MINUTES OF MEETING

MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

AUGUST 12, 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 Tanya C. Bamford, Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Matthew W. Quigg.  Also in attendance was Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan, Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire, Director of Administration and HR Ann M. Shade, Director of Finance Ami Tarburton and Carolyn McCreary. 

            Chairman Michael J. Fox called the action meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.  In attendance were Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and Supervisors Tanya C. Bamford, Jeffrey W. McDonnell 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 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, Director of Information Technology Richard Grier and Public Information Coordinator Kelsey Whalen.   

            Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Michael J. Fox called for public comment from the audience. 

            Annette Long of 101 Glasgow Circle thanked the Police Chief and Police Department for hosting National Night Out. Ms. Long stated that it was an excellent community event. The event was well organized and everyone felt safe there.

            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 several matters.  The Board discussed a labor matter involving the fire union negotiations. The Board also discussed three personnel matters as well as a potential matter of litigation that is the ongoing Cutler matter. 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 July 22, 2019 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Tanya Bamford seconded the motion.  The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.

            Chairman Michael J. Fox reported that following a rigorous four-month recruitment and evaluation process, the Board of Supervisors will consider the appointment of the Township Manager Designee to take over the Township Manager position upon the retirement of current Manager Lawrence J. Gregan at the end of this year. Chairman Fox introduced Carolyn McCreary as the proposed Township Manager Designee. Mrs. McCreary introduced herself and stated that she has been Plumstead Township’s Manager for the past 11 years, and a prior to that she was the Finance Director in Lansdale Borough for nine years. Mrs. McCreary reported that she received her undergraduate degree from Gwynedd Mercy College in accounting and received her Masters of Public Administration at Villanova University. Chairman Fox asked for a roll call vote from the Board. Supervisors Matthew W. Quigg, Tanya C. Bamford, Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Chairman Michael J. Fox individually responded with “aye” as their vote for the appointment of Carolyn McCreary as the Township Manager Designee. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously by roll call vote, appointed Carolyn McCreary to the position of Township Manager Designee for Montgomery Township effective September 16, 2019.

            Director of Finance Ami Tarburton reported that Montgomery Township wishes to acknowledge the services of Vickie Zidek who has tendered her resignation as an Accountant effective Monday, August 19, 2019. Vickie was hired as a Staff Accountant on February 5, 2007 and has been an integral part of the Finance Department for the past twelve years. Vickie has taken a Controller position with a local warehousing company. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the resignation of Vickie Zidek from her position as Accountant with Montgomery Township and take this opportunity to thank her for her service during her employment at Montgomery Township.

            Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell announced an annual donation of $1,500 was being made to the North Wales Library.  Ms. Crandell introduced Jayne Blackledge who accepted the donation.  Ms. Blackledge updated the Board and residents on the current programs offered at the North Wales Library and expressed her gratitude for the Board’s generous donation.

            Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell announced an annual donation of $1,500 was being made to the Visiting Nurse Community Services. Ms. Crandell introduced Richard Cirko who accepted the donation. Mr. Cirko expressed his gratitude for the Board’s generous donation and gave examples of how this donation would be used to help provide many services to citizens in the Township and surrounding areas.  

            Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that in 2015 the Board of Supervisors was approached by members of the Korean Community led by Master Bon Pil Yang, regarding planning a location for a Korean War Memorial to honor and recognize the cooperation and sacrifices of the American and Korean Armed Forces during the war. The Board agreed that an appropriate location for the memorial would be the Township’s Memorial Grove Park which is located on Kenas Road. Over the past several years, the Korean War Memorial Peace Park Committee has been hard at work securing funding for the memorial, and have secured private donations, grant funding and funding from the Korean Government towards constructing a memorial. Permission for construction of the memorial will be subject to the execution of a license and security agreement to govern the terms and use of the portion of the park, as well as installing and maintaining a memorial and cultural exchange monument there. Kate Harper, Esquire, a member of the committee, thanked the Board and reported that the committee has been meeting at the Township for years trying to get the money and plans together. The license agreement will show that we all agree to build and maintain the memorial. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, authorized the execution of the License and Security Agreement with the Korean War Memorial American-Korean Alliance Peace Park Inc. for the purposes of installing and maintaining a memorial and cultural exchange monument at Memorial Grove Park.

            Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan and Township Engineer James Dougherty provided an update on the status of the MS4 Stormwater Program, including: a background on the MS4 PAG13 permit program; general permit requirements; sediment TMDL requirements; Township pollutant reduction strategy; new individual permit requirement in 2013; requirement for pollution reduction plans (PRP’s); minimum reduction requirements; Wissahickon Total Phosphorus TMDL; Wissahickon Partnership; projected costs and developing a financial strategy. In addition, he advised that there is a need for additional professional engineering services in order to respond to DEP’s August 2018 Permit TMDL Review Comment as outlined in the Township Engineer’s proposal dated May 29, 2019. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, accepted the proposal from Gilmore and Associates, Inc., dated May 29, 2019 for Professional Services to prepare the Township’s response to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Pollutant Reduction Plan and TMDL Plan Review Comments Letter at a cost not to exceed $44,000.

            Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that Montgomery County has established a new grant program called the County Transportation Program which uses the revenues from the $5 county vehicle registration fee to expand the reach of the transportation investment. There is approximately $1 million in funding available this year. Township staff is recommending that we apply for grant funding for improvements to the intersection of North Wales Road and Harbob Lane. This portion of North Wales Road is maintained by Montgomery County. This project will implement the pedestrian signal and crossing improvements, and update the emergency vehicle preemption system to enhance emergency response time and safety. The project would also upgrade the control assembly to provide improved compatibility and connectivity with the adjacent signalized corridor of Route 309 that runs through the Township. The total project cost will be $155,000; the breakdown includes the design, inspection and construction. The Township is requesting $124,000 for the grant and will provide a local match in the amount of $31,000. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the submission of the grant to the County Transportation Program for the North Wales Road and Harbob Lane intersection improvements.

            Director of Recreation and Community Center Floyd Shaffer reported on the successful completion of the 2019 Kids University Program, summarizing the various programs and activities offered with this eight week summer camp program. He also reviewed the schedule of the proposed 2019 Fall Recreation Programs and Fees that will be valid from mid-September through November 2019. Resolution #6 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, approved the 2019 Fall Programs and Fee Schedule as submitted.

            Resolution #7 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement for bids for the Ash Tree Forestry Management Program Phase VII.

            Resolution #8 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement for bids for the Ash Tree Forestry Management Program Phase VIII.

A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford, and adopted unanimously, approving the payment of bills as submitted.

            There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.