The Workshop Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of East Norriton Township was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Donald Gracia, at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 13, 2006 at the Township Municipal Building.  Supervisors present were Donald J. Gracia, James K. Staufenberg, James J. Serratore and Karen “Kandy” Heckman.  Absent was Lewis K. McQuirns.

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

            The Chairman then reviewed the purpose of the meeting.  Mr. Gracia explained that this is a special workshop meeting for the Board of Supervisors to informally discuss with the Township staff a number of issues facing the Township for the coming years and beyond and to provide general information on current Township affairs.

            The Chairman called on Mr. Matt Brown, P.E. of ARRO Consulting to provide a review of the Inflow and Infiltration study. ARRO Consulting identified various sub areas in the western end of the Township where it was discovered that a significant amount of storm water is entering the sanitary sewer system in the excess of a million gallons during wet weather. Mr. Brown reviewed the Inflow and Infiltration study findings being performed through the televising of residential sewer laterals in the western end of the Township to date.  As a result of the televising, it has been determined that approximately ninety-nine percent of the private sanitary sewer laterals are failing. 

            Mr. Brown reviewed the Township’s Corrective Action Plan which was submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection in November 2005. The Corrective Action Plan outlines the steps the Township will take over the next couple of years to address the overflow conditions at the Germantown Pike pump station which is caused by the Inflow and Infiltration problem.

As outlined in the Corrective Action Plan, the Township is proposing to address the Inflow and Infiltration problem by having the failing sanitary sewer laterals repaired.  Once the Corrective Action Plan is approved by the Department of Environmental Protection, the Township will then determine how to proceed with the repairs, but more importantly, review how to fund the necessary repairs to the private sanitary sewer laterals.

Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald presented a possible scenario to have a developer repair the laterals to remove enough inflow and infiltration to gain capacity for their development.

Mr. Matt Brown reviewed the East Norriton-Plymouth-Whitpain Joint Sewer Authority’s Bond Issue and went into detail with the Joint Sewer Authority’s Corrective Action Plan requirements.

The Chairman called on Zoning Officer, Mr. Bruce Shoupe who reported on Developments and Construction in the Township.  Del Markward Ltd. – on the northeast corner of Potshop Road and Germantown Pike for an aged restricted private community to come before the board in the next few months; Jefferson Crossing – an eighty-four unit over fifty-five residential development.  The work required for Phase One of this development has started and one building is constructed with three more foundation only permits issued; Pimlico Farms – Forty-six lot single family home subdivision.  The Township has issued the first two building permits; Walgreens – site work is complete and the building is almost ready to open; Reserve at Penn Crossing – Seventy-eight unit upscale triplex residential development, thirty building permits issued and twelve units have gone to settlement with an average selling price of four hundred twenty-five thousand dollars; Swede Square Sopping Center – Upscale Japanese restaurant opening tonight: Scenic Park –Developer is proposing to build two office buildings; Mercy Suburban Hospital – Construction of a thirty thousand square foot addition has started and the additional one hundred seventy-five car parking lot is complete; Amoco – property is still being pursued by Wendy’s for a new restaurant;  McDonald’s on DeKalb Pike – moving forward with the total reconstruction; Venezia/Calamia property – Twenty-eight lot subdivision on Whitehall Road; DeSage property – an orthopedic surgeon is to occupy the building; MRA Carwash – building is being constructed, looking at early summer occupancy; Star East Buffet – new restaurant opened in the K-Mart shopping Center; WaWa – Beneficial Bank took the last pad site; Crowley Foods – the building has been demolished with a proposed twenty-eight square foot warehouse/office; Gorman Welding –building is proposed to be demolished with a fifteen thousand square foot warehouse/office to replace; Evergreen Terrace – Ten lot subdivision for proposed twins is proceeding through the approval process; Valenza property – proposed three story office building; Miller Brothers Electric – a proposed warehouse/office of vacant land at the end of Felton Road has been submitted for review; Industrial Investors developer has submitted application agreements and escrow for the installation of the sanitary sewer line; Northwoods – this a flex development, proposed development may be an aged restricted independent/assisted living building, two banks, two sit down restaurants, office buildings and possibly a hotel; Williamstadt – an aged restricted retirement community on the former Water Company property; and East Norriton Middle School – Phase Two has begun.

Mr. Bruce Shoupe also reported that the Route 202 widening project is proposed with a start date of August 2007 for the East Norriton Township section.  This summer Montgomery County in conjunction with PADOT will upgrade and replace the traffic signals at Swede Road and Germantown Pike, Hillcrest Avenue and Germantown Pike, Stanbridge Street and Germantown Pike and North Wales Road and Germantown Pike.  The total cost which still has to be determined will be funded by fifty percent Federal funds, twenty-five percent County funds and the Township will share twenty-five percent of the cost.

Zoning Officer, Mr. Bruce Shoupe explained the process involved in the demolition of any structure in East Norriton Township with notifying the East Norriton Police Department and the Norriton Fire Engine Company for training purposes. 

Assistant Township Manager, Mr. Donald Delamater reviewed various financial issues facing the Township in the coming years which include Fund Balances, Sewer Revenues, Sewer Outfall Fund, Capital Reserve Fund and Real Estate Tax Comparison. 

Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald commented the Township may be asking the Board of Supervisors for a staggered tax increase and sewer rate increase for capital needs.

The Chairman thanked and commended the Public Works Department for the excellent job with the snow removal.

Public Works Director, Mr. Joseph Sorgini reviewed the following Public Works projects proposed for completion this year:  Faith Drive Drainage – based on concerns from residents in this area, the Township plans in late April/early May to regrade the Township’s existing swale so that it properly collects and distributes the storm water; Briar Lane Drainage  - residents in the area of Hillcrest and Briar Lane have a standing water issue, Mr. Sorgini explained there is no drainage system and the pipe is very old with build up, water cannot flow through and therefore the water builds up in one yard.  Township Engineer, Mr. Robert Blue has come up with a proposed plan to take the drainage from Briar Lane across Hillcrest Avenue and along a Township easement to the creek.  Detailed survey work still needs to be performed; Road Program 2006 – Bid specifications have been sent out for the February regular meeting, four roads are scheduled for repaving - Hemlock Road, Montgomery Avenue, Fourth Street and one street in the Washington Square area.  New for 2006, PennDOT is requiring “Super Pave” be used if the township is to use liquid fuels funds to cover the costs of the paving projects; Cal Hurdle Pond – has been filled in during 2005 and now that it has settled in the Spring of 2006 it will be top soiled and seeded; the Sewer Department has been continuing to televise sewer mains and laterals; the Public Works Department plans to construct another garage for the larger trucks, plows and salt sprayers.  This will enable the department to use a bay in the existing garage for a lounge/sleeping quarters, CDL regulations state that drivers cannot go past twelve hours of plowing without four hours of rest; and Whitehall Road Drainage -  Mr. Sorgini reviewed plans for proposed work to eliminate water run off on Whitehall Road near the intersection of Township Line Road.

Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reviewed various funding options for storm water drainage projects with developers performing work in lieu of accrued fees.

Parks and Recreation Director, Mr. Larry Brown reviewed the County Open Space Program, the Township’s proposed Open Space plan, the Township’s Parks and Recreation capital funds available, and the estimated funds to be coming in through approved developments where a Parks and Recreation fee is due.

The Chairman introduced the next item on the agenda, Resolution No. 2279 rescheduling the time and place for a public hearing by the Board of Supervisors to consider the East Norriton Township Act 537 Sewage Facilities Plan Update.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to reschedule the meeting for Tuesday, March 28, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.   After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

The Chairman requested that the scheduling of meetings with the Norriton Fire Engine Company and the meeting with the West Norriton Township Commissioners be deferred to the February regular meeting.

Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald read an email received by Supervisor, Mrs. Heckman expressing concerns with the Stoney Creek Condominium Association fees.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to send a letter to advise that this is a private matter.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

Mr. Serratore made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:20 p.m. After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Heckman and approved unanimously.

Helmuth J. H. Baerwald
Township Secretary