|
Board of Commissioners
Meeting Minutes
Board of Commissioners Meeting - May 8, 2003
The stated meeting of the Board of Commissioners of
the Township of Abington was held on Thursday, May 8,
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,
TURCO, ZAPPONE, RING, GROSS, O’CONNOR,
CARLIN, MYERS, MCGRATH, DEVORE,
GILLESPIE, FERRARA
Excused: LUKER, KRETSCHMAN
Township Manager CONWAY
Assistant Township Manager LAHAZA
Township Solicitor HERDER
Chief of Police KELLY
Township Engineer POWERS
Director of Public Works MICCIOLO
Superintendent of W.W.T.P. LEBER
Director of Parks and Recreation WENDELL
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Commissioner Gillespie announced the Commissioners
received shirts and pins to thank them for their support
of the Police/Fire Memorial statue.
Commissioner Ferrara announced Commissioner Gross will
be Chairman of Local Government Day in Abington on Thursday,
May 29, 2003.
COMMENDATIONS:
Commissioner Agostine recognized those students from
McKinley Elementary, Rydal Elementary School and Abington
Junior High School for advancing to the Odyssey
of the Mind World Finals Competitions, the first
time that any Abington school had gone this far. She
introduced Dr. Sichel, School Superintendent, and Principals
of three schools.
Chief Kelly stated on December 4, 2002, we received
a call that a man was holding a gun to his head on the
1700 block of Easton Road, which is one property away
from Copper Beech Elementary School. Sgt. Patrick Molloy
fired a bean bag round that injures, but does not kill.
He hit the suspect, who dropped the gun and was arrested.
Commissioner Ferrara presented a Class III Commendation
to Sgt. Molloy for his bravery and skill.
Board of Commissioners Meeting May 8, 2003
MINUTES:
Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Ring to approve the minutes of the Board of Commissioners
meeting of April 10, 2003.
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.
Commissioner Gross announced an Executive Session was
held at 7:30 p.m. this evening to discuss litigation.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:
Ordinance 1893 - Philadelphia Presbytery Homes,
Inc. - Sanitary Sewer Right-of-Way
Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Gross to adopt Ordinance 1893 which provides for the
condemnation of a sanitary sewer right-of-way through
the property of Philadelphia Presbytery Homes at 1515
The Fairway and adjoining properties.
Commissioner Ferrara opened the Public Hearing at 8:15
p.m.
Commissioner Ferrara asked for any comments from the
Commissioners. There were none.
Commissioner Ferrara asked for any comments in favor
of the ordinance. There were none.
Commissioner Ferrara asked for any comments in disfavor
of the ordinance. There were none.
Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Ring to close the Hearing.
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0. The Public Hearing was closed
at 8:16 p.m.
MOTION to adopt the ordinance passed 13-0.
Ordinance 1893
Board of Commissioners Meeting May 8, 2003
Township Line Road Sanitary Sewer Replacement -
Engineering Services
Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Ring to authorize BCM Engineers to perform engineering
inspection for replacement of approximately 5,500 feet
of sanitary sewer on Township Line Road at an engineering
cost NTE $72,293, with 30.5% reimbursement from PennDOT,
using funds from Capital Account #17-10-849-7307.
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.
Wissahickon Total Maximum Daily Load Allocations
- Engineering Fees for Consulting Services
Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Ring to authorize expenditures NTE $20,000 from Wastewater
Account #02-10-200-5305 to Environmental Engineering
and Management Associates for consulting services in
connection with DEP and EPA rulings on Total Maximum
Daily Load allocations.
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.
Storm Sewers and Paving of Alleyway Behind the 1400
Block of Old York Road
Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Ring to amend Joao & Bradley’s Contract #126 in
the amount of $35,000 for the construction of storm
sewers and paving the alleyway behind the 1400 block
of Old York Road, between Keith Road and Highland Ave.
To be funded from the unallocated Sewer Fund balance.
Cost to be divided among the ten adjacent property owners.
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.
CODE ENFORCEMENT AND LAND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
THE COMMITTEE HAD NO BUSINESS AT THIS TIME.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:
Ordinance #1894 - Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
McGrath to advertise Ordinance #1894 requiring the installation
of carbon monoxide detectors in homes, and amending
any existing ordinances regarding the installation of
smoke detectors in homes, and to set June 12, 2003 for
a public hearing.
Board of Commissioners Meeting May 8, 2003
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.
Ordinance #1896 - Traffic Regulatory Signs
Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
McGrath to advertise Ordinance #1896 incorporating all
of the traffic regulatory signs approved and in effect
since May 2002 into the Code of the Township of Abington.
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.
Resolution 03-005 - Police Memorial Day in Abington
Township
Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
McGrath to adopt Resolution 03-005, designating Saturday,
May 10th, as Police Memorial Day. Dedication
of the Police and Fire Memorial at the Township Building
will be at noon.
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.
Resolution 03-005
Board of Commissioners Meeting May 8, 2003
Disposal of Unclaimed Confiscated Bicycles
Commissioner Myers 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 13-0.
Police Uniform Project - Reallocation of Funds
Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
McGrath to authorize the reallocation of budgeted funds
for the purchase of new police uniforms.
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:
Hillside Condemnation Costs
Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Gillespie to authorize an expenditure NTE $10,000 from
Contingency Acct. #01-01-002-5299 for the Hillside Cemetery
condemnation matter.
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.
Right-to-Know Law - Resolution #03-006
Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Gillespie to adopt Resolution #03-006 which establishes
policy and procedure for the Township regarding access
to public records and information.
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.
Resolution 03-006
Board of Commissioners Meeting May 8, 2003
FINANCE COMMITTEE:
Treasurer’s Report:
Commissioner Ring announced Treasurer Max M. Solomon
was out of town and the Treasurer’s report is attached
to the agenda.
Investments
Commissioner Ring made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
O’Connor to approve the investments for the month of
March, 2003 as previously circulated to the Board. It
was noted that investments for the month totaled $818,000.
Interest rates ranged from 2.25% to 4.239%.
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.
Expenditures/Salaries and Wages
Motion to:
Approve the March, 2003 expenditures as previously
circulated to the Board, in the amount of $1,398,338.33
and salaries and wages in the amount of $1,420,222.41.
Authorize the proper officials to sign vouchers in
payment of bills and contracts as they mature for
the month of June, 2003.
Roll Call resulted in the MOTION being PASSED 13-0.
Training and Conference Expenses
Commissioner Ring made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
O’Connor to approve the Advance and Travel Expense activity
for March, 2003 as previously circulated to the Board.
Advances and Travel Expense Reports were $0.00 and $9,782.83,
respectively. Three (3) month expenses total $12,833.79.
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.
Clearing Fund/Deferred Revenue and Expense/Petty
Cash
Commissioner Ring 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 March,
2003 as previously circulated to the Board.
Petty Cash balances were approved as per Finance Committee
Report.
Board of Commissioners Meeting May 8, 2003
Clearing Fund receipts and disbursements for the month
of March, 2003 were $0.00 and ($0.00), respectively.
Deferred Revenue/Expense receipts and disbursements
for the month of March, 2003 were $20,034.48 and ($8,569.65),
respectively.
Ordinance #1897 - Earned Income Tax Amending Ordinance
#1887
Commissioner Ring made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
O’Connor to approve the advertisement of Ordinance #1897,
which amends Ordinance #1887 by increasing the Earned
Income Tax rate from ½ of 1% to 1%.
Commissioner Ferrara asked for the date of the Public
Hearing.
Mr. Conway replied June 12, 2003.
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-0.
Dr. Bob Sklaroff, 1219 Fairacres Road, stated he analyzed
the issue of the under taxation of the Willow Grove
Mall. He looked at the assessment for the 13 parcels,
and the total assessment was $72 million plus. The SEC
filing states: "The Mall was purchased in 2000
for $140,000,000." The Fair Market Value was $166
million. The difference per year in taxes calculated
out to be $330,000, for the Township and $1.7 million
for the School Board. The Real Estate transfer tax of
1% was inappropriately charged against the assessed
value instead of the sale value. This needs to be investigated.
Commissioner Ferrara stated Bruce Toll has brought
this to our attention and it has been thoroughly investigated.
Solicitor Herder stated the assessment is not set by
the Township. It is set by the County. The matter was
looked into by the Board of Assessment and it was found
that the assessments placed on the property were done
in accordance with the law.
Commissioner Ferrara stated the Township looked into
this matter, and we were told the assessment was appropriate.
If anyone was going to appeal this, it would be the
School Board, not the Township.
Dr. Sklaroff stated the Mall was assessed at $72 million
even though it was sold for twice that much.
Commissioner Ferrara stated it is not unusual for a
property to sell for twice its assessment.
Board of Commissioners Meeting May 8, 2003
Ken Krawchuk, 117 West Avenue, stated it is none of
your business where he puts the carbon monoxide detectors
in his home. Money is being wasted on the Hillside Cemetery
and the Earned Income Tax is unconstitutional. He asked
the Commissioners to consider joining the Toastmasters.
REMARKS OF COMMISSIONERS:
Commissioner Agostine wished everyone a Happy Mother’s
Day.
Commissioner Wachter commented Friday is the Spouse
Appreciation Dinner, Saturday is Police Memorial Day,
and Sunday is Mother’s Day. He appreciates his spouse
and wished everyone a Happy Mother’s Day.
Commissioner Turco wished everyone a Happy Mother’s
Day.
Commissioner Gillespie wished everyone a Happy Mother’s
Day and reminded everyone to attend the Police/Fire
Memorial ceremony.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Burton T. Conway, Secretary
sev
|
