate. The current estimate ranges from $5,000 to $10,000. Once a better estimate is received, the Board proposes that the developer contribute 50% of that amount, the Township 25% and the residents 25%. The Board inquired if the Township’s contribution of 25% could be offered as in kind services such as materials and labor, rather than a cash sum. All parties agreed that that would be acceptable. The engineers agreed to stake out the property and to acquire three estimates for the work. There were some open issues to be resolved regarding a proposed berm and the request that the Township accept dedication of the storm sewer easement. Bob Gordon, an affected resident, was asked to provide his information on the proposed berm to John Chambers for his review.
At 8:35 p.m. Chairman Greenberg called the regular meeting to order. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Prousi, Sarosky and Witmer. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Mike Solomon, Richard Brady, Kevin Costello, Gerald Grover, Monica DeCaro, Andrea Collins, Merle Ochrach, John Chambers, Earl Armitage, Rick Tralies and Deb Rivas.
There was no public comment for items not listed on the regular agenda.
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 Township vs. Frank Rich, Frank Rich vs. Montgomery Township, the Land Development Appeal of Franklin Montgomery Associates and Franklin Services Corporation, t/a Franklin Montgomery Association vs. Montgomery Township, and the Water Tower Square Land Use Appeal.
There was no Manager’s Report at this evenings meeting.
Under the monthly and annual reports, Chief Brady presented his report which highlighted statistics, criminal arrests, including two recent bank robbers, and various grants which the department has received. Kevin Costello provided his report for the Public Works Department, Jerry Grover presented his report for the Fire Services Department, and Monica DeCaro presented a report for the Finance Department. The Board suggested that it would be beneficial if the Township staff could research the possibility of using the same tax collector for both the Township earned income tax and the school district earned income tax. Andrea Collins announced that the sound problem on Channel 22 has been corrected. Despite repeated denials by Comcast over the last few months, the problem was found to be a Comcast problem. Mike Solomon provided a report for the Code Enforcement Department.
John Nagel provided an update on the 202 Parkway project. Mr. Nagel announced that a letter outlining concerns regarding the parkway was being sent to Secretary Biehler which contained the signatures of eight other municipalities. Mr. Nagel also said that community discussions are to be scheduled in conjunction with PennDOT at the initiative of Secretary Biehler. As far as the current right of way acquisition, PennDOT will be providing all municipalities with records of the right of way status. Township staffs will begin to prepare an action plan on securing current rights of way.
John Nagel provided an overview of the recently completed Organization Review of Montgomery Township. Mr. Nagel explained that the review was initiated by the Board of Supervisors to take a look at the current organization and to see how efficiencies and improvements could be increased. Peter Braun, a consultant with over 30 years of municipal management experience, interviewed staff and solicited information from surrounding municipalities for comparison. Mr. Braun found that Montgomery Township’s staffing levels are appropriate in terms of services performed. Several recommendations for improved efficiency were offered by Mr. Braun and the staff will be recommending some changes to the Board by October, 2005. Under public comment, Patricia Gallagher of 231 Mallard Drive asked how much the survey cost. Mr. Nagel replied that the review cost $18,450. The Board explained that the review was not just a survey, but a thorough study that was done over several months with Township staff interviews and extensive comparisons to other Townships. The Board was pleased with the results and told the staff to keep up the good work.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for February 28, 2005 and the payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #1 approved the waiver of permit fees for the North Penn Church of Christ. Resolution #2 approved the award of bids for the Public Works Department annual materials bids as follows: Asphalt/Bituminous Concrete to Glasgow, Inc., Crack Sealer to Crafco, Inc., Equipment Rental with Operator to P.K. Moyer & Son, Inc., Petroleum Products to Sunoco, Inc., Stone Aggregate to Glasgow, Inc. and Tree & Lawn Care Treatments to Moyer & Son, Inc. The Equipment Rental without Operator bid responses were still under review and would not be ready for consideration until the next Board meeting. Resolution #3 approved the Peer Review Actuarial Proposal for a peer review of the actuarial study. Resolution #4 approved the Traffic Signal Maintenance Proposal with Armour and Sons Electric, Inc. for a price of $7,100. Resolution #5 approved the extension request for 1102 Lansdale Avenue. Resolution #6 authorized the Township Manager to advertise for a public meeting for proposed Ordinance #04-188, the Truss Ordinance, to be held on March 28, 2005. Resolution #7 approved the Mutual Aid Agreement for Emergency Services. Resolution #8 approved the proposal for Allied Building Corporation to perform construction management services for the fire sub-station at a cost not to exceed $74,414. All consent agenda resolutions were unanimously approved.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:20 p.m.