Board of Commissioners Meeting November 10, 2005
The stated meeting of the Board of Commissioners of
Abington Township was held on Thursday, November 10,
2005 at the Township Administration Building,
Abington, PA, with Commissioner Ring presiding.
CALL TO ORDER: 8:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners
AGOSTINE, MYERS,
WACHTER, DIJOSEPH, TURCO, ZAPPONE,
CARLIN, JAY O’CONNOR, MICHAEL O’CONNOR,
WEILHEIMER, LUKER, MCGRATH, LYNOTT,
RING.
Excused: GILLESPIE
Township Treasurer BLUMENTHAL
Assistant Township Manager LAHAZA
Township Solicitor HERDER
Chief of Police KELLY
Township Engineer POWERS
Finance Director MATIZA
Director of Parks & Recreation WENDELL
Director of Code Enforcement MATTEO
Director of Public Works MICCIOLO
Superintendent of W.W.T.P. LEBER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
PRESENTATION:
Chief Kelly stated each year the Governor presents
a Governor’s award to volunteers from around the
State through their volunteer work add to the safety
and security of their community and the community of
the State of Pennsylvania. 9 awards were given out
across the State, and Valerie Ward from Willow Grove
was a recipient this past year.
Valerie retired from teaching in 1997, and has been
a prominent figure in crime prevention and youth
programs in Abington Township. She is a civilian
volunteer with the local D.U.I. Sobriety Checkpoints.
She chaperones youth events, patrols as a town watch
member, assists in the annual crime prevention fair,
and helps plan the annual Unity Day. She has recently
received national recognition as a recipient of the
President’s Volunteer Service Award for volunteering
over 500 hours with the Abington Police Department.
She is very active with the kids at the PAL Willow
Hill site. She is one of 19 volunteers in the State of
Pennsylvania to receive the Governor’s Award for
Outstanding Citizen Crime Prevention.
Board of Commissioners Meeting November 10, 2005
Commissioners Ring and Luker presented Valerie
Ward, recipient of the 2005 Governor’s Award, a
certificate of commendation on behalf of the Board of
Commissioners of Abington Township for Outstanding
Citizen Crime Prevention.
ANNOUNCEMENT:
Commissioner Ring announced that an Executive
Session was held on November 10, 2005 at 7:15 p.m.
regarding a matter of litigation.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
Commissioner Turco made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Zappone to approve the minutes of the
Board of Commissioners meeting of October 20, 2005,
and the Board of Commissioners Quarterly Budget
meeting of October 20, 2005.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:
Paper Disposal Agreement
Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Zappone to authorize the proper officials
to enter into an agreement with Newman Paper Company
for the Recycling of our paper with a minimum payment
of $42.00 and a maximum payment of $71.00. The base
price will be $1.00 over the OBM Yellow sheet #6 news
New York high side price.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Consortium Bid for LED Bulbs
Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Zappone to accept the lowest responsible
bid and enter into a contract with Traffic Products
In., in the amount of $116,460.50, for the purchase of
LED Traffic Signal Bulbs, for the Consortium, as per
bid specifications.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
CODE ENFORCEMENT AND LAND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
The Committee had no business at this time.
Board of Commissioners Meeting November 10, 2005
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:
Parking Signs – 939 Township Line Road
Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner McGrath to approve the installation of
60-minute maximum parking signs in front of 939
Township Line Road.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
600-681 Jackson Avenue – Permit Parking and
Two-Hour Zone
Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner McGrath to create a parking permit area
on Jackson Avenue from 600 to 681 with a two-hour
restriction from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Youth Aid Panel
Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner McGrath to authorize Township officials
to use $5,000 of unexpended funds from 01-04-060-5020
(Police Department Operating Expenses) to fund the
Abington Youth Aid Panel and related community service
expenses for the remainder of the year 2005.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Additional Funding for Police Radio Room
Construction
Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner McGrath to allocate an additional $60,674
from Fund Balance in order to award construction bid
and complete the Radio Room project.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Bids for Police Radio Room Construction
Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner McGrath to award the contract for
construction of Police Radio Room to The Midway
Corporation based on their low bid of $132,100.00.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Board of Commissioners Meeting November 10, 2005
Disposal of Unclaimed Confiscated Bicycles
Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner McGrath to direct the Police Department
to donate to the Bikes for Tykes Program, c/o Sussman
Automotive, all unclaimed bicycles or bicycle parts
which have been confiscated and are being held by the
Department.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:
Economic Development – Tax Incentive Program
Commissioner Carlin made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Turco to approve Resolution 05-021
extending the effective application period of
Ordinance Number 1768 governing tax abatement to
October 31, 2010, and to include all of the business
properties identified in the original ordinance and
prior resolutions governing abatement.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Resolution 05-021
Resolution 05-021
Board of Commissioners Meeting November 10, 2005
Alverthorpe Manor - Tree Removal
Commissioner Carlin made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Turco to approve the lowest responsible
bidder, Valley Crest Landscaping for the removal of
trees at the Alverthorpe Manor along the Jenkintown
Road side at a cost of $4,500.00.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Alverthorpe Manor – Fence Replacement
Commissioner Carlin made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Turco to approve the lowest responsible
bidder, Tru-Line Fence Company for the replacement of
the fence at the Alverthorpe Manor at a cost of
$36,525.00.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Alverthorpe Manor Orientation Area Paving
Commissioner Carlin made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Turco to reject the sole bid of
$285,000.00 by Ramos & Associates for the concrete
paving project at the Alverthorpe Manor.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Open Space Expenses
Commissioner Carlin made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Turco to approve the expenditure of up to
$25,000.00 from Fund Balance for the completion of the
Recreation and Open Space Plan. These funds will be
reimbursed to the Township by the County after the
plan has been completed and approved.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Bid Award – Printing of the 2006-2007 Annual
Report & Calendar
Commissioner Carlin made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Turco to award the bid for printing of
23,000 copies of the 2006-2007 Annual Report and
Calendar to Christmas City Printing Company, Inc., the
lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of
$13,736.00.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Board of Commissioners Meeting November 10, 2005
FINANCE COMMITTEE:
Township Treasurer’s Report:
Township Treasurer Jay W. Blumenthal reported for
the month of October, 2005 $1,274,205 was deposited
into Bank America, YTD $15,621,733. This was a
decrease as compared to last year of ($994,503) and
YTD increase of $195,617. We collected $52,102 in Real
Estate Taxes, YTD $20,971,873.
Investments
Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Carlin to approve the investments for the
month of September, 2005 as previously circulated to
the Board. It was noted that investments for the month
totaled $9,020,000.00. Interest yields ranged from
3.35% to 4.65%.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Expenditures/Salaries and Wages
Motion to:
Approve the September, 2005 expenditures as
previously circulated to the Board, in the amount
of $4,740,065.11 and salaries and wages in the
amount of $2,078,262.89.
Authorize the proper officials to sign vouchers
in payment of bills and contracts as they mature
for the month of December, 2005.
Roll Call resulted in motion being passed 14-0.
Training and Conference Expenses
Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Carlin to approve the Advance and Travel
Expense activity for September, 2005 as previously
circulated to the Board. Advance and Travel Expense
reports were $80.00 and $10,560.74, respectively.
Nine-month expenses totaled $43,380.94.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Board of Commissioners Meeting November 10, 2005
Clearing Fund/Deferred Revenue and Expense/Petty
Cash
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 September, 2005 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 September, 2005 were $0.00 and ($2.46),
respectively.
Deferred Revenue/Expense receipts and disbursements
for the month of September, 2005 were $446,996.02 and
($442,152.64), respectively.
Public Hearing – Ordinance No. 1930 – Interest
and Attorney Fee Schedule for Collecting Delinquent
Accounts by Portnoff Law Associates
Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Carlin to adopt Ordinance No. 1930 –
Interest and Attorney Fee Schedule for Collecting
Delinquent Accounts by Portnoff Law Associates.
Commissioner Ring opened the public hearing at 8:10
p.m.
Commissioner Ring asked for comments from staff.
Ms. Matiza stated at the October Board meeting, the
Board authorized the Township officials to enter into
a one-year contract with Portnoff Law Associates for
the collection of delinquent Real Estate taxes for
2005. At that time we received permission to advertise
this ordinance, which includes the fees that will be
charged to the delinquent tax payers.
Commissioner Ring asked for comments from the
Commissioners.
Commissioner Turco asked will this go out to bid
each year?
Ms. Matiza stated this is the first year we have
done this because Montgomery County Tax Claim Bureau
decided to outsource the collection of their land
liens. It will go out for bid next year.
Commissioner Ring asked for public comments. There
were none.
Board of Commissioners Meeting November 10, 2005
Commissioner Ring made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Turco to close the public hearing.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0. The Hearing was closed at
8:12 p.m.
MOTION to adopt Ordinance No. 1930 passed 14-0.
Ordinance No. 1930
Ordinance 1930
Ordinance 1930
Board of Commissioners Meeting November 10, 2005
Expenditure from Unallocated Fund Balance –
Improvement Fund
Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Carlin to authorize an expenditure from
Unallocated Permanent Improvement Fund Balance
(Account No. 07-00-000-5999) in the amount of
$48,734.00 to be distributed equally among the five
volunteer fire companies serving Abington Township.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Ordinance No. 1934 – Ordinance to Amend the Code
of the Township of Abington, Chapter 152, Entitled
Taxation, Article IV, Entitled Realty Transfer Tax, to
add a New Section to Permit the Township Tax Collector
to Assess, Collect and Retain a Fee for Preparation of
Certification of Real Estate Taxes Due or Paid for
Properties within the Township of Abington.
Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Carlin to advertise a Public Hearing for
December 1, 2005 at 7 p.m. to amend the code of the
Township of Abington, Chapter 152, Entitled Taxation,
Article IV, Entitled Realty Transfer Tax, to add a New
Section to Permit the Township Tax Collector to
Assess, Collect and Retain a Fee for Preparation of
Certification of Real Estate Taxes Due or Paid for
Properties within the Township of Abington.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
PENSION COMMITTEE:
Resolution 05-017 – Establishment of Schedule of
Police Pension Plan Contributions for the year 2006
Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Luker to adopt Resolution No. 05-017
affirming the establishment of schedule of police
office contributions to the Police Pension Plan unless
and until they are needed to keep the plan fully
funded.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Resolution 05-017
Resolution 05-017
Resolution 05-017
Board of Commissioners Meeting November 10, 2005
Resolution No. 05-018 – Revised Minimum Municipal
Obligation – for 2005 Pension Plans
Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by
Commissioner Luker to adopt Resolution No. 05-018
revising and amending the Township’s minimum
municipal funding obligation for the calendar year
2006 with respect to the Municipal Employee and Police
Pension Plans, is $445,372 and $725,296 respectively.
MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.
Resolution 05-018
Board of Commissioners Meeting November 10, 2005
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Ken Krawchuk, 117 West Avenue, asked when was the
public informed that last month’s Board meeting was
changed?
Commissioner Ring stated it is on the calendar,
which is published a year in advance.
Commissioner Carlin stated it is on the website
too.
Victor Krievens, 840 Maple Avenue, stated while at
the Roslyn Car Show, a woman with two young children
asked Officer Alan Freed where the snow cone booth was
and opened her wallet with nothing in it. Officer
Freed gave her money to buy her children snow cones.
Officer Fran Junod had two indigent people that
needed to be removed from the Township. He drove them
to the Greyhound Bus Terminal in Willow Grove, and was
going to pay for their tickets out of his own pocket,
but Greyhound said they could ride for free.
Commissioner Ring stated Commissioner Weilheimer
pointed out on the motion to advertise Ordinance No.
1934, the Board said the public hearing will be
December 1, 2005. Could the date be changed to
November 28, 2005 since we have committee meetings
that evening?
Solicitor Herder replied there is no requirement
that this be put off until any such date.
Commissioner Carlin made a MOTION to AMEND the
MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Lynott to change the
date of the Public Hearing for Ordinance No. 1934 to
Monday, November 28, 2005.
MOTION as AMENDED passed 14-0.
REMARKS FROM COMMISSIONERS:
Commissioner Luker commended Valerie Ward on
receiving the Governor’s Award.
Commissioner Jay O’Connor thanked Mr. Lahaza for
his assistance in setting up the Holiday night in the
McKinley section, which will be December 3, 2005.
Commissioner Turco congratulated Valerie Ward.
Board of Commissioners Meeting November 10, 2005
Commissioner DiJoseph stated we had a block party
for children in our neighborhood and Sgt. Warner and
Officer Whitney were very helpful, and she appreciates
it.
Commissioner Wachter stated tomorrow is Veteran’s
Day, and we should take some time to remember those
who sacrificed so much for us. We have a lot to be
thankful this Thanksgiving.
Commissioner Ring stated to please remember the
veterans on Veteran’s Day.
ADJOURNMENT: 8:25 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Burton T. Conway, Secretary
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