MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
JUNE 10, 2019
At 6:00p.m. Chairman Michael J. Fox called to order the Executive Session. In attendance were Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Supervisors Jeffrey W. McDonnell, Tanya C. Bamford and Matthew W. Quigg. Also in attendance was Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan, and Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire.
Chairman Michael J. Fox called the action meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. In attendance were Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Supervisors Jeffrey W. McDonnell, Tanya C. Bamford and Matthew W. Quigg. Also in attendance were Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire, Township Manager Lawrence Gregan, Police Chief Scott Bendig, Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak, Director of Finance Ami Tarburton, Director of Administration & HR Ann Shade, Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell, Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe, Director of Public Works Kevin Costello, Director of Recreation and Community Center Floyd Shaffer, Recording Secretary Deborah Rivas and Director of Information Technology Richard Grier.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Michael J. Fox called for public comment from the audience.
Under public comment, Steve Splendido of 220 Twining Road, stated that he had received a letter from the Township requiring that he obtain a permit for the stone driveway extension that he had created for his RV on his property. Mr. Splendido stated that the reason he was extending the driveway was because his neighbor is discharging his sump pump onto his property and sidewalk. He stated that he is unable to use that side of his property and that he had complained to the Township back in the wintertime, but nothing was done about it. Chairman Michael Fox stated that the Township will take a look at the matter to see if there is anything that the Township can do.
Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting at 6:00 p.m., and discussed three personnel matters. In addition, the Board discussed a pending matter of litigation involving the various Cutler matters that are related. The next item discussed was an ongoing matter of litigation, Maureen and John Mirabella versus Susan Villard et al., which is a case in the Court of Common Pleas of Montgomery County, No. 2015-29477. The Board also discussed the IAFF Local 4890 Montgomery Township Professional Firefighters versus Montgomery Township matter, Case Number PFC-18112E which is at the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Chairman Michael J. Fox made a motion to approve the minutes of the May 28, 2019 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Tanya Bamford seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig reported that on June 1, 2019 Detective John McGready retired from the Montgomery Township Police Department after 26 years of service to our community. John McGready began his career with the Montgomery Township Police Department as a patrol officer on May 27, 1994 and has received numerous departmental commendations for his actions as an officer as well as numerous letters of appreciation from Township residents, civic groups, children and neighboring law enforcement agencies during his 26 year career. Detective McGready has shown exemplary dedication and professionalism in his service to the residents, businesses and coworkers of our community and he will be sorely missed. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew Quigg and adopted unanimously, recognized Detective John McGready on his retirement from the Montgomery Township Police Department.
Director of Finance Ami Tarburton reported that Maillie, LLP has completed the audit field work for Montgomery Township and the Fire Department of Montgomery Township for the year ended December 31, 2018. The audit of the Sewer Authority is performed by Bee, Bergvall & Co. and is reported as a component unit of the Township in the Township’s financial statements. The 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report will be submitted to the Government Finance Officers Association for consideration for the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting Award. Edward J. Furman, CPA, Partner of Maillie, LLP provided an overview of the 2018 Audit Results for Montgomery Township. Mr. Furman reported that Montgomery Township had a solid year for 2018, with an unqualified audit opinion, strong balance sheets and an extremely strong financial report. The report is available for review at the Township office and is also posted on the Township website. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the year ended December 31, 2018 as prepared by Maillie, LLP.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that an application has been received for the consideration of LDS#705 - Minor Subdivision Plan for William M. and Laurel L. Trevorah, for their property located at 315 Richardson Road. The application involves a proposed lot line adjustment that will result in a transfer of 980 square feet of land from the Trevorah Property to 313 Richardson Road owned by Amanda K. Purdy and Thomas B. Cook. The intent of the lot-line adjustment was initiated by the Trevorah’s to transfer the land which formally had an in-ground swimming pool back to 313 Richardson Road. No land development is proposed at this time. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, approved the Minor Subdivision Plan/Lot Line Adjustment for 313 and 315 Richardson Road.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that staff received and opened the only bid received for Contract 2014-10016-Enclave at Montgomery Phase 1 Improvement. The project proposes to perform improvements within and adjacent to the Montgomery Walk, Montgomery Pointe, Montgomery Preserve and Montgomery Knoll developments that were left unfinished by the Developer. The work involves the installation of walking paths, concrete sidewalks, ADA compliant curb ramps, concrete curbing, crosswalk stripping and removal/installation of topsoil at various locations within these developments. The bid submission as reviewed by Township Engineer James P. Dougherty, P.E. of Gilmore & Associates Inc. and a recommendation has been made to award the bid to Monster Paving Inc. with a base bid of $216,840.00. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, awarded the bid for the Enclave at Montgomery Phase 1 Improvements to Monster Paving Inc. of Ambler PA as the lowest responsible bidder for all items included in the Base Bid in the amount of $216,840.00.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the developer for LDS #683 - BJ’s Club Warehouse, 640 Cowpath Road has requested a release of the maintenance bond which will end the maintenance period for this development. The request has been reviewed by the Township Engineer and recommended for approval. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera, and adopted unanimously, approved the acceptance of the release of the maintenance bond for LDS #683 BJ’s Club Warehouse Land Development and that the escrow be released contingent upon all Township fees being paid.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the developer for LDS#676 - Sprint Store, 770 Bethlehem Pike is requesting an end to the maintenance period and a final escrow release of $18,477.24. The request has been reviewed by the Township Engineer and recommended for approval. Resolution #6 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, authorized the maintenance period for LDS#676, Sprint Store, be ended and the escrow be released contingent upon all Township fees being paid.
Resolution #7 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the fifth escrow release in the amount of $8,247.50 and further waived the requirement for a Maintenance Period for this project. The request has been reviewed by the Township Engineer and recommended for approval.
Resolution #8 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, approved the request of the Fisher House to waive all permit fees (special event) associated with their Blood Drive fundraiser to be held on June 14, 2019.
A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera, and adopted unanimously, approved the payment of bills as submitted.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m.