MINUTES OF MEETING
JULY 11, 2011
Chairman Robert Birch called to order the executive session at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox and Jeffrey McDonnell. Supervisor Joseph Walsh was absent. Also in attendance were Lawrence Gregan and Robert Iannozzi, Esquire. A matter of litigation concerning the Zehr Tract Condemnation was discussed.
Chairman Robert Birch called the work session to order at 7:25 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh. Also in attendance were Robert Iannozzi, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Kevin Costello and Deb Rivas.
John Antonucci thanked the Board for allowing him to introduce the concept of Pave Drain for possible Township use. Mr. Antonucci introduced Jason Sanfelice and Bob Manchester, manufacturer and distributor of Pave Drain. Mr. Sanfelice presented information on the latest Stormwater regulations which will be mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Mr. Sanfelice reported that municipalities are going to be required to install systems for mandated stormwater management to protect and improve existing water quality. The Pave Drain system would qualify as a Best Management Practice, meeting the requirements of the new regulations. Mr. Sanfelice described how the system works to allow the stormwater to drain between the blocks and to be stored underneath while the water slowly seeps back into the ground. Mr. Sanfelice advised that he is looking for a local project to show off this new innovative product, and he offered to install the product at his cost with no labor charge if the Township could provide the base preparation. In return, Mr. Sanfelice would like to showcase the project and invite other municipalities in local surrounding communities to be educated on this type of product and the role it can play in stormwater management. Mr. Sanfelice noted that he had previously spoken to Township representatives about a possible project that could utilize this technology. The Township staff and engineer suggested the parking lot at Friendship Park. The Board was in favor of researching as to whether or not this would be possible. The Board asked the Township staff to meet with the developer, who is responsible for installing the park, to see what options are available to install such a system. The work session adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
Chairman Robert Birch called the regular action meeting to order at 8:10 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh. Also in attendance were Robert Iannozzi, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Richard Brady, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Ann Shade, Shannon Drosnock, Vicki Zidek, Sharon Tucker, Stacy Crandell, Richard Grier and Deb Rivas.
Chairman Robert Birch announced that Item #11, the Public Hearing for the Conditional Use for the T-Mobile Cell Tower has been continued at the request of the applicant. Solicitor Robert Iannozzi read a letter he received from the applicants attorney requested a continuance and an extension of time to reschedule the public hearing to the August 8, 2011 Board of Supervisors' meeting. Supervisor Walsh made a motion to continue the Public Hearing on the Conditional Use for the T-Mobile Cell Tower to August 8, 2011. Supervisor Fox seconded the motion. The motion was unanimous.
Chairman Robert Birch called for public comment from the audience and there was none.
Robert Iannozzi, Esquire, announced that prior to the July 25th Board meeting, the Board had met in three executive sessions. The first was on June 28, 2011 from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. to discuss the matter of the RD Management Validity Challenge. The second was on July 5, 2011 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. to discuss the International Association of Firefighters Representation Petition. The third was this evening from 7:00 to 7:15 p.m. to discuss the Condemnation of the Zehr Property. Mr. Iannozzi stated 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 June 27, 2011 Board meeting and Supervisor Michael Fox seconded the motion. The minutes of meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chairman Birch recognized the members of the Boy Scout Troop #547 who were present at the Board meeting working towards their Communications Merit Badge. The scouts introduced themselves and the Board fielded questions from the group. Resolution #1 unanimously welcomed and recognized the members of Scout Troop #547 who attended the meeting as part of their Communications Merit Badge: Stephen Thornton, Ben McCloskey, Peter Loftus, Chris Loftus, Mark Bense, Matthew Becker, Brady Gallagher and Joseph Paddock.
Chairman Birch presented the annual Township donations to the following organizations: The PEAK Center - $3,000, the North Penn Visiting Nurse Association - $2,000, and the Montgomery Township Historical Society - $6,000. Amy Cummings-Leight, Jane Brainerd and Richard Roller were present to accept the donations on behalf of their organizations.
John Holsinger, Vice-Chairman of the Finance Committee, made a presentation regarding the Finance Committee. Mr. Holsinger reported that the Finance Committee currently consists of volunteers from the community, five residents and one business community member. The Finance Committee volunteers have a variety of financial backgrounds from business management, structured finance expertise, commercial and residential lending, hospital financial management as well as pharmaceutical contracting and financial management. The committee meets once a month with the Director of Finance, Shannon Drosnock, and the Accounting Supervisor, Vicki Zidek, to review the township's revenue and expenses, cash management positions and also provide input as requested on special initiatives. The Finance Committee has been involved in the investigation options for financing land purchases as well as maximizing the interest revenue on existing cash balances. Mr. Holsinger also reported that over the next few months, the committee will be looking into a review of the annual CAFR with the auditors. Beginning in September, the committee will be actively engaged in the budget planning process for the fiscal year 2012.
Edward J. Furman, CPA, and partner of Maillie, Falconiero & Company, LLP, presented a summary of the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) for the year 2010 for Montgomery Township. Mr. Furman explained that the CAFR is about a third larger than a typical government financial statement. Mr. Furman reported that the Township has received a clean, unqualified opinion as has been issued in prior years. One important note Mr. Furman mentioned was that with no new borrowings, and at the current debt service payment schedule, the Township would be debt-free in 2014. Mr. Furman indicated that this was a tremendous accomplishment for the Township. Mr. Furman also noted that the net equity of the Township was just over $165 million and the Township's obligations were about $9 million. Mr. Furman reported that the Township had an extremely strong balance sheet at the end of 2010. Resolution #2 unanimously accepted the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2010 as prepared by Maillie, Falconiero & Company, LLP.
Resolution #3 unanimously approved the Final Construction Escrow Release for Bridle Path Manor Subdivision LDS #595.
Resolution #4 unanimously approved the Escrow Release for LD/S #643 Kidalas Court - 1215 Kenas Road.
Resolution #5 unanimously approved the Release of the Maintenance Bond for William F. Maule at Windlestrae Park - Phase 1.
Resolution #6 unanimously approved the submission of the 2011/2012 DUI Grant Application by the Montgomery Township Police Department.
Resolution #7 unanimously approved the 2011 Fall Recreation Programs and Fees as presented by the Recreation Coordinator, Sharon Tucker.
Resolution #8 unanimously approved the submission of the FDMT Annual Fundraising Drive.
Chairman Birch made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Supervisor Chimera seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m.