MINUTES OF MEETING

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

JUNE 27, 2005

At 7:00 p.m., Chairman Greenberg called to order the Executive Session. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn, Prousi, Sarosky and Witmer. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, John Chambers, and Park & Recreation Board members, Bill Maule, Jeff Larsen, Tim Gillespie and Heather Berkey. Personnel and litigation matters were discussed. The Executive Session adjourned at 8:29 p.m.

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, Lt. Gordon Simes, Rick Petersen, Gerald Grover, Monica DeCaro, Andrea Collins, Carol Tukey, Merle Ochrach, John Chambers, Rich Tralies, Phil Wursta and Shirley Snyder.

Chairman Greenberg presented The PEAK Center, Inc. with a check from Montgomery Township. Amy Cummings-Leight accepted the check for The PEAK Center and summarized some of the programs that the center provides. A new program called “You Can” is an exercise, diet and nutrition program which is being offered in the local municipalities. Montgomery Township’s program will be held from August 30, 2005 to November 17, 2005. The group will walk twice a week at Spring Valley Park. Another project is the Boomerang Project, which deals with how county agencies will be able to accommodate the anticipated influx of people age 55 and over in the next several years. An Open House will be held on June 28, 2005 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Indian Valley Senior Center to provide insight into the project.

Virginia Coombs of the Visiting Nurse Association – Community Services of Norristown accepted the check from the township for her organization. Ms. Coombs stated that the organization has been chosen for a pilot program in Norristown which will provide free medication programs for low income families. Upon completion of the pilot program, it is expected to be available to other municipalities throughout the county.

Jane Brainard of the North Penn Visiting Nurse Association accepted the check from Chairman Greenberg. Ms. Brainard summarized some of the programs of the North Penn Visiting Nurse Association. These programs include Meals on Wheels, adult day care facilities, home care and hospice programs. The North Penn Visiting Nurse Association has been chosen to participate in a national tele-health study from July through November 2005, which will allow them to monitor patients at home.

Richard Roller was present and accepted the check on behalf of the Montgomery Township Historical Society. Mr. Roller stated that the Historical Society’s big project is the restoration of the Knapp House.

There was no public comment this evening.

Merle Ochrach announced that the Board met in an executive session earlier this evening to discuss matters of potential litigation and personnel.

Under the Manager’s Report, John Nagel provided the Board with a summary of some of the Administration projects. The Citizens Survey responses will be calculated during the summer and results and recommendations will be presented to the Board of Supervisors sometime in October 2005. Mr. Nagel also stated that the Strategic Financial Plan results will be available in October 2005.

John Nagel reported that the Route 202 Task Force will be meeting at the Montgomery Township building June 28th, 29th and 30th to explore solutions which will provide traffic relief for the township. Andrea Collins reported that an Open House and presentation were made to the residents of Pine Crest. As a result of these meetings, the staff added over 50 new e-mail addresses to the Route 202 Parkway e-mail list, which is used to keep residents up to date on the latest happenings with the project. Supervisor Kuhn inquired about some inconsistencies with the latest revision of the map, provided by Pennoni Associates. Phil Wursta explained that the map was in “draft” form, and there will still be some changes made.

John Nagel provided a summary on the open space transactions. A joint meeting was held with the Park & Recreation Board and the Shade Tree Commission to discuss the possibility of creating a plan which would include both the Memorial Grove proposal and game fields at the Horvath Tract. The Park & Recreation Board had previously made several recommendations including the construction of Little League and girl’s softball fields, expanding the gravel parking, and extending the trail out to Kenas Road. The staff is still waiting for the analysis of future needs from the Montgomery Soccer Association and the Montgomery Township Baseball Association. If the Board desires to re-designate this open space area for active recreation, a letter and presentation to the County Open Space Committee would need to be prepared and presented. Merle Ochrach advised the Board that she had contacted Montgomery County’s Senior Open Space Planner, Beth Pilling, and Open Space Chief for Montgomery County’s Open Space Planning Commission, John Wood. A letter received from Mr. Wood reiterates the County’s understanding that Montgomery Township’s position on the Horvath Tract would be limited to passive activities within the open space. If the Board decides the space would be better suited for active recreation, the township is urged to make a presentation of intent to the County Open Space Commission. Supervisor Kuhn inquired whether the grant applications were available for review, to determine what the specific terms of the grant were, and was advised that this document has not yet been located. Supervisors Prousi and Sarosky both commented that they are certain that the Horvath Tract was purchased for the purpose of passive use only. Supervisors Prousi and Sarosky mentioned that they did not want to create a problem between the township and the county by requesting a re-designation of the Horvath Tract land. A motion was made by Supervisor Prousi to retain the Horvath Tract open space for passive use only.   Under public comment, Bill Maule, Chairman of the Park & Recreation Board recommended that the township plow and seed the area, so it could be used for “pick up” games. Mr. Maule also requested that the discussion be tabled and requested a meeting with the Park & Recreation Board, the Board of Supervisors and the County Open Space Commission at the site to discuss the matter. Supervisor Prousi stated that if we were to set up a meeting at the site, it could jeopardize our relationship with the county. After additional discussion, the Board voted 4 – 0 to retain the Horvath Tract as passive open space. Supervisor Kuhn abstained. Supervisor Witmer made a recommendation that Merle Ochrach draft a letter to the County clearly defining the township’s plans to restore the area that was previously disturbed in order for the land to be utilized in a safe manner for passive recreation. A motion was made by Supervisor Witmer and was unanimously approved by a vote of 5 – 0 for a letter clarifying the township’s intent.

The re-organization of the Park & Recreation Department was added to the agenda. As a result of the recent Organizational Review completed by Peter Braun, the staff is recommending that the Director of Public Works Department be given the responsibility of managing the Park & Recreation budget and oversee the Park & Recreation Office. Under public comment, Bill Maule stated that previously the Public Works Director did oversee the Recreation Office. The Board was in favor of this recommendation.

Under Volunteer Advisory Committee Reports Bill Maule, Chairman of the Park & Recreation Board issued a plea for volunteers to join the Autumn Festival Committee. Andrea Collins advised that it has been advertised on Channel 22 for several months.

Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for June 13, 2005 and the payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #1 approved the award of bid for the water service, storm sewer and curb and paving installation for the fire substation to Blooming Glen Contractors, Inc. at a cost of $94,910. Resolution #2 approved the award of bid for a traffic signal for the fire substation to Carr & Duff at a cost of $43,048.74 It was noted that these two expenditures had been part of the original budget for the fire substation. Resolution #3 approved the honorable discharge from the Township’s Police Department for Officer Edward Weideman. The escrow release for North Penn Church of Christ was approved by Resolution #4. Chairman Greenberg inquired about the township’s policy regarding the “general education” courses for degree programs for employees. The policy will be amended to reflect township reimbursement for general courses that are required to complete a degree pertaining to the employee’s job at the township. Resolution #5 approved the amended policy. All consent agenda resolutions were unanimously approved.

John Nagel added two budget items under other business. The Public Works Department’s street sweeper is in need of repair. The estimated cost to repair is $7,000. The Board approved the expenditure to repair the street sweeper. Also, over the last weekend, the hot water heater at the township building broke. The estimated cost to repair the unit is $7,000. The Board approved the expenditure to repair the hot water heater.

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:10 p.m.