The Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of East Norriton Township was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Francis “Bud” Denner, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 22, 2005, at the Township Municipal Building.  Supervisors present were F. “Bud” Denner, Lewis K. McQuirns and Donald J. Gracia.

            Following roll call, Mr. Gracia offered a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance was then led by St. Titus Troop 622 and recited by all in attendance.

The Chairman introduced the first item on the agenda, Swearing in of Patrol Sergeant.  Assistant Township Manager, Mr. Donald Delamater swore in Ryan T. Stinson as Patrol Sergeant.

The Chairman introduced the next item on the agenda, Presentations to Emergency Responders.  On January 22, 2005 during a blizzard an electrical transformer fire caused the evacuation of Building B of the Timberlake Apartments.  Approximately one hundred and fifty residents were affected.  The Board of Supervisors presented the Norriton Fire Engine Company, Plymouth Ambulance Association, Ambler Ambulance Association, the American Red Cross, East Norriton Middle School personnel, the East Norriton Township Police Department, SEPTA, Montgomery County EMS and East Norriton Township Fire Marshal, Joseph Pfizenmayer with certificates recognizing their participation in the evacuation to the East Norriton Middle School.

The Chairman introduced the next item on the agenda, Award Bid for Purchase of Corrugated Pipe.   Mr. Denner read from a memo from Public Works Director, Mr. Joseph Sorgini dated February 14, 2005 recommending the bid for the plastic drainage pipe for the Swede Road project and the Whitehall Road project be awarded to Lane Pipe of King of Prussia, PA at a cost of $23,778.60.  Mr. Gracia made a motion to approve Mr. Sorgini’s recommendation.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. McQuirns and approved unanimously.

The Chairman introduced the next item on the agenda, Open Bids for the 1989 Chevy Truck with Plow.  The Chairman asked if there were any additional bids.  Mr. Gracia made a motion to close bids for the 1989 Chevy Truck with Plow.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. McQuirns and approved unanimously.

The bids for the 1989 Chevy Truck with Plow were opened and the following were announced as submitting bids:   US Properties Outlets - $1,201.00 - Cash; DeKalb Day School $300.00 - Cash; Bernard Brady - $1,025.00 – Cashier’s Check; and Ken Gordon - $1,137.00 – Cashier’s Check.  Mr. Gracia made a motion to award the bid to U. S. Properties Outlet for $1,201.00 subject to review by Township staff.   After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. McQuirns and approved unanimously.

The Chairman introduced the next item on the agenda, Authorize Advertisement of Bids.  Mr. Gracia made a motion to authorize advertisement of Equipment Leasing, Road Materials and Paving bids for this year to be opened at the March and April regular meetings. After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. McQuirns and approved unanimously.

The Chairman made an announcement that the Board of Supervisors met in Executive Session on January 31, 2005 and immediately prior to tonight’s meeting.  The Board of Supervisors also met on January 31, 2005 and February 2, 2005 to review the EPA proposal for hooking up the Rahway Avenue area residents to public water.

Mr. McQuirns made a motion to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on January 25, 2005.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Gracia and approved unanimously.

Mr. McQuirns made a motion to approve the Finance Reports for January, 2005.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Gracia and approved unanimously.

The Chairman requested that the reading of the Committee Reports for January, 2005 be deferred and also commented that the Committee Reports were available on the table in the back of the meeting room.  Mr. Gracia made a motion to approve the Committee Reports for January, 2005.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. McQuirns and approved unanimously.

Resident, Mrs. Lisa Berg asked that additional copies of the Committee Reports be available in the future.

Mr. Gracia introduced the first item under “Old Business”, Ordinance No. 475.  Mr. Gracia made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 475 increasing the rate of parking ticket fines from twenty dollars to thirty dollars. After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. McQuirns and approved unanimously.

Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Ordinance No. 476.  Zoning Officer, Mr. Bruce Shoupe gave a brief explanation of the proposed amendments to the Township’s nuisance ordinance pertaining to the number of oversized/recreational vehicles permitted to be parked on residential properties.  Mr. McQuirns made a motion to approve Ordinance No. 476.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Gracia and approved unanimously.

Mr. Gracia introduced the next item on the agenda, Open Space Plan issues.  Mr. Gracia read into record a letter received from Representative John W. Fichter dated January 31, 2005 unveiling “A Cleaner, Greener Future for PA”.  Mr. Gracia made a motion to approve appropriate action.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. McQuirns and approved unanimously.

Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Rahway Avenue Area Water Project.  Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reviewed the status of the public water project in the Rahway Avenue area.  Ms. Virginia Craciun of 3102 North Whitehall Road asked the Township for a public education campaign about well testing.  Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reported information will be in the next issue of the Township newsletter.

Mr. Gracia introduced the next item on the agenda, Development & Construction Updates.  Zoning Officer, Mr. Bruce Shoupe gave an update:  Stoney Creek Office Condo at District Justice property – staff has received preliminary sketch plans, no application submitted;  Walgreen’s- Township Line Road -  pending receipt  of agency regulatory permits; Reserve at Penn Crossing – construction to start shortly of seventy-eight triplex units, Township  has issued nine building permits; Mercy Suburban Hospital – under construction for 30,000 square foot expansion and 250 car parking lot; East Norriton Middle School – two year construction project scheduled for completion in 2007; Plymouth Ambulance Co. – Potshop Lane – start of construction pending; and the DeSage property has been sold.

Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Storm Drainage Issues/Projects.  Township Engineer, Mr. Robert Blue reported:  Calvert Hurdle Pond –  work to start in the Spring; North Whitehall and Township Line Roads – approved bids earlier this evening; Briar Lane and Hillcrest Avenue watershed – still exploring funding options; and Heatherwood Development off of Whitehall Road – reviewing engineering drawings submitted by developer.

Mr. Gracia introduced the next item on the agenda, Sanitary Sewer Issues.  Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reviewed:  Staff met with DEP last week and was advised that East Norriton Township must prepare a permanent plan by the end of year to resolve the overflow and Inflow and Infiltration problems.  Township staff has begun a review to list alternatives for the Board of Supervisors to consider.

Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Traffic Issues.  Zoning Officer, Mr. Bruce Shoupe reviewed:  Germantown Pike/Whitehall Road – radius work is pending; Johnson Highway/Old Arch Road and Johnson Highway/New Hope Street – no update; and Roland Drive/Township Line Road  - school district put signal out for bid.

Mr. Gracia introduced the next item on the agenda, DeSage Property.  The actual closing for the sale of the property took place in January.

Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Route 202 Widening.  Zoning Officer, Mr. Bruce Shoupe reported work scheduled to start in 2007.

Mr. Gracia introduced the next item on the agenda, Norristown Zoo/Ballpark.  This is an informational item, the Township has no new information on this proposal other than what has been reported on in the newspaper; that a ballfield is now being proposed in Norristown near Basin Street.

Mr. Gracia introduced the first item under “New Business”, Authorize Advertisement.  Mr. Gracia made a motion to authorize advertisement for possible consideration at the April regular meeting of an ordinance requiring the mandatory connection of the properties located in the Rahway Avenue area to the existing and/or soon to be constructed public water distribution system as well as requiring the capping of all wells in the Rahway Avenue Area.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. McQuirns and approved unanimously.

Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Resolution No. 2214.  Mr. McQuirns made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2214 authorizing Berkheimer Associates to collect Act 511 delinquent taxes which are due to the Township.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Gracia and approved unanimously.

Mr. Gracia introduced the next item on the agenda, DCED Survey.  The Department of Community and Economic Development requires that each municipality in the Commonwealth report its financial condition annually.  Mr. Gracia made a motion of approval for the Chairman to execute the completed DCED Survey.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. McQuirns and approved unanimously.

Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Community Block Grant Program.  This is an information item about eligibility to participate in the Montgomery County Housing and Community Development Program.  Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reported no areas in the Township are currently eligible.

Mr. Gracia introduced the next item on the agenda, Telecommunications Law.  This is an informational item about the possible introduction of Verizon as a Television/Video provider in the area.  The Township will continue to monitor this with regard to a possible franchise agreement with Verizon.

Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Centennial Committee.  East Norriton Township will be one hundred years in the making on March 9, 2009.  Mr. McQuirns made a motion to authorize the creation of the East Norriton Township Centennial Committee.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Gracia and approved unanimously.

Mr. Gracia introduced the next item on the agenda, Indemnification Agreement – Pimlico Farms Wetlands.  Township Solicitor reviewed this agreement and the necessity for the Township to execute this agreement with the developer since East Norriton Township will be the entity applying for the wetlands permit.  Mr. McQuirns made a motion to authorize the appropriate Township officials to execute the indemnification agreement.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. McQuirns and approved unanimously.

Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Expenditure Authorizations.  Item A.  LED Sign and Base for Park and Recreation - $19,500.00; Item B. Two Zero Turn mowers - $16,630.46; Item C. Signs and Post for Cemetery and Van Landeghem property - $1,658.00; and Item D. Deferred Benefits Plan – Norriton Fire Engine Volunteers - $15,000.00.  Mr. McQuirns made a motion to authorize item A through D.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Gracia and approved unanimously.

Mr. Gracia introduced the next item on the agenda, Attendance Authorization.  Mr. Gracia reported there are no authorizations required.

Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Legislation.  Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reviewed Act 218 which implements the Water and Wastewater Treatment Project Bond Act approved by voters in April 2004.  Act 230 adds a section to the PA Construction Code regarding lateral connections to water and sewer systems.

Mr. Gracia reviewed the Meeting Schedule for February 21, 2005 through April 26, 2005.

There being no other business to come before the Board, the Chairman asked if there were any residents who wished to speak, there were none.

Mr. McQuirns made a motion to adjourn the meeting.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Gracia and approved unanimously.

Helmuth J. H. Baerwald
Township Secretary