MINUTES OF MEETING

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

NOVEMBER 11, 2019

            Chairman Michael J. Fox called the action meeting to order at 7:00 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 noted that today was Veterans Day and he thanked all veterans for their service, especially those from Montgomery Township. Chairman Fox also noted that yesterday was the birthday of the United States Marine Corps, founded in a tavern in Philadelphia.

Chairman Michael J. Fox called for public comment from the audience and there was none.

            Chairman Michael J. Fox made a motion to approve the minutes of the October 28, 2019 Board of Supervisors meeting and Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.

            Chairman Michael J. Fox opened the Public Hearing at 7:03 p.m. for the consideration of proposed Ordinance #19-311-ZS – Car Stacking and Drive-Thru Banks and Sidewalk Bollard Installation. Notes of testimony were taken by Court Reporter Tim Kurek. Solicitor Frank R. Bartle introduced the advertisement and exhibits into the record. Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe stated that the ordinance proposed amendments to the Township Zoning Code by adding Article XIX, [Required Parking] adding Sub-section 230-134(F) relating to automobile stacking for Drive-in/drive-through banking facilities by reducing the number of waiting spaces from 8 to 4, and Article III [Design Standards], Section 205-17(7) relating to placement of bollards where parking spaces abut and are perpendicular to paved walkways. There being comments from the Board or audience, the hearing was closed at 7:08 p.m. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisors Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, approved Ordinance #19-311-ZS as outlined above.

            United States Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick presented retiring Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan with an American Flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol in honor of his years of service to government and community. Representative Fitzpatrick also stated that the recognition of his retirement has been placed in the Congressional Record, where it will reside in the National Archives as part of United States history.

              Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan presented the 2020 Preliminary Budget. Four public workshops were conducted by the Board and staff during the months of October and November. Mr. Gregan stated that the proposed Total Revenues for 2020 reflect a slight decrease from 2019. Property Tax Revenues consist of the real estate mileage remaining at 1.49 mills in 2020 with over 75 percent of residential property owners participating in the Homestead Exclusion (currently at $30,000) which was implemented in 2003. Total General Fund Expenditures for 2020 show a 1.3% increase over 2019. Upon adoption of a preliminary budget by the Board, a notice must be advertised stating that the proposed budget is available for public inspection at the Township Building. After the approved preliminary budget has been available for public inspection for twenty (20) days, the Board of Supervisors must adopt a final budget no later than December 31, 2019. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, adopted the 2020 Preliminary Budget for all funds and set Monday, December 16, 2019 after 7:00 p.m. in the Township Building as the date, time and place for the public meeting for consideration of adoption of the 2020 Final Budget and also authorized the advertisement of this public meeting.

              Director of Community and Recreation Center Floyd Shaffer and Autumn Festival Committee Chairman J.P. Northup recognized all of the workers, volunteers and organizations that made the 19th Annual Autumn Festival held on Saturday, October 12, 2019 a huge success. The following entities and sponsors provided support for the event: Autumn Festival Committee, Employees of Montgomery Township and their families, Environmental Advisory Committee, Park and Recreation Board, Montgomery Township Public Works Department, Senior Volunteer Committee, Volunteer Medical Service Corps of Lansdale (VMSC), Fire Department of Montgomery Township Volunteers, Montgomery Township Police Department, Montgomery Township Fire Department, North Penn High School Junior ROTC, North Penn High School Key Club, Montgomery County Public Library – Bookmobile, Keystone Fellowship Church, Penn Manufacturing Industries (PMI), FirstGroup Transportation, Girl Scouts of America, The 12th Knight Football Program, Wegmans, Herr’s Snacks and Lindinger’s Deli. The Community Sponsors were as follows: Harvest Sponsors – The Goldenberg Group, Lightbridge Academy, FirstGroup Transportation and Wegmans; Pumpkin Sponsors – Delaware Valley Dance Academy, PECO; Scarecrow Sponsors – Bharatiya Temple, Boucher & James, Inc., Gilmore & Associates, Fulton Bank, Landscape Designs, Inc./The Tulio Group, Patient First, Traffic Planning & Design, Inc., Univest Financial and Volpe Enterprises; and Fall Foliage Sponsors – Ambrose Rigging, Montgomery Township Professional Firefighters, Syrena Collision Center and TRG Mid-Atlantic Packaging. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, acknowledged the volunteers and workers for their diligent contributions toward the success of Autumn Festival held on October 12, 2019.

             Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell announced that bids were opened on November 7, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. for the collection of Trash and Recyclable Materials from Township Facilities. The Township received five bids and staff is recommending the bid be awarded to Waste Management at a cost of $55,072.08 for the three-year period of January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2022. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, awarded the bid for Township Facility Trash and Recyclable Material Collection and Disposal to Waste Management at a cost of $55,072.08.

             Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the Township received a request from the Montgomery Township Municipal Sewer Authority (MTMSA) requesting a waiver for an electrical permit for the replacement of the Gwynedd Lea pump station emergency generator. The fee would be $1,189.50 based on the value of the work to be done. In the past, it has been the policy of the Board of Supervisors to waive permit fees for permitted work done by the MTMSA. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the request of the MTMSA to waive the electrical permit fee.

             Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that the Township is requesting authorization to submit applications to PennDOT for Traffic Signal Permit revisions at the intersection of Horsham Road and the 202 Parkway and at the intersection of Horsham Road and Upper State Road. The revisions are based on recommended changes suggested by PennDOT in response to concerns raised to PennDOT and the Township about vehicles not yielding to pedestrians crossing the highways. Resolution #6 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, authorized the submission of applications to PennDOT for revisions to Traffic Signal Permits for Horsham Road and the 202 Parkway and Horsham Road and Upper State Road.

             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 7:48 p.m.