The Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of East Norriton Township was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Donald Gracia, at 7:26 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2007, 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 asked for a moment of silence for former President Gerald Ford and retired Fire Chief of King of Prussia Fire Company William Daywalt Sr.

            The Chairman introduced the next item on the agenda, Swearing in of Police Officer – Michael D. Henricks.  Police Chief, John McGowan introduced Michael D. Henricks as the East Norriton Township Police Department’s newly hired police officer.  Assistant Township Manager, Donald Delamater swore in Officer Michael Henricks.

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

            Supervisor, James Serratore thanked all the volunteers on the various Boards and Commissions of the Township.

            Mrs. Heckman introduced first item under “Old Business”, Use & Occupancy Permit – 553 Foundry Road.  The Township has received a letter from the Gambone Development Company requesting a reduction in the Use and Occupancy permit fee.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to approve the fee reduction with the condition that the permit is only for a six month period effective from the date of issuance.  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, Ordinance No. 490 – Providing for Sewer Lateral Inspection and Repair.  Township Solicitor, Christen Pionzio reviewed Ordinance No. 490.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to authorize advertising of Ordinance No. 490 with the following amendments:  five business days notice for inspections and ninety days to make the repairs.  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, Development and Construction Updates.  Code Enforcement Director/Zoning Officer, Bryan Bortnichak reported that the Township has received a request submitted on behalf of the Gambone Company for the Altemose tract at 1030 West Germantown Pike for numerous variances and special exceptions for proposed storage and retail use of the property.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to authorize the Township Solicitor to attend the Zoning Hearing Board meeting and to express the Township’s concerns with retail uses and the Solicitor to contact the Developer before the Zoning Hearing Board meeting.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

            Mr. Eidman of 3230 Hayes Road commended the Township on the Construction Updates report.

            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 to start early next week, weather permitting.  Notices should be sent out and Township signs will be posted on all roads affected.  B.  605 Meadowbrook Road survey work completed and waiting for things to be reviewed.

            Mr. McQuirns introduced the first item under “New Business”, Zoning Hearing Board Expansion.  This item was tabled.

            Mr. McQuirns introduced the next item on the agenda, Personnel Policy Amendment.  Assistant Township Manager, Donald Delamater reviewed the proposed personnel policy amendment replacing the “Sexual Harassment Policy” with a “Sexual Misconduct Policy”.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to approve the personnel policy amendment.  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, Expenditure Authorization.  A.  Advertising for Fire Fighter/Assistant Fire Marshal – The Times Herald advertising approximately $900.00 and the MONTCO Public Safety Newsletter.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to approve item A.  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, Attendance Authorization. A.  Police Training Request – Sergeants Stinson, Walters and Ulmer,  January 31, 2007.  Mr. McQuirns made a motion to approve item A.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

            The Chairman called on Township Manager, Helmuth Baerwald to review any pending or enacted legislation.  Mr. Baerwald reviewed the Uniform Construction Code will have numerous changes as of January 1, 2007.  Mr. Baerwald asked Mr. Bortnichak to keep an eye on these pending changes.  Mr. Baerwald reviewed that the Governor has signed new acts affecting Townships:  Act 153 of 2006 – purchase of public safety equipment amends Title 62 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statues to require the state Department of General Services to enter into cooperative purchasing contracts on behalf of volunteer fire, rescue, and ambulance services for apparatus, communications, and protective or rescue equipment.  Act 154 of 2006 – Open space preservation amends Act 442 of 1983 to allow municipalities to use dedicated open space taxes to cover expenses related to land acquisitions.  Act 155 of 2006 – Liquor code amends the state Liquor Code to delete provisions that required a municipality to refuse a request for an economic development license if it found that approval of the request would have adversely affected the welfare, health, peace, and morals of the municipality or its residents.  Act 156 of 2006 – Confidential government records prohibits local governments or public utilities from releasing confidential security information about electric, gas, water, telephone, or sewage service.  Act 159 of 2006 – Headlight use amends the vehicle code of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statues to require drivers to turn on their headlights when their windshield wipers are on. Act 160 of 2006 – Use of Social Security numbers requires state and local governments to provide those who apply for or are renewing professional license or certification, occupational license of certification, or recreational license with an alternative to disclosing their Social Security number.  And Act 166 and 167 of 2006 – Elimination of township assessors amends the Township Code and the Fourth to Eighth Class County Assessment Law to eliminate the elected office of township assessor.  Act 167 also exempts any wind power producing turbine, related generators, or equipment, including towers and their foundations, from traditional real estate tax assessments.  Act 168 of 2006 - Arson convictions amend Title 18 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes to prohibit anyone convicted of arson or a similar offense from serving as a firefighter in Pennsylvania.  Act 181 of 2006 – Pennsylvania One Call System extends the sunset date to December 31, 2016 and makes numerous changes to the Underground Utility Line Protection Law.  And Act 189 of 2006 – Sales tax exemption and public records amends the Tax Reform Code to exempt fees for copies of public records or official documents released under the Right-to-Know Law from the state sales tax. 

            Mr. Serratore reviewed the meeting schedule for January 1^st, 2007 through February 23^rd, 2007.

            Township Manger, Helmuth Baerwald reviewed letters from Berlin Treptow-Köpenick, Germany - Sister City advising that the former Bürgermeister, Dr. Klaus Ulbricht has retired and a new Bürgermeisterin, Gabriele Schöttler has been elected.  Mr. Serratore made a motion to authorize a certificate to be sent to the retiring Bürgermeister, Dr. Klaus Ulbricht and authorize attendance of the Supervisors and any interested employees or residents at the Festival in June (at their own cost).  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Staufenberg and approved unanimously.

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. Staufenberg 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. Serratore and approved unanimously.

Helmuth J. H. Baerwald
Township Secretary