MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OCTOBER 28, 2019
At 6:30 p.m., Chairman Michael J. Fox called to order the Executive Session. In attendance were Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Supervisors Tanya C. Bamford, Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Matthew W. Quigg. Also in attendance was Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan, Township Manager Designee Carolyn McCreary, and Township Solicitor Frank R. Bartle, Esquire.
Chairman Michael J. Fox called the action meeting to order at 7:03 p.m. In attendance were Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Supervisors Tanya C. Bamford, Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Matthew W. Quigg. Also in attendance were Township Solicitor Frank R. Bartle, Esquire, Township Manager Lawrence Gregan, Township Manager Designee Carolyn McCreary, Police Chief Scott Bendig, Director of Administration and Human Resources 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 A. Rivas 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 R. Bartle, Esquire announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting at 6:30 p.m. The Board discussed a Business Privilege Tax issue, Mirabella vs. Montgomery Township matter, Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas Case No. 2015-29477, and the Ocean State Job Lot Zoning Hearing Board matter. 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 October 15, 2019 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig reported that Tessa Tremblay has joined the Montgomery Township Police Department as a police communications specialist. Ms. Tremblay began her employment on October 17, 2019, and comes to the township with an emergency services background. Ms. Tremblay most recently served as a police communications dispatcher at the Montgomery County Communications Center. She is a 2014 graduate of Lock Haven University, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, welcomed new employee Tess Tremblay to Montgomery Township, effective October 17, 2019.
Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig reported that the Board of Directors of the Bharatiya Cultural Center made donations to the Police Department and the Fire Department of Montgomery Township as a way of contributing to the community. Members of the Temple’s Cultural Center’s Executive Committee were present and Vipul Rathod, Director of the Bharatiya Cultural Center, provided examples of the many activities and events hosted by the center each year, including their annual community day event. Chief Bendig asked the Board of Supervisors to recognize the generous donations made which will be used for equipment and training purposes. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, recognized the Bharatiya Cultural Center for the generous donations made to the Police and Fire Departments of Montgomery Township.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that the Township is authorized to dispose of surplus assets through the online auction company Municibid. The Public Works Department has the following items available to be sold at auction: 1997 F-350 Small Dump Truck with Plow; 2008 F-350 Pickup Truck with plow and life gate; 2008 Case 590 SL Backhoe; JD 1445 Front Line Mower with cab; and a 2004 Jeep Liberty. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, authorized the sale of the Public Works items through the online auction, Municibid.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that the Township has been awarded a $400,206 grant fund from the Green Light Go Grant Program. The project in the grant application included a full signal modernization to four traffic signals; three of the traffic signals are along PA 309 and the fourth intersection is Horsham Road at Pheasant Run. This total estimated project cost is projected to be $943,000 and the Township was seeking $753,788 from the grant program. The Township must pass a resolution to appoint an authorized official to electronically sign the documents in order to accept the grant funding. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, authorized the Township Manager to be the authorized official to sign grant documents for the Green Light Go Grant in the amount of $400,206 for the Bethlehem Pike and Horsham Road Traffic Signal Modernizations.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that the Township recently received $70,000 from the DCED Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program for the construction of Friendship Park, which is located along Enclave Boulevard between Hartman Road and Bethlehem Pike. The Township originally submitted a grant request of $250,000. To help offset the lower grant amount, the Township would like to submit a grant application to the PECO Green Region Open Space Program for the walking trail portion of the Friendship Park project. The maximum award is $10,000. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the application submission to the PECO Green Region Open Space Program for the Friendship Park Trail.
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.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
