MINUTES OF MEETING
JANUARY 3, 2011
Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the executive session at 7:30 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan, Frank Bartle and Bruce Shoupe. Items of personnel and a zoning hearing board application were discussed.
Chairman Joseph Walsh called to order the Re-Organization meeting at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Robert Birch, Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan, Richard Brady, William Brightcliffe, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Ann Shade, Shannon Drosnock, Stacy Crandell, Scott Bendig and Deb Rivas.
Under public comment, Tony DiDomizio introduced himself as a member of the press and said that he was formerly with The Reporter in Lansdale. Mr. DiDomizio said that he is now the Editor of the Montgomeryville-Lansdale Patch. Mr. DiDomizio said that it is a daily local online newspaper covering events, news, school news and other items of interest in Lansdale, Montgomeryville, and Montgomery Township. It is located at www.Lansdalepatch.com. Mr. DiDomizio said that he wanted to introduce himself to the board and to the township officials.
There was no other public comment.
Frank Bartle announced that the Board met in executive session at 7:30 this evening to discuss four matters of personnel and one matter of litigation concerning the zoning hearing board application of the applicant, Doggie Style. Mr. Bartle indicated that there may be action by the Board with respect to that application later this evening. Mr. Bartle said that both of those classifications of matters are legitimate subject for executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania Sunshine law.
In keeping with previous township procedure, Chairman Walsh was nominated by Supervisor Birch and seconded by Supervisor Chimera to become the Temporary Chair until a new chairman was elected. The nomination was unanimous. Temporary Chairman Walsh made a motion to nominate Robert Birch to be the Chairman for 2011. Supervisor Chimera seconded the motion. The nomination for Chairman of the Board of Supervisors was closed. Supervisor Robert Birch was elected Chairman of the Board for 2011 by a unanimous vote and by Resolution #1.
Chairman Birch presented outgoing Chairman Walsh with a plaque to thank him for his commitment and dedication in serving as Chairman of the Board for the year 2010.
Supervisor Walsh then nominated Supervisor Candyce Chimera to be the Vice Chairman for 2011. Supervisor Fox seconded the motion. The nomination for Vice Chairman of the Board of Supervisors was closed. The Board voted unanimously by Resolution #2 to elect Candyce Chimera to be the Vice Chairman for 2011.
Chairman Birch announced that the Township was appointing an additional member to the Fire Department of Montgomery Township Fire Police. Richard Naylor was sworn in by Chairman Birch and Resolution #3 unanimously appointed Mr. Naylor to the position of Fire Police Officer. Resolution #4 unanimously re-appointed fire police officers Rob Bailey, William Adams, Stacy Bailey, Maryanne Mogensen, Joel Silver and Greg Fitzgerald for the year 2011.
Chairman Birch commended the Township's volunteer Boards and Committees for their service during the year 2010. Chairman Birch expressed the Township's appreciation to the Board and committee members for their dedication and time in serving on township committees.
As part of the re-organizing process, Resolution #5 unanimously established the official holidays for Montgomery Township offices to be closed. Resolution #6 unanimously established the meeting dates for the Board of Supervisors for the year 2011. Resolution #7 unanimously set the Treasurer's Bond at $2,500,000. Resolution #8 named the depositories to be Univest National Bank and the PA Department of the Treasury "INVEST" Fund for its Government Banking Accounts and Capital Projects Account. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney is named as custodian for the investments held for the Montgomery Township Police Pension fund. Supervisor Fox abstained from voting on Resolution #8. Resolution #9 unanimously appointed its Township Officials and Consultants for the year 2011. Resolution #10 unanimously re-appointed all committee volunteers with expiring terms for new terms based on the bylaws of their respective committees and boards. Resolution #11 unanimously certified Supervisor Joseph Walsh as the voting delegate to the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors. Resolution #12 established the Board liaisons to the various volunteer committees and boards. Resolution #13 unanimously approved the list of authorized drivers of Township-owned vehicles for 2011. Resolution #14 unanimously established the Fee Schedule for 2011.
Supervisor Fox made a motion to approve the minutes of meeting for December 13, 2010. Supervisor Walsh seconded the motion. The minutes of meeting for December 13, 2010 were unanimously approved as submitted. Supervisor Fox made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Supervisor Walsh seconded the motion. The payment of bills was approved as submitted.
Under the action meeting, Lawrence Gregan summarized the proposed Ordinance #10-248, Montgomery Township Sewer Authority Rate Increase. Mr. Gregan indicated that in conjunction with the Authority's proposed budget for 2011, the Authority has proposed a 5% increase in the Sewer Rental charges for all residential and non-residential uses and customers in Montgomery Township. After a brief discussion, Resolution #15 unanimously approved Ordinance #10-248 - Sewer Rate Increase.
The next item was the annual bid authorization for curb and sidewalk repair throughout the Township. The bids are schedule to be opened on January 25, 2011. Resolution #16 authorized the advertisement of the bid for the 2011 Curb & Sidewalk Project.
Lawrence Gregan reported that Rolph Graf, a Professional Engineer, has submitted a proposal to do engineering work for the Board so that the Board can determine what they can do with the Zehr Tract it is officially acquired. After a brief discussion, Resolution #17 was unanimously approved authorizing the acceptance of the proposal for engineering services from Rolph Graf dated November 23, 2010 to assist in the due diligence and conceptual planning work associated with the recently acquired Zehr property.
Chief Richard Brady reported that three recruit police officer positions were proposed in the 2011 Budget. He requested that the police department be authorized to start the selection process to establish an eligibility list for recruit police officers. Two police recruit officers will be hired in July 2011 and the third recruit police officer will be hired in November or December 2011. The selection process requires six months from date of advertisement to the date of appointment. Resolution #18 unanimously authorized the scheduling of the applicant testing process for Recruit Police Officers.
Under other business, Mr. Birch announced that the Board was adding an additional item to the agenda and that would be a motion to authorize the Township Solicitor to send a letter of opposition on behalf of the Board to the Zoning Hearing Board, protesting the recent application of Doggie Style for a variance from Section 230-86, Use Regulations, to allow the adoption / rescue of cats. The motion was made by Supervisor Walsh and seconded by Vice Chairman Chimera and passed unanimously.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m.