Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, April 14 2009
SUPERVISORS PRESENT: Edward J. Brandt, Chairman Chip Behr, Vice-Chairman George T. Hayeck Dr. J. Richard Booth Kathleen Hunsicker STAFF: Larry M. Comunale, Township Manager Craig McAnally, Assistant Township Manager Carole Culbreth, Assistant Secretary Jim Garrity, Esq., Township Solicitor David W. Connell, Township Engineer Joseph Zadlo, Zoning Officer Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance The Chairman called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m. in the Lower Gwynedd Township Municipal Building and led those in attendance in the pledge of allegiance. Receipt of Meeting Minutes: March 10, 2009 March 24, 2009 The Board of Supervisors received the minutes of the March 10, 2009 Workshop Meeting and the March 24, 2009 Regular Meeting. The Chairman asked if there were any questions. There were none. The Chairman announced that the above matter would be tabled until the next regular meeting of April 28, 2009. Receipt of Invoice History by General Ledger Account for March, 2009 The Board of Supervisors received the Invoice History by General Ledger Account for March, 2009. The Chairman asked if there were any questions. He asked why the three separate checks to Verizon were not consolidated into one. The Chairman and Mr. Behr questioned why the $705,000 for the Siman property posted twice. Mr. Comunale explained that the one posting was a transfer from the Open Space Fund to Capital Reserve. There were no other questions. The Chairman announced that the above item would be tabled until the next Regular Meeting on April 28, 2009. Receipt of the Year-to-Date Budget Report for February, 2009 The Board of Supervisors received the Year-to-Date Budget Report for February, 2009. The Chairman asked if there were any questions. He had questions on items on page 18, lighting; page 26, recreation conferences; page 32, public works, office supplies; and page 52, snow and ice removal, supplies. He asked the Township Manager to get back to the Board on these items. There were no other questions. The Chairman announced that the above item would be tabled until the next Regular Meeting on April 28, 2009. PUBLIC COMMENTS The Chairman asked for public comment for items not on the agenda. Chris Schneider, Schneider’s Plumbing & Heating, Inc., stated that allowing homeowners to install their own garbage disposals and minor plumbing repairs is a mistake. He gave many examples of health, sanitation and safety issues to validate his point. The Chairman thanked Mr. Schneider for his comments. Mr. Zadlo concurs with Mr. Schneider. Mr. Grey, 331 Arbor Lane, stated Mr. Schneider’s examples described his plumbing and stucco problems which were inspected by the Township and cost him over $250,000 in repairs. He stated both licensed contractors and do it yourselfers cause these health and safety issues. There were no other questions. BUILDING AND ZONING Resolution No. 2009 – 12: Valley Holdings LP Preliminary/Final Land Development Approval Bernadette Kearney, Esq., Hamburg, Rubin, represented Valley Holdings LP. Mr. Connell stated the issues have been addressed, but we do not have revised plans. The Chairman stated questions by the Lower Gwynedd Township Planning Commission have been reviewed and the Montgomery County Planning Commission review letter has been received. Mr. Garrity stated township staff has taken care of the final issues and a copy of the resolution sent to Ms. Kearney. Ms. Kearney said her client accepts the resolution. Ms. Hunsicker had a question regarding the floating easement in paragraph 3, which was answered by Mr. Garrity. Dr. Booth made a motion, seconded by Mr. Behr to adopt Resolution No. 2009 -12, Preliminary/Final Land Development Approval for Valley Holdings. Mr. Garrity again stated for the record that Mr. Gabriel, Valley Holdings LP is a client. Announcement: Special Meeting (April 16, 2009) Spring House Village Center The Chairman stated a special meeting will be held on April 16, 2009 at the Township Building to discuss the Spring House Village Center. Mr. Garrity announced that the Township staff Board of Supervisors arrived at a tentative settlement agreement with Penn Florida LLP. He noted the special meeting was advertised and plans and renderings will be available for public review. Mr. Garrity stated the settlement agreement will be put to a vote which will allow for the shopping center to be modernized. OTHER BUSINESS Authorize Advertisement of Ordinance for “Old Penllyn Pike Parking Restrictions” Mr. Comunale stated Chief Scholly, Mr. Brandt, Dr. Booth and he met with residents of Old Penllyn Pike, Pershing Road and Creekview Road to discuss commuter parking on Old Penllyn Pike. He stated the Township’s suggestions were well received by the residents. Mr. Comunale stated a four hour parking restriction to prevent commuters from parking all day was incorporated into the ordinance. Ms. Hunsicker asked Chief Scholly to keep an eye on the parking situation. Mr. Comunale stated the motion is to authorize advertisement of the ordinance. Mr. Behr made a motion, seconded by Dr. Booth to authorize advertisement of an ordinance to restrict parking on Old Penllyn Pike as recommended by the Manager and Police Department “Old Penllyn Pike Parking Restrictions” Ordinance. The motion carried 5 – 0. Settlement Agreement for 901 Bethlehem Pike Mr. Garrity stated the settlement agreement for 901 Bethlehem Pike condemns and terminates the action without compensation. Dr. Booth made a motion, seconded by Ms. Hunsicker to accept the settlement agreement and authorize the Chairman to sign on behalf of the Board of Supervisors. The motion carried 5 – 0. Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement with Brandywine Realty Mr. Comunale stated the traffic signal at Brandywine Realty on Norristown Road (east of Rt. 309) was removed by PennDOT when they closed off the ramp to north bound traffic. He stated Brandywine petitioned PennDOT for a new traffic signal at their other entrance/exit. Mr. Comunale stated that Brandywine Realty will pay $3,000 annually for maintenance and upkeep of the signal. Dr. Booth noted there are six traffic signals from Tennis Avenue to Bethlehem Pike and this would be an extra light. The Chairman noted the agreement was reviewed by the Solicitor. Mr. Hayeck made a motion, seconded by Mr. Behr to accept the Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement with Brandywine Realty. The motion carried 5 – 0. Change Order No. 1: 2008 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation – Basins G & H Mr. Connell stated the 2008 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation called for installation of liners and the contractor proposed the use of an alternate liner system that would be ideal for areas where infiltration occurs at the lateral connection point to the sewer main. He stated it has been very successful. Mr. Connell stated the cost of the change order is $2,700 and the value of the deleted work is $2,100. He noted the Township will be paying the difference of $600. Mr. Connell stated the work is completed and successful and they are ready to make the final payment. Mr. Behr made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hayeck to approve Change Order No. 1: 2008 Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation – Basins G & H. The motion carried 5 – 0. Appointment to the Wissahickon Valley Public Library The Chairman stated a vacancy occurred on the Wissahickon Public Library when Larry Altman resigned his position as trustee in February, 2009. Dr. Christine, President of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library, recommends Catherine McCauley, 503 Wyndon Road, Ambler, PA. He stated Mr. Hayeck knows and recommends Ms. McCauley. Mr. Hayeck made a motion, seconded by Mr. Behr to appoint Catherine McCauley to the Wissahickon Valley Public Library Trustees. The motion carried 5 – 0. Resolution No. 2009 – 13: Disposition of Records Mr. Comunale stated the disposal of township records needs authorization from the Board of Supervisors in accordance with Act 428. The listings of materials for disposal are from the Finance, Administration and Police Departments. Dr. Booth asked what never gets destroyed. Mr. Comunale replied agreements, contracts, minutes, ordinances and resolutions. Dr. Booth made a motion, seconded by Ms. Hunsicker to adopt Resolution No. 2009-13: Disposition of Records. The motion carried 5 – 0. Proclamation for Rosalie Hooper and Bryanna Gallagher (Girl Scout Gold Award) The Chairman stated Rosalie K. Hooper and Bryanna Gallagher, two girls from Lower Gwynedd have recently completed their Girl Scout Gold Awards, the highest honor in Girl Scouting. He noted the proclamations will be presented to the girls at their Annual Awards Ceremony. Mr. Behr made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hayeck to authorize the proclamation for Rosalie Hooper and Bryanna Gallagher. The motion carried 5 – 0. MANAGER’S REPORT Report from the Manager – Municipal activities, projects Police Promotion Chief Scholly stated he is reorganizing the Police Department by reducing two supervisory positions which will improve efficiency. Sgt. Paul Kenny will be promoted and sworn in as Lieutenant on April 28, 2009. Mr. Hayeck stated it is a well-deserved promotion. The Chairman stated it is good for Chief Scholly to bring along someone and the Board is please with the recommendation. Mr. Comunale said he will ask for a motion at the next meeting. Chief Scholly stated thefts have increased and at the last Foxfield HOA he instructed residents to lock all doors. He noted a young girl was hit by a car getting off the school bus on Penllyn Pike. Mr. Comunale stated Mr. Zadlo prepared a memorandum to the Board regarding the Plumbing Ordinance and Mr. Schneider’s health and safety comments and he recommends we keep the plumbing licensing. The Chairman asked if it was necessary for the homeowner to come in for approval. Mr. Zadlo replied no. The Chairman asked if it was necessary to get a permit to replace clothes washers and dishwashers. Mr. Zadlo stated this is a replacement of the existing appliance which does not require a permit. He said his recommendation is to continue with our present policy. SUPERVISORS/STAFF COMMENTS Supervisors, Staff comments, concerns, questions Mr. McAnally stated an E-cycling and paper shredding event will occur on April 18, 2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. He said both electronics and paper shredding will be accepted. Mr. McAnally stated he asked RecycleBank to participate. The Chairman stated the Township Manager, the Assistant Township Manager and Ms. Hunsicker attended a meeting with RecycleBank to discuss ways to enhance the Township’s recycling collection efforts. Mr. Comunale stated the Board received a copy of the draft newsletter and asked for their comments by the end of the week. The Chairman suggested a newsletter subcommittee be formed. Mr. Comunale stated the final resolution outlining the grant conditions for the Siman Property will appear on the next agenda after solicitor review. The Chairman stated Dr. Booth, Mr. Comunale and he will attend the PSATS Conference in Hershey for three days. Ms. Hunsicker thanked Ms. Culbreth for her hard work in achieving her re-certification into the International Institute of Municipal Clerks. The Chairman asked that Mr. Zadlo get together with Dr. Booth on signage. Mr. Hayeck said he would like to be included in the meeting on signage. Mr. Hayeck congratulated Paul Kenny on his promotion to Lieutenant and Carole Culbreth on her IIMC re-certification. The Chairman stated Lower Gwynedd Little League’s Opening Day is April 18, 2009. There were no other comments. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 p.m. until the next regular meeting scheduled for April 28, 2009. Respectfully submitted, Carole Culbreth Assistant Secretary
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