MINUTES OF MEETING
FEBRUARY 28, 2011
Chairman Robert Birch called to order the executive session at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan and Frank Bartle, Esquire, and Ann Shade. Five personnel matters and one potential litigation matter were discussed.
Chairman Robert Birch called to order the regular action meeting at 8:08 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh. Also in attendance were Frank Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Richard Brady, William Brightcliffe, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Ann Shade, Shannon Drosnock, Stacy Crandell, Richard Grier and Deb Rivas.
Chairman Robert Birch called for public comment from the audience and there was none.
Frank Bartle, Esquire, announced that the Board met in executive session at 7:00 p.m. this evening to discuss five matters of personnel, which included Township committee appointments, prospective employment matters and a labor matter regarding the Police Collective Bargaining Unit. In addition, a matter of potential litigation concerning the Montgomery Township Condemnation of the Zehr Tract was discussed. Mr. Bartle also reported that the executive session would continue after the adjournment of the regular meeting this evening. Mr. Bartle said that these matters are legitimate subjects for an executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania Sunshine law.
Chairman Robert Birch made a motion to approve the minutes of the February 14, 2011 Board meeting and Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion. The minutes of meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Under the action meeting, Chairman Birch announced that on February 7, 2011, Eric Phillips resigned from the Planning Commission. Mr. Phillips served on the Planning Commission since February 2005 and has provided valuable input on many important matters that have come before the Planning Commission. Chairman Birch thanked Mr. Phillips for his service and Resolution #1 unanimously accepted his resignation from the Planning Commission.
Stacy Crandell, Public Information Coordinator, reported that the Autumn Festival Committee is ready to send out its annual solicitation letter and brochure requesting donations from the community to support the annual community day held on the first Saturday in October. Ms. Crandell presented the brochure and discussed the various levels of support and the benefits received such as the sponsoring company name on the back of each volunteer's t-shirt. The Board thanked Ms. Crandell and the staff for their work on the Autumn Festival. The Board also asked Ms. Crandell to promote the vacancies on the Autumn Festival Committee on the various public information outlets of the Township. Resolution #2 unanimously approved the 2011 Autumn Festival Solicitation Letter and Brochure.
Lawrence Gregan reported that at a prior Board meeting, staff was requested to investigate the possibility of using Social Media tools such as Twitter and Facebook as an additional tool to provide information about Township news and activities which would be in addition to our current cable access, e-News and website. Mr. Gregan also reported that he recently attended a meeting where a presentation was made regarding the use of these tools whereby a recommendation was made that before implementing their use, a policy should be put in place establishing rules of use. Mr. Gregan reported that the staff had researched some example policies and prepared a draft policy for the Board for discussion purposes. The staff had also provided examples of uses of Twitter and Facebook in a municipal setting. After a brief discussion concerning the uses for Social Media in the Township, Mr. Gregan inquired if the Board wanted the staff to continue researching the matter. The Board was favorable to continuing to research the uses of Social Media in the Township and asked Mr. Bartle to check and see if any other municipalities have created such policies.
Lawrence Gregan reported that with the assistance of Township Engineer, John Chambers, the Township will be proposing an application under the FY 2011 Montgomery County Housing and Community Development Block Grant Program. Mr. Gregan reported that the Township's application will propose the installation of handicap ramps that will serve the general public in areas such as parks, schools and commercial areas. The Township has been requested to allow time on the Board agenda at a regularly advertised meeting to allow citizens to present and discuss projects for which the Township will apply. A brief discussion followed and Resolution #3 unanimously announced that at the March 14, 2011 Board meeting, the Board will consider the application to the Montgomery County Development of Housing and Community Development for a Grant under the FY 2011 program for the installation of handicap ramps.
Chief Richard Brady reported that the Montgomery Township Police Department was recently recertified to receive accreditation from the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC). The Police Department was originally certified in 2004 and recertified in 2007. Sergeant William Peoples spoke briefly about the process and his involvement in leading the preparation of the assessment. Resolution #4 unanimously recognized Sergeant Williams Peoples, Officer Brian Gerrard, Officer Brian Schreiber and Secretary Nicole Conicelli for their hard work and dedication in preparing for and assisting with the on site assessment of the Police Department for the purpose of being re-certified for accreditation by the Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission.
Supervisor Fox made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Supervisor Walsh seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.
Under other business, Supervisor Walsh indicated that he would like to consider posting the Board action summaries online for the residents to have a better understanding of the items on the agenda. David Keightly also asked that the Township consider placing all the agendas and minutes of all the volunteer committees on the website. Lawrence Gregan indicated that the staff was currently in the process of placing agendas and minutes for certain committees. Supervisor McDonnell inquired if the Budget was on the website and if so, was it the detailed version. Mr. Gregan reported that the Budget was listed on the website, and that staff will check to determine whether or not it is the detailed line item budget. Mr. Gregan reported that staff will investigate the possibility of placing the Board action summaries on the website.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:35 p.m.