After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the meeting proceeded.

Transcription

1 June 9, 2015 The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Commissioners of West Norriton Township was convened at 7:05 PM on the above date by President Panzullo. Commissioners Donoghue, Kennedy, McKenzie and Tolbert were present, along with: Jason Bobst; Christen Pionzio, Esquire; Kathy Frederick; A. Dale Mabry; Michael Valyo; Jon Dzedzy; Joe Estock; and Chris Frawley. There were thirty-one (31) people in the audience, including the press. After reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, the meeting proceeded. Presentation Acknowledgement of Service Presentation Commendation A presentation of a Proclamation was made by Mr. Dzedzy, Director of the Parks & Recreations Department, to Florence Bruno for her dedicated service to the Department and the Township. Ms. Bruno was recognized for her twenty (20) years of tireless efforts in arranging, coordinating and escorting the trips offered by the Township through the Recreation Department. A recommendation was prepared and read by Chief Mabry for a Distinguished Unit Commendation of Sergeant Robert Palermo, Corporal Kristin Touchstone, Officer Andrew Oreo, Officer Christopher Avery and Detective Mark Wassmer for their outstanding police work and investigation skills resulting in the recovery of stolen vehicles/property and arrests. Upon motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Tolbert and unanimously approved, the Commendations were approved and copies of same are to be placed in the personnel files of Det. Wassmer, Cpl. Touchstone, Sgt. Palermo, Off. Oreo and Off. Avery. Presentation NASD Budget Anne Rohricht of the Norristown Area School District showed a power point presentation to the Board of the District s Proposed Final Budget. The presentation consisted of: NADS overview; budget updates, including income and expense projections, tax rate implications, and challenges/ issues; property tax relief; and facilities updates. Also Ms. Rohricht updated the Board on the high school stadium bleacher project by advising it that $200, has been raised which is enough to purchase bleachers with a 300+ person seating capacity with a press box to be erected on the home side of the stadium. However, it was noted by Ms. Rohricht that a previous Agreement with the Township calls for bathrooms to be installed when permanent bleachers are on site. According to Ms. Rohricht, the NASD is looking to get past the language requiring bathrooms by having the Township waive that condition. To that, Mr. Bobst inquired if the NASD would be willing to make concessions about the dedication of Eagle Drive and if the neighboring resident group would be in agreement with the decision to move forward with the bleacher project absent the bathrooms. Mr. Tolbert noted that it would be essential for that group to be in agreement before moving forward.

2 . -2- June 9, 2015 The Board further inquired as to, among other things, whether or not additional bleachers will be brought in for games, the number of fans attending the games, the dimensions and seating capacity of the bleachers, and the size of the press box. Per Mr. Bobst, he and Ms. Pionzio will work with Ms. Rohricht to evaluate the requested changes and make the neighbors aware. Minutes Approval Report of Bills Approval of Checks Upon motion of Mr. Tolbert, seconded by Mr. Donoghue and unanimously passed, the minutes from the Board of Commissioners work session of May 5, 2015 and its regular meeting of May 12, 2015 were approved. Mr. Bobst read the Finance Committee Report and requested approval of: General Fund and Golf Club payroll checks in the amount of $31,371.10; payroll vouchers in the amount of $231,307.46; and the Payment Approval Report in the amount of $651, Upon motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Tolbert and unanimously passed, the approval of checks and vouchers was approved by the Board. Administration Mr. Bobst announced the addition of two (2) items to the agenda, namely: the status of the DCNR Grant; and the GASB 67 and Auditors General Report. With regard to the DCNR Grant, Mr. Bobst explained that the RFP is to be sent out this week to finalize the consultant selection. As regards the GASB 67 and Auditors General Report, it was noted by Mr. Bobst that our MMO could potentially increase due to over inflated return rate of 8%, and that we need to utilize mortality rates more in line with current figures since we are using 1960 s rates and we are now living longer. Mr. Tolbert suggested that the DROP be tweaked to encourage more participation. Thereafter, Mr. Bobst enumerated the items on the Agenda under New Business. Finance Treasurer s Report Mr. Murray did not present his report at the meeting; however, he has since submitted his summary which shows cash balances in the various accounts as follows: April 30 th May 31 st General Fund 5,226, ,520, PLGIT , , PLGIT CD Continental CD Golf Fund 73, , Escrow Fund 967, , Sinking Fund 92, , Liquid Fuels 309, , Capital Reserve PLGIT 220, ,671.46

3 -3- June 9, 2015 Capital Reserve CD Capital Reserve 2,105, ,005, Sewer Capital Acct 291, , Vehicle Replacement Fund 187, , Police Pension Citizens 31, , Non-Unif. Pens. Citizens 4, , Grant DUI Grant, Misc Traffic Impact Fee 358, , On motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. McKenzie and unanimously passed, the Administration and Finance Reports were approved. Committee Reports Public Safety All Committee reports are on file in the Administration office of the Township Building for the public to view during normal business hours. Chief Mabry highlighted his monthly report. Additionally, it was suggested by Chief Mabry that we institute a program in the Township called Coffee with a Cop. This program which was, according to Chief Mabry, started in California, would allow community members to have coffee with a police officer to discuss issues and learn more about each other. The Board approved the program On motion of Mr. McKenzie, seconded by Mr. Donoghue and unanimously passed, the Public Safety Report and the proposed Coffee with a Cop program was approved. Public Works The Public Works report was prepared and presented by Mr. Valyo. In addition thereto, Mr. Bobst updated the Board on the Potts Avenue paving by noting that GoreCon responded to Ms. Pionzio s correspondence and advised her that they will do their own core samplings. Mr. McKenzie recommended that Twp. representatives be present when they do the samplings, Mr. Tolbert suggested that if this matter goes to arbitration then GoreCon is done doing work in the Township, while Mr. Kennedy inquired if we can recover time and materials for our patching of the roadway. On motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Donoghue and unanimously passed, the Public Works Report was approved. Building & Zoning The highlights of his Building and Zoning Report were presented by Mr. Valyo who announced the DEP came out for a fuel spill caused by a resident s dismantling of a boat. On motion of Mr. Donoghue, seconded by Mr. Kennedy and unanimously passed, the Building/Zoning Report was approved.

4 -4- June 9, 2015 Recreation The Recreation report was prepared and presented by Jon Dzedzy who reminded all of the upcoming 5K run through the Farm Park on July 4 th and the Family Movie Night on August 22 nd. Also Mr. Dzedzy updated the Board on the status of the Playground at Oxford Park noting that the demolition of the old equipment is completed and that installation of the new equipment is delayed due to the recent rainfall causing wet, soft ground. Mr. Kennedy inquired about the lights at the firehouse courts and Mr. Dzedzy relied that they are good. At which time Mr. Kennedy suggested a charity basketball game among the Commissioners. On motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Tolbert and unanimously passed, the Recreation Report was approved. Jeffersonville Golf Club Highlights of the monthly report of the Jeffersonville Golf Club were presented by Mr. Bobst who mentioned that revenue is up and that the course is slowly making up for lost income due to weather-related issues. Also, Mr. Bobst noted that projects are to begin at the course in July and August with grant money. On motion of Mr. Donoghue, seconded by Mr. McKenzie and unanimously passed, the Golf Club Report was approved. Sanitary Sewer Engineer Mr. Frawley presented and highlighted his monthly Sanitary Report. Regarding the Rittenhouse Pump Station project, Mr. Frawley advised the Board that the pumps are being delivered and that the project is two (2) weeks behind schedule due to concrete issues. According to Mr. Frawley, slag retarded the set-up of the concrete, but that at 28 days the concrete was cured. On motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Tolbert and unanimously passed, the Sanitary Report was approved. Consulting Engineer The monthly Engineer s Report as prepared by Mr. Estock was presented and highlighted. On motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Tolbert and unanimously passed, the Engineer s Report was approved. Commissioners Comment(s) Public Comment There were no comments offered by the Commissioners at this time. Mary Ellen Moran, 714 Port Indian Road, addressed the Board with her concerns about the water run-off on Port Indian Road, as well as the NASD bleacher seating of 300+ seeming

5 -5- June 9, 2015 dangerously low with a student population of 7, Also, Ms. Moran asked for an update on the Lubin Studios Conditional Use Application. To this inquiry, Mr. Bobst responded that work is underway to merge this Application with that of Phase III so we have until July 20 th to act on the merged Applications. Further, a request for an update on the status of construction on Egypt Road was made by Ms. Moran. Per Mr. Bobst, PECO is halfway done the gas line replacement and PennDOT is scheduled to begin repaving in July, although paving may be delayed due to construction of the Route #422 project, and that he will let the Board and the Township residents know when he knows about the repaving. Ms. Moran concluded her comments by thanking the Board for listening and commending it for the good job it is doing. Chet Wurtz of 432 Heston Avenue, commented about the five (5) second timing of the green, left-hand turn arrow on the traffic signal at Trooper & Egypt Roads. Per Mr. Wurtz, only three (3) cars can get through the light at a time. Mr. Valyo, advised that the light was reset by PennDOT today. There being no further public comment offered, upon motion of Mr. Donoghue, seconded by Mr. Tolbert and unanimously approved, the public comment portion of the meeting was closed. New Business Upon motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Donoghue and unanimously agreed, the Board awarded the bids for the four items on Municibid to the highest bidders in the total amount of $33, Upon motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Donoghue and unanimously agreed, the Board granted permission to advertise Ordinance No regarding the DROP amendment to the Non-uniformed Pension (Chapter 1, Part 8 of the Township Code). Upon motion of Mr. Tolbert, seconded by Mr. McKenzie and unanimously agreed, the Board granted permission to advertise Ordinance No regarding the creation of an Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) consisting of five (5) individuals with staggered terms. Upon motion of Mr. Tolbert, seconded by Mr. McKenzie and unanimously agreed, the Board granted permission to advertise Ordinance No regarding the Riparian Corridor, which Ordinance was amended based upon feedback of the residents. Upon motion of Mr. Tolbert, seconded by Mr. McKenzie and unanimously agreed, permission was granted by the Board to prepare and advertise an Ordinance for the repeal of Chapter 6, Part 2, 201 Unregulated Discharge Prohibited as it pertains to firearms since it goes against Act 192.

6 -6- June 9, 2015 According to Mr. Bobst, this repeal will effect guns only, but will retain bow and arrow, etc. Finally, Mr. Bobst addressed the tabled matters noting that the Open Space Preservation District and inventory of historical structures would be the next topic to be addressed and that there is a draft list of the historical structures on the website. It was noted by Mr. Bobst that are no Planning Commission or Zoning Hearing Board meetings scheduled this month. Adjournment There being no further business on the Agenda, at 8:24 PM, upon motion of Mr. Kennedy, seconded by Mr. Donoghue and unanimously agreed by the Board, the meeting was adjourned. Kathy K. Frederick Assistant Secretary