The Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of East Norriton Township was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Donald Gracia, at 7:03 p.m. on Tuesday, August 22, 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.

            Mr. Gracia mentioned members of the Norriton Fire Company Mr. Don Houston, Mr. Tom Strakowlski and Mrs. Linberg who are ill and need to be kept in our thoughts and prayers.

            The Chairman introduced the first item on the agenda, Presentation by Scout Jonathon Thomas.  Jonathon Thomas gave a brief presentation of his Eagle Scout project performed in the western end of the township.  Jonathon along with other members of his troop affixed over three hundred and fifty markers to storm inlets, collected over six bags of trash and handed out one thousand information flyers on the hazards of dumping in the storm water inlets.

            The Chairman introduced the next item on the agenda, Open Bids for two Township Vehicles and a 1988 Street Sweeper.  The Chairman asked if there were any additional bids.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to close the bids for the two township vehicles and the 1988 street sweeper.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

            The bids for the two township vehicles were opened and the following were announced as submitting bids: Montco Emergency Services Inc. – $5,150.00 for the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria vin# 0571; Marks Motors - $3,315.00 for the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria vin# 0571, $2,875 for the Ford Crown Victoria vin# 7683 and $1,075.00 for the 1988 Street Sweeper; Grace Quality Used Cars - $4,058.00 for the Ford Crown Victoria vin# 0571, $4,058.00 for the Ford Crown Victoria vin# 7683; Gaurdino Brothers - $1,608.00 for the Ford Crown Victoria vin# 7683, $1,708.00 for the Ford Crown Victoria vin# 0571; Richard Seltzer - $2,750.00 for the Crown Victoria vin# 0571; and Police Cars Unlimited - $3,456.00 for the Ford Crown Victoria vin# 7683 and $3,4560.00 for the Crown Victoria vin# 0571.  Police Chief, John McGowan recommended the township award Montco Emergency Services Inc. the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria vin# 0571 for $5,150.00 and Grace Quality Used Cars the 2003 Ford Crown Victoria vin# 7683 for $4,058.00.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to approve Police Chief John McGowan’s recommendation of awarding the bids.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Heckman and approved unanimously.  The street sweeper bid award was deferred for a later date.

            The Chairman introduced the next item on the agenda, Open Bids for Sanitary Sewer Lateral Repairs.  The Chairman asked if there were any additional bids.  Mr. Serratore made a motion to close the bids for the sanitary sewer lateral repairs.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Staufenberg and approved unanimously.

            The bids for the sanitary sewer lateral repairs were opened and the following were announced as submitting bids: M. Scavello Inc. and N. Abbonizio Contractors Inc. The bids were deferred for review by the Township Sanitary Engineer, ARRO Consulting.

            The Chairman announced that the Board of Supervisors met earlier this evening in Executive Session to discuss matters of litigation and personnel.

            Mr. Serratore made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 25, 2006.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Staufenberg and approved unanimously.

Mrs. Heckman made a motion to approve the Finance Reports for July, 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 July, 2006 be deferred and also commented that the Committee Reports were available on the table in the back of the meeting room.  Mr. McQuirns made a motion to approve the Committee Reports for July, 2006.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

            Mr. Staufenberg introduced the first item under “Old Business”, Ordinance No. 487 – Shopping Carts.  This ordinance will be duly advertised as authorized by the Board of Supervisors at the regular meeting in July for consideration by the Board at the September regular meeting.

            Mrs. Heckman introduced the next item on the agenda, Ordinance No. 488 – Homebuyers Disclosure Statement.  Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reviewed Ordinance No. 488.  Mrs. Heckman made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 488 – Homebuyers Disclosure Statement.  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, Gill Quarry Report. Township Solicitor, Bernadette Kearney reviewed the petition for a rehearing which was denied by the Commonwealth Court.  Gill Quarries has filed a petition with the Supreme Court.   

            Mrs. Heckman introduced the next item on the agenda, Sanitary Sewer Inflow and Infiltration and Corrective Action Plan Report.  Sanitary Sewer Engineer, Mr. Matt Brown of ARRO Consulting reported that the second quarter report of the Corrective Action Plan has been submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection. ARRO Consulting on behalf of East Norriton Township has submitted letters to all of homeowners where the lateral televising was done in the west end of the township advising the residents of the results of the televising.

            Mr. Staufenberg introduced the next item on the agenda, Corrective Action Plan East Norriton Plymouth Whitpain Joint Sewer Authority and Consent Order.  Sanitary Sewer Engineer, Mr. Matt Brown of ARRO Consulting reported that the Joint Sewer Authority submitted their second quarter report to the Department of Environmental Protection. 

Mrs. Heckman introduced the next item on the agenda, Developments and Construction Updates.    Zoning Officer, Bruce Shoupe reported:  Route 202 Widening – anticipated construction schedule is Johnson Highway to Township Line Road for the Spring of 2008; Pimlico Farms – a forty-six lot single family home subdivision, five building permits have been issued by the Township; Reserve at Penn Crossing – seventy-eight unit upscale tri-plex residential development, forty-eight building permits have been issued and sixteen units have gone to settlement; Evergreen Terrace – ten lot subdivision for proposed twins on the property at Hillcrest Avenue and Evergreen Road is proceeding through the approval process and has received the conditional use approval from the Board of Supervisors for twins. The land development/subdivision plans are being prepared; Northwoods – proposed flex development; Williamstadt – plans are under review for an aged restricted community at the corner of DeKalb Pike and Johnson Highway; and 317 West Germantown Pike – proposed construction of two new office buildings on this property.

            Mr. Staufenberg introduced the next item on the agenda, Storm Drainage Issues/Projects.  Township Engineer, Robert Blue reported:  A. North Whitehall and Township Line Roads Storm Drainage work – preparing plans for scaled down project; B. Briar Lane and Hillcrest Avenue Watershed – pending funding; C. Lawnton Road, Lafayette and Springview Roads storm water system – pending funding; D. 605 Meadowbrook Road – a letter was sent to Mr. Papernick regarding the removal of his fence and a neighbors fence before any work can begin.  Mr. Gracia made a motion to approve Mr. Blue mailing a letter to Mr. Papernick’s neighbor regarding the fence issue.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Heckman and approved unanimously;  and E. Fillmore Road  - Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to authorize the Township Engineer to determine if it is feasible to close off the inlet.    After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Heckman and approved unanimously.  The Board of Supervisors asked for a report from the Township Engineer and Solicitor on the issue of inlet/swale maintenance responsibilities. 

Mrs. Heckman introduced the next item on the agenda, Traffic Issues.  Zoning Officer, Bruce Shoupe reported:  A. Germantown Pike/Whitehall Road – Township forces started radius work this week; B.  Traffic improvements on Township Line Road  - The Townships of Skippack, Worcester, East Norriton, Plymouth and Whitpain would be involved in the study as would the County.  The study would be similar to the one which was prepared for Germantown Pike with the participating municipalities sharing the cost with the County agreeing to fifty percent of the study’s cost.  This study is pending funding by the County and Skippack Township’s involvement; and C.  Germantown Pike Corridor - a meeting was held at the Township with a number of representatives from Lower Providence and Worcester Townships and Montgomery County to review the status of any pending action to resolve the issues raised in the Germantown Pike comprehensive study.  Currently some traffic signal modifications along the whole are being reviewed; however, any type of major road widening is still pending future funding considerations. Plans are being developed to accomplish widening of Germantown Pike from North Wales Road to Whitehall Road and possibly further to Burnside Avenue as part of the construction of the new entrance to the Farm Park property at Woody’s Golf Center.

Mr. Staufenberg introduced the next item on the agenda, US Route 202 Widening.  Zoning Officer, Bruce Shoupe reported the project is pending funding.

            Mr. Serratore introduced the first item under “New Business”, Retirement Health Savings Plan Amendment.  Assistant Township Manager, Donald Delamater reviewed the “Ladder” option to be included in the Retirement Health Savings Plan #801531.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to approve the amendment.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

            Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Waiver Request Tax Penalty – Rolling Green Apartments.  Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reviewed a letter received from Eastern Property Group regarding a notice received from Berkheimer Associates concerning the 2006 Business Privilege/Mercantile Tax for Rolling Green Apartments that was filed late.  Eastern Property Group is requesting a waiver of the tax penalty for two hundred seventy-nine dollars and sixty cents.  Mrs. Heckman made a motion to waive the penalty of two hundred seventy-nine dollars and sixty cents.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

Mr. Serratore introduced the next item on the agenda, Resolution No. 2259 – Village at Caralea Land Development.  This item was deferred until next month’s meeting.

            Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Waiver Request Northwoods Storm Drainage Construction.  Township Engineer, Robert Blue reviewed  the waiver requests to use HDPE storm water pipe and the removal of top soil from the Township.  East Norriton Township’s ordinance requires reinforced concrete pipe for storm sewer collection systems and the County Roads and Bridges Department has approved the HDPE pipe and the Township Engineer’s office supports the use of this material within the Germantown Pike area.  The developer has encountered an over abundance of topsoil on site and has requested that he be allowed to remove the material and move the topsoil out of the Township. East Norriton Township’s ordinance requires that topsoil be kept within the Township limits, the Township Engineer is not opposed to recommending the waiver conditioned upon six inches of topsoil be installed in all lawn and planting areas within the entire site development area.  Mr. McQuirns made a motion to approve the waiver requests per Mr. Blue’s recommendations.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

Township Engineer, Robert Blue also reported that Pimlco Farms development is requesting a waiver to use storm water seepage pits where the downspouts can not connect to the storm water system.  The Board of Supervisors will review and consider this item at the September meeting.

            Mr. Serratore introduced the next item on the agenda, Act 101 Recycling Grant Application.  Assistant Township Manager, Donald Delamater reviewed the Act 101 recycling requirements.  To help meet the requirements, the Township may submit a joint grant application to the Department of Environmental Protection for the purchase of two additional wood chippers. If approved, the Department of Environmental Protection would fund ninety percent of the cost for this equipment and the two municipalities would share the remaining ten percent cost.   Mr. Serratore made a motion to authorize the DEP grant application for the two chippers.  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, Resolution No. 2313 – Police Department Manual Amendments.  Police Chief, John McGowan reviewed Resolution No. 2313 amending the East Norriton Township Police Department organizational manual policy and rules and procedures.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2313.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Heckman and approved unanimously.

            Mr. Serratore introduced the next item on the agenda, PUC Application Pennsylvania American Water Co.  This is an informational item to advise that the Pennsylvania American Water Co. is requesting that the PUC approve a change in ownership of Pennsylvania American Water Co.’s parent company, American Water Works Co., Inc  The application proposes that AWW (now wholly-owned by RWE, a German holding company) issue an initial public offering  (IPO) of stock.  Up to one hundred percent of the AWW shares would be sold to the public is this is approved.  Residents can call 1-800-684-6560 consumer advocate to express opinions regarding the sale of the company.

            Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Schedule Ground Breaking Ceremony – Gazebo.  Mr. McQuirns made a motion to schedule the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the Jefferson House gazebo that was donated to the Township by Philomeno and Salamone for Saturday, September 9^th, 2006 at 1:00 p.m.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

            Mr. Serratore introduced the next item on the agenda, West Norriton Township Open Space Plan.  Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reviewed the West Norriton Township Open Space Plan and expressed concerns with property owned by the Norristown Area School District listed as property/open space land by West Norriton Township.  Mr. Baerwald stated that since Norristown Area School District owns the land then the value of the land should accrue to all three municipal entities through the school district.  Mr.  Staufenberg made a motion to authorize the Township Manager to write a letter on behalf of the Board of Supervisors regarding the land owned by the Norristown Area School District.   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, Montco Residential Tire Collection Program.  This is an announcement that Montgomery County will be holding a residential tire collection program for Montgomery County residents only at the Norristown Area High School on Saturday, September 9^th, 2006 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. through 3:00 p.m.  A total of four tires maximum per vehicle will be allowed.

            Mr. Serratore introduced the next item on the agenda, Trash Hauling in East Norriton Township.  The Township has received a letter from a resident expressing dissatisfaction (on behalf of the silent majority) with the trash hauling services provided by a private hauler.  The Board of Supervisors agreed that the current system should remain and asked the Township manager to write a letter to the trash haulers about some of the problems mentioned.

            Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Announcement East Norriton Township Community Day.  The East Norriton Township Community Day will be held on Saturday, September 9^th, 2006 beginning at noon with Sunday, September 10^th, 2006 as the rain date.

            Mr. Serratore introduced the next item on the agenda, Schedule Goals and Accomplishments meeting.  Mr. Serratore made a motion to schedule the Goals and Accomplishments meeting for Tuesday, September 26^th, 2006 all day.  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, Announcement Sewer Lateral Project Meeting. This is an announcement that the Board of Supervisors will be conducting a public informational meeting on Monday, August 28^th, 2006 at the Paul Fly Elementary School beginning at seven o’clock to review the Inflow and Infiltration and sewer lateral repair project.

            Mr. Serratore introduced the next item on the agenda, Expenditure Authorizations. A.  Gazebo - $40,325.00(Budget - only) – subject to verification; B.  Whitehall Road Storm Sewer Connection - $120,000.00(subject to being within the budget); C.  Authorize Engineer to review Hillcrest Storm Water Problem; D. Emergency Management Trailer - $3,346.00; and E. Gary K. Stahl – pension.  Police Chief, John McGowan reviewed the necessity of having an emergency management trailer for the storage of equipment.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to authorize items A through E.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

            Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Attendance Authorizations.  A.  FEMA Meeting – September 9, 2006 – Pottstown; B.  Retirement Dinner for West Norriton Township Manager – Manager and Assistant Manager; C.  MCATO Fall Convention – Supervisors, Auditors, Tax Collector, Manager, Department Directors and Shirley Jording); and D. Police Training – Street Survival for Women in Law Enforcement – Officer Soto.  Mr. McQuirns made a motion to authorize items A through D.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

            Mr. Serratore reviewed the meeting schedule for August 22, 2006 through October 24, 2006.

            Township Manager, Mr. Helmuth Baerwald reviewed House Bill 2312 and House Bill 2314 that would amend the Borough, First and Second Class Township Codes respectively, regarding provision of emergency services.  Boroughs and Townships would be responsible for providing fire and emergency medical services to residents.  Elected officials are required to determine and provide the necessary financial and administrative assistance in support of these services.  Finally, this legislation requires any emergency services group receiving municipal funding to provide an annual itemized listing of expenditures to the governing body prior to any additional funds being allocated. 

            Mr. Serratore thanked Jonathon Thomas for being prepared with his presentation and all his hard work with his Eagle Scout project about the necessary permits.

            There being no other business to come before the Board, the Chairman asked if there were any residents who wished to speak, Mr. Bob Greve of Nottingham Road questioned the zoning of the Handy and Harmon property and the Olivet Scwenkfelder church property.  Zoning Officer, Bruce Shoupe will advise Mr. Greve regarding the zoning.  Rosemary Zaccardi expressed concerns with the inflow and infiltration repairs and the selling of a property.  She is not getting any response from the Township. Zoning Officer, Bruce Shoupe advised Mrs. Zaccardi to have her plumber contact him at the Township building.

Mr. McQuirns made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:10 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