MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
NOVEMBER 13, 2017
At 7:00 p.m. Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called to order an executive session. In attendance were Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, Supervisors Michael J. Fox, Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Richard E. Miniscalco. Also in attendance were Township Manager Lawrence Gregan, Township Solicitor Frank R. Bartle, Esquire, Police Chief J. Scott Bendig, Director of Finance Ami Tarburton and Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade.
Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called the action meeting to order at 8:07 p.m. In attendance were Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, Supervisors Michael J. Fox, Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Richard E. Miniscalco. Also in attendance were Township Solicitor Frank R. Bartle, Esquire, Township Manager Lawrence Gregan, Police Chief J. Scott Bendig, Director of Finance Ami Tarburton, Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade, Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell, Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe, Director of Public Works Kevin Costello, Director of Recreation and Community Center Floyd Shaffer, Director of Information Technology Richard Grier, Public Information Coordinator Kelsey Whalen and Recording Secretary Deborah Rivas.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera called for public comment from the audience and there was none.
Solicitor Frank R. Bartle, Esquire announced that the Board had met in an Executive Session at 7:00 p.m. prior to this meeting to discuss three personnel matters, a matter of potential litigation, a business tax matter and the Cutler Developments matter. In addition, the Board discussed a labor matter involving the Police Contract arbitration. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera reported that Saturday was Veterans Day and she wanted to thank you to all veterans and to let them know that we are grateful for their service. Chairman Chimera also stated that she had the pleasure of attending the local high school production of “1776” and it was an awesome show.
Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 23, 2017 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Michael J. Fox seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Public Works Director Kevin Costello reported that Richard Peterson has retired from the Township’s Public Works Department effective October 3, 2017 after 37 years of dedicated and faithful service to Montgomery Township and the residents of this community. Rick began his career with the Township as a part-time Laborer in 1978. He became a full-time Laborer in 1980 and continued to work his way up to Road Foreman, a position that he has held for over 30 years. He will be greatly missed by his co-workers and the residents of Montgomery Township. Resolution #1 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox and seconded by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, recognized Richard Peterson on his retirement and expressed the Board’s gratitude to him for his 37 years of dedicated and faithful service to Montgomery Township and the residents of this community.
Police Chief J. Scott Bendig introduced Montgomery Township Police Department’s Canine Unit Supervisor, Sergeant Robert Hart, who was representing Region 6 of the United States Police Canine Association (USPCA) to make a presentation to members of the Montgomery Township Public Works Department for their assistance at a recent Canine Unit event. Sgt. Hart reported that from September 8 through September 10, 2017, the police department and USPCA Region 6 hosted the Police Dog One Field Trials at William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae. These Field Trials, attended by over 40 police canine teams, required each canine team to demonstrate their proficiency in a series of outdoor police related exercises in different areas of the park complex. The Montgomery Township’s Public Works Department was instrumental in the success of the event, working with members of the police department and preparing the park facilities to the specifications of the USPCA. Greg Reiff, Public Works Park Foreman, accepted the plaque on behalf of the department. Sgt. Hart reported that the USPCA officials were so impressed with our park, they requested that the Township consider hosting the National Trials in the future.
Director of Finance Ami Tarburton presented the 2018 Preliminary Budget. Four public workshops were conducted by the Board and staff during the month of October. Ms. Tarburton stated that the proposed Total Revenues for 2018 reflect a 2.7% increase over 2017. General Fund Revenues consist of the real estate mileage remaining at 1.49 mills in 2018 and over 75 percent of residential property owners are participating in the Homestead Exclusion (currently at $30,000) which was implemented in 2003. Total Expenditures for 2018 show a 2.4% increase. Upon adoption of a preliminary budget by the Board, a notice must be advertised stating that the proposed budget is available for public inspection at the Township Building. After the approved preliminary budget has been available for public inspection for twenty (20) days, the Board of Supervisors must adopt a final budget no later than December 31, 2017. Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, adopted the 2018 Preliminary Budget for all funds and set Monday, December 18, 2017 after 8:00 p.m. in the Township Building as the date, time and place for the public meeting for consideration of adoption of the 2018 Final Budget.
Director of Recreation and Community Center Floyd Shaffer presented the Winter 2018 Recreation/Fitness Programs and recommended fee schedule for the Montgomery Township Community Recreation Center (MontCRC). The Winter 2018 Recreation program schedule will be valid from January 15, 2018 through the end of April 2018. All MontCRC activities will be promoted through normal publicity channels which include; the Township Website, www.montcrc.com, public access cable channels, E-News, appropriate social media outlets and the Winter 2018 printed recreation newsletter. Resolution #3 made by Supervisor Robert J. Birch and seconded by Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the Winter 2018 Recreation Programs and the recommended fees.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that an application for conditional use approval from Higher Rock Partners, L.P. was received for consideration. The applicant is proposing to develop the property at the intersection of Route 309 and Stump Road as a commercial and retail mixed use development that would include a financial institution, restaurant with outdoor dining, convenience store with gasoline filling station, retain garden center/nursery, business or professional office and retail sales under the HLI Zoning District. The 18.25-acre property currently has a retail garden center and undeveloped land. It is recommended that a public hearing be advertised for this conditional use application for the board meeting of December 18, 2017. Resolution #4 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch and adopted unanimously, set Monday, December 18, 2017 after 8:00 p.m. in the Township Building as the date, time and place for a public hearing to consider the conditional use application of Higher Rock Partners, L.P. for the commercial and retail mixed uses including a gasoline filing station.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the Township received and opened bids for the Ash Tree Removal in Spring Valley Park Project on October 23, 2017. Eight (8) bid packets were received ranging in cost from $24,998.76 to $106,586.00. The work under this contract includes the furnishing of all labor, materials and equipment necessary and incidental for the felling of approximately 230 Ash trees in Spring Valley Park to within 12 inches or less of ground level. The bid document received were reviewed for completeness and it was determined that the lowest bidder, ProMark Tree Service with a bid of $24,998.76, submitted an incomplete bid package which does not qualify for award of the contract as the lowest responsible bidder meeting the bid requirements. The next lowest qualified bid was more than $37,000 higher. It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors reject all bids received for the Ash Tree Removal in Spring Valley Park Project and authorize the Township Manager to rebid the project for a bid opening in December 2017. Resolution #5 made by Vice Chairman Robert J. Birch, seconded by Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, rejected all bids received and authorized the Township Manager to rebid the project for a bid opening in December 2017.
Resolution #6 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell and adopted unanimously, approved the submission of an application for the 2017 Tree City USA Recertification and 2017 Growth Award.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania amended the Uniform Construction Code under Act 13 in 2004 requiring municipalities to collect a fee of $4.00 on each construction or building permit issued. On October 25, 2017, Act 36 was signed into law raising the fee to be collected from $4.00 to $4.50 effective immediately. The fee collected is remitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry on a quarterly basis, which helps defer the State’s cost for education and training of employees and certified inspectors. Resolution #7 made by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, seconded by Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, amended the 2017 Fee Schedule to include the required change to the fee collected for the State as required by Act 36, effective immediately.
A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Michael J. Fox, and adopted unanimously, approving the payment of bills as submitted.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.