Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
Board of Commissioners Meeting - October 10, 2002

The stated meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Abington was held on Thursday, October 10, 2002 at the Township Administration Building, Abington, PA., with Commissioner 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,

GILLESPIE, KRETSCHMAN, FERRARA

Excused: DEVORE

Township Manager CONWAY

Assistant Township Manager LAHAZA

Township Solicitor HERDER

Chief of Police KELLY

Treasurer SOLOMON

Township Engineer POWERS

Director of Finance MATIZA

Director of Public Works MICCIOLO

Planning and Zoning Official PENECALE

Director of Parks and Recreation WENDELL

Superintendent of W.W.T.P. LEBER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

COMMENDATIONS:

Chief Kelly stated the Police Athletic League is funded solely on private donations and the first corporate donor is the Abington Bank. Commissioner Ferrara and the members of the P.A.L. Founders Club presented Robert White, President of Abington Bank, a commendation for their donation.

Commissioners Carlin, Ferrara, and Wachter presented a commendation to the Boy Scout Troop 437, St. John of the Cross, for the beautification of Roslyn Park.

Mr. Wendell presented Park Ranger Sergeant Christopher Clewell, a miniature replica of the Park Ranger badge, acknowledging his retirement and dedication. He recognized Gregory DeStefano who has been promoted as Ranger Sergeant and thanked him for accepting.

Commissioner O’Connor introduced the Friends of the Triangle, who received an award from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society for beautification of the traffic island

at Huntingdon Pike and Cedar Road. A plaque will be placed at that triangle, and a framed certificate is to be displayed in the Township Building.

Commissioner Luker and Mr. Wendell presented a certificate of acknowledgment for the Crestmont Roundhouse restoration to: Stephanie Bell, Katelyn Kern, Maxi Eisenmann, Matt Reed, Chase Brown, Laura McGough, Joanne Wilson, Amanda Stoll, Lynn Hess, Bria Gardner, Kristin Sayer, Amanda Rooney, Rachel Wishnoff, Walter Sutin, Jackie Flynn, Jihan Thomas and thanked them for a job well done.

Commissioner Luker and Mr. Wendell presented Nick Della Guardia, owner of Specialty Floors, a plaque for donating carpeting to the Crestmont Roundhouse restoration project.

APPOINTMENT:

Commissioner Ferrara appointed Commissioners Wachter and Luker to the NO PLACE FOR HATE Committee.

HOSPITAL PRESENTATIONS:

Commissioner Ferrara stated we have two representatives from the hospitals in our Township to discuss the healthcare crisis. She introduced Sandy Santallo, Vice President for Public Affairs for Holy Redeemer Health Systems, Hospital, and Medical Center and Richard Montalbano, Vice President of Abington Hospital.

Ms. Santallo stated skyrocketing insurance premiums continue to threaten the viability of our Pennsylvania hospitals. As a result, hospitals are losing highly skilled practicing physicians and we are losing future doctors who will choose less threatening environments in which to practice. We have a responsibility to our community to ensure continued access to high quality services. This is becoming increasingly difficult because of spiraling costs, specifically those relating to medical liability. Our primary coverage costs have increased from $1.6 million in 1999 to $3.8 million in 2000-2001. We now pay $6.4 million. In addition to that, we may have to pay out of pocket as well. As a result, more and more patients are seeking care in our emergency departments and creating increased waiting. It is essential to work together to provide continued access and quality care to our community.

Mr. Montalbano stated in 1999 we paid $7 million for malpractice insurance. This year we paid $23 million. We will continue to meet the needs, but we have eliminated our occupational health program; eliminated vacancies so we are not replacing jobs; eliminated travel which ensures the staff stays current in their fields; and taken all measures to curtail expenses. Although the Pennsylvania Legislature has passed three separate items that will help, we are not feeling the effects in the short term. We need everyone’s help with this issue. We need to educate the public and contact our legislator and tell them that tort reform is necessary in this state. The State could allow the current situation to work its way out, until the new laws have taken place. Representative Greenwood of Doylestown filed a tort reform legislation, which has passed the House of Representatives, and that bill has been passed on to the Senate. This issue belongs at the Federal level.

Commissioner Ferrara asked Mr. Conway to write a letter to our Federal and State legislators on behalf of the Board of Commissioners.

MINUTES:

Commissioner Kretschman made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Agostine to approve the minutes of the Board of Commissioners meeting of September 12, 2002.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:

Bid Award - Biosolids Recycling

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to accept the lowest responsible bid and enter into a one-year contract, beginning November 1, 2002, with Jesse Baro, Inc. for biosolids recycling in the amount of $34.75 per ton, to be paid from Sewer Fund Account #02-10-200-5305.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Roslyn/Montgomery County Revitalization Grant #1

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to authorize the proper officers to sign an implementation grant agreement between Montgomery County and Abington which secures $89,570 of County funds and which commits approximately $50,000 of Township funds for the construction of new period street lighting along Bradfield Road north of Susquehanna and along Susquehanna from Bradfield to the Roslyn train station. Township funds will be drawn from the Economic Development Capital fund #07-01-502-7325.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0

2002 CDBG Contingency Funds

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve the use of CDBG Contingency funds in the amount of $50,000 to install approximately 16 new lights along with related restoration costs on Bradfield Road from Radcliff Avenue to Susquehanna Road.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Bid Addendum - County Revitalization Grants

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve Addendum #1 to the McCarthy Masonry and Concrete, Inc. Fairway Phase II revitalization contract, in an amount not to exceed $210,570, in order to commence revitalization improvements according to the County Revitalization awards. Funds will be drawn from Economic Development Account #07-01-502-7325, the CDBG Contingency fund account, and private and County funds previously identified.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Lease Agreement - Consortium Recycling Center

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to authorize the proper officers to enter into a lease agreement with the Recycling Consortium for the Recycling Center located off Fitzwatertown Road.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Ordinance #1883 - Establishing Sewer Rates Based Upon Water Usage

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to adopt Ordinance #1883, establishing sanitary sewer user rates based upon water usage, the Public Hearing having been held on September 19, 2002.

Commissioner Ferrara stated there was a Public Hearing held on September 19, 2002 and we heard three hours of testimony after which the Hearing was closed. This is a new method of charging for sewer usage and will not be implemented for more than a year and the scheduled implementation will be January, 2004.

Madge Tidwell, 614 Harrison Avenue, asked were the issues that were raised at the Hearing resolved?

Commissioner Ferrara replied the Commissioners reviewed the entire transcript of the Hearing and they have been resolved.

Ms. Tidwell asked will the majority of the people see an increase?

Commissioner Ferrara replied no, the majority will see a decrease.

Commissioner Gillespie commented he has a list of people in his ward that will benefit from this change.

Commissioner Zappone commented if this ordinance is implemented, people will start conserving water and the water company will not get that revenue, so they will increase their rates. It does not benefit all senior citizens.

Commissioner Gross replied those senior citizens should have their meters checked by Philadelphia Suburban Water Co.

Commissioner Zappone asked where will the money go that is generated by this?

Commissioner Ferrara replied this is revenue neutral. It will be calculated on the amount of water that is put into the system as opposed to the number of fixtures in your home.

Commissioner Ring commented that every religious institution in the Township will have a substantial decrease.

Commissioner Turco stated he is concerned about the young families whose fees will be increased. It is not fair that nine wards have increases.

Commissioner Ferrara replied nine wards have decreases; six have increases.

Commissioner Turco commented the people who can least afford it are the people who are getting hit the most.

Commissioner Wachter commented it is only fair to pay for what is used.

Roll Call resulted in MOTION being PASSED 8-6. Commissioners Luker, Turco, Zappone, Carlin, Myers, and McGrath opposed.

Ordinance 1883

Joint Resolution - Regarding Washington Lane & Greenwood Avenue and the

Old York Road Corridor

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve a Joint Resolution among Abington, Jenkintown, Lower Moreland, and Cheltenham with respect to the Washington Lane & Greenwood Avenue intersection and the Old York Road corridor.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Commissioner Ferrara appointed Mike Powers, Engineer; Ed Micciolo, Public Works; Commissioners Gross and Agostine; and Matt Lahaza, Asst. Township Manager, as the committee who will meet with the officials of Jenkintown Borough.

CODE ENFORCEMENT AND LAND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

Subdivision Plan SD-02-08 - John Brandenburger - 2910 Meyer Avenue

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve the subdivision plan of John Brandenburger, as prepared by Pahutski Land Surveying. Applicant proposes to subdivide the property into two lots. Lot 1, containing the existing single-family dwelling, will have an area of 9,018 sq. ft. Lot 2 will have a lot area of 12,702 sq. ft. Both lots will be served by public water and sanitary sewer. Properties conform to the dimensional requirements for lot frontage and depth. Property is known as 2910 Meyer Avenue, zoned in the (R-4) Residential District of Ward 9.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Subdivision Plan SD-02-09 - James & Eileen Pettit - 323 Meetinghouse Road

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve the subdivision plan/lot line change for James and Eileen Pettit, as prepared by Pahutski Land Surveying. Applicant proposes a lot line change of two feet to gain the required lot area of 15,106 sq. ft. Existing dwelling property in Lot 1 will have a lot area of 61,178 sq. ft. Property is known as 323 Meetinghouse Road, zoned in the (R-2) Residential District in Ward 7.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Ordinance #1884 - Amending Zoning Ordinance

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to advertise Ordinance #1884, amending Version 6.0 of the Revised Abington Township Zoning Ordinance, to amend Article 3, Establishment of Zoning Districts, and repealing and inconsistent provisions.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMTTEE:

163 Roberts Avenue - Two Hour Parking

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to create a two-hour parking zone at 163 Roberts Avenue.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

PA Drug Education and Law Enforcement Grant Program (DARE)

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to authorize Township officials to accept a grant award from PA Commission on Crime and Delinquency in the amount of $69,677.21.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

PAL Grant 2002

Commissioner Meyers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to authorize Township officials to accept a grant from Abington Police Athletic/ Activities League in the amount of $5,000.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Deer Hunt at Alverthorpe Park

Commissioner Meyers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to authorize a two-day deer hunt at Alverthorpe Park between October 20, 2002 and January 11, 2003 after appropriate notification to the residents and the schools.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-1. Commissioner Zappone opposed.

Police Officer Appointment

Commissioner Meyers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to appoint Shane LaRosa from the Civil Service eligibility list to the position of probationary Police Officer, effective November 4, 2002, provided that he successfully completes the remaining portions of the appointment process.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:

Arts Fund Grant -Manor Concert Series

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to accept the Five County Arts Fund grant in the amount of $3,803 to help with costs of staging the annual summer concert series.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

DCED Grant - Manor Concert Series

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to accept a grant from DCED in the amount of $5,000 for the 2002 summer concert series at Alverthorpe Manor.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Skateparks

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to approve a dollar-for-dollar match up to $35,000 for the construction of a skateboard facility in Roslyn Park.

MOTION was ADOPTED 13-1. Commissioner Gillespie opposed.

Trails Match

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to authorize application to DCNR for a grant in the amount of $115,000 for the construction of walking trails in both Ardsley and Roslyn parks and to adopt the accompanying resolution.

Commissioner Ferrara stated the MOTION was sent to the full Board without recommendation from the Public Affairs Committee pending verification that the Township will not be responsible for the match.

Commissioner Carlin stated he distributed to the Board, an e-mail from Lawrence Williamson, Director of the Bureau of Recreation of Conservation in Harrisburg, to Rep. Ellen Bard, where he confirms DCNR funds can be matched by Federal T-21 funds.

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Luker to AMEND the MOTION to include language that we adopt this Resolution contingent upon there being no local match money expended from Abington Township.

MOTION was PASSED to AMEND 14-0.

MOTION to ADOPT as AMENDED 13-1. Commissioner Kretschman opposed.

Hillside Condemnation

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Gillespie to authorize an expenditure not to exceed $35,000 from Contingency Account #01-01-002-5299 for preparation of testimony and presentation to Board of View for Hillside litigation.

Commissioner Gross asked how much have we spent so far?

Mr. Conway replied we have spent $2.6 million, which was the acquisition price in 1995 and 90% was the County Open Space grant with a 10% local match. The expense of the condemnation procedure is in an excess of $225,000.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

PennDOT Free Transit Program for Seniors

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Gillespie to accept $24,657 from the PennDOT Lottery Grant for FY 2002-2003 for the Abington Link Bus.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer Max M. Solomon stated for September 2002, $826,331 was deposited into Fleet Bank, YTD $11,183,238. We collected $45,295 in Real Estate Taxes, YTD $19,029,625.

Mr. Solomon reported we received $12,000 from the Amnesty Program.

Investments

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve the investments for the month of August, 2002 as previously circulated to the Board. It was noted that investments for the month totaled $990,000. Interest rates ranged from 1.75% to 6.50%.

Expenditures/Salaries and Wages

Motion to:

Approve the August, 2002 expenditures as previously circulated to the Board, in the amount of $1,685,683.18 and salaries and wages in the amount of $1,452,431.89.

Authorize the proper officials to sign vouchers in payment of bills and contracts as they mature for the month of November, 2002.

Roll Call resulted in the MOTION being PASSED 14-0.

Training and Conference Expenses

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve the Advance and Travel Expense activity for August, 2002 as previously circulated to the Board. Advances and Travel Expense Reports were $-0- and $3,017.19, respectively. Eight (8) month YTD expenses total $25,779.45.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

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 August, 2002 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 August, 2002 were $.41 and ($0.00), respectively.

Deferred Revenue/Expense receipts and disbursements for the month of August, 2002 were $24,912.26 and ($21,415.06), respectively.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Budget Adjustment Authorization - Legal Expense

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to authorize a budget adjustment not to exceed $25,000 from Contingency Account #01-01-002-5299 to Legal Expense Account #01-01-003-5201.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Budget Adjustment Authorization - ZHB Legal Expense

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to authorize a budget not to exceed $6,000 from Contingency Account #01-01-002-5299 to Legal Expense (Zoning Hearing Board) Account #01-06-087-5201.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

PERSONNEL COMMITTEE:

Police Contract Approval

Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Turco to authorize approval of a new collective bargaining agreement with the Abington Township Police Association for the period 2002-2005.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

REMARKS FROM COMMISSIONERS:

Commissioner Turco commented the Hillside Condemnation process will take a lot of money and time.

Commissioner Gross welcomed back Dolores Downs from sick leave.

Commissioner Gillespie stated he took a bicycle ride with Governor Mark Schweiker and 700 other bicyclists. He gave $2 million to Bensalem for a youth recreation facility and if we had more bike trails, the next Governor might give our Township some money.

Commissioner Carlin thanked the Board for their approval of the DCNR application.

Commissioner O’Connor commented the sewer rate change is a fair plan and we will be paying strictly on water usage.

Commissioner Kretschman thanked Mr. Conway for negotiating the police contract and thanked the staff for their hard work on the sewer rate study. The people who pay more, use more. The people who use less and conserve will benefit.

Commissioner Ferrara announced that Mr. Lahaza and herself attended an awards banquet by Penn State Abington, and we were presented the "Penn State Abington Pride Award" for the relationship we developed with Penn State Abington and their appreciation of Abington Township.

ADJOURNMENT: 9:05 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Burton T. Conway, Secretary

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