MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
SEPTEMBER 23, 2019
At 6:00 p.m., acting Chairman Tanya C. Bamford called to order the Executive Session. In attendance were Supervisors Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Matthew W. Quigg. Chairman Michael J. Fox and Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera were absent. Also in attendance was Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan, Township Manager Designee Carolyn McCreary, and Township Solicitor Frank Bartle, Esquire.
Acting Chairman Tanya C. Bamford called the action meeting to order at 7:07 p.m. In attendance were Supervisors Jeffrey W. McDonnell and Matthew W. Quigg. Chairman Michael J. Fox and Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera were 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, 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, Acting Chairman Tanya C. Bamford 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 two matters of litigation, which are Zoning Hearing Board matters. These matters were Giorno Properties LLC – Fence City – 111 Domorah Drive and Ocean State Job Lot – 988 Bethlehem Pike. The Board also discussed a matter of potential real estate acquisition and a Business Tax Petition/Appeal matter in which the Board made a motion to authorize the Solicitor to take action on this item. Mr. Bartle stated that these matters are all legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg made a motion to approve the minutes of the September 9, 2019 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak announced the national observance of Fire Prevention Week 2019 will be held October 6th through October 12th. This year’s theme is “Not Every Hero Wears a Cape. Plan and Practice Your Escape!”. On Monday, October 7th, the Department will be hosting an open house at Wegmans Supermarket from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Members of the Department will be displaying the apparatus and distributing public education materials. In addition, during the month of October, the Department will be conducting fire drills, fire safety inspections and fire prevention talks at all schools, day care centers, health care facilities and hotels. Resolution #1 made by Acting Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, recognized October 6 through October 12, 2019 as Fire Prevention Week.
Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak reported that Battalion 1 Firehouse was newly renovated in October of 2008. The approved 2019 Budget for Building Maintenance includes a project for the painting of the interior of the building. A quote was obtained from General Painting of Pennsylvania, Inc. to paint the interior for a total cost of $10,591.00. Resolution #2 made by Supervisor Matthew W. Quiqq, seconded by Acting Chairman Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, authorized the award of the contract to General Painting of Pennsylvania, Inc. in the amount of $10,591.00.
Acting Chairman Tanya C. Bamford opened the Public Hearing at 7:12 p.m. for a Liquor License Transfer, #LL-19-06 – Assi Market at 1222 Welsh Road. Notes of testimony were taken by Court Reporter Paula Meszaro. Township Solicitor Frank R. Bartle, Esquire reported that this was a liquor license transfer hearing for the Assi Market and read the Township’s exhibits and legal notice into the record. Attorney John J. McCreesh, III, Esquire of McCreesh, McCreesh, McCreesh & Cannon presented testimony on behalf of the Assi Market for the liquor license transfer. There being no public comment on the matter, the hearing closed at 7:25 p.m. Resolution #3 made by Acting Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, approved the Liquor License Transfer for the Assi Market.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that Globus Medical approached the Township about the possibility of a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) if the company were to purchase the former Harriet Carter property located at 425 Stump Road. The LERTA enables local entities (local government, county and school districts) to abate taxes for up to 10 years on the value of improvements to business property that is vacant or an underutilized site. Ms. Crandell introduced Matt Renner, Senior Director and Rob Miller, Corporate Controller of Globus Medical, headquartered in Audubon, PA, who presented their business plan for the possible purchase and renovation of the property at 425 Stump Road for the expansion of their company. The company is a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of medical devices, primarily spine, but in recent years, they have added robotics, trauma, hips, and knees to their offerings. The company has a need to expand and has been looking in New Jersey, Berks County and locally. They are seeking some economic assistance for the improvements that they wish to make to the property. The Board thanked Mr. Renner and Mr. Miller for their presentation. The next step would be to check with the North Penn School District to see if they are interested in supporting this proposal. The Township would be required to enact an ordinance to approve a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) once the parties agree to move forward.
Director of Community and Recreation Center Floyd Shaffer reported that the Township is ready for the annual Autumn Festival that will be held on Saturday, October 12, 2019. Derek Muller, Recreation Program Supervisor and J.P. Northrup, Chair of the Township Autumn Festival Committee, presented an overview of the activities and timeline relative to the upcoming community special event scheduled for Saturday, October 12, 2019. Autumn Festival 2019 will be held from noon to 5:00 p.m. at the William F. Maule Park at Windlestrae. The event will have in excess of 70 vendors that represent various crafters, artists, businesses, services and community organizations. Several highlights of the daylong occasion include; amusement rides, pony rides, hay rides, petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, scarecrow making, K-9 demonstrations and a helicopter landing. Wristbands will be on sale and include unlimited amusement rides, one pumpkin to decorate and a scarecrow making session. Parking will be located at the Rose Twig section of Windlestrae Park and additional parking will be available offsite at the satellite parking lots, which include Keystone Fellowship Church at 427 Stump Road and Penn Manufacturing Industries at 506 Stump Road. Shuttles will be provided for attendees to transport them from the event to their vehicles. In the event of inclement weather, a modified Autumn Festival will be held at the community center from noon to 5:00 p.m.
Director of Community Center and Recreation Floyd Shaffer reported that it has been the annual practice of the Board of Supervisors to assist in the financial underwriting of the Autumn Festival event by transferring budgeted monies from the General Fund to the Autumn Festival Fund. Resolution #4 made by Acting Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, authorized the transfer of $7,000 from the General fund to the Autumn Festival fund for the 2019 community event.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) has assembled a multiphase Regional Streetlight Procurement Program (RSLPP) in order to assist municipalities to design, procure, and finance the transition of their street lighting systems to LED Technology. Ms. Crandell reported that the first phase of this program was a Feasibility Study prepared by Keystone Lighting Solutions (KLS), which identified potential savings from participating in the Street LED Light Upgrade. The second phase of the process was the Project Development, which involved the preparation of a detailed investment grade audit and design and analysis of potential lighting solutions for a review with the Board of Supervisors. Based on the results of the study, Township Staff is recommending that the Board approve participation in the street light upgrade program to convert all of the existing Township street lights to LED technology, including the 256 Cobra head fixtures ($35,679) located on various local, collector and major roadways throughout the Township and the Township’s 1,501 4-Sided Colonial style fixtures ($566,200) located in residential neighborhoods. Staff does not recommend financing the purchase through the DVRPC financing option due to the availability of using reserve funds and avoiding unnecessary interest expense. Resolution #5 made by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell and adopted unanimously, authorized the contract with Keystone Lighting Solutions for Phase 3 – Project Management and Phase 4 – Post Construction Operations and Maintenance Services for the DVRPC Regional Streetlight Procurement Program.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe requested approval to award the bid for Phase 8 of the Ash Tree Forestry Management Program to Jimmy’s Tree & Landscaping in the amount of $22,870. Phase 8 includes the felling of an estimated 204 +/- trees. Resolution #6 made by Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, authorized the award of the bid for Phase 8 of the Ash Tree Forestry Management Program to Jimmy’s Tree & Landscaping in the amount of $22,870.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that amendments have been proposed to the Township Zoning Code to reduce the number of required automobile waiting spaces for drive-in/drive-through banking facilities and the placement of bollards where parking spaces are perpendicular to paved walkways. A proposed ordinance (#19-311-ZS) has been drafted and is ready for the Board’s consideration. Resolution #7 made by Acting Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell and adopted unanimously, set Monday, October 28, 2019 after 7:00 p.m. in the Township Building as the date, time and place for a Public Hearing to consider Ordinance #19-311-ZS.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that Montgomery Township is a member municipality in three Delaware Valley Insurance Trusts, Property and Liability, Health and Workers Compensation. Each Trust is governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of a representative from each member municipality. The governing body of each municipal member selects an appointed or elected official to serve as a Trustee on the Board of Trustees. Each municipality receives one vote on the Board; voting is not weighted. With the Township’s current organizational changes, it is recommended that the Board appoint the following Township representatives to the three insurance trusts: Property and Liability Trust – Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan, Health Trust – Township Manager Designee Carolyn McCreary and Workers Compensation Trust – Director of Administration and Human Resources Ann Shade. Resolution #8 made by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg, seconded by Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell and adopted unanimously, approved the appointments as discussed.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that Act 32 § 505 (b) requires the governing bodies of school districts, townships, boroughs and cities that impose an earned income tax appoint one primary voting delegate and one or more alternate delegates to be their Tax Collection Committee (TCC) representatives. With the resignation of former Finance Director Ami Tarburton and the appointment of Carolyn McCreary as the Township Manager Designee, the Board needs to adopt a resolution to appoint a new Alternate Delegate. Resolution #9 made by Acting Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, appointed Township Manager Designee Carolyn McCreary to serve as the alternate delegate on behalf of the Township on the Montgomery County Earned Income Tax Collection Committee (TCC).
A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Supervisor Jeffrey W. McDonnell, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg, and adopted unanimously, approving the payment of bills as submitted.
Under other business, Township Solicitor Frank R. Bartle, Esquire, presented a resolution to the Board of Supervisors authorizing the taking of 131 Gwynmont Drive pursuant to the Township’s powers of eminent domain or to enter into an agreement of sale for the purchase of this property in lieu of such taking. The purpose of this resolution is to make the purchase of this property in lieu of condemnation, in which the agreement of sale includes remedial measures that the seller will be responsible for completing. Acting Chairman Tanya C. Bamford asked for a motion on the resolution and Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg made a motion, Acting Chairman Tanya C. Bamford seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.