MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SEPTEMBER 26, 2005
At 7:00 p.m. Vice Chairman William Sarosky called to order the Executive Session. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn and Prousi. Chairman Greenberg and Supervisor Witmer were absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach and Lt. Gordon Simes. Personnel matters were discussed. The Executive Session adjourned at 7:14 p.m.
At 7:15 p.m. Vice Chairman Sarosky called the work session to order. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn and Prousi. Chairman Greenberg and Supervisor Witmer were absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Merle Ochrach, Lt. Gordon Simes, Jed Gilly of Allied Building Corporation, Phil Wursta of Pennoni Associates, Jonathan Trump of Kimmel Bogrette, Gerald Grover and Shirley Snyder.
Director of Fire Services, Gerald Grover summarized the current Emergency Preparedness Plan as a “Resource Guide” which has been reviewed and needs to be updated. Mr. Grover suggested the following recommendations: update the plan to include a township evacuation plan, provide written guidelines on the township’s involvement and responsibilities relevant to the Limerick Plant and the Montgomery Mall involvement as they pertain to the Limerick Disaster Plan, evaluate our Emergency Operations Center requirements and activation during emergencies, include Emergency Operation Center information and activation guidelines in our Emergency Operation Plan, and review the PEMA format for emergency preparedness planning & guideline development. By following these recommendations, we will insure that the township will comply with state and federal regulations and guidelines.
Jed Gilly of Allied Building Corporation and Construction Manager for the fire substation, provided the Board with a report and slides of the progress of the project. Mr. Gilly expressed his thanks to the Board for all their efforts in this project. Mr. Gilly also stated that the contractors who have been working diligently on this project have worked well together and the project has run smoothly. Gerald Grover stated that October 21, 2005 is the expected date of completion, and that the move into the new building is scheduled for October 31, 2005.
Traffic Engineer, Phil Wursta provided the Board with a summary of the traffic projects within Montgomery Township. Mr. Wursta outlined the “Top Ten” Projects and provided an explanation of each project. A new culvert has been built along Horsham Road, which will allow for five lanes of traffic upon completion of the project. The southbound lanes are expected to be completed by the end of October. An expected “shut down” over the winter months is expected with the remainder of the paving on the north bound lanes to be completed in the spring of 2006. The majority of this project was funded by PennDOT, with Montgomery Township being responsible for funding 20% of the job. The next phase of the project will be the widening of Horsham Road from General Hancock Road to North Wales Road. Supervisor Kuhn requested that the Board consider sending a letter to the Montgomery County Planning Commission to support the addition of the County Line Road and Bethlehem Pike project to the 12-year Program and Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission’s 2007-2010 Transportation Improvement Plan. The Board was in agreement and directed the staff to draft a letter to support their position.
Governor Rendell has suggested that the Willow Grove Naval Air Station be considered as a possible civilian airport. Vice Chairman Sarosky expressed his concern with a commercial airport being considered in a highly built up residential area. Horsham Township is opposed to this use of the facility within their township, and is requesting support in opposition of this from neighboring municipalities. The Board approved a motion to authorize the Township Manager to prepare a letter stating that the Montgomery Township Board of Supervisors opposes the use of the base as a civilian airport either as a principal use or as a joint military/civilian airport.
The work session adjourned at 7:58 p.m.
At 8:01 p.m. Vice Chairman Sarosky called the regular meeting to order. In attendance were Supervisors Kuhn and Prousi. Chairman Greenberg and Supervisor Witmer were absent. Also in attendance were John Nagel, Lt. Gordon Simes, Kevin Costello, Gerald Grover, Monica DeCaro, Andrea Collins, Carol Tukey, Merle Ochrach, Rick Tralies, Phil Wursta, John Chambers and Shirley Snyder.
Three new employees were welcomed to the township. Josh Worman is working as a Crew Tech in the Public Works Department, Cindy Bleiler is working in the Finance Department as a Senior Accountant, and Nicole Dietsch is working as a Secretary in the Police Department. Due to a conflict in her schedule, Nicole was unable to be present at the meeting. Resolution #1 unanimously welcomed Cindy Bleiler, Josh Worman and Nicole Dietsch to Montgomery Township.
Lt. Gordon Simes recognized and commended several members of the Police Department for various achievements. Resolution #2 unanimously commended Sergeant Scott Bendig, Detective Edward Davies, Highway Safety Officer David Dunlap, Canine Officer Gerald Dougherty, Canine Officer Robert Hart, Officer Robert Johnson, Highway Safety Officer Andrew Dalton, Highway Safety Officer Glenn Davis, Officer William Peoples, Canine Officer Harry Vitello, Officer Richard Lesinski, and Officer Todd Walter for their voluntary participation in the Montgomery Township Citizens Police Academy. Resolution #3 unanimously recognized Canine Officer Robert Hart and presented him with a plaque in memory of Canine Astro who served his friends, Department and community from June 13, 1997 to May 5, 2005. Sergeant Scott Bendig and members of the Canine Unit presented Officer Robert Hart with a framed photograph of his partner, Canine Astro. Resolution #4 unanimously commended Canine Officer Harry Vitello and Canine Aston for their outstanding performance and 1st place award for Obedience and Agility, 2nd place award in Overall Novice Division and two 3rd place awards in Criminal Apprehension and Team Competition in the United States Police Canine Association Region 6 Competition in August 2005. Resolution #5 unanimously commended Canine Officer Harry Vitello and Canine Aston for their outstanding performance and 2nd place award for Obedience at the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Conference – Canine Competition in July 2005.
John Nagel presented a dividend check from Delaware Valley Workers’ Compensation Trust to Kevin Costello, Chairman of the Employee Safety Committee. The check was given to Montgomery Township for the excellent safety record of the township employees. Resolution #6 unanimously accepted the 2005 dividend check in the amount of $33,907 from Delaware Valley Workers’ Compensation Trust.
Under public comment, Dean Shannon of 141 Old Skippack Road in Schwenksville voiced his concerns with various issues. The Board advised Mr. Shannon that he would need to discuss his concerns with the District Attorney’s office.
Merle Ochrach announced that the Board had met in an executive session earlier this evening to discuss personnel matters.
Under the Manager’s Report, John Nagel reported that 1900 Citizen Survey responses have been received to date. The staff expects to have recommendations gained from this survey to the Board in October 2005. The staff is researching the need for a multi-cultural committee within the township. The interns attended an International Spring Festival Committee meeting at the Lansdale Public Library. It was recommended that the township work with the International Committee in this venture. The Public Open Meetings hosted by PennDOT to solicit feedback from residents and businesses along the Route 202 Parkway corridor are being scheduled for October and November 2005.
There were no Volunteer Advisory Committee Reports.
At 8:29 p.m., Vice Chairman Sarosky opened the public hearing for the consideration of Proposed Ordinance #05-200Z – Consider Minor Amendments to the Zoning Code (Municipal Banner Signs). Due to the need for changes to the language in this proposed ordinance, the public hearing was continued until November 7, 2005 after 8:00 p.m. The public hearing closed at 8:30 p.m. Resolution #7 unanimously approved the continuance of this hearing.
At 8:31 p.m., Vice Chairman Sarosky opened the public hearing for the consideration of Proposed Ordinance #05-201Z – Consider Change of Zoning – W.L.M. Management, Inc. (Glendale – Stump and Horsham Roads – Proposed Office Complex). The applicant has requested a continuance of this public hearing until November 7, 2005 after 8:00 p.m. The public hearing closed at 8:32 p.m. Resolution #8 unanimously approved the continuance of this hearing.
At 8:33 p.m. Vice Chairman Sarosky opened the public hearing for the consideration of Proposed Ordinance #05-199Z – Bergey’s Inc. Vehicle Dealership. The Board had previously set the public hearing for October 11, 2005. This public hearing was inadvertently advertised for September 26, 2005. The hearing will be continued until October 11, 2005 after 8:00 p.m. The public hearing closed at 8:34 p.m. Resolution #9 unanimously approved the continuance of this hearing.
John Nagel reported that the final grading and seeding for the fire substation project was not included as part of the original construction, but was budgeted as part of the sitework. A quote has been received from Blooming Glen Contractors for this work. The staff will be contacting other vendors in an effort to reduce the cost of the grading and seeding. Resolution #10 unanimously approved the change order for Blooming Glen Contractors to perform the final grading and hydroseeding for the fire substation at a price of $13,315, unless a vendor can perform the same work for less than $10,000.
Kevin Costello and the Park and Recreation Board have recommended that the township pave the parking lots of Fellowship, Whistlestop and lower Spring Valley parks. The monies to complete this project have been budgeted for in the Capital Reserve Fund. Resolution #11 unanimously authorized the paving of parking lots at Fellowship Park, Whistlestop Park and lower Spring Valley Park at a cost not to exceed $125,000.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for September 12, 2005 and the payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #12 unanimously approved that Tuesday, October 11, 2005 after 8:00 p.m. be set as the date for a public meeting for Proposed Ordinance #05-202 – Traffic Sign Update. Resolution #13 unanimously appointed Howard Rosen and Steve Middlebrooks to the Business Development Partnership of Montgomery Township. Resolution #14 unanimously approved the transfer of $6,000 to the Autumn Festival Committee. Resolution #15 unanimously approved the extension request for 1102 Lansdale Avenue. Resolution #16 unanimously accepted the 2006 Minimum Municipal Obligation for the Montgomery Township Police Pension Fund in the amount of $309,098 and the 2006 Minimum Municipal Obligation for the Montgomery Township Non-Uniform Pension Fund in the amount of $165,484. Supervisor Kuhn requested that Proposed Ordinance #05-203Z be revised to include that all flag lots shall be provided with public water as well as public sanitary sewer. With the inclusion of public water to the Proposed Ordinance, Resolution #17 unanimously approved advertisement for a Public Hearing for Proposed Ordinance #05-203Z – Amendment to Zoning Code – Flag Lots for November 7, 2005.
Under other business, Lt. Gordon Simes stated for the record that he had returned all of Dean Shannon’s calls and advised Mr. Shannon what action he needed to take.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m.