Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
Board of Commissioners Meeting - July 10, 2003

The stated meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Abington was held on Thursday, July 10, 2003 at the Township Administration Building, Abington, PA., with President 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,

DEVORE, GILLESPIE, KRETSCHMAN, FERRARA

Township Manager CONWAY

Assistant Township Manager LAHAZA

Township Treasurer SOLOMON

Township Solicitor HERDER

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

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

COMMENDATIONS:

Commissioner McGrath and David Rondinelli presented John McGlumphy the John H. Evans Townwatcher of the Year Award for his important role in keeping the Ward 11 Town Watch active for 18 years. He rarely misses a scheduled night out on the road.

Commissioner McGrath and David Rondinelli presented Nicole Kellem the Walter H. Schweizer Memorial Scholarship Award given annually to an Abington High School senior for being an outstanding student.

MINUTES:

Commissioner Kretschman made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Gross to approve the minutes for the Board of Commissioners meeting of June 12, 2003.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:

Abington School District Trash and Recycling Contract Renewal

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to renew our trash and recycling contract with ASD for an additional year at a cost of $59,409. While we charged a 2.19% increase over last year, the amount of this contract is slightly less than last year’s due to the closing of two elementary schools.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Cleaning/Televising Sewers - Brentwood Manor Sewer Rehab

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Agostine to accept the lowest responsible bid for Contract WW03-02, cleaning and televising of sewers in the Brentwood Manor Sewer District, and enter into a contract with Sewer Specialties Service of Leicester, NY, in the amount of $14,010, using funds from Sewer Capital Acct. #17-10-848-7330.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Economic Development - Old York Road Revitalization

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Agostine to approve addendum #2 to McCarthy Masonry & Concrete Fairway/Old York Road revitalization contract in an amount not to exceed $215,967.50 for continuation of revitalization improvements along Old York Road. Funds to be drawn from Economic Development Acct.#07-01-502-7350 and Montgomery County grant reimbursement funds contained in the Deferred Revenue account.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

CODE ENFORCEMENT AND LAND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

Subdivision & Land Development SD-03-01 - Meyers/Paone Development - Walnut Hill Tract

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve the Subdivision and Land Development application of Meyers/Paone Development, Inc. for the property known as the Walnut Hill tract. Applicant proposes to construct 14 single-family dwellings and 14 townhouse units in the cluster development that will conform to the subdivision and land development regulations contained in Section 601 of the Zoning Ordinance of the Township.

Motion is subject to the following waivers.

Section 146-11.A-4 Parcel Identification Plan within 400 ft.

Section 146-11.B-7 Utility Identification Plan within 400 ft.

Section 146-24.A-4 Minimum right-of-way width of 50 ft.

Motion is subject to the following conditions:

Applicant must adhere to the terms and conditions listed in the staff review letter dated June 6, 2003.

Applicant will be required to establish an escrow account for the improvements proposed to be offered for dedication to the Township.

Applicant and the Township of Abington have agreed that Carroll Engineering, Inc. will be retained by the applicant to serve as a third-party inspector for the installation of the storm water management system, installation of the roadways, and rough grading of the site.

Parking is to be limited to one side of the street on Harper’s Lane.

Commissioner Ferrara excused herself because a Realtor at Quinn & Wilson Realtors was involved in the sale of this property.

Commissioner Wachter commented he appreciates the work the School District has done on this project, and he thanked the applicant for working with the Huntingdon Valley Civic Association. This could not be kept as open space, but everyone worked together to this conclusion.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-1. Commissioner Ferrara abstained.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:

Resolution #03-008 - Permit to Install Traffic Signal at Old York and Keith Roads

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Gillespie to approve Resolution #03-008 to apply to PennDOT for a permit to install, operate and maintain a traffic signal at the intersection of Old York and Keith Roads, with the installation not to take place until the improvements to Keith Road are completed.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Resolution 03-008

STOP Sign - Henry Avenue at Fleming Avenue

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Gillespie to approve the installation of one STOP sign on Henry Avenue at Fleming Avenue.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

PA DCED Tip Line Grant

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Gillespie to accept additional funding in the amount of $800 from Citizens and Police (CAPT) Together for the Tip Line Grant.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Emergency Management Plan - Resolution #03-009

Commissioner Meyers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to adopt Resolution #03-009 executing the current Abington Emergency Operations Plan.

Ken Krawchuk, 117 West Avenue, asked what is the Emergency Operations Plan and what does it mean to execute it?

Mr. Conway replied this Board adopted this plan in 1991. It is required by State law that we have a plan, and it is now in the process of being updated. He will forward a written copy of how it works and who is in charge to Mr. Krawchuk.

Mr. Krawchuk asked what are the changes?

Chief Kelly replied the State enacted a new regulation, which states that if more than 50% of the Board who originally enacted the plan has changed, then the new Board has to review it.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Resolution #03-009

Appointment of Probationary Police Officer

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to appoint Megan Foxall from the Civil Service Eligibility List to the position of Probationary Officer, effective August 4, 2003, provided that she successfully completes the remaining portions of the appointment process.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Bid Award - Police Uniform Clothing Items

Commissioner Meyers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to award a three-year contract for furnishing Police uniform clothing items to Red the Uniform Tailor, Inc.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Bid Award - Police Equipment Items

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to award a three-year contract for furnishing Police equipment items to First Precinct Uniform and Equipment Co.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

McKinley Fire Company

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to direct the Solicitor to draft an ordinance revoking the authority of McKinley Fire Company #1 to provide fire fighting services in Abington Township, and assigning that responsibility to the remaining four volunteer fire companies in Abington Township.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:

Resolution #03-007 - One-Year Action Plan and Community Development Plan

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Gillespie to adopt Resolution #03-007 approving Abington Township’s 2003 - One-Year Action Plan and Community Development Block Grant budget.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Resolution 03-007

Roslyn/Ardsley Walking Path

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Gillespie to accept the DCNR Grant for the Roslyn and Ardsley walking path in the amount of $115,000, for which there is no match required.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Property Offer - Washington & Franklin Avenues

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Gillespie to authorize the proper Township officials to accept dedication of Tax Parcel #300022536006, located at the intersection of Washington and Franklin Avenues, for $1.00. Property to be used as a future community park and open space site.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Controlled Deer Hunt in Fall 2003

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Gillespie to approve a weekday date (and one alternate date in case of inclement weather) for a controlled deer hunt in Alverthorpe Park during the fall of 2003.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer Max M. Solomon stated for June 2003, $707,384 was deposited into Fleet Bank, YTD $9,353,584. We collected $1,490,827 in Real Estate Taxes. YTD $19,058,687. We have exceeded our budget in Business Taxes by $215,000 for the first six months.

Investments

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to approve the investments for the month of May, 2003 as previously circulated to the Board. It was noted that investments for the month totaled $2,307,000. Interest rates ranged from 2.000% to 3.114%.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Board of Commissioners Meeting July 10, 2003

Expenditures/Salaries and Wages

Motion to:

Approve the May, 2003 expenditures as previously circulated to the Board, in the amount of $2,235,309.83 and salaries and wages in the amount of $1,875,656.56.

Authorize the proper officials to sign vouchers in payment of bills and contracts as they mature for the month of August, 2003.

Roll Call resulted in the MOTION being PASSED 15-0.

Training and Conference Expenses

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve the Advance and Travel Expense activity for May, 2003 as previously circulated to the Board. Advances and Travel Expense Reports were $790.00 and $3,525.14, respectively. Five (5) month expenses total $21,207.08.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Clearing Fund/Deferred Revenue and Expense/Petty Cash

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve the Clearing Fund, deferred revenue/expense activity and petty cash balances for the month of May, 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 May, 2003 were $12,557.56 and ($12,556.42), respectively.

Deferred Revenue/Expense receipts and disbursements for the month of May, 2003 were $13,459.28 and ($86,182.20), respectively.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Contingency Expense Authorization

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to authorize the transfer of $15,000 from Contingency Acct.#01-02-021-5305.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Commissioner Ferrara commented the motion passed tonight directing the Solicitor to draft an ordinance revoking the authority of the McKinley Fire Company is an effort that we are hopeful will result in the leadership stepping down. This Board appreciates what the volunteer firefighters do at the McKinley Fire Company.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Benjamin Mattice, 1050 Claire Avenue, stated he was a 10-year firefighter outside of this community. He has volunteered his services to the McKinley Fire Company, and has not received a response.

Commissioner Ferrara asked was he able to obtain an application?

Mr. Mattice replied he called several times and went there several times with no response.

Commissioner Ferrara suggested to Mr. Mattice to put that in writing.

Henry Leary, 913 Jenkintown Road, stated that situation could happen because there were five people who left the company and our records were thrown out.

Commissioner Turco asked what does that have to do with getting an application?

Commissioner Ferrara stated that is another example of the leadership of the McKinley Fire Company.

Mr. Leary asked has our attorney been informed of these operations?

Commissioner Ferrara replied it is not our responsibility to inform your attorney of anything.

Mr. Leary asked will the situation change if the leadership is removed?

Commissioner Ferrara replied yes.

REMARKS OF COMMISSIONERS:

Commissioner Wachter thanked Mr. Matteo and the Public Works Dept. for their quick response when electrical wires were down due to a storm the other night.

Commissioner Gillespie thanked the Police Dept. for their support of the 4th of July celebration.

Commissioner McGrath thanked Mr. Matteo and Mr. Penecale for helping her when a tree limb fell from her yard and damaged her neighbor’s pool.

Commissioner O’Connor commented there needs to be a leadership change at the McKinley Fire Company. He directed our Finance Committee to apply a forensic audit to this Fire Company before the change in leadership, so the new members will not have to assume the responsibility of the debt that has been incurred by the present administration.

Commissioner Kretschman congratulated Commissioner Gillespie on an excellent 4th of July Parade.

Philip Henry, 2416 Kenderton Avenue, thanked the Commissioners for the work they have done and they deserve to be honored. The Township staff deserves the same thanks. His uncle, Harry Arnold, was a mechanic for the police force during WWII. Philip Kneeble was a volunteer firefighter in Roslyn and was killed in the service. He is concerned that his freedom of religion is being taken away. Kol Ami has been called not zoned for worship.

ADJOURNMENT: 8:36 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Burton T. Conway, Secretary

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