MINUTES OF MEETING
OCTOBER 24, 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, Frank R. Bartle, Esquire, Ryan Cassidy, Esquire and Ann Shade. A matter of potential litigation, two personnel matters and a possible real estate purchase were discussed.
Chairman Robert Birch called the regular action meeting to order at 8:00 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Michael Fox, Jeffrey McDonnell and Joseph Walsh. Also in attendance were Frank R. Bartle, Esquire, Lawrence Gregan, Richard Brady, Scott Bendig, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Rick Lesniak, Ann Shade, Shannon Drosnock, Vicki Zidek, Stacy Crandell, Sharon Tucker and Shirley Snyder.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Robert Birch called for public comment from the audience. There was no public comment this evening.
Frank R. Bartle, Esquire, reported that the Board met in an executive session earlier in the evening at 7:00 p.m. Mr. Bartle reported that there was a matter of potential litigation, two personnel matters and a possible real estate purchase discussed. Mr. Bartle reported that all of these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania's Sunshine Law.
Chairman Robert Birch made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 11, 2011 Board meeting and Supervisor Michael Fox seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chairman Birch announced the resignation of Park and Recreation Board member, Mark Bates. Mr. Bates was a member of the Park & Recreation Board since 2010. Resolution #1, adopted unanimously, accepted the resignation of Mark Bates from the Montgomery Township Park & Recreation Board, and thanked him for his dedication and service to Montgomery Township.
Michael Wintje, owner of Mike Carr's Towing and Hauling was recognized and presented with a plaque for his assistance to the Montgomery Township Police and Fire Departments. Chief Richard Brady stated that Carr's Towing has provided the Police Department with damaged vehicles to be used for public safety demonstrations, and the Fire Department with damaged vehicles for various Fire Department events. Resolution #2, adopted unanimously, recognized and commended Mr. Michael Wintje for his assistance and support to the Montgomery Township Police and Fire Departments.
Chief Richard Brady introduced District Attorney, Risa Vetri Ferman. District Attorney Ferman has generously provided $6,000 toward the cost of the purchase and training for each of the two new Montgomery Township canine teams. Chairman Robert Birch presented Ms. Ferman with a plaque acknowledging her generous contribution. Resolution #3, adopted unanimously, recognized and commended District Attorney Risa Ferman for her continued support and commitment to the Montgomery Township Police Canine Unit and to all law enforcement. Chief Brady also introduced Montgomery County Sheriff, Eileen Behr, and thanked her for her continued efforts and support of the Canine programs.
Mr. and Mrs. Richard Day were also honored for their contributions to the Montgomery Township Canine Unit. Mr. and Mrs. Day live in the Township, and have donated funds to the Police Department for the enhancement of the Canine Unit. Resolution #4, adopted unanimously, recognized and commended Mr. and Mrs. Richard Day for their generous support of the Montgomery Township Canine Unit.
Officer Brian Schreiber and Canine Bauer were introduced by Chief Richard Brady. Officer Schreiber attended Canine Handlers Training in Sanford, North Carolina and on October 21, 2011, the team was certified by the training agency. Officer Schreiber and Canine Bauer will have an additional two weeks of intense training under the direction of Canine Corporal Robert Hart, a certified Canine Trainer. Resolution #5, adopted unanimously, commended Canine Officer Brian Schreiber and Canine Bauer for their successful completion and certification as a Police Canine Team.
Chief Richard Brady introduced Recruit Applicant Peter Byrne. Recruit Byrne has spent his lifetime in the West Chester area and obtained a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice from West Chester University in 2010. On July 14, 2011, Recruit Byrne successfully passed the Municipal Police Officers Education and Training Commission Examination. Mr. Byrne was sworn in as a Police Officer in the Montgomery Township Police Department by Chairman Birch. In attendance was Diane Byrnes, Peter Byrne's Mother. Resolution #6, adopted unanimously, authorized the hiring of Peter Byrne as a Police Recruit with the Montgomery Township Police Department. Mr. Byrne will begin his position as Police Recruit on October 28, 2011.
Officer Adam Deussing joined the Montgomery Township Police Department on August 3, 2007. At that time, Officer Deussing was an active member of the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves. Throughout the years of his service with the Coast Guard he has continued to advance through the ranks. On September 1, 2011, he received his anchors and was promoted to the rank of E-7, Chief Petty Officer. Resolution #7, adopted unanimously, commended Officer Adam Deussing for his recent promotion to Chief Petty Officer (E-7) in the United States Coast Guard Reserves and extended our appreciation to him for his years of service as a member of the Armed Forces of the United States.
Director of Fire Services, Rick Lesniak, thanked the various volunteers and employees of Montgomery Township for their assistance in the preparation for Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee. Hurricane Irene passed by the New Jersey coast as a Category 1 Hurricane and Montgomery Township did not experience the flooding and damage that had been forecast. Resolution #8, adopted unanimously, recognized the volunteers of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township and Volunteer Medical Service Corp, Township Administrative personnel, Department of Fire Services personnel, Emergency Management personnel, Police Department personnel and Public Works Department personnel for their preparedness efforts related to the Declarations of Emergency for both Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee in August and September 2011.
The consideration to appoint a Township Engineer was removed from the agenda, and will be rescheduled at a November meeting.
Montgomery United Soccer Association has requested permission to host the Roger Erb Tournament at the end of November. Resolution #9, adopted unanimously, approved the use of the William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae (Main, Zehr, Hennings & Rose Twig fields), as well as Spring Valley Park on November 12th and November 26th, with rain dates being November 13th and 27th, subject to terms and conditions of the Township's Facilities and Field Use Policy and in accordance with three additional conditions. Resolution #9, adopted unanimously, approved the use of Township fields for the Roger Erb Tournament the weekends of November 12th and 13th, and 26th and 27th, with specific conditions as set forth in the resolution.
Montgomery United Soccer Association has requested the waiver of fees for the Special Events Permit associated with the Roger Erb Tournament at the end of November. Resolution #10, adopted unanimously, approved the waiver of the Special Event Permit fee.
Supervisor Joseph Walsh made a motion to approve the three Escrow Resolutions as one. Resolution #11A, adopted unanimously, approved the final construction escrow release for Montgomery Commons, Children of America LDS# 560B. Resolution #11B, adopted unanimously, approved the escrow release #6 LDS#643 for Kidalas Court - 1215 Kenas Road. Resolution #11C, adopted unanimously, approved the escrow release #1, LDS#648 for General Hancock Townhouses - Highview at Montgomery.
Resolution #12, adopted unanimously, authorized the sale at auction of the following Township surplus equipment through J.J. Kane Auction Company, Conshohocken, PA: 2003 Ford Crown Victoria (2); 2007 Ford Crown Victoria; 1997 Ford #-250 Van.
Chairman Robert Birch made a motion to approve the payment of bills. Supervisor Joseph Walsh seconded the motion. The payment of bills was unanimously approved as submitted.
Chairman Robert Birch made a motion that the Board of Supervisors of Montgomery Township authorize the appropriate Township officials to execute on behalf of the Township, the Agreement for the sale of real estate for Township purchase of property located at 1237 Stump Road, North Wales, PA. The appropriate Township officials are authorized to take necessary action to effectuate the intent of this motion and to complete settlement of the subject property.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m.