MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
DECEMBER 12, 2005
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Warren 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 8:15 p.m.
At 8:21 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, Richard Brady, Kevin Costello, Gerald Grover, Monica DeCaro, Andrea Collins, Carol Tukey, Merle Ochrach, Rich Tralies, Phil Wursta, John Chambers and Shirley Snyder.
The Montgomery Township Emergency Operations Center (EOC), located in the Community Room of the Township Administration building was dedicated this evening. The following representatives of the township were present for the dedication: John Nagel, Chairman of the Board, Warren Greenberg, Supervisors Robert Kuhn, Steven Prousi, William Sarosky, and Robert Witmer, Gerald Grover, Richard Brady and Kevin Costello. Supervisor Kuhn introduced members of the Montgomery County Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES), Bob Griffiths, Doug Priest, Steve Pearl and Bob Lees. RACES, created in 1952, is an organization of amateur radio operators who help provide radio communications needed by Federal, State and local governments in time of emergency. Special thanks were extended to Supervisors Robert Kuhn and Robert Witmer, members of RACES, for their dedication, efforts and time spent in completing the Emergency Operations Center for Montgomery Township. Recognition was given to Tony Lizell of Lizell’s Office Furniture for providing the cabinet that houses the EOC equipment, and to Public Works employees Deb Lamb and Josh Worman for their assistance in installing equipment on the roof of the building.
Merle Ochrach announced that the Board had met in an executive session earlier this evening to discuss matters of litigation and potential litigation which included the Montgomery Mall Tax Assessment, Frank Rich vs. Montgomery Township and the Zoning Hearing matter of He Kyung Kim-Yu.
Solicitor, Merle Ochrach advised the Board that a client of Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell & Lupin has indicated that they may be developing property within the township. The Board does not anticipate any problem in this matter.
There was no public comment.
Sam Dugan, a member of the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority stated that there will be no sewer rate increase for 2006. Resolution #1 unanimously approved the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority 2006 Budget.
A discussion was held to consider the land development waiver for bathrooms addition for Montgomery Elementary School. John Stroebel, Manager of the North Penn School District support services, was present and advised that the addition of bathrooms is to be located at the modular classroom wing of the school. Resolution #2 unanimously approved the Montgomery Elementary School bathroom addition land development waiver.
A discussion concerning re-use and occupancy inspections will be rescheduled in January 2006. An updated checklist was requested by the Board and will be available for their review prior to the January 3, 2006 meeting.
Consideration of subdivision plan for Spagnolo was discussed. Carol Tukey provided a summary of the plan. The applicant is proposing a two lot subdivision for single family detached homes. The lots will be “flag lots”, and will take access from Horsham Road via the existing driveway. There being no representation for the applicant, Township Engineer, John Chambers provided answers to questions raised by the Board. After discussion concerning drainage issues, Resolution #3 unanimously approved the plan for the Spagnolo subdivision.
A revised plan was considered for Country Lane Estates, Manor View II. Carol Tukey provided an executive summary. Moulton Builders submitted a revised record plan for the Manor View II subdivision, located on Country Lane. The revision is being requested for lot line changes for Lots #3, 4 and 5. Jim Moulton of Moulton Builders was present and advised that a miscalculation was made on the original plan. The revised lot line change will enable a porch to be added to the lot. Resolution #4 unanimously approved the revised plan for Manor View II.
The plan for Nolan Self Storage, located on Route 202 was reviewed by the Board. Mark Hosterman of Wisler, Pearlstine, Talone, Craig, Garrity and Potash provided an overview of the proposed plan. Also in attendance were Willilam Nolan, Owner, and Adam Supplee, Landscape Architect and Planner for Carroll Engineering. Mr. Hosterman provided a thorough review of the plan and emphasized that the applicant will be providing many enhancements to the property, including many trees, shrubs and landscaping. The applicant is requesting several waivers. After lengthy discussion, the Board agreed to grant the majority of the waivers being requested. The Board did maintain that the applicant would be required to pay a fee in lieu of the donation of land to open space. Resolution #8 unanimously approved the plan for Nolan Self Storage.
Monica DeCaro provided the Board with the highlights of the Montgomery Township 2006 Budget. Resolution #5 unanimously approved the adoption of the 2006 annual budget. Resolution #6 unanimously approved the 2006 Tax Levy of Montgomery Township, as well as the increase in the Homestead Exclusion to $25,000. Resolution #7 unanimously established the street light assessments for 2006.
Under the Monthly Reports, Chief Brady provided highlights of the Police Department report. Lt. Mark Houghtaling, Sgt. Scott Bendig, Juvenile Detective James Reape, and Chief Richard Brady all received letters of appreciation for work well done. A highway safety grant has been approved in the amount of $39,381 which will be utilized for DUI Enforcement and Education. Kevin Costello reported that the month of November was spent transitioning from landscaping to snow removal. Jerry Grover reported that the Fire Marshal’s Office completed 131 safety inspections for the month of November, and also all the occupants in Montgomery Mall were checked for safety compliance for the holiday season. Monica DeCaro reported that RFP’s were received from several banks, data is being compiled for the transition to Berkheimer as our earned income tax collection agency, and training on the finance software programs is on going. Carol Tukey reported that data continues to be added to the GIS, and the Planning and Economic Development office is working on artwork for the hallway of the township building.
Monica DeCaro provided the budget status report as of September 30, 2005, highlighting revenues and expenditures.
Under the consent agenda, the minutes of meeting for November 28, 2005, budget workshop minutes and payment of bills were approved as submitted. Resolution #9 approved the applications for the Tree City USA Growth Award and the Tree City USA Recertification. The bid for police uniforms was awarded to Red the Uniform Tailor by Resolution #10. Resolution #11 approved the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority Tapping Fee Agreements. Resolution #12 approved the dedication and escrow release for Cammarota Tract Subdivision. Resolution #13 approved the escrow release for Crispo, Resolution #14 approved the escrow release for Montgomery Square Apartments, Resolution #15 approved the escrow release for Springville Farms, and the escrow release for Levine Tract, Lot #1 was approved by Resolution #16. Resolution #17 approved the extension request for Chick Fil A. Signing authority of standard business agreements of 12 months or less having a cumulative value of $10,000 or less that have been budgeted, was given to the Finance Director by Resolution #18. Resolution #19 approved the 2005 third quarter budget amendments. All consent agenda resolutions were unanimously approved by the Board.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 10:34 p.m.