MINUTES OF MEETING
NOVEMBER 14, 2011
Chairman Robert Birch called the executive session to order at 6:30 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. Potential real estate acquisition, litigation matters and personnel matters 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, John Chambers, Richard Brady, Scott Bendig, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Rick Lesniak, Ann Shade, Shannon Drosnock, Vicki Zidek, Stacy Crandell, Deb Rivas 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 6:30 p.m. Mr. Bartle reported that there was a matter of potential real estate acquisition, five personnel matters and two matters of potential litigation; Montgomery Township vs Zehr condemnation matter and a Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board matter were 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 24, 2011 Board meeting and Supervisor Michael Fox seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chairman Robert Birch made a motion to appoint Gilmore and Associates as the Township Engineer, effective January 1, 2012. Motion #1 was seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey McDonnell and unanimously approved by the Board. Supervisor Joseph Walsh and Chairman Birch expressed their appreciation and thanks to John Chambers for his over forty years of service to Montgomery Township, and wished him well in his retirement.
Lawrence Gregan, Township Manager, announced that on Saturday, November 19, 2011, the Fall Curbside Leaf Collection will take place in the Township. All leaves must be placed in brown paper bags and put at the curb by 7:00 a.m. that day for collection. There will also be a dumpster at the William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae on Saturday, November 19th from 8:00 a.m. to noon for residents who wish to dispose of yard waste and brush. Funding for this collection is provided through the Annual Grant Funds received for recycling performance.
Ann Shade, Director of Administration & Human Resources, announced the 8th Annual Holiday Lights Contest, which encourages residents of the Township to decorate their homes for the holiday season. All entries are due by Friday, December 2nd at 4:30 p.m. Entries will be judged by Township staff and the Park & Recreation Board members on December 5, 2011 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Winners will receive lawn signs and gift cards. All participants will receive a certificate. The 5th annual Holiday Lights Celebration will be held at the Township building on December 7, 2011 and will include a visit from Santa.
Richard Lesniak, Director of Fire Services, introduced the members of the Giampa family and their dog, Candy. On July 15, 2011, Candy was trapped in an underground hole and was rescued by Captain Frank Colelli, Firefighter David Gallagher, Firefighter Todd Kulp and Firefighter Jeffrey Tomczak, all members of the Department of Fire Services. Chris Johnson, an employee of the Ark Animal Hospital also assisted with the rescue. Mrs. Giampa expressed her appreciation and thanked all those who rescued Candy from the underground confine. Resolution #1, adopted unanimously, commended Captain Frank Colelli, Firefighters David Gallagher, Todd Kulp and Jeffrey Tomczak for the assistance they provided the Giampa family in rescuing Candy from her underground confines. Certificates were presented to these members of the Fire Department for a job well done. Chris Johnson was not present this evening, but will also receive a Certificate of Appreciation.
Shannon Drosnock, Township Finance Director, presented the 2012 Preliminary Budget. Four public budget workshops were held in October and the beginning of November with all Department Heads and representatives of the Fire Department of Montgomery Township. Revisions to the preliminary budget, identified during the budget workshops, have been incorporated into this presentation. Upon adoption, the preliminary budget will be advertised and made available for public inspection for twenty days. Any appropriate revisions will be made and the Board is scheduled to consider adoption of the 2012 final budget on December 12, 2011. Ms. Drosnock provided statistics on the revenue and expense portions of the budget. The General Fund revenues project a 2.22% increase over 2011, while Township expenses project a 2.63% increase over 2011. Based on total revenues and total expenses, the General Fund projects a $36,385 surplus. Ms. Drosnock also noted that the real estate tax rate will remain the same, with no increase. Supervisor Joseph Walsh thanked Ms. Drosnock for her work on the 2012 budget and for her presentation. Chairman Robert Birch also thanked the staff for all their work and for providing a balanced budget for 2012. Resolution #2, adopted unanimously, approved the 2012 preliminary Budget for all funds. Monday, December 12, 2011 after 8:00 p.m. in the Township building was set as the date, time and place for the Public Meeting to consider the adoption of the 2012 Final Budget.
Lawrence Gregan reported that on occasion, property owners request permission to access Township Open Space in order to have work done on their property. At this time, the Township has no mechanism in place to accommodate these types of requests. Mr. Gregan presented an overview of a proposed Access Agreement, which would allow property owners to access portions of their property through Township property. This agreement would specify the limits of time the area would be accessible, prescribed time for access, cleanup and restoration requirements, require posting a Certificate of Insurance naming the Township as an additional insured, and providing a cash escrow to ensure proper completion of the restoration work. The Board was in agreement that any costs to the homeowner should be kept to a minimum. After some discussion, the Board advised the staff to move ahead with the implementation of the Access Agreement process.
Lawrence Gregan reported that the Township proposes to offer non-uniform employees a one-time bonus for any employee who either elect to switch from the PPO medical plan to the HMO medical plan, elect to remain in the HMO medical plan, or elect to opt out of either plan, in exchange for giving up their option to elect participation in the PPO plan at any future time. The bonus will range from $500 to $1500 depending upon the current coverage eligibility level. It was also noted that all new employees will automatically be subscribed to the HMO plan. Resolution #3, adopted unanimously, approved the non-uniform HMO Medical Plan Conversion one-time bonus effective for the 2012 Benefit Plan elections.
Lawrence Gregan reported that in 2010 the Neshaminy Creek Watershed 167 Stormwater Management Draft Plan was completed and adopted by Bucks County, then forwarded to the Montgomery County Commissioners for approval prior to submission to DEP for approval and implementation. Upon implementation, Montgomery Township would have been required to adopt new stormwater ordinance regulations for approximately 90% of the Township that is located within the Neshaminy Creek Watershed. At that time, Township Engineer, John Chambers, advised the Board of the impact of the new ordinance provisions and opined that they would be difficult for the Township to enforce, as well as being cumbersome for small projects. The Board of Supervisors voiced their objection to the Montgomery County Commissioners about the plan, and the plan has been on hold pending development of an acceptable solution. On September 26, 2011, an alternative "solution" was proposed by the Bucks County and Montgomery County Planning Commissions, to increase the exemption criteria for small projects and requesting the Township's support for this amendment and removal of its objection. After review of the proposal, John Chambers advised that his opinion is still that the proposed Plan regulates impervious surface increases at too low a level to be practical and too costly to Township residents. Mr. Chambers again recommended a "fee in lieu of" alternative that would provide a better environmental benefit to the Neshaminy Creek. After some discussion, Resolution #4, adopted unanimously, continued Montgomery Township's objection to the Neshaminy Creek Watershed Act 167 Stormwater Management Plan Amendment as proposed by the Bucks County Planning Commission and continued the Board's recommendation that the Montgomery County Commissioners not approve the proposed plan amendment.
Resolution #5, adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement for bids for Police Uniforms. Bids are to be received on or before 10:00 a.m. on December 6, 2011, and will be opened at that time. Bids will be considered for award at the December 12, 2011 meeting.
Shannon Drosnock reported that the Pennsylvania League of Cities Municipalities has contracted with Constellation NewEnergy to offer more competitive pricing under their Electricity procurement Program for street lighting. Based on a rate quote from November 1, 2011, the Township will be able to obtain a favorable rate through Constellation for the Township's Street Light, Traffic Signal and some Park Light electric accounts. The rate quoted is .06374/kWh., which could afford the Township a savings of at least $18,400/year. The contract does not restrict the Township to a specified consumption volume in order to maintain the reduced rate. Resolution #6, adopted unanimously, authorized the Township to execute a contract with Constellation NewEnergy to supply the Township's street lights, traffic signals and park lights for electric energy for a contract term of 37 months at a rate of .06374/kWh.
Ann Shade reported that the 2012 Winter Recreation News Brochure is being prepared for distribution. The Department will continue to offer many popular programs with some new programs being introduced. The Department will again partner with Penn State Cooperative Extension to host several "Master Gardener Seminars". Resolution #7, adopted unanimously, approved the amendments to the Fee Schedule to include the 2012 Winter Recreation program fees.
Bruce Shoupe, Director of Planning and Zoning, announced that the Township is submitting an application for Tree City USA Recertification. In order to maintain our status in this program, the Township must spend more than $2 per resident per year. Resolution #8, adopted unanimously, approved the application for Montgomery Township to apply for Tree City USA Recertification.
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.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 9:04 p.m.