Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
Board of Commissioners Meeting - February, 2004

The stated meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Abington was held on Thursday, February 12, 2004 at the Township Administration Building, Abington, PA., with Commissioner Gross presiding.

CALL TO ORDER: 8:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners AGOSTINE, MYERS,

WACHTER, DIJOSEPH, ZAPPONE, CARLIN,

O’CONNOR, WEILHEIMER, LUKER, MCGRATH,

DEVORE, GILLESPIE, RING, GROSS

Excused: TURCO

Township Manager CONWAY

Township Treasurer SOLOMON

Township Solicitor HERDER

Assistant Township Manager LAHAZA

Chief of Police KELLY

Township Engineer POWERS

Finance Director MATIZA

Director of Parks and Recreation WENDELL

Director of Code Enforcement MATTEO

Director of Public Works MICCIOLO

Superintendent of W.W.T.P. LEBER

Commissioner Gross presented Eric Kretschman, former Commissioner of Ward 12 from 1993-2004, Vice President of Commissioners 2002-2004 with a commendation for his work on various committees, guidance and oversight to numerous public improvements while stimulating economic development.

Chief Kelly stated the armored personnel carrier for the Police Dept. is parked outside of the Township building. The vehicle is called the Peace Keeper, which was developed by the Air Force in 1970 to serve as an armored security personnel response vehicle. It was intended to be a vehicle that carried personnel and equipment at high speeds while retaining off-road capabilities. They built 700 of them, and we acquired our Peace Keeper in 1996 through the efforts of Lt. Mike Webb. It is used for the tactical team to

Board of Commissioners Meeting February 12, 2004

get an injured person from a dangerous situation, and it provides safety for us to get close to a situation. He recognized Sgt. Pat Malloy, Officers Steve Henze, Chris Porter, and Bob Wilsbach, Jr. who facilitated an effort between the Lafferty Chevrolet Organization and the Township to sandblast and paint the vehicle from its’ original military gray to law enforcement blue. He also recognized the Township Vehicle Maintenance workers, Tom Falbo, Mark Rebelo, Sr., and Steve Edwards who made the vehicle safer and user friendly.

Commissioners Gross and Myers presented commendations to Dave Kutay, Greg Riccardi, and Rich Betz of the Lafferty Chevrolet Organization. Commendations were presented to Tom Falbo, Steve Edwards, and Mark Rebelo, Jr. in appreciation for their invaluable assistance for the Abington Police Tactical Unit.

State Representative Ellen Bard presented a check for $400,000 for the HOME Program (HUD) to Abington Township.

The Greater Glenside Patriotic Association celebrated their 100^th anniversary last year, and Commissioner Gillespie and Jon Fox presented a plaque to Abington Township in appreciation for their generous support of the July 4, 2003 parade.

Commissioner Ring made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Agostine to approve the minutes of the Final Budget Meeting of December 17, 2003, Organization Meeting of January 5, 2004, and the Board of Commissioners Meeting of January 8, 2004.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Gross announced the Board of Commissioners held an Executive Session this evening to discuss matters of litigation.

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Agostine to nominate Diane Misko to the Civil Service Commission, Michele Katzelak, Jennifer Sherwood, and Abbie Newman to the Environmental Advisory Council, and Walter Gearhart and Michael Saresky to the Shade Tree Commission.

Board of Commissioners Meeting February 12, 2004

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Gross opened the floor for nominations for the Planning Commission.

Commissioner Agostine nominated Carol Covert to the Planning Commission. The MOTION was seconded by Commissioner DeVore.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Zappone nominated George Belka to the Planning Commission. The MOTION was seconded by Commissioner McGrath.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Gross moved that the nominations be closed.

Commissioner Gillespie introduced Michael Zygmont who would like to be involved in the Townships’ policies.

Commissioner Wachter asked for his resume to be submitted to the Township.

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to approve the Resolution 04-005 authorizing the erection, operation and maintenance of a traffic signal at the intersection of Huntingdon Pike and the entrance to St. Joseph’s Manor and Redeemer Village. Full cost of removal of the old signal and installation of the new signal to be funded by Holy Redeemer Hospital.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Board of Commissioners Meeting February 12, 2004

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to authorize URS Corporation, engineers, to provide design and construction management services for replacement of approximately 1,500 feet of sanitary sewer at an engineering cost not to exceed $43,200, to be paid from Acct. #17-10-848-7330.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to authorize CET Engineering to design and bid a sewage flow equalization system at a cost of $103,550, to be funded from 2004 Sewer Operating Capital.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to authorize expenditure of $30,000 from the 2004 Contingency Fund to pay for clean-up and removal of the underground storage tank at the Ardsley Community Center.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to approve the 2004 Capital Improvement Program from the following:

Permanent Improvement Fund $637,522

2003 In-Lieu-of Tax Funds 330,000

Sewer Capital 426,189

Sewer Operations - Retained Earnings 1,800,000

Police Equipment - Special Escrow 4,000

Police Drug Enforcement Fund 7,000

2002 Bond Issue (drainage projects) 90,000

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Board of Commissioners Meeting February 12, 2004

Commissioner Agostine announced the Public Hearing for Ordinance 1905 - Amendment to Zoning Ordinance - Land Preservation District Cluster Development was advertised, but we have changed some of the conditions, and it will be re-advertised.

Commissioner Gross thanked those Commissioners who attended the workshop held on Monday, February 9, 2004.

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to authorize Township officials to accept the Multimedia Processing System Grant from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Gross commented crime is down in Abington Township, who credited our excellent police force, and Chief Kelly.

Commissioner DeVore made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to accept the grant appropriation of $20,000 from the Montgomery County Municipal Transit Grant Program for calendar year 2004.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner DeVore made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to accept the lowest responsible bid of Derstine Company for $24,100 to sandblast the Crestmont pool.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Board of Directors Meeting February 12, 2004

Commissioner DeVore made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to authorize an expenditure not to exceed $5,000 from Contingency Acct. #01-00-002-5299 for the Hillside Cemetery condemnation matter.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Treasurer Max M. Solomon stated for January, 2004, $743,379 was deposited into Fleet Bank. He compared the departments receipts from December 31, 2003 and 2002. We took in $1 million more in 2003 than 2002. Most of the departments had substantial increases. The new tax bills went out, and we received approximately $200,000. Mr. Leber has done a super job calculating water consumption for the residents of Abington Township. In 2003, the Tax Office collected approximately $6 million in business taxes.

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to approve the investments for the month of December, 2003 as previously circulated to the Board. It was noted that investments for the month totaled $318,000.00. Interest yields from 1.862% to 2.30%.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Motion to:

Approve the December, 2003 expenditures as previously circulated to the Board, in the amount of $1,671,541.28 and salaries and wages in the amount of $1,293,888.78.

Authorize the proper officials to sign vouchers in payment of bills and contracts as they mature for the month of March, 2004.

Roll Call resulted in the motion being passed 14-0.

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to approve the Advance and Travel Expense activity for December, 2003 as previously circulated to the Board. Advances and Travel Expense Reports were $0.00 and $1,399.02, respectively. Twelve (12) month expenses total $45,258.09.

Board of Commissioners Meeting February 12, 2004

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to approve the Clearing Fund, deferred revenue/expense activity and petty cash balances for the month of December, 2003 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 December, 2003 were $0.00 and ($.54), respectively.

Deferred Revenue/Expense receipts and disbursements for the month of December, 2003 were $10,746.93 and ($162,953.38), respectively.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to authorize a transfer of $8,229 from 2003 Contingency Expense Acct. #01-01-002-5299 to Fire Companies Acct. #01-15-091-5236.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Madge Tidwell, 614 Harrison Avenue, stated the sewer lines are a mess on Edge Hill Road from Mt. Carmel Avenue to Jenkintown Road.

Commissioner Gross stated something will be done when the weather breaks.

Commissioner Agostine asked Chief Kelly to convey to the police officer who was stationed at McKinley School that the parents and the McKinley PTO appreciate his efforts in resolving the traffic problems at that location.

Commissioner Myers commented she received her first feral cat complaint this week, and she was able to recite the ordinance word-for-word thanks to Commissioner O’Connor.

Board of Commissioners Meeting February 12, 2004

Commissioner DiJoseph commented there was a great article in the Times Chronicle about Mr. Leber, and remembered Abraham Lincoln’s birthday today.

Commissioner Gillespie commended Treasurer Solomon for doing a great job.

Commissioner DeVore reminded the Commissioners that registration is due for the convention on June 20-23, 2004.

Commissioner Weilheimer commented there is an 11-year old girl who lives in her ward. At age three, she was infected by E-coli, and was saved by multiple blood infusions. She urged everyone to give blood.

Commissioner O’Connor commended Ryan Badwell, Reporter for the Times Chronicle, for providing accurate information about the Township, and his excellent coverage of the McKinley Fire Company matter.

Commissioner Gross stated Commissioner DiJoseph has a new name plate with the designation of the ward, which will be given to each Commissioner. He thanked Mr. Matteo for volunteering his services, and assisting him with picking up trash on Sunday morning. Volunteerism is very important to us, and he welcomed the new volunteers who were appointed this evening. Happy President’s Day.

ADJOURNMENT: 7:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Burton T. Conway, Secretary

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