Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
Board of Commissioners Meeting - March 11, 2004

CALL TO ORDER: 8:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners AGOSTINE, MYERS,

WACHTER, DIJOSEPH, TURCO, ZAPPONE, CARLIN,

O’CONNOR, WEILHEIMER, LUKER, MCGRATH,

GILLESPIE, RING, GROSS

Excused: DEVORE

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

Mr. Bob Montgomery, Chairman of the Abington Township Environmental Advisory Council, announced that they have received the 2004 Pennsylvania EAC Achievement Award for the second time in two years for the "Abington Township Green" program. They also received $500 to buy more trees. He thanked Commissioners O’Connor and Myers for their support. The members of the EAC and himself presented the award to Commissioner Gross to hang in the Township Building.

Commissioner Ring made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to approve the minutes of the February 12, 2004 meeting.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Board of Commissioners Meeting March 11, 2004

Commissioner Gross announced an Executive Session was held on March 1, 2004 to discuss a matter of litigation.

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to enter into a contract with Eureka Stone Quarry for Part I (top and cold patch delivered) in the amount of $444,950, and Part II (top and base picked-up) in the amount of $18,950.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to enter into a contract with Delaware Valley Concrete Company, Inc., in the amount of $17,427.50.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to enter into a contract with Duke’s Root Control, Inc. of Syracuse, NY, in the amount of $1.59 per foot of pipe for a three-year contract term, for an estimated total contract price of $31,800 per year, with funds to be drawn from Account #02-10-205-5305.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to enter into a contract with Joao & Bradley in the amount of $457,512.50. To be funded by the CDBG 2004 Program.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Board of Commissioners Meeting March 11, 2004

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to amend Contract #126 with Joao & Bradley Construction in the amount of $72,700 for storm sewer and traffic projects. To be funded from 2004 Capital Improvement.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to advertise Ordinance #1909 establishing regulations for contractors utilizing Township property for construction staging areas.

Mr. Conway stated the public hearing will be held on April 8, 2004, and the EAC has a copy of the ordinance.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to approve the subdivision plan of Jay & Joan Ochroch, as prepared by Charles E. Shoemaker, Inc., Engineers and Surveyors. Applicants propose to subdivide a 7,580 square foot portion of the property located at 901 Fox Chase Road and convey the ground to the adjacent parcel. The vacant parcel, Lot No. 1 will be increased in size to 1.17 acres and Lot No. 2 will be reduced to 2.14 acres. The property is situated at 901 Fox Chase Road, zoned in the (R-1) Residential District in Ward No. 3 of the Township of Abington.

This motion is subject to the following waivers:

Section 146-11.B.7 - Identify all property owners within 400 feet of the site.

Section 146-11.B.7 - Identify all utilities within 400 feet of the site.

Section 145-24.4 - Right-of-way width of 46.5 instead of 60 feet.

Section 146-27 - Waiver from the installation of sidewalks and curbs.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Subdivision Application No. 04-01 - Roger and Joan Custer - 2123 Ridgeview Avenue

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to approve the subdivision plan of Roger A. and Joan A. Custer, as prepared by Donald

Board of Commissioners Meeting March 11, 2004

John Boucher, Registered Professional Land Surveyor. Applicant proposes to subdivide the existing 18,750 square foot lot into two conforming lots. Lot No. 1 will contain the existing single-family dwelling on a parcel of 11,150 square feet. Lot No. 2 will have a lot area of 7,500 square feet and will conform to the zoning regulation with the removal of the existing impervious surface coverage. The property is situated at 2123 Ridgeview Avenue, zoned in the (R-4) Residential District of Ward No. 14 of the Township of Abington.

This motion is subject to the following conditions:

The portion of the attached garage that encroaches into the side yard setback area must be removed as indicated on the plan prior to selling the property.

All the macadam parking area and driveway as indicated on the site plan will be removed.

Relocate the retaining wall and the stairs on Lot No. 1.

Install a minimum of two-off street parking spaces for Lot No. 1.

All of the aforementioned must be completed prior to submitting the final plan and deeds for recording.

A deed must be submitted for each of the proposed new lots.

This motion is subject to the following waivers:

Section 146.11.C Proposed Layout Plan

Section 146-11.D Grading Plan

Section 146-11.L Architectural Plan

Section 146-11.A Property Identification Plan

Commissioner DiJoseph asked has the address been clarified?

Commissioner McGrath replied yes, 2123 is the correct address.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to advertise Ordinance 1905, which will amend Section 201 of Article II of the Zoning Ordinance of the Township pertaining to definitions, and Section 601 of Article VI, pertaining to Land Preservation District Overlay - Cluster Development. Public hearing will be held on Thursday, April 8, 2004, at 8:00 p.m.

Board of Commissioners Meeting March 11, 2004

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to authorize Township officials to accept a grant from the Pennsylvania Chiefs of Police Association to purchase and install a photo identification system. The cost of the system is $14,500 and the grant provides for $10,875.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to authorize Township officials to accept a revised grant award from the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency in the amount of $55,656.00.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath directing the Police Department to donate to the Bikes for Tykes Program, c/o Sussman Automotive, all unclaimed bicycles and bicycle parts which have been confiscated and are being held by the Department.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Myers read the Resolution into the record.

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Wachter to adopt Resolution #04-006 - Supporting Chief William J. Kelly for the position of Sergeant-at-Arms (on the Executive Board of the F. B. I. Law Enforcement Executive Development Association - LEEDA).

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Board of Commissioners Meeting March 11, 2004

Commissioner Carlin made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Turco to enter into a contract with Snyder Company, Inc. in the amount of $16,785.00.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Treasurer Max M. Solomon stated for February 2004, $1,232,617 was deposited into Fleet Bank, YTD $1,975,996. We collected $954,255 in Real Estate Taxes, which was $230,000 more than this time last year.

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to approve the investments for the month of January, 2004 as previously circulated to the Board. It was noted that investments for the month totaled $80,000. Interest yields ranged from 2.00% to 2.129%.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Motion to:

Approve the January, 2004 expenditures as previously circulated to the Board, in the amount of $1,582,788.12 and salaries and wages in the amount of $1,524,844.89.

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

Roll Call resulted in motion being passed 14-0.

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to approve the Advance and Travel Expense activity for January, 2004 as previously circulated to the Board. Advances and Travel Expense Reports were $0.00 and $85.09, respectively. One (1) month expenses totaled $85.09.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Board of Commissioners Meeting March 11, 2004

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 January, 2004 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 January, 2004 were $0.00 and ($2.40), respectively.

Deferred Revenue/Expense receipts and disbursements for the month of January, 2004 were $6,542.52 and ($2,275.00), respectively.

Commissioner Gross wished Treasurer Max M. Solomon a Happy Birthday next week.

Ken Krawchuk, 117 West Avenue, asked for the docket number of the matter that was discussed in litigation.

Solicitor Herder replied he can not remember the docket number; however the legal matter that was discussed was Congregation Kol Ami vs. Abington Township.

Mr. Krawchuk asked were the minutes corrected regarding the statements made by Julie Greenbaum?

Commissioner Gross replied yes.

Jon Fox, 2115 Guernsey Avenue, congratulated the EAC for their great work, and the Board of Commissioners and Treasurer Solomon for another year with no tax increase. He wished Chief Kelly the best of luck.

Commissioner Agostine wished Chief Kelly good luck.

Commissioner Myers congratulated Chief Kelly, and we know he will win.

Commissioner Wachter stated he had his water meter pipe changed to a 5/8 inch pipe, and has saved over $75.00. He wished everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Board of Commissioners Meeting March 11, 2004

Commissioner Gross commented Mr. Leber has handled the sewer tax bill questions very well.

Commissioner DiJoseph congratulated Bob Montgomery for his 23 years of service, and wished Chief Kelly the best of luck.

Commissioner Carlin commented the Art Show will held on March 19, 2004 in Ambler, and will be advertised on Channel 43.

Commissioner Gillespie stated Commissioner DeVore is the President of the State Association of Township Commissioners, and he is on the year book committee. He asked for help in getting people to advertise in the year book. There is a fund raiser for the Abington Senior High School Field Facility at the North Penn VFW on March 26, 2004. He thanked Mr. Matteo for his help with a problem in his ward, and wished everyone a Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Commissioner McGrath thanked Mr. Matteo and Mr. Lahaza for their help in her ward. She congratulated Chief Kelly and wished Treasurer Solomon a Happy Birthday.

Commissioner Weilheimer congratulated Mr. Montgomery and thanked him for making the Meadowbrook Sanctuary look great. She thanked Chief Kelly and his fellow officers for not only arresting the burglars who were robbing in her ward, but for making a tremendous effort collecting evidence.

Commissioner Gross congratulated the EAC and the volunteers. There was an attempted suicide in his ward, and the police handled it in a professional manner. There was an armed robbery at a gas station in his ward, and our police force apprehended the suspect. He thanked the staff for the new name plates.

ADJOURNMENT: 8:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Burton T. Conway, Secretary

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