MINUTES OF MEETING
JANUARY 3, 2012
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. Personnel issues and a matter of litigation were discussed.
Chairman Robert Birch called to order the Re-Organization meeting at 8:04 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, Judith Stern Goldstein, Richard Brady, Scott Bendig, Rick Lesniak, Ann Shade, Bruce Shoupe, Kevin Costello, Stacy Crandell, Sharon Tucker, Rich Grier and Shirley Snyder.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, District Justice Andrea Duffy administered the Oath of Office and swearing in of Robert J. Birch as Montgomery Township Supervisor to a six year term ending January 1, 2018. Edward Diasio was sworn in as a Montgomery Township Auditor and was administered the Oath of Office by District Justice Andrea Duffy. Mr. Diasio's term will expire January 1, 2018.
There was no public comment this evening.
Frank R. Bartle, Esquire reported that during the executive session, five personnel matters and the RD Management Zoning Hearing Board Appeal litigation were discussed.
Chairman Birch was nominated by Supervisor Fox and seconded by Supervisor McDonnell to become the Temporary Chair until a new chairman was elected. The nomination was unanimous. Temporary Chairman Robert Birch made a motion to nominate Candyce Fluehr Chimera to serve as the Chairman for the Board of Supervisors in 2012. Supervisor Walsh seconded the motion. The nomination for Chairman of the Board of Supervisors was closed. Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera was elected Chairman of the Board for 2012 by a unanimous vote and by Resolution #1.
Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera presented outgoing Chairman Robert Birch with a plaque and thanked him for his commitment and dedication in serving as Chairman of the Board for the year 2011. Supervisor Walsh announced that Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera is the first female Chairman in the history of Montgomery Township. Supervisor Walsh also extended his thanks to Supervisor Birch for serving as Chairman of the Board in 2011.
Supervisor Michael Fox then nominated Supervisor Joseph Walsh to serve as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for 2012. Supervisor Jeffrey Mc Donnell seconded the motion. The nomination for Vice Chairman of the Board of Supervisors was closed. The Board voted unanimously by Resolution #2 to elect Joseph Walsh to be the Vice Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for 2012.
Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera commended all of the Township's Volunteer Boards and Committees for their service during the year 2011 and expressed the Township's appreciation to the Board and Committee members for their dedication and time in serving on township committees.
Resolution #3, adopted unanimously, established the official holidays for Montgomery Township offices to be closed in the year 2012.
Resolution #4, adopted unanimously, established the meeting dates for the Board of Supervisors for the year 2012.
Resolution #5, adopted unanimously set the Treasurer's Bond at $2,500,000.
Resolution #6, adopted unanimously, 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 #6, as he is employed by Univest Bank.
Resolution #7, adopted unanimously, appointed the Township Officials and Consultants for the year 2012.
Resolution #8, adopted unanimously, re-appointed all committee volunteers with expiring terms for new terms based on the bylaws of their respective committees and boards. Resolutions #8a, adopted unanimously, appointed Vere Archibald to the Environmental Advisory Committee with a term to expire on January 1, 2013 and Edward Hoffman to the Environmental Advisory Committee with a term to expire on January 1, 2014. Resolution #8b, adopted unanimously, appointed Christopher Kelm to the Montgomery Township Industrial Development Authority, with a term ending January 1, 2017. Resolution #8c, adopted unanimously, appointed three members to the Park & Recreation Board: Mark McMahon, with a term to expire January 1, 2016, Kim Greene, with a term to expire January 1, 2017 and Michael Okino, with a term to expire January 1, 2017. Resolution #8d, adopted unanimously, appointed Susan Wiener to the Montgomery Township Public Safety Committee with a term to expire January 1, 2013. Resolution #8e, adopted unanimously, appointed James G'Angeli to the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority, with a term to expire January 1, 2017. Resolution #8f, adopted unanimously, appointed Dennis Gillen, Kate Karatas, James Kelly and Nancy Walsh to serve on the Montgomery Township 300th Anniversary Committee with terms ending January 1, 2013.
Resolution #9, adopted unanimously, certified Supervisor Robert Birch as the voting delegate to the Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors.
Resolution #10, adopted unanimously, established the Board liaisons to the various volunteer committees and boards. The liaisons for all volunteer committees will remain the same as in 2011.
Resolution #11, adopted unanimously, approved the list of authorized drivers of Township-owned vehicles for 2012.
Resolution #12, adopted unanimously, re-appointed the following Fire Police to serve Montgomery Township in 2012: Rob Bailey, William Adams, Stacy Bailey, Maryanne Mogensen, Joel Silver and Greg Fitzgerald.
Resolution #13, adopted unanimously, established the Fee Schedule for 2012.
The re-organization meeting concluded at 8:30 p.m.
Chairman Chimera announced that Chief Richard Brady will be retiring the end of September 2012 after serving for 42 years as a member of the Montgomery Township Police Department, 31 years as its Chief. Chief Brady has advised that he will be using his accumulated vacation leave time starting in July until his actual retirement at the end of September. When Chief Brady begins his leave in July, it is the Boards intention to appoint Deputy Chief Scott Bendig to serve as Acting Chief of Police. Upon Chief Brady's formal retirement at the end of September, Deputy Chief Bendig will be appointed to the position of Chief of Police.
Chief Richard Brady reported that within the past two years, Lt. Gordon Simes and Lt. Mark Houghtaling have retired from the Police Department, creating two vacancies for the rank of Lieutenant. Chief Brady introduced Sergeant Gerald Dougherty and Sergeant William Peoples as the two candidates for the promotion to Lieutenant. Sergeant Dougherty began his career with Montgomery Township as a police dispatcher in 1986. During his career, Sergeant Dougherty had several special assignments, including Firearms Instructor, Canine Officer, Field Training Officer for new recruits and Field Training Supervisor. Sergeant Dougherty has also participated yearly in the Montgomery Township Junior Police Academy, Montgomery Township Citizens Police Academy and the Montgomery Township Autumn Festival. He has received numerous letters of commendation. Sergeant Dougherty's father, Gerald Dougherty, Sr, was present to affix the Lieutenant bars on his son's uniform. Resolution #14, adopted unanimously, appointed Sergeant Gerald Dougherty to the rank of Lieutenant under the conditions of the Memorandum of Understanding.
Sergeant Peoples served in the United States Army where he served in Operation Desert Storm. Sergeant William Peoples began his career with the Montgomery Township Police Department in 1997, and in 2011 was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. Throughout his career with Montgomery Township, Sergeant Peoples has served as a D.A.R.E. Instructor, a Field Training officer, and Expandable Baton Instructor, was assigned to the Bicycle Unit, served on the District Attorney's Drug Task Force, and has been assigned as the Department's Accreditation Officer. Sergeant Peoples has participated yearly in the Montgomery Township Autumn Festival, Junior Police Academy and Montgomery Township Citizens Police Academy. Sergeant People's wife, Jennifer and daughter Sydney were present and Mrs. Peoples affixed the Lieutenant bars on her husband's uniform. Resolution #15, adopted unanimously, appointed Sergeant William Peoples to the rank of Lieutenant under the conditions of the Memorandum of Understanding.
Officer Andrew Benner was recognized as the 2011 Central Montgomery County Special Weapons and Tactics Officer of the Year. The Central Montgomery County Special Weapons and Tactics Team (CMSWAT) is comprised of police officers from fourteen municipalities in Montgomery County. The team is a highly trained, well equipped and extremely motivated tactical unit that will respond to any special threat incident when requested to ensure the protection of safety of innocent civilians and police, by apprehending or neutralizing the criminal element involved. Lt. Thomas Nolan, Upper Merion Police Department, Sgt. Michael Kelly, West Norriton Police Department, Sgt. Joseph Fenerty, Whitpain Police Department, and Sgt. Bruce Hames of the Lower Gwynedd Police Department were in attendance to make the presentation to Officer Andrew Benner. Resolution #16, adopted unanimously, recognized Officer Andrew Benner as the 2011 SWAT Officer of the Year.
Deputy Chief Scott Bendig advised that the Police Department is preparing to renovate the existing Police Communication Center, as much of the equipment is over sixteen years old, is no longer available and is unsupported by the manufacturer. As part of the renovations, the Department is proposing the purchase of a new console unit to replace the existing one. The purchase and installation of this console, along with other equipment, will allow for a seamless transition of dispatch services while maintaining a continued high level of service to the community. Resolution #17, adopted unanimously, awarded the contract for the purchase of the console unit to Wright Line, LLC, an authorized vendor under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchase Program at a cost of $18,797.43 per quote and specifications dated December 23, 2011.
Deputy Chief Scott Bendig announced that as part of the continuing renovations to the Police Communication Center, the Police Department is proposing the replacement and upgrade of the video camera and surveillance system. The proposed upgrade of this equipment will significantly improve the Department's ability to monitor and record areas of the Police Department as well as the Township's administrative areas, and provide new technology that will allow for the addition of cameras to monitor additional areas of the township building as well as other township facilities. Resolution #18, adopted unanimously, approved the award of the contract for the purchase and installation of CCTV and Security Equipment from Troxell Communications, Inc. an authorized vendor under the Co-Stars Cooperative Purchase Program (Contract #003-126) at a cost of $11,373 per quote and specifications dated December 19, 2011.
Frank Bartle opened the public hearing for the American Gymnastics Conditional Use Application at 8:55 p.m. Court Reporter, Tim Kurek was present to transcribe the public record for the hearing. Mr. Bartle stated that the following were being entered as Exhibits to this matter: B1 - the Application; B2 -Plan as submitted with the Application; B3 - Proof of Publication and B4 - Various Review Letters, collectively entered as B4. George Valdez, Owner of American Gymnastics and Mary Podlogar, Esquire, Counsel for Mr. Valdez were present. Mr. Valdez and Ms. Podlogar were sworn in by Court Reporter, Tim Kurek. Mr. Valdez stated that his business, which was started in the mid 1980's, was originally located on Stump Road, then moved to a location on Commerce Drive. The Commerce Drive location is being sold, and the business is seeking to relocate at 506 Stump Road. Mr. Bartle verified with Mr. Valdez and Ms. Podlogar that they have reviewed the application, all consultant letters and the criteria for conditional use applications, and are in agreement with all the documents. Supervisor Walsh inquired about the status of the exterior swimming pool at the present site. Mr. Valdez assured the Board that the swimming pool would be eliminated at the new location. In order to use the proposed structure as it is, the occupancy of the building cannot exceed 50. Mr. Valdez confirmed that the occupancy will remain below 50 and meet the code requirements. Resolution #19, adopted unanimously, approved the Conditional Use Application for George Valdez, for American Gymnastics, and waived the requirement for a traffic study. The public hearing concluded at 9:10 p.m.
Resolution #20, adopted unanimously, adopted Ordinance #11-253, an Ordinance amending the Code of Montgomery Township, Chapter 187 - Sewer, Article XIV, Section 187-78, increasing sewer rental charges for all residential and non-residential users and customers in the Township of Montgomery by 10% effective January 1, 2012.
Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera made a motion to accept the minutes of the December 12, 2011 Board of Supervisors meeting. The motion was seconded by Supervisor Robert Birch.
Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera 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 9:10 p.m.