MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SEPTEMBER 9, 2019
At 6:00 p.m., Chairman Michael J. Fox called to order the Executive Session. In attendance were Supervisors Tanya C. Bamford, Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg was absent. Also in attendance was Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan, Township Manager Designee Carolyn McCreary, Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade and Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire.
Chairman Michael J. Fox called the action meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Tanya C. Bamford, Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Jeffrey W. McDonnell. Matthew W. Quigg was absent. Also in attendance were Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire, Township Manager Lawrence Gregan, Township Manager Designee Carolyn McCreary, Police Chief Scott Bendig, Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak, Director of Finance Ami Tarburton, Director of Administration & Human Resources Ann M. 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 A. Rivas, Public Information Coordinator Kelsey Whalen and Director of Information Technology Richard Grier.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Michael J. Fox called for public comment from the audience and there was none.
Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting at 6:00 p.m. The Board discussed several matters of litigation, which are Zoning Hearing Board matters. These matters were Ocean State Job Lot at 988 Bethlehem Pike and the Nissan Dealership on Route 309 for a Sign Variance. The Board also discussed Business Tax Petition/Appeal matters and the Board made motions to authorize the Solicitor to take action on these items. Finally, the Board discussed a personnel matter regarding current Township position vacancies. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are all legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Chairman Michael J. Fox made a motion to approve the minutes of the August 26, 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 the employees of Breakthru Beverage, a leading North American beverage wholesaler located at 129 Hartman Road, recently inquired about donating funds and equipment for the Police Department’s Canine Unit as a way of contributing to our community. Todd Hickmann, Vice President of Sales for Breakthru Beverages, made a presentation on behalf of the company’s employees. Mr. Hickmann reported that the total donation of $2,500 was raised through a benefit hosted by the employees. Canine equipment was purchased with a portion of that amount and a $1,500 check was presented this evening for other canine needs. The Board was grateful to Breakthru Beverage for supporting the canine unit. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, recognized the employees of Breakthru Beverage for their generous donation to the Police Department’s Canine Unit.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that each year the Board of Supervisors and the Township staff participate in budget workshops. The workshops are held in the Board Conference Room, starting at 6:30 p.m., and normally run until approximately 8:30 p.m. It is anticipated that four dates will be needed. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, authorized the Township Manager to advertise for public meetings for the proposed 2020 Budget workshops to be held on: Wednesday, October 16, 2019, Tuesday, October 22, 2019, Tuesday, October 29, 2019, Monday, November 4, 2019 and Wednesday, November 6, 2019, if needed.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that Act 205, Section 304 requires that the Chief Administrative Officer for Montgomery Township submit the Minimum Municipal Obligation (MMO) for the upcoming budget year to the Board on or before the last business day in September. The MMO is the calculated funding obligation to the Township's Police and Non-Uniform Employee Pension Plans. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the 2020 MMO for the Montgomery Township Police Pension Fund in the amount of $809,367 and the 2020 MMO for the Montgomery Township Non-Uniform Employee Pension Fund in the amount of $303,792.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that an application for a Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan, LDS #688, was received from Raymond King for a three lot residential subdivision at 510 Bethlehem Pike. The property is a vacant 2.11 acre lot within the R-2 Residential Zoning District. The lot does not have road frontage, but is accessed from Lenape Drive through an easement over the adjacent developed residential lot. Raymond King, the applicant, proposes a subdivision along with development of three single family detached dwellings. The proposal includes installation of storm water, sanitary sewer, landscaping and utility improvements as well as improvements to and extension of the existing access easement to service the proposed lots. Township staff and consultants have reviewed this plan for compliance with Township Codes. A revised final resolution was previously distributed to the Board of Supervisors, the applicant and his attorney, Andy Friemuth, Esquire. Mr. Friemuth acknowledged receipt of the revised final resolution and said that the applicant had no objections and was in agreement with the conditions and waivers outlined in the resolution. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the Preliminary/Final Subdivision Plan for LDS #688, Raymond King – 510 Bethlehem Pike.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe requested approval to award the bid for Phase VII of the Ash Tree Forestry Management Program to Jimmy’s Tree & Landscaping in the amount of $30,000. Phase VII includes the felling of an estimated 250 trees located in areas 1-9. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the award of the bid for Phase VII of the Ash Tree Forestry Management Program to Jimmy’s Tree & Landscaping in the amount of $30,000.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that as part of the Phase 6 and Phase 7 Ash Tree Forestry Management Program contracts, the Township offered the North Penn School District the opportunity to participate in its bid/contract for tree removal services for cutting down trees on the Montgomery Elementary School property. In both phases, 250 trees were identified on the District’s property as needing to be cut down for public safety purposes. An agreement was created to provide for the Township to contract for the cutting down of the trees and for the District to pay its share of the costs for the trees identified for removal on the school property on a per tree basis. The agreement allows the District to save on the cost of bidding and contracting to have the work done. Resolution #6 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, authorized the execution of the Cost-Sharing Agreement between North Penn School District and Montgomery Township for Phase VI and Phase VII Ash Tree Forestry Management Program.
Resolution #7 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the construction escrow release #6 for LDS #694 – Higher Rock Partners Phase 2 in the amount of $279,415.00.
A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, and adopted unanimously, approving the payment of bills as submitted.
Under other business, Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford reported that she attended the Firebirds restaurant preview night this past weekend. Supervisor Bamford said that she appreciated the dinner and that it was a lovely experience in a beautiful facility. She encouraged everyone to go.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:27 p.m.