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Board of Commissioners
Meeting Minutes
Board of Commissioners Meeting - July 12,
2001
The stated meeting of the Board of
Commissioners of Abington Township was held on Thursday,
July 12, 2001, at the Township Administration Building,
Abington, Pennsylvania, with President Barbara C. Ferrara
presiding.
CALL TO ORDER: 8:02 P.M.
ROLL CALL:
Present:
Commissioners AGOSTINE, WACHTER, GROSS,
CARLIN, ZAPPONE, DeVORE, O’CONNOR, MYERS, GILLESPIE,
KRETSCHMAN, FERRARA, LUKER, McGRATH, TURCO
Excused: Commissioner RING
Assistant Township Manager LAHAZA
Township Solicitor HERDER
Chief of Police KELLY
Treasurer SOLOMON
Township Engineer POWERS
Assistant Finance Officer 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
Commissioner Ferrara called on David Rondinelli to
present the "Town Watcher of the Year Award."
David Rondinelli presented Kay Whitby
with the "Town Watcher of the Year Award."
Kay has been an active member in the North Hills Town
Watch for 28 years.
COMMENDATIONS:
For heroic action during the June 16 flood:
Commissioner Zappone presented a commendation to Trish
and Walter Bachteler for rescuing Joseph and Marion
Kash from their flooded car.
Commissioner Myers presented commendations to Michael
Bernard and Rosalind
Gibson-Jones for rescuing Maria Goldstein and four
children from her flooded car.
Chief Kelly presented commendations to Lieutenant Greg
Breyer of Weldon Fire Company and Officer Rick Beaghley.
He showed a film clip of their rescue of a woman from
floodwaters.
Fire Marshal Ken Clark presented commendations to Elkins
Park, McKinley, Roslyn, Edge Hill, Abington and Weldon
Fire Companies.
Chief Kelly honored retired Corporal Anthony Ciliberto
for 33 years of service. Tony served in the Marine Corps
for five years and in Vietnam before coming to Abington
Township. He began with the Abington Township Police
Department on July 1, 1968 and served until May 25,
2001. Corporal Ciliberto introduced his family members
who were present.
Chief Kelly welcomed four new officers to the force.
Officer Joseph Blythe is 26 years old and resides in
Cheltenham Township. He has a degree from Montgomery
County Community College.
Officer Robert Hill Jr. is 20 years old and resides
in Oreland. He is the son of a veteran officer of Abington
Township. He has an associates degree from Montgomery
County Community College. He recently completed his
M.P.O.E.T.C. Police Certification course at Montgomery
County Community College.
Officer Chris Obst was hired on June 25, 2001. He’s
25 years old and resides in Willow Grove. Officer Obst
was previously a Septa Transit Police Officer in Philadelphia
and received his Act 120 Certification from the Philadelphia
Police Academy.
Officer Alisha Brown was hired on July 25, 2001. She
is 30 years old and resides in Philadelphia. Officer
Brown received her Act 120 Certification from the Philadelphia
Police Academy. She was previously employed as a Philadelphia
Police Officer.
District Justice Juanita Price issued the oaths of
office.
David Rondinelli presented Shawn Webster with the Town
Watch scholarship awarded annually to an Abington High
School senior for outstanding community involvement.
Commissioner Ferrara presented PSATC plaques to Commissioner
Turco and Commissioner McGrath for 20 years of service
as Commissioners of Abington Township.
MINUTES
Commissioner Turco made a MOTION, seconded
by Commissioner McGrath, to approve the minutes of the
July 12, 2001 Board of Commissioners Meeting.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE
Engineering Proposal – Rydal Sewer District,
#2 and Meetinghouse Road Sewer District
Commissioner Kretschman made a MOTION,
seconded by Commissioner Luker to approve BCM’s
proposal in the amount of $100,000 for engineering and
plans for the proposed Rydal Sewer District #2 and Meetinghouse
Road Sewer District. To be funded from the Unallocated
Sewer Fund.
Commissioner Zappone suggested that
this be put out for bid again. The basin in his ward
failed in the flood when engineered by this company.
Commissioner Carlin said this should
be reviewed.
MOTION was ADOPTED 12-2
(Commissioners Carlin and Zappone voted
no)
Bid Award – Manhole Risers
Commissioner Kretschman made a MOTION,
seconded by Commissioner Turco to award the manhole
riser bid to Campbell Foundry Company for five risers
sizes as follows: $60.50 for 1-inch rise; $61.75 for
1-1/2-inch rise; $63.00 for 2-inch rise; $69.00 for
2-1/2-inch rise; $70.00 for 3–inch rise. To be
funded from Account No. 02-10-205-5325.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0
Replacement and Disposal of Transformer – Authorization
of Expenditures from Contingency
Commissioner Kretschman made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Luker to authorize an emergency expenditure
of $4,588.03 from Contingency Account #02-01-002-5299
for the replacement and disposal of the transformer
at the Refuse Facility.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0
Flood Damage Expenses Re: Tropical Storm Allison
Commissioner Kretschman made a MOTION,
seconded by Commissioner Luker to authorize expenditure
of $15,859.40 from the 2001 Contingency account for
expenses related to repair of the Keswick Avenue streetscape
as a result of flood damage on June 16, 2001.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0
Flood-Related Sewer Backups
Commissioner Kretschman made a MOTION,
seconded by Commissioner Turco to establish a policy
concerning flood-related sewer backups as set forth
in the Township Manager’s memo of July 6, 2001.
Commissioner Kretschman stated that
we are doing right by these people, but we cannot write
a blank check for the future.
Ken Krawchuk, 117 West Avenue, states
that in the 1996 flood we were left with the bill. He
told us then we should have our own insurance.
Superintendent Leber stated that we
are televising sewer lines. Hamel Avenue has a problem.
We have to look both up and down stream.
Commissioner Kretschman made an AMENDED
MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Wachter, to establish
this as a policy specific to the flood-related sewer
backups that resulted from the storm of July 16, 2001.
This is not intended to establish a precedent for the
future sewer backups.
AMENDED MOTION was ADOPTED 12-2. Commissioners
Carlin and Zappone voted NO.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-2
This topic will go on the September
Public Works Committee agenda for review of problem
areas.
CODE ENFORCEMENT AND LAND DEVELOPMENT
COMMITTEE
The committee had no business at this
time.
PUBLIC SAFETY
Sobriety Checkpoint Grant
Commissioner DeVore made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
McGrath to accept the previously approved grant award
from the Bureau of Highway Safety and Traffic Engineering
for an additional $9,999, making the grant amount $49,999.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0
Handicapped Parking – 226 Central Avenue
Commissioner DeVore made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
McGrath to approve erecting one Handicapped Parking
sign for one vehicle in front of 226 Central Avenue.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0
Removal of No Parking Anytime Signs –
Radcliffe Avenue
Commissioner DeVore made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
McGrath to approve the removal of No Parking Anytime
signs on the north side of Radcliffe Avenue between
Bradfield Road and Colonial Avenue.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0
Disposal of Unclaimed, Confiscated Bicycles
Commissioner DeVore made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
McGrath to direct the Police Department to donate to
the Abington YMCA all unclaimed bicycles or bicycle
parts which have been confiscated by the Department.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0
Appointment of Probationary Police Officer
Commissioner DeVore made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
McGrath to appoint Tamara A. Brennan as a Probationary
Police Officer with the Abington Township Police Department
effective July 30, 2001.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0
STOP Signs – Shady Lane & Jarrett
Road
Commissioner DeVore made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
McGrath to approve the installation of STOP signs
on Shady Lane at Jarrett Road.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
Resolution 01-015 – One Year Action Plan and
CDBG Budget
Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Turco to adopt Resolution 01-015 approving the 2001
One-Year Plan and Community Development Block Grant
Budget.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0
Hazard Mitigation Grant
Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Turco to authorize the Administration to forward a Letter
of Intent to participate in the Hazard Mitigation Grant
Program should funding become available.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0
AUDIT COMMITTEE
Commissioner Luker called on Township Treasurer Max
Solomon for Treasurer’s report.
Max Solomon stated for the month of June the Tax Office
has collected $822,000 from various departments; as
of this date they have collected $10 million for the
year. Max stated 95% of real estate taxes have been
collected with 5% to be collected.
Investments
Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
McGrath to approve the investments for the month of
May 2001 as previously circulated to the Board. It was
noted that investments for the month totaled $1,065.000.
Interest rates ranged from 4.20% to 6.25%.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0
Expenditures/ Salaries and Wages
Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded Commissioner
McGrath to (A) Approve the May 2001 expenditures as
previously circulated to the Board, in the amount of
$1,520,417.35 and salaries and wages in the amount of
$1,358,095.60. (B) Authorize the proper officials to
sign vouchers in payment of bills and contracts as they
mature for the month of August 2001.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0
Training and Conference Expenses
Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
McGrath to approve the Advance and Travel Expense activity
for May 2001 as previously circulated to the Board.
Advances and Travel Expense Reports were $200 and $2,921.02
respectively. Five (5) month YTD expenses total $9,425.98.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0
Clearing Fund/Deferred Revenue and Expense/Petty
Cash
Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Turco to approve the Clearing Fund, deferred revenue/expense
activity and petty cash balances for the month of May
2001 as previously circulated to the Board.
Petty Cash balances were approved as per Audit Committee
Report.
Clearing Fund receipts and disbursements for the month
of May 2001 were $4.56 and ($0.00), respectively.
Deferred Revenue/Expense receipts and disbursements
for the month of May 2001 were $1,161.86 and ($6,133.20),
respectively.
COMMENTS:
Mark Schwartz, 1044 Claire Avenue, Huntingdon Valley
spoke regarding Kol Ami and their suit against Zoning
Hearing Board, saying that we need to amend our Zoning
Ordinance. He asked which portion of our ordinance authorizes
us to interfere with the conduct of religious services.
Commissioner Ferrara stated that the Board is not to
respond because this matter is in litigation.
Doris Adler, 511 Baeder Road, stated that all of the
Abington campus school building has added to the flooding
problems as well as the new Copper Beech School and
additions at the Public Works compound. She feels that
a detention basin in Baeder Park detention basin in
Baederwood Park would help.
COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS
Commissioner Wachter thanked Larry Matteo for having
the dead trees removed from a resident’s property.
Also, congratulations to Commissioner Turco and Commissioner
McGrath for 20 years of service.
Commissioner Gross thanked Ed Micciolo, Angelo Pontelandolfo
and Ed Lambert for a tremendous job done on Washington
Lane and Fox Chase Road.
Commissioner Zappone suggested Mike Powers call Upper
Dublin Township and get the name of the contractor who
built the berm behind Twining County Club.
Mike Powers stated debris that came out of the woods
causes the backups. The design of the berm was not faulty.
Commissioner Kretschman thanked the Township’s
Staff, Police, Fire Companies, Code Enforcement, Public
Works and Wastewater for all your help during the storm.
Commissioner Gillespie seconded Commissioner Kretschman’s
comments. He also thanked all the Commissioners who
were involved and the Board for letting the 4th
of July events take place.
Commissioner Luker thanked Larry Matteo, Detective
Bob Allmond and Dee McGrath for helping him address
problems in his ward.
Commissioner Myers thanked everyone for helping out
during the storm especially Roslyn Fire Company. She
also thanked Rockledge Fire Company for their assistance.
Commissioner DeVore also thanked everyone for helping
out during the storm. He also congratulated Commissioner
Turco and Commissioner McGrath for their accomplishments.
He stated he’s still at a loss in regard to dealing
with the flooding and suggests more discussion in the
near future.
Commissioner McGrath said "Ditto"
to all that’s been said and she also thanked Larry
Matteo for using his personal time to help her out.
Commissioner Turco commented on how the Township responded
during the storm. He also commented on how all the other
Townships responded.
Commissioner Ferrara congratulated Commissioner Turco
and Commissioner McGrath for providing a tremendous
service to the Township for 20 years.
ADJOURNMENT 9:27 p.m.
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