The Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of East Norriton Township was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Donald Gracia, at 7:08 p.m. on Tuesday, May 23, 2006, at the Township Municipal Building.  Supervisors present were Donald J. Gracia, Lewis K. McQuirns, James K. Staufenberg, James J. Serratore and Karen “Kandy” Heckman.

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

            The Chairman introduced the first item on the agenda, MADD Award to Officer Richard Ulmer.  Police Chief, John McGowan made an announcement that Officer Richard Ulmer for the fourth year in a row has been awarded the MADD Award for the most DUI arrests for the East Norriton Township Police Department.

            The Chairman introduced the next item on the agenda, Resolution No. 2297 and 2298 Presentation of Proclamation.  The Chairman read the proclamations to be presented to Nick Rossi and Mario Perillo recognizing their longtime co-owning of “Nick and Mario’s Sunoco” and providing towing services to East Norriton Township for over thirty years and reliably servicing the East Norriton Police Department’s vehicles for many years.  The Sunoco station will be closing effective May 31, 2006.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to approve Resolution Nos. 2297 and 2298.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

            The Chairman introduced the next item on the agenda, Resolution No. 2299 – Towing Contract.  Police Chief, Mr. John McGowan commented that he is in agreement with the decision made to appoint Hassan’s Towing and Center Square Towing on an alternating basis and for normal towing with Janeway Towing for heavy duty towing as of June 1, 2006.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2299.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

            The Chairman introduced the next item on the agenda, Appointment of Sanitary Sewer Consulting Engineer.  Mrs. Heckman made a motion to appoint Gilmore and Associates as the Township’s sanitary sewer consulting firm until December 31, 2006 subject to their cost proposal and providing the appropriate insurance certifications to the Township.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. McQuirns and approved unanimously.

            The Chairman announced that the Board of Supervisors met earlier this evening in Executive Session to discuss matters of litigation and personnel.  The Supervisors also attended the PSATS Convention in Hershey, Pennsylvania from Sunday, April 23, 2006 through Wednesday, April 26, 2006.

            Mr. Serratore made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 18, 2006.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Staufenberg and approved unanimously.

Mr. Serratore made a motion to approve the Finance Reports for March, 2006.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Staufenberg and approved unanimously.

The Chairman requested that the reading of the Committee Reports for April, 2006 be deferred and also commented that the Committee Reports were available on the table in the back of the meeting room.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to approve the Committee Reports for April, 2006.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

            Mr. Serratore introduced the first item under “Old Business”, Gill Quarries Report.  The Board of Supervisors congratulated the firm of Hamburg, Rubin, Mullin, Maxwell and Lupin, the Township’s solicitor, for the fine job they did in representing the Township with the legal challenge in the Gill Quarries case.  Township Solicitor, Bernadette Kearney reviewed the status and the next step may be an appeal by Gill Quarries to the State Supreme Court.

            Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Utilities Address Change.  Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reviewed that PECO, Comcast, Verizon, the MONTCO Assessment Bureau and hopefully soon PAWC plan to assist the Township in establishing our own postal identity. 

            Mr. Serratore introduced the next item on the agenda, Status Johnson Highway Addresses.  Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reported that the Board of Supervisors approved the address changes and the Township still has to phase in the changes.  This item will also be discussed at the June 6, 2006 workshop meeting.

            Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Norristown Farm Park Master Plan Public Hearing.  This is an informational item; a public hearing is scheduled at the East Norriton Township Administrative Building on Wednesday, May 24, 2006 at 5:00 p.m.  Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald urged everyone that is interested in the Norristown Farm Park should attend this meeting.

Mr. Serratore introduced the next item on the agenda, Sanitary Sewer Inflow and Infiltration and CAP Report.  Matt Brown of ARRO Consulting reviewed the status of the Corrective Action Plan.  ARRO Consulting has prepared specifications for the lateral repairs and upon the Board of Supervisors approval the specifications will be advertised for bid for the lateral repairs.  ARRO is completing a book with every lateral that was televised in the western section of the Township which included the condition of the lateral that was seen, ARRO’s recommended repair and how the repair relates to the specifications that will be bid.  This book will be available for when the public meeting with the residents is scheduled.  Mr. Serratore made a motion to allocate the fifty-three connections as follows:  twenty-three connections to Pimlico Farms, four connections to Crowley Foods, ten connections to Tengion and sixteen connections to be held in abeyance. After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Heckman and approved unanimously.

Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Developments and Construction Updates.  Zoning Officer, Mr. Bruce Shoupe reported:  Potshop and Germantown Pike – proposed age restricted development; Pimlico Farms – five building permits issued out of the forty-six lot single family subdivision; Reserve at Penn Crossing – thirty-nine building permits have been issued, thirteen units have gone to settlement out of the seventy-eight units in the development; Jefferson Crossing – phase one under construction, the Township has issued permits for the three model homes; Mercy Suburban Hospital – expanded emergency room now open, second floor operating rooms looking at July occupancy and the third floor will be additional intensive care units; East Norriton Middle School – old portion under renovation looking at September occupancy; Heatherwood Development – twenty-eight lot subdivision developer finalizing plans with an anticipated start in the next sixty days; DeSage property – building now occupied with an orthopedic surgeon; MRA Carwash – under building, sewer main replacement is being reviewed, looking at September opening; Evergreen Terrace – ten lot subdivision still under review; and Northwoods – proposed flex development going through review process.

Mr. Serratore introduced the next item on the agenda, Storm Drainage Issues/Projects.  Township Engineer, Mr. Robert Blue reported:  A. North Whitehall and Township Line Roads – no update project pending funding; B. Briar Lane and Hillcrest Avenue Watershed – survey plans have been completed waiting funding; C. Lawnton Road, Lafayette and Springview Roads -  waiting for decision on the slip lining; D. Faith Drive – work under construction and 501 and 503 Faith Drive – report issued for review; E. 605 Meadowbrook Road – pending funding; and F.  sanitary sewer manhole behind Stony Creek Road – awaiting a meeting with the DEP to review the work.

Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Traffic Issues.  Zoning Officer, Mr. Bruce Shoupe reported:  A. Germantown Pike/Whitehall Road – utility pole relocation has been completed by PECO, Verizon lines still need to be relocated.  Road widening in front of the bank is anticipated for the fall of this year, radius work in front of Walgreens is pending funding; B.  Township Line Road traffic study – pending funding; and C.  Germantown Pike Corridor – meeting was held with representatives from Lower Providence and Worcester Townships and Montgomery County to review the comprehensive Germantown Pike study, currently some traffic modifications along the whole are being reviewed; however any type of major road widening is still pending future funding considerations.

Mr. Serratore introduced the next item on the agenda, US Route 202 Widening.  Zoning Officer, Mr. Bruce Shoupe reported the East Norriton section is schedule to start in the Fall of 2007.

Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Avian Flu Pandemic. This is an informational item reviewed by Police Chief, John McGowan.

Mr. Staufenberg introduced the first item under “New Business”, Resolution No. 2300- Adoption of the National Incident Management System Plan.  Police Chief, John McGowan reviewed Resolution No. 2300.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2300.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

Mrs. Heckman introduced the next item on the agenda, Resolution No. 2301 – Montgomery County Traffic Incident Management Plan.  Police Chief, John McGowan recommended the Township defer this item until it can be further reviewed.  Mr. Serratore made a motion to defer this item until next month’s meeting.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Heckman and approved unanimously.

Mr. Staufenberg introduced the next item on the agenda, Montgomery County Incident Support Team.  Supervisor, Mr. James Staufenberg reviewed the purpose of this organization.  Mr. Serratore made a motion to authorize Supervisor, James Staufenberg to join the Montgomery County Incident Support Team.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Heckman and approved unanimously.

Mrs. Heckman introduced the next item on the agenda, Pension Plan Investments.  Assistant Township Manager, Mr. Donald Delamater reviewed the Retirement Benefits Advisory Board met and recommends that the Township appoint Conrad Siegel Investment Advisors as the Township’s full service investment advisor for the two pension plans.  Mrs. Heckman made a motion to appoint Conrad Siegel Investment Advisors as the Township’ full service investment advisor for the two pension plans.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Staufenberg and approved unanimously.  Mrs. Heckman made a motion to authorize the Township Manager to proceed with the cancellation of the ICMA investment and management contract agreements.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Staufenberg and approved unanimously.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to authorize the necessary actions to invest the pension funds as recommended by the new pension investment advisors and managers. After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

Mr. Staufenberg introduced the next item on the agenda, Handy Harmon.  This is an informational item; Handy and Harmon have announced the closure of the East Norriton location, as the Township staff becomes more updated the Township will provide updates.

Mrs. Heckman introduced the next item on the agenda, Worcester Township Open Space Plan.  This is an informational item to advise that the Worcester Township Open Space is available to be viewed on the web site: http://www.montcopa.org/plancom/whatsnew.htm

Mr. Staufenberg introduced the next item on the agenda, Whitpain Township Comprehensive Plan Update.  This is an informational item to notify the public that Whitpain Township’s Comprehensive Plan Update is available here at the Township building for viewing during regular business hours.

Mrs. Heckman introduced the next item on the agenda, Newspaper Recycling Bin Placement.  Assistant Township Manager, Donald Delamater reviewed the proposal from Abitibi Consolidated to place a newspaper recycling bin at the Township municipal complex and pay the Township for the amount of paper in tons which is collected.  Mrs. Heckman made a motion to authorize the newspaper recycling bin be placed at the Township.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore approved unanimously.

Mr. Staufenberg introduced the next item on the agenda, Drought Watch.  This is an informational item: the DEP is urging state residents to reduce water usage by five percent.

Mrs. Heckman introduced the next item on the agenda, Sewer Rate Adjustment (East Norriton Plymouth Whitpain Joint Sewer Authority Bond Issue).  This is an informational item; Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reviewed at the last month’s meeting the Board of Supervisors authorized the dissemination of information regarding the possible increase in the sewer rates, the Board of Supervisors did not approve the increase as reported in the newspapers.

Mr. Staufenberg introduced the next item on the agenda, Expenditure Authorization.  Item A.  Supervisors and Manager’s PSATS Convention Expense Reimbursement  - Supervisor Staufenberg $363.98, Supervisor Heckman $518.58, Supervisor Serratore $283.59, Chairman Gracia $520.42, Vice Chairman McQuirns $338.71 and Township Manager, Helmuth Baerwald $535.85; Item B.  ICMA Membership – Assistant Township Manager $628.50; Item C.  Emergency Generators for Township Traffic Signals $5,145.00; Item D. Drainage System on Briar Lane (pending funding) $25,050.00; Item E. Pennsylvania Environmental Council Membership Renewal $75.00; Item F.  Incident Management Team Expenses (Mr. Staufenberg) $100.00; Item G. Road Work on Whitehall Road $16,725.00; Item H. Removal of fifty-five gallon drum from the DeSage property $400.00 (estimated); and Item I.  Times Herald two hundred and thirtieth birthday booklet ad $190.00 quarter page.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to authorize items A through I.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

Mrs. Heckman introduced the next item on the agenda, Attendance Authorizations.  Item A.  NIMS Training – Supervisors and Township management staff; Item B.  Police Training – Detective Jean Morrison – Forensics; Item C. Police Training – Office Matthew Pickford – Armor Instructor Training; Item D.  Police Training – Sergeant David Boyer – Arson Investigation Training; Item E. Implementing the County’s Plan – Supervisors and Manager; Item F. GVFTMA Awards Dinner – Supervisors and Assistant Manager; and Item G.  DVHIT retreat – Township Manager.  Mrs. Heckman made a motion to approve items A through G.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

The Township received a letter from Penn Christian Academy requesting approval to display a sign promoting Penn Christian Academy’s Country Fair on Saturday, June 3, 2006 and waiver of the weekly display fee for the sign.  Mrs. Heckman made a motion to approve the display of the sign and waiver of the fee.   After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Staufenberg and approved unanimously.

Mr. Staufenberg reviewed the meeting schedule for May 22^nd through July 28^th, 2006.

Mr. Serratore introduced the next item on the agenda, authorize and schedule workshop meetings.  Mr. Serratore made a motion to schedule a workshop meeting for Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at 7:00 p.m.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Staufenberg and approved unanimously.

Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reviewed that the Governor suspended the prevailing wage mandate for road maintenance projects.  Mr. Baerwald reviewed House Bill 248 – Highway funding- would increase the annual road payment for turnback roads from two thousand five hundred dollars to three thousand dollars per mile.  House Bill 249 – mandatory connection to water systems would amend the Township Code to allow the Board of Supervisors to require property owners whose principal building is within one hundred and fifty feet of a municipal water system to connect to and use the system.  There is an initiative to increase the minimum wage from five dollars and fifteen cents to six dollars and twenty-five cents and hour in July 2006 and to seven dollars and fifteen cents in July 2007. Tax collector training requirement would amend the Local Tax Collection Law to reduce the number of training hours that qualified elected tax collectors must accumulate each year.

            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. Serratore made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:10 p.m. After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Staufenberg and approved unanimously.

Helmuth J. H. Baerwald
Township Secretary