MINUTES OF MEETING
MONTGOMERY TOWNSHIP BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
JANUARY 27, 2020
At 6:00 p.m., Chairman Tanya C. Bamford called to order the Executive Session at the Montgomery Township Municipal Building, 1001 Stump Road, Montgomeryville PA. In attendance were Vice Chairman Matthew W. Quigg and Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Annette M. Long and Beth A. Staab. Also in attendance was Township Manager Carolyn McCreary and Township Solicitor Robert J. Iannozzi, Esquire.
At 7:00 p.m., Chairman Tanya C. Bamford called to order the Action meeting at the Montgomery Township Municipal Building, 1001 Stump Road, Montgomeryville PA. In attendance were Vice Chairman Matthew W. Quigg and Supervisors Candyce Fluehr Chimera, Annette M. Long and Beth A. Staab. Also in attendance was Township Manager Carolyn McCreary, Township Solicitor Robert J. Iannozzi, Esquire, Police Chief Scott Bendig, Director of Finance Brian S. Shapiro, 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, Public Information Coordinator Kelsey Whalen, Recording Secretary Deborah A. Rivas and Director of Information Technology Richard Grier.
Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Tanya C. Bamford 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 a matter of potential litigation and four personnel matters. Mr. Iannozzi stated that these matters are all legitimate subjects of executive session pursuant to Pennsylvania’s Sunshine Law.
Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera made a motion to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2020 Board of Supervisors meeting and Vice Chairman Matthew W. Quigg seconded the motion. The minutes of the meeting were unanimously approved as submitted.
Township Manager Carolyn McCreary stated that after interviewing multiple candidates and in-depth background/reference examinations, Montgomery Township is pleased to announce that Brian Shapiro is recommended for consideration for appointment as Director of Finance-Treasurer for the Township effective January 27, 2020. Mr. Shapiro comes to the Township most recently from Chalfont Borough where he worked as the Borough Manager. Mr. Shapiro has over 18 years of municipal government experience, including ten years of experience working as a Finance Director in Middletown Township, Lansdale Borough, and Northampton Township. Resolution #20-20 made by Vice Chairman Matthew W. Quigg, seconded by Supervisor Annette M. Long and adopted unanimously, appointed Brian Shapiro to the position of Director of Finance-Treasurer, effective January 27, 2020.
Chief of Police J. Scott Bendig presented Township Police Dispatcher Adrianna Ciliberto to be recognized for her promotion to the position of Communications Specialist Supervisor, effective January 6, 2020. Adrianna began her employment with the Township as a police communications specialist on June 22, 2015. She is a graduate of Temple University, earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology. Adrianna is currently pursuing her Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the University of Cincinnati. Resolution #20-21 made by Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, acknowledged the promotion of Adrianna Ciliberto to the position of Communications Specialist Supervisor.
Chief J. Scott Bendig introduced new employee Dominick Ioele to Montgomery Township as a police communications specialist. Dominick began his employment on January 6, 2020 and comes to the Township with an emergency services background. Mr. Ioele most recently served as a public safety communicator with both the Abington and Cheltenhem Township Police Departments. Dominick is a 2015 graduate of Rutgers University, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. Resolution #20-22 made by Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, welcomed new Police Department employee, Dominick Ioele.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that staff is requesting the Board’s authorization to advertise and solicit for bids for the 2020 Curb and Sidewalk Project. Annually, the Township performs repairs / replacement of certain curbing and sidewalks throughout the Township in anticipation of the future resurfacing of the streets. The bid specifications have been prepared by Township Engineer, Gilmore & Associates, and reviewed by staff. Resolution #20-23, made by Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Vice Chairman Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement for bids for the 2020 Curb and Sidewalk Project. The bids are to be received on or before February 13, 2020 at 10:15 a.m.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that staff is requesting the Board’s authorization to advertise and solicit for bids for the 2020 Annual In-Place Road Paving Contract. As part of the 16-Year Road Plan, staff and consultants have identified Township roads that will require resurfacing as part of the road improvement program. The work includes a surface mill, leveling course, an inch and a half overlay and all the associated preparation work. The bid specifications have been prepared by Township Engineer, Gilmore & Associates, and reviewed by staff. Resolution #20-24, made by Vice Chairman Matthew W. Quigg, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement for bids for the 2020 Annual Road Paving In-Place Contract. The bids are to be received on or before February 13, 2020 at 10:00 a.m.
Director of Public Works Kevin Costello reported that staff is requesting the Board’s authorization to advertise and solicit for bids for the Windlestrae Park Rose Twig Street Hockey Court Reconstruction Project. The project will include an application of a one-inch layer of stone dust over the entire court, followed up by a two-inch asphalt base course and an inch and a half of asphalt wearing course. Once the paving is finished, the courts will be sealed and re-stripped. Resolution #20-24 made by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Annette M. Long and adopted unanimously, authorized the advertisement for bids for the Windlestrae Park Rose Twig Street Hockey Court Reconstruction Project to be received on or before February 13, 2020 at 10:30 a.m.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported that a request has been received for a construction escrow release for the Meadows at Parkview, LDS#679 and has been reviewed and recommended by the Township Engineer. Resolution #20-26 made by Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, authorized the construction escrow release in the amount of $268,555.00.
Director of Planning and Zoning Bruce Shoupe reported on a request to modify the conditions of approval for a minor subdivision and lot consolidation for the Detwiler property at 911 Lansdale Avenue. The original plan was conditionally approved in 1991. The entrance to the property is off Lansdale Avenue, which is a State Highway. In accordance with the resolution, the frontage along Lansdale Avenue was to be widened with curbing, sidewalk installed and the area between the legal and ultimate Right-of-Way was to be dedicated to the Township or PennDOT. Upon the submission of a low volume residential driveway application to PennDOT, the applicant was advised that this was not a requirement of PennDOT and they do not recommend this work being performed. In addition, the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC) vests an applicant for 5 years from any changes of the Township Code. Since this time, the Township’s Zoning and Subdivision codes have changed, especially in the areas of landscaping and storm water management. Jason Smeland of Lenape Valley Engineering, representing the applicant, stated that there is a concern regarding the requirement of the 15 foot wide driveway as being too wide. After considerable discussion regarding safety and access to the property, it was agreed that 12 feet would be acceptable. Mr. Smeland questioned the landscaping requirements in the proposed resolution and the Board discussed postponing any action on the resolution pending further discussions. Realtor Victoria Camuso, representing the Luciano family, addressed the Board and explained the current owner’s health situation, which requires the sale of the home to assist in Mr. Luciano’s care. Mr. Smeland stated that the buyers of the property were willing to accept the landscaping requirements of the proposed resolution. The Board was agreeable to the change to the 12 foot width requirement for the driveway and all other requirements of the resolution remained. Resolution #20-27 made by Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the modifications of the Conditions of Approval for the Detwiler Minor Subdivision and Lot Consolidation, 911 Lansdale Avenue – LDS #435.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that the Board must appoint a new representative and alternate representative to the Management Committee for the Wissahickon Clean Water Partnership. Resolution #20-28 made by Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Supervisor Beth A. Staab and adopted unanimously, approved the appointment of Carolyn McCreary, Township Manager as the representative and Stacy Crandell as the alternate to serve on the Wissahickon Clean Water Partnership Management Committee.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that in 2016 the Wissahickon Clean Water Partnership was established to develop an alternative to the proposed EPA Total Phosphorus TMDL, which is believed to include requirements that are unachievable. Over the last three years, the Wissahickon Clean Water Partnership has used funds to retain a technical consultant to coordinate on data collection, data analysis and regulatory issues, and legal counsel to assist in navigating the process with regulatory agencies (EPA and PA DEP). It is in the Township’s best interest to continue to participate in the Wissahickon Clean Water Partnership with an extension to the Inter-Governmental Agreement. Resolution #20-29 made by Vice Chairman Matthew W. Quigg, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, adopted the resolution approving an extension of two years to participate in the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement – Wissahickon Clean Water Partnership Alternative TMDL.
Assistant to the Township Manager Stacy Crandell reported that the Board previously awarded the bid for the Township Facility Trash and Recycling Material Collection to Waste Management at a cost of $55,072.08 for the three year period ending December 31, 2022. During the delivery of containers, it was noticed that the container for the Community and Recreation Center should have been a smaller size. Waste Management was able to swap out the containers and the cost of the contract was adjusted, requiring an addendum to the original agreement. Resolution #20-30 made by Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Supervisor Annette M. Long and adopted unanimously, approved the execution of the Addendum to the Township Facility Trash and Recycling Material Collection and Disposal Contract.
Township Manager Carolyn McCreary reported that the members of the Open Space Committee had not been re-appointed at the last Board meeting. Resolution #20-31 made by Supervisor Annette M. Long, seconded by Vice Chairman Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, reappointed Jay Glickman, Mary Beth Meehan, Laurence Poli and Roy Rodriguez to the Open Space Committee for a one year term ending January 1, 2021.
Township Manager Carolyn McCreary reported that the Township continues to complete the public improvements in the residential developments built by David Cutler including Montgomery Pointe, Montgomery Walk, Montgomery Knoll and Montgomery Preserve. The Township’s involvement results from the developer’s bankruptcy and subsequent claims made by the Township through its Solicitor on the letters of credit and performance bonds for the projects. The Township’s Landscape Architect, Boucher and James, has prepared an estimate of professional services to provide landscape planning, bid documents, bid management and construction management for the Montgomery Preserve development. Resolution #20-32 made by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Vice Chairman Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, approved the contract for professional landscape services to Boucher and James in the amount of $10,756.00.
Township Manager Carolyn McCreary reported that as part of the PennDOT Five Points intersection improvement project, the Township is required to install five (5) new and five (5) replacement street lights on existing/relocated poles located on Doylestown Road, Bethlehem Pike and Horsham/Cowpath Road. One of the proposed locations for a new street light is on relocated Verizon pole #VZ-67 at the intersection of Horsham Road and Bethlehem Pike. In order to obtain approval from Verizon, they are requiring the Township enter into an Agreement that covers all Verizon poles in the Township. The agreement has been reviewed by the Township Solicitor. Resolution #20-33 made by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Chairman Tanya C. Bamford and adopted unanimously, authorized the execution of the Verizon Pole Attachment Agreement.
Township Manager Carolyn McCreary reported that with recent organizational changes, the Board of Supervisors must appoint a new Trustee to represent the Township for the Delaware Valley Property and Liability Insurance Trust. Resolution #20-34 made by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Vice Chairman Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, appointed Carolyn McCreary, Township Manager, as the Trustee representing Montgomery Township for the Property and Liability Trust.
Township Manager Carolyn McCreary, Township Manager, reported that with recent organizational changes, the Board must appoint a delegate and alternate delegate to the Montgomery County Earned Income Tax Collection Committee (TCC). Resolution #20-35 made by Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, appointed Carolyn McCreary, Township Manager, to serve as the delegate, and Brian S. Shapiro, Director of Finance, to serve as the alternate delegate on behalf of the Township on the Montgomery County Earned Income Tax Collection Committee (TCC).
Township Manager Carolyn McCreary reported that the Township has received statements of interest from residents wishing to serve on various Township Committees which currently have vacancies on them. Resolution #20-36 made by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Vice Chairman Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, appointed the following residents to volunteer committees and boards: Mary Griffith Alfarano to the Business Development Partnership for a one year term ending on January 1, 2021; Leon McGuire to the Community and Recreation Center Advisory Committee for a one year term on January 1, 2021; Michele Evans to the Community and Recreation Center Advisory Committee for a one year term ending on January 1, 2021; Maureen Mirabella to the Environmental Advisory Committee to fill a three year term ending on January 1, 2022; Ryan Rex to the Environmental Advisory Committee for a three year term ending on January 1, 2023;
Andrew Hatstat to the Finance Committee for a one year term ending on January 1, 2021; Mark Klemmer to the Finance Committee for a one year term ending on January 1, 2021; Scott Schultz to the Park and Recreation Board to fill a five year term ending on January 1, 2024; Frank Davey to the Planning Commission to fill a four year term ending on January 1, 2023; Rutuke Patel to the Planning Commission to fill a four year term ending on January 1, 2020; Dan Gormley to the Public Safety Committee for a one year term ending on January 1, 2021; Manish Ingle to the Municipal Sewer Authority Board for a five year term ending on January 1, 2025; Michelle Evans to the Shade Tree Commission for a five year term ending on January 1, 2025; and Michael Lyon to the Zoning Hearing Board for a three year term ending on January 1, 2023.
Township Manager Carolyn McCreary reported that the Township is interested in obtaining Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) from engineering firms to serve as Traffic Engineer for Montgomery Township. Resolution #20-37 made by Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Vice Chairman Matthew W. Quigg and adopted unanimously, authorized the preparation and issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for traffic engineer.
Township Manager Carolyn McCreary reported that the Township is interested in obtaining Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) from legal firms to serve as Solicitor for Montgomery Township. Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera thanked Robert Iannozzi and Frank Bartle for their great counsel to the Township over the past 12 years. Resolution #20-38 made by Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Supervisor Annette M. Long and adopted unanimously, authorized the preparation and issuance of a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for Township Solicitor. Ms. McCreary reported that both RFQs will be available on the Township’s website.
Township Manager Carolyn McCreary reported that Supervisors Annette M. Long and Beth A. Staab would like to participate in the medical benefits and insurance plans offered to Montgomery Township Supervisors. Each supervisor has submitted a letter of intent to participate to the Township Manager prior to this meeting. Resolution #20-39 made by Vice Chairman Matthew W. Quigg, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted by a vote of 4 to 0, with Supervisors Long and Staab abstaining from their own participation vote.
Township Manager Carolyn McCreary reported that the Township must update the authorized signers on its various bank accounts as a result of the new Board members being sworn in and the hiring of a new Finance Director. Resolution #20-40 made by Chairman Tanya C. Bamford, seconded by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera and adopted unanimously, approved the resolution adding Annette M. Long, Beth A. Staab and Brian S. Shapiro to the Township accounts held at Univest Bank.
A motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Supervisor Candyce Fluehr Chimera, seconded by Supervisor Annette M. Long, and adopted unanimously, approving the payment of bills as submitted.
There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Deborah A. Rivas, Recording Secretary