MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
NOVEMBER 25, 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, 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.
Pennsylvania State Representative Todd Stephens presented retiring Township Manager Lawrence J. Gregan with a Citation from the PA House of Representatives honoring Mr. Gregan for his 42 years of public service and congratulating him on his retirement.
Chairman Michael J. Fox acknowledged a future Eagle Scout who was present at the meeting. Connor Poli introduced himself and stated that he was attending the meeting to earn a merit badge for Citizenship in the Community.
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 two matters of litigation, one personnel matter, one update on the Fire Union negotiations and one potential litigation matter. The litigation matters were Lear vs. Montgomery Township and Mirabella vs. Montgomery Township. 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 November 11, 2019 Board of Supervisors meeting and Vice Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that back on March 24, 2016, the Township was awarded funding through the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) Grant in the amount of $850,000 for the Power Line Trail Connection Phase 1 Project. This project was proposed to connect the Route 202 Parkway Trail to the Power Line Trail in Horsham Township. While investigating an issue involving a crossing of a sewer authority pipe, Traffic Planning and Design (TPD), the Township Traffic Engineer pointed out that the stream and floodplain crossing required by the project could also require FEMA approval due to the impact on the floodplain and wetlands. In August of 2019, TPD detailed four different options to cross the stream and floodplain trail. Of the four, there are really only two possible options. Both of these options will require FEMA coordination. This coordination will add significant costs and time to complete this project. These costs would not be included under the TAP Grant and the additional time will not allow the Township to meet the grant deadline of August 2020 to complete the project and receive the funding. The DVPRC, project manager for the grant, is recommending that the Township withdraw from the TAP Grant Funding Award rather than miss the deadline and lose the funding. The Township can reapply for the grant once the project is ready to move forward. Ms. Crandell asked the Board for their preference. Chairman Fox opined that its unfortunate, but it is a reality, and as such, the Township should probably withdraw from the grant. As State Representative Todd Stephens was present, Chairman Fox asked him for his thoughts. Rep. Stephens requested a meeting with Township staff to fully understand the scope of the issue and see if he is able to help in anyway. Chairman Fox asked if the Board could postpone its decision on the matter. Ms. Crandell indicated that the letter requesting the Township’s decision is expected in January 2020, so there is time to review the options. The Board unanimously agreed to table the matter until a future meeting.
Director of Community and Recreation Center, Floyd Shaffer presented the proposed programs for Winter 2020 at the Montgomery Township Community and Recreation Center. The schedule is valid from January 2, 2020 through April 5, 2020 and will be advertised through all of the Township various communication channels. Resolution #1 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, approved the 2020 Winter Programs and Fee Schedule amendment as submitted.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that there is a pipe failure in the backyard of the property at 208 Durham Way in the Heather Knoll Development, which has become a safety issue. Township Engineer, Gilmore Associates, evaluated the pipe for potential replacement or re-lining. It was agreed that re-lining would be the best option for this situation due to the amount of landscaping that would need to be removed. Resolution #2 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the proposal provided by Trenchless Today LLC in the amount of $13,898.37 to re-line the storm sewer pipe located behind the property at 208 Durham Way.
Township Manager Designee Carolyn McCreary reported that Harbor International Institutional is one of the investment advisors for the police pension plan. They were approved in 2007. Specifically, they manage the international funds for the police pension plan. At this time, Tom Schatzman with Morgan Stanley-Graystone Consulting is recommending a change, primarily due to a sub-manager change at Harbor. The international fund has been underperforming its benchmark by about 2%. The Pension Committee is recommending to the Board of Supervisors that they consider replacing Harbor International fund with the Vanguard Developed Markets (VDM) Fund. Resolution #3 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, approved Morgan Stanley-Graystone Consulting to proceed with the recommendation to replace Harbor International Equity Fund with the Vanguard Developed Markets Fund in the Montgomery Township Police Pension Plan.
Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig reported that on May 13, 2019, the Board of Supervisors authorized the sale of two 2014 Dodge Charger police patrol vehicles through the online auction company Municibid. The bids closed on November 21, 2019. Resolution #4 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, authorized the sale of a 2014 Dodge Charger to John Rodgers of Southampton PA in the amount of $5,300.00 and the sale of a 2014 Dodge Charger to H. Perez of St. Cloud, Florida in the amount of $6,700.00 in accordance with the terms and agreement through the online auction company Municibid.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that the Shade Tree Commission, on behalf of the Township, would like to submit a grant application to the PECO Green Region Open Space Program Bonus Opportunity for the installation of trees to create a shaded area around the future tot lot in Friendship Park. The maximum award is $10,000 per County and matching funds are not required. Resolution #5 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox and seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the submission of a grant application to the PECO Green Region Open Space Program for the Friendship Park trail.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe stated that the applications for the Tree City Recognition and the Growth Award sponsored by Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters were ready to be submitted. Mr. Shoupe stated that the Township has received the Tree City recognition for the last twenty-two years and has received the Growth Award for eighteen of those years. Resolution #6 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg, and adopted unanimously, approved the applications for Montgomery Township to receive the 2019 Tree City USA Recertification and 2019 Growth Award.
Resolution #7 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, authorized the construction escrow release in the amount of $54,040.05 and the start of the maintenance period as recommended by the Township Engineer for WB Commons LP.
Resolution #8 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Vice-Chairman Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the construction escrow release in the amount of $136,800.00, as recommended by the Township Engineer for Higher Rock Partners LP.
Resolution #9 made by Chairman Michael J. Fox, seconded by Supervisor Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, authorized the construction escrow release in the amount of $315,305.00, as recommended by the Township Engineer for Meadows at Parkview.
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 7:36 p.m.