Board of Supervisors
Tuesday, May 26 2009
SUPERVISORS PRESENT: Edward J. Brandt, Chairman Chip Behr, Vice-Chairman George Hayeck Dr. J. Richard Booth Kathleen Hunsicker STAFF: Larry M. Comunale, Township Manager Craig McAnally, Assistant Township Manager Carole Culbreth, Assistant Secretary James J. Garrity, Esq., Township Solicitor Joseph A. Zadlo, Zoning Officer Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance The Chairman called the meeting to order at time 7:35 p.m. in the Lower Gwynedd Township Municipal Building and led those in attendance in the pledge of allegiance. BUSINESS & FINANCIAL Receipt of Meeting Minutes: April 14, 2009 April 16, 2009 April 28, 2009 The Board of Supervisors received the minutes of the April 14, 2009 Workshop Meeting. The Chairman asked if there were any question or corrections. There were none. Dr. Booth made a motion, seconded by Ms. Hunsicker to approve the minutes of the April 14, 2009 Workshop Meeting. The motion carried 4 – 0. The Board of Supervisors received the minutes of the April 16, 2009 Special Meeting. The Chairman asked if there were any question or corrections. There were none. Mr. Behr made a motion, seconded by Dr. Booth to approve the minutes of the Special Meeting of April 16, 2009. The motion carried 4 – 0. The Board of Supervisors received the minutes of the April 28, 2009 Regular Meeting. The Chairman asked if there were any question or corrections. There were none. Mr. Behr made a motion, seconded by Ms. Hunsicker to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 28, 2009 Regular Meeting. The motion carried 4 – 0. Receipt of Invoice History of General Ledger Account for April, 2009 The Board of Supervisors received the Invoice History for the month of April in the amount of $879,771.38. The Chairman stated there were transfers to the Recreation Fund of $125,000; Police Pension Fund of $276,564.18 and the Non-Uniform Pension Fund of $123,435.82.The Chairman asked if there were any questions or comments. There were none. Mr. Behr made a motion, seconded by Dr. Booth to approve the Invoice History in the amount of $879,771.38 for the month of April. The motion carried 4 – 0. Receipt of the Year-to-Date Budget Report for March, 2009 The Board of Supervisors received the Year-to-Date Budget Report for March, 2009. The Chairman asked if there were any questions. There were none. Mr. Behr made a motion, seconded by Dr. Booth to approve the Year-to-Date Budget Report for March, 2009. The motion carried 4 – 0. PUBLIC COMMENTS
The Chairman opened the meeting for public comment for items not on the agenda.
There were none. Mr. Hayeck arrived at 7:50 p.m. BUILDING & ZONING Resolution No. 2009 – 17: Land Development: Gwynedd Mercy College Modular Housing Project Mr. Garrity stated the Gwynedd Mercy College Modular Housing Project is ready for approval. He stated the new structure will house a limited number of units (37) and shall be removed within five years of the issuance of a use and occupancy permit for the development. Mr. Garrity noted the building permit will not be issued until it is shown that there is adequate water pressure and volume for a fully automatic sprinkler system to the satisfaction of the Fire Marshal. The Chairman stated a letter was received from the Montgomery County Planning Commission recommending the Modular Housing Project as long as Township staff ensures that the plan meets all municipal land use regulations and codes. Mr. Behr recuses himself from the vote because he is a Gwynedd Mercy College Board member. Dr. Booth asked when the project will be completed. The Chairman stated that depends on the number of applicants. Mr. Behr stated applicants for the Fall 2009 term are down but the College wants to go forward with approvals. Mr. Garrity stated that the temporary housing may be occupied for no more than 5 years. The Chairman asked for public comments and there were none. Dr. Booth made a motion, seconded by Ms. Hunsicker to approve Resolution No. 2009 – 17: Land Development: Gwynedd Mercy College Modular Housing Project. The motion carried 4 – 1.Mr. Behr abstained from the voting. Resolution No. 2009 – 18: Land Development: Ortho-McNeil Mr. Garrity stated Ortho-McNeil has asked for PreliminaryApproval of their Master Plan. He noted the Master Plan depicts build out of the campus and will be done in phases. Mr. Garrity stated the conditions have been discussed and Ortho-McNeil has accepted the unique planning requirements and the ten (10) year vesting period. The Chairman stated McMahon Associates summarized their initial traffic review of the proposed Ortho- McNeil Campus in their May 6, 2009 letter. Mr. Garrity noted the 2003 Master Plan was addressed on a phase by phase approval. Mr. Connell stated all issues have been identified and are included in Resolution No. 2009 – 18. The Chairman stated the Montgomery County Planning Commission recommends approval. Ross Weiss representing Ortho-McNeil thanked the Board and staff for their cooperation and stated Ortho-McNeil agrees to the conditions in the resolution. Mr. Hayeck stated J & J is a good corporate citizen and works well with the Township. The Chairman concurred. The Chairman asked for public comments and there were none. Dr. Booth made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hayeck to approve Resolution No. 2009 – 18 Ortho-McNeil Campus Master Plan Preliminary Land Development Approval. The motion carried 5 – 0. Mr. Behr thanked Mr. Weiss for his cooperation on the Merck Lease which was recently signed. He noted it is a great addition the Township trail system. Waiver of Land Development: 833 N. Bethlehem Pike Bevivino Property Mr. Zadlo stated this request is a relatively minor change allowing two additional parking spaces, removal of a tree and a “rain garden”. He stated the Planning Commission’s recommendation requires the completion of the Bethlehem Pike Improvements. The Chairman asked if the four issues in the Township Engineer’s letter of May 11, 2009 have been addressed. Mr. Zadlo stated Mr. Woodrow and his client agree to address those issues. The Chairman welcomed the dental office of Dr. Graulich and his partner to Spring House. Dr. Booth questioned the building in front of the dental office. Mr. Zadlo stated it will continue to be multi-family residential. Dr. Booth stated it is a great spot for a dental office and wishes them well. The Chairman asked for public comments and there were none. Dr. Booth made a motion, seconded by Ms. Hunsicker to approve the waiver of land development for 833 N. Bethlehem Pike. The motion carried 5 – 0. OTHER BUSINESS Resolution No. 2009 – 19: Bethlehem Pike (Phase II) Improvements Mr. McAnally stated this resolution is part of the Bethlehem Pike Improvement Program Grant Application. He stated the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania through the Governor’s Office provides matching funds of $500,000 to assist local municipalities to achieve their redevelopment goals under the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program. Ms. Hunsicker asked when is the deadline. Mr. McAnally replied June 17th. Ms. Hunsicker made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hayeck to approve Resolution No. 2009 – 19: Bethlehem Pike (Phase II) Improvements. The motion carried 5 – 0. Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement – Legal Services for Stormwater Regulatory Support Resolution No. 2009 - 20 Mr. Comunale stated the participating municipalities in the Montgomery County Consortium of Communities decided to cooperate in obtaining legal services to assist them in identifying the legal and regulatory impacts and implications of the proposed new MS4 permit and new stormwater management regulations. He stated a budget of $15,500 was established for the project with the Montgomery County Consortium of Communities requested to pay half of the cost and the remainder divided among the participating municipalities based on their population. Mr. Comunale stated the Board can set a maximum amount to be spent. The Chairman recommends the Board’s support and asked that the Township Manager report back after each meeting. Ms. Hunsicker asked how many municipalities are participating. Mr. Comunale replied approximately a dozen communities, but this could be more. Mr. Connell stated a Bucks County client stated the Bucks County Consortium may also participate in this which would lower the cost. Mr. Comunale asked that the Board approve Resolution No. 2009 – 20 A Resolution to Authorize an Intergovernmental Agreement with Other Montgomery County Municipalities for Legal Services for Storm Water Regulatory Support subject to the review of our Solicitor. He noted the way the proposed regulations are written the cost will be a great burden to municipalities. Mr. Comunale stated landowners could be charged for runoff from detention basins. The Chairman asked for public comments and there were none. Mr. Behr made a motion, seconded by Mr. Hayeck to approve Resolution No. 2009 – 20 A Resolution to Authorize an Intergovernmental Agreement with Other Montgomery County Municipalities for Legal Services for Storm Water Regulatory Support subject to the review of the Solicitor. Mr. Behr stated this should be conditioned upon enough municipalities participating to be cost effective. The motion carried 5 – 0. MANAGER’S REPORT Report from the Manager - Municipal activities, projects Mr. Comunale reported the Earned Income Tax collected to date in 2009 is $1,193,681. He noted last year the EIT was $1,283,416, and in 2007 EIT was $1,167,700. Mr. Comunale said he will keep watching the figures on EIT. He stated a mid-year budget report will be distributed in August. Mr. Comunale stated Horsham Township asked Lower Gwynedd to support HB 111 future use of the Willow Grove Base. He said Rep. Kate Harper and Rep. Rick Taylor are co-sponsors of the bill which would ban commercial passenger or cargo service at the Willow Grove Air Base. The Chairman asked the Board to support Horsham and HB 111. He suggested a letter be sent to Horsham in support of HB 111. Mr. Behr made a motion, seconded by Dr. Booth to support Horsham Township in support of HB 111. The motion carried 5 – 0. It was decided Mr. Behr and Mr. McAnally will take a support letter to Thursday’s meeting. Mr. Comunale stated a Bethlehem Pike Committee meeting will be held tomorrow at 8:00 a.m. Mr. Comunale stated Rich Lawn’s Plaque dedication will be held on June 1, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. All are invited. Mr. Comunale said no workshop meetings will be held during the summer (June, July and August). He noted a special meeting can be scheduled if needed. SUPERVISORS/STAFF COMMENTS Supervisors, Staff comments, concerns, questions The Chairman introduced Tom Celona as the new Ambler Gazette reporter. Dr. Booth noted the trails at the Merck site were built by C. B. Moore not William Moore, as stated in the latest newsletter. Ms. Hunsicker asked who has access to the new feature “In the Board’s Words” announced in the Summer 2009 newsletter and questioned if it had been set up. She noted residents maybe trying to access it. The Chairman stated Ray McConnell who was Lower Gwynedd Township’s Tax Collector, Supervisor and Citizen of the Year has passed away at the age of 88. He said he was a great asset to the community. Appointment to the Park & Recreation Board Mr. Comunale stated Dick Target will be replacing Steve Paccione on the Park & Recreation Board. He noted Mr. Target was interviewed by Mr. Behr and Dr. Booth. Mr. Behr stated Mr. Target was President of the Little League for many years. Mr. Behr made a motion, seconded by Dr. Booth to appoint Dick Target to the Park & Recreation Board. The motion carried 5 – 0. Mr. Comunale stated the Park & Recreation Board also needs to replace Charlie Gagliardi who resigned a few months ago. Mr. Comly stated he is in favor of the mandatory sprinkler system of the 2009 ICC Building Code. The Chairman thanked him for working with Mr. Garrity on the Gwynedd Mercy Modular Housing Project. The Chairman noted the Kiwanis Carnival Fireworks will take place on July 2, 2009. There were no additional comments. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m. until the next meeting scheduled for June 23, 2009 in the Township Building. Respectfully submitted, Carole Culbreth Assistant Secretary
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