Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
Board of Commissioners Meeting - August 8, 2002

The stated meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Abington Township was held on Thursday, August 8, 2002, at the Township Administration Building, Abington, PA, with Commissioner Barbara C. Ferrara presiding.

CALL TO ORDER: 8:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners AGOSTINE, WACHTER,

LUKER, TURCO, ZAPPONE, RING, GROSS,

O’CONNOR, CARLIN, MYERS, MCGRATH,

GILLESPIE, FERRARA

Excused: DEVORE, KRETSCHMAN

Township Manager CONWAY

Assistant Township Manager LAHAZA

Township Solicitor BRESNAN

Chief of Police KELLY

Treasurer SOLOMON

Township Engineer POWERS

Director of Finance MATIZA

Director of Public Works MICCIOLO

Director of Code Enforcement MATTEO

Director of Parks and Recreation WENDELL

Superintendent of W.W.T.P. LEBER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

COMMENDATIONS:

Chief Kelly stated on July 6, 2002, Officers Alan Freed and Shawn Williams responded to a report of a stabbing. An 80 year old man had been stabbed twice. As the officers tried to apprehend the suspect, he charged at them with a large knife. Before the officers fired their weapons, the man’s brother tackled him to the ground and the officers disarmed and arrested the perpetrator. Commissioners Ferrara and Myers presented to them a Police Department Class III Commendation for their commendable performance.

ANNOUNCEMENT:

Commissioner Ferrara announced the Commissioners met in Executive Session on July 11, 2002 at 9:15 p.m. to discuss a personnel issue.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve the minutes of the Board of Commissioners meeting of July 11, 2002.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:

Engineering Services

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to amend the proposal from Carroll Engineering for a not-to-exceed fee of $27,000, to be funded by HUD for the following streets:

Fairview Avenue - Hamilton Avenue to Old Welsh Road

Summit Avenue - Hamilton Avenue to Old Welsh Road

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

Sanitary Sewer Contract #126 - Rights-of-Way

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve an additional $75,000 for rights-of-way in the area of sanitary sewer Contract #126, to be funded from Sewer Retained Earnings.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

Rubicam Avenue Storm Sewer Project

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to make final payment to Associated Paving Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $1,000 for the Rubicam Avenue Storm Sewer and street reconstruction project, and handicapped ramps. Payment to be paid after receipt of the maintenance bond.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

The Fairway, Phase II Revitalization

Mr. Lahaza stated Phase I was the re-adjustment of the intersection of Valley Road and The Fairway. Phase II is the installation of street lights, street banners and other improvements, from the plan prepared by the Economic Development Committee.

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Agostine to authorize the proper Township officials to contract with McCarthy Masonry & Concrete, Inc. for award of The Fairway, Phase II Revitalization project in an amount not to exceed $314,564. Funds to be drawn from Economic Development Accounts 07-01-502-7325 and 07-01-502-7300.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

Wastewater Treatment Plant Security Installation Design

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to authorize CET Engineering to design additional security installations at the Wastewater Treatment Plant at an engineering cost not to exceed $12,800, to be funded from Sewer Operating Fund Account #02-00-000-7300.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

County Snow Removal Contract

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to authorize the proper officers to enter into a contract with Montgomery County for snow and ice removal on Easton Road, from Moreland Road to the Cheltenham Township border, for the 2002-03 winter season.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

CODE ENFORCEMENT AND LAND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

The Committee had no business at this time.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:

NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER Sign - 1757 Summit Avenue

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to approve the installation of one NO PARKING HERE TO CORNER sign on the east side of Summit Avenue, 50 feet from Old Welsh Road.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

Residential Permit Parking - 100 Block of Roberts Avenue

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to create a permit parking area for the 100 block of Roberts Avenue, with the existing parking restrictions.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

Public Housing Drug Elimination Program Grant

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to authorize Township officials to accept a grant award from the Montgomery County Housing Authority in the amount of $7,000 to fund the Public Housing Drug Elimination Program (PHDEP) for FY 2001.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:

Penbryn Pool Filter Replacement

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Gillespie to accept the lowest responsible bid of $98,874 from D.G. March & Associates of Birchrunville, PA for replacement of the Penbryn Pool Filter system.

Commissioner Carlin asked Mr. Wendell if that was originally budgeted for $70,000?

Mr. Wendell replied it was budgeted for $120,000 and the cost was $117,000.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Treasurer’s Report:

Max M. Solomon stated for July 2002, $722,542 was deposited into Fleet Bank, YTD $9,310,927. We collected $118,987 in Real Estate Taxes, YTD $18,932,378.

Investments

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve the investments for the month of June, 2002 as previously circulated to the Board. It was noted that investments for the month totaled $891,000. Interest rates ranged from 2.25% to 6.00%.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

Expenditures/Salaries and Wages

Motion to:

Approve the June, 2002 expenditures as previously circulated to the Board, in the amount of $2,051,402.95 and salaries and wages in the amount of $1,738,434.95.

Authorize the proper officials to sign vouchers in payment of bills and contracts as they mature for the month of September, 2002.

Roll call resulted in the MOTION being PASSED 13-0.

Training and Conference Expenses

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to approve the Advance and Travel Expense activity for June, 2002 as previously circulated to the Board. Advances and Travel Expense Reports were $0.00 and $4,898.35, respectively. Six (6) month YTD expenses total $21,484.94.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

Clearing Fund/Deferred Revenue and Expense/Petty Cash

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to approve the Clearing Fund, deferred revenue/expense activity and petty cash balances for the month of June, 2002 as previously circulated to the Board.

Petty Cash balances were approved as per Finance Committee Report.

Clearing Fund receipts and disbursements for the month of June, 2002 were $.12 and

($-0-), respectively.

Deferred Revenue/Expense receipts and disbursements for the month of June, 2002 were $5,388.29 and ($2,104.49), respectively.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

PUBLIC HEARING - Ordinance #1882 - $643,000 of Non Electoral Debt - General Obligation Note of 2002

Commissioner Ferrara opened the Public Hearing at 8:20 p.m.. She asked for comments from the Commissioners. There were none.

Commissioner Ferrara asked for public comments in favor of the Ordinance. There were none.

Commissioner Ferrara asked for public comments in disfavor of the Ordinance. There were none.

Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to close the Public Hearing.

MOTION was PASSED 13-0. The Public Hearing was closed at 8:21 p.m.

Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to adopt Ordinance No. 1882, calling for the issuance of $643,000 in Abington Township General Obligation non-electoral debt for the purpose of purchasing the following capital equipment: cold milling machine, one recycling truck, two refuse trucks, various copier equipment, and cost of issuance.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

Ordinance 1882

MARKS FROM STAFF:

Mr. Lahaza suggested having a remembrance of the tragic events of 9/11/01. The Glenside merchants originally proposed this. The activities would require a street closure of Keswick Avenue to accommodate those in attendance.

Commissioner Ferrara asked will there be any cost to the Township?

Mr. Lahaza replied no, except for the cost of the Police Officers closing the street for two hours. Everything else will be done on a voluntary basis.

Commissioner Gillespie made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Turco to authorize the closing of Keswick Avenue for the 9/11 activities.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Chuck Gesing, 513 Hamel Avenue, stated a letter was issued to the residents of 511 Hamel Avenue on July 24, 2002, by Dan Vollrath, to clean up their property, clean their gutters and exterminate. He spoke to Mr. Matteo asking if the Township could exterminate their property and he said he could not go on their property to do that. The Township removed 25 bags of trash from the property and he wants the rusty swing set to be removed as well.

Mr. Matteo stated we removed the trash for health reasons and we can not go on the property and remove the swing set. He needs authorization to spend money to exterminate. The gentleman who lives on the property has a mental health problem.

Commissioner Ferrara stated the advent of having a County Health Department is that we no longer have authority over these problems.

Mr. Matteo stated he will be out there tomorrow along with a Police Officer and the Fire Marshal.

Commissioner Ferrara stated our local taxes fund the County Health Dept. and we will discuss this at the Code Enforcement meeting next month.

Mr. Gesing stated there is also standing water on the property that has been there for months.

Commissioner Ferrara stated we can get the County Health Dept. involved with the standing water problem.

Nancy Brown, 509 Hamel Avenue, stated her twin home is attached to this property. She feels the structure of their house is unsound and is concerned about her home and is afraid of the resident who lives there.

Commissioner Ferrara suggested documenting the events which will help us get the County moving on these issues.

Bob Waeltz, 507 Hamel Avenue, asked if we could take the Health Dept. back to the local municipality?

Commissioner Ferrara stated we could, but we will still have to pay our local dollars to finance the County Health Dept. and also finance our local Health Dept.

Alan Boris, 659 Hamel Avenue, asked do contractors submit sealed bids that are opened behind closed doors?

Commissioner Ferrara stated sealed bids are opened in public.

Mr. Conway stated the time and date is advertised to the public.

Mr. Boris stated he is dissatisfied with the quality of the work that was done by Abbonizio on the basin by the railroad tracks in the cemetery.

Commissioner Ferrara stated we had BCM Engineering Co. look at that after the last storm and they told us it functioned as it should.

Mr. Boris stated at the Glenside Youth Athletic Association building, there is a cellar stairway with no guard rail around it and there is nothing to prevent children from falling into the ditch embankment.

Commissioner Ferrara stated our Code Enforcement Dept. will look into it.

Paul Aloe, 1259 Cox Road, asked will the four lights extend right down the Fairway?

Mr. Lahaza stated the four lights that are up now are sample lights for the committee to review. One of the four lights will be selected for the Fairway and 67 will be installed.

REMARKS FROM COMMISSIONERS:

Commissioner Luker thanked all the department heads for their hard work they have done all summer.

Commissioner Turco thanked Mr. Matteo and Commissioner Agostine for working on his behalf while on vacation.

Commissioner Gross commented that Scott Marlin, Engineering Dept., handled a complaint of a constituent in a very efficient manner.

Commissioner McGrath commented the "Night Out" event went very well and Dave Rondinelli, Joe Conover, and our Police Department did a great job.

Commissioner Myers thanked Mike Powers in advance for all the work he will be doing in the fall season.

Commissioner Ferrara thanked Solicitor Bresnan for an outstanding job this evening.

ADJOURNMENT: 8:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Burton T. Conway, Secretary

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