MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OCTOBER 15, 2019
At 6:00 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 Robert J. Iannozzi, Esquire.
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 Robert J. Iannozzi, Esquire, Township Manager Lawrence Gregan, Township Manager Designee Carolyn McCreary, Police Chief Scott Bendig, 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 Robert J. Iannozzi, Esquire announced that the Board had met in an executive session prior to this meeting at 6:00 p.m. The Board discussed three matters of potential litigation, and one litigation matter. Mr. Iannozzi 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 September 23, 2019 Board of Supervisors meeting, and Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan announced that the 2019 Budget requires additional time for preparation, therefore, the budget work session presentations are being shifted to start later than originally planned and will use the alternative date of November 6, 2019, as originally proposed. The budget work session dates are now Tuesday, October 22, 2019, Tuesday, October 29, 2019, Monday, November 4, 2019 and Wednesday, November 6, 2019.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan announced that Director of Fire Services Richard Lesniak tendered his resignation effective Friday, October 11, 2019. Rick was appointed to his position on July 25, 2011 and has been an integral part of the management team of the Township for the past 8 years. Rick will be pursuing a career as Emergency Management Coordinator/Fire Marshal for Lansdale Borough. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the resignation of Richard Lesniak from his position as Director of Fire Services/Fire Marshal/Emergency Management Coordinator and thanked him for his service during his employment at Montgomery Township. Chairman Fox stated that he appreciated all that Rick Lesniak did for the Township and wished him the best in his new position.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that the annual allocation by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania of a share of the Foreign Fire Insurance Tax has been received in the amount of $222,613.94. These funds are a result of taxes paid by foreign fire insurance companies to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in accordance with Act 205 of 1984. These funds are allocated by the state to support the Volunteer Fire Relief Association of the volunteer fire company that serves the Township. Act 205 requires that the Township forward the proceeds to the FDMT Fire Relief Association within 60 days. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, officially presented the check in the amount of $222,613.94 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to the FDMT Fire Relief Association.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that the annual General Municipal Pension System State Aid allocation for 2019 has been received in the amount of $634,941.88. This is an increase of 9% from the 2018 State Aid allocation. The State requires that the Board of Supervisors adopt a resolution approving the allocation of the State Aid to the pension systems for its employees. Based on the 2019 Minimum Municipal (MMO) Obligations to the Police and Non-Uniformed Pension Plans, and based on the AG-385 State certifications, it is recommended that the 2019 Act 205 General Municipal Pension System State Aid be allocated as follows: Police Pension Plan – 56% ($355,567.45), Non-Uniformed Pension Plan – 44% ($279,374.43). Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, accepted the recommendation to allocate the 2019 Act 205 General Municipal Pension System State Aid to the plans as discussed.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that an application for a Preliminary/Final Land Development Plan, LDS #702W, was received from the North Wales Water Authority for a vacant parcel behind Airport Square Shopping Center where North Wales Water Authority proposes to construct a new 180 foot elevated “Hydropillar” water storage tank. This proposed tank was subject to a settlement agreement for the development of this vacant 22+ acre parcel. The tank will be situated on a 1 acre permanent easement for the construction of the proposed tank and accompanied access driveway and stormwater facilities. The proposed tank is needed so that the existing elevate tank at the Water Tower Square Shopping Center can be taken out of service for rehabilitation in the future. Township staff and consultants have reviewed this plan for compliance with Township Codes. A final resolution was previously distributed to the Board of Supervisors, the applicant and their attorney, Barbara Merlie, Esquire. Ms. Merlie acknowledged receipt of the 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 Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, approved the Preliminary/Final Subdivision Plan for LDS #702W, North Wales Water Authority – General Hancock Tank at Airport Square.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that the Township was recently notified that the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) through the Commonwealth Financing Authority (CFA) have awarded the Township $70,000 from their Greenways, Trails and Recreation Program for the construction of Friendship Park, located along Enclave Boulevard between Hartman Road and Bethlehem Pike (Route 309). The grant requires a 15% local match of the total project cost. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the execution of the grant agreement from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to receive funding from the Greenways, Trail and Recreation Program for the Friendship Park Project.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that in 2014, the Township awarded a bid for Township Facility Trash and Recyclable Material Collection and Disposal to Republic Services for a contract ending December 2016. Since the end of the contract, the Township has continued to receive services from Republic with no current agreement and the costs have been on the rise. Staff proposes to solicit bids for the required collections with alternative bids for a one, two or three year contract. The bids are scheduled to be opened on Thursday, November 7, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. Resolution #6 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, authorized the Township Manager to advertise for bids for Township Facility Trash and Recyclable Material Collection and Disposal.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that in compliance with DEP regulations, the Township contracts with Republic Services to provide curbside leaf and yard waste collection twice a year in the Fall and the Spring from residential properties in the Township. The Fall 2019 curbside leaf and yard waste collection is scheduled for Saturday, November 16, 2019. Residents must place the collected leaf and yard waste materials in biodegradable paper bags at the curb prior to 7:00 a.m. that day for collection.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that Montgomery Township utilizes the Pennsylvania Municipal League’s “Municipal Utility Alliance Program (MUA) through Constellation for its electricity service provider which allows for savings for Township building facilities and street lights. Staff researched the cost savings through this MUA program for natural gas service, which heats the Township Facilities. The MUA program procures electricity and natural gas rates through a publicly advertised, competitive bid process in which the Township may participate. Staff recommends that the Board enter into a 3-year agreement with Constellation to provide natural gas service for the Township natural gas accounts for the Township building, Public Works garage, Fire stations, and the Community and Recreation Center. Resolution #7 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, authorized the Township to execute a contract with Constellation for natural gas energy for a three-year contract at a maximum rate of up to $0.50/therms for the Township building accounts.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that the Township has participated in the Montgomery County Consortium Salt Contract that is administered by Upper Dublin Township. It has been the Township’s experience that the cost per ton through the Consortium Bid has been lower than administering our own bid and saves the cost of advertising. Resolution #8 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, approved the Township’s participation in the Montgomery County Salt Contract for the 2019-2020 purchase of rock salt from Morton Salt Inc. of Chicago, Illinois, at a price of $50.68 per ton delivered.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that the 2019 approved capital budget included funding for the replacement of eight HVAC units and a retrofit of four HVAC units in service at the Township Building with In-Line Dehumidification Systems. Staff is now proposing to move forward with the dehumidification retrofit work and defer the installation of the eight new units until 2020, which will give staff time to complete the design and bid specifications for a spring project. Resolution #9 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, authorized the contract for the retro fit of four Carrier HVAC units with the recommended dehumidification systems to Scatton Heating and Cooling for a total cost of $18,892.00 in accordance with their proposal dated August 15, 2019.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that each year funds are budgeted for performance of “extra” curb and sidewalk replacement work throughout the Township which is in addition to the work being performed on roads scheduled to be resurfaced the following year. The criteria for the “extra” work is based on the Public Works Department’s inspection to identify curbs and sidewalks that have the potential of trip hazards or have significant deterioration. The work is performed under the current contract with Drumheller, Inc. based on the unit prices submitted with their bid last February. Resolution #10 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the “extra” curb and sidewalk replacement work throughout the Township under the contract with Drumheller Inc. in accordance with the schedule at a cost of $46,176.00
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that the 2019 Capital Budget included funding to perform the design of construction plans and documents for storm pipe and structure replacements along Knapp Road between Sycamore Drive and Valleybrook Drive. The storm pipe and inlet structures in this section of the road have been identified by the Township Public Works Department as being deteriorated and in need of replacement. The budget proposes the design of the project and bidding in late 2019/early 2020, construction of the storm pipe and structure improvements in Spring 2020 with final milling and paving work completed as part of the 2020 annual resurfacing contract. A proposal has been submitted by the Township Engineer to perform this scope of work in two phases between 2019 and 2020 with the design in 2019 and construction management services in 2020. Resolution #11 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, approved the proposal from Gilmore & Associates dated September 11, 2019 to perform Tasks 1 – 4 for the design of construction plans and documents for the Knapp Road Storm Sewer Replacement (Sycamore Dr. to Valleybrook Dr.) Project at a not to exceed cost of $51,600.00.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan reported that the Montgomery Township Department of Fire Services (DFS) and the Fire Department of Montgomery Township (FDMT) are requesting the Board of Supervisor’s approval to submit applications through the Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner’s Office annual Volunteer Firefighter/Volunteer Ambulance Service Grant Program. Each grant application will be approximately $15,000.00. The DFS and FDMT intend to use this funding to purchase fire hose and personal protective equipment. Resolution #12 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, granted approval to the DFS and FDMT to submit applications to the PA Fire Commissioners Volunteer Firefighter / Ambulance Service Grant program for the purchase of fire hose and personal protective equipment.
Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan requested approval for Firefighter Robert Hedden to attend two out of state training courses. Firefighter Hedden currently holds three Pennsylvania Code Certifications and has submitted an application for renewal of those certifications for a new three year cycle and needs these courses for continuing education credits to maintain these certifications. Resolution#13 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, authorized Firefighter Hedden to attend the “2018 IMC Design and Plan Review” course to be held on November 13, 2019 and “IMC Combustion Air and Venting” course to be held on November 14, 2019 at The Inn at Lambertville Station, Lambertville, NJ.
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.
Under other business, Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford stated that the Autumn Festival on Saturday was a wonderful event and that everyone did a great job. Chairman Michael J. Fox stated that it was Chamber of Commerce kind of weather and thanked all the staff and volunteers for coming out and supporting the event.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:40 p.m.