The Regular Meeting of the Board of Supervisors of East Norriton Township was called to order by the Chairman, Mr. Lewis McQuirns, at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday, February 26, 2008, at the Township Municipal Building.  Supervisors present were Lewis K. McQuirns, Donald J. Gracia, 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 in memory of Ben Lare and Charles Sardo.

            The Chairman introduced the first item on the agenda, Police Officer Probation – Michael Henricks. Police Chief, John McGowan announced that Officer Michael Henricks has successfully completed his one year probationary period Mr. and recommended Officer, Michael Henricks for permanent status. Staufenberg made a motion to approve Chief McGowan’s recommendation.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

            At this time in the meeting the Chairman moved up items one and two under “New Business”, Ordinance No. 505 – Amendment to Institutional Zoning District and Ordinance No. 506 - Adoption of Zoning Map Change.  Township Solicitor, Christen Pionzio explained why the meeting was being held at the Township building and not somewhere else.  Ms. Pionzio stated it is the Township staff’s recommendation to have a separate meeting at a larger venue to address these two ordinances.  Mr. Gracia made a motion to table Ordinance No. 505 and Ordinance 506 and reschedule the meeting for these items for Monday, March 10, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at the Norristown Area High School auditorium.  After several comments by audience members Mrs. Heckman seconded the motion which was approved four to one with Mr. Staufenberg opposing.

            The Chairman introduced the next item on the agenda, Open Bids – Two 2008 Motorcycles.   The Chairman asked if there were any additional bids.  Mr. Gracia made a motion to close the bids for the two 2008 motorcycles.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Heckman and approved unanimously.

            The bids for the two 2008 motorcycles were opened and read by the Township Manager as follows:  Montgomery County Harley Davidson, Inc. - $13,512.00 each for a total bid of $27,024.00; Brains Harley Davidson - $14,192.00 each for a total bid of $28,384.00 (the non-collusion affidavit included is not notarized); and Schaeffers Harley Davidson - $15,500.00 each for a total bid of $31,000.00.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to refer the bids for review by Police Chief, John McGowan and award later in the meeting.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Heckman and approved unanimously.

            The Chairman announced that the Board of Supervisors met on the 18^th for an executive session and then on the 19^th of February, at the East Norriton Middle School for two Public Hearings and in Executive Session earlier this earlier evening to discuss matters of litigation and personnel.

            Mrs. Heckman made a motion to approve the minutes of the Regular Meeting of December 18, 2007, the Re-Organization and the Regular Meetings of January 7, 2008. After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

            Mr. Serratore made a motion to approve the Finance Reports for December, 2007 and January, 2008.  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 December, 2007 and January, 2008 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 December, 2007 and January, 2008.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Heckman and approved unanimously.

            A resident from Whitehall Road questioned the sewer lateral repairs performed.  Matt Brown of ARRO Consulting, Inc. advised the resident he would address his issue later in the meeting.

            The Chairman asked if there were any citizens to be heard, a resident questioned what transpired at 3005 Nottingham Road. Police Chief, John McGowan reported the property was seized by the county.  The property is not occupied.  Chief McGowan asked if any residents see any suspicious activity to call 911.

            The next item on the agenda, Resolution No. 2393 – United Storage LD was tabled to next month’s meeting.

            Mr. Staufenberg introduced the first item under “Old Business”, Resolution No. 2395 – Appointment of the Township Auditor. Township Manager, Helmuth Baerwald reviewed Resolution No. 2395 appointing the Certified Public Accounting Firm of Maillie, Falconiero, and Company as the Township’s auditor for the fiscal year of 2008 and setting their compensation at sixteen thousand dollars.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to approve Resolution No. 2395.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Gracia and approved unanimously.

            The next item, Resolution No. 2397 – Sewer Planning Module for the Village of Caralea was tabled.

            Mrs. Heckman introduced the next item on the agenda, St. Patrick’s Cemetery Extension Request.  Code Enforcement Director, Bryan Bortnichak reviewed the letter from St. Patrick’s requesting an extension until December 31, 2008. Mrs. Heckman made a motion to approve the extension request for St. Patrick’s Cemetery.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Staufenberg and approved unanimously. Township Engineer, Bob Blue reviewed the letter dated February 13, 2008 from Stantec Consulting Services, Inc. the engineer for St. Patrick’s cemetery with waiver requests.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to accept the Township Engineer’s letter dated February 14, 2008.  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, Sanitary Sewer Lateral Repair Project.  Matt Brown of ARRO Consulting, Inc. reported that all but three laterals that were scheduled along Whitehall Road have been repaired to date. Mr. Brown stated that Jesse Goldberg of the Department of Environmental Protection commented on two milestones on the fourth quarter Corrective Action Plan. #1 the overflows at Germantown pump station and #2 the lateral repair project completion, a letter has been received from the DEP agreeing to extend the lateral repair deadline to May 31, 2008.  Mr. Brown addressed the resident from Whitehall Road who spoke earlier.

            Mrs. Heckman introduced the next item on the agenda, Development and Construction Updates.  Director of  Code Enforcement, Bryan Bortnichak reviewed: two demolition permits have been issued for the Hess Station and Statton Cleaners along  Route 202; Reserve at Penn Crossing seventy-six of the seventy-eight units have been sold; Williamstadt development – the developer submitted and subsequently withdrew a request for variances to allow the property to be developed as a non  age-qualified development, the developer currently intends to construct the project as an age qualified sixty-xix unit retirement residential development with modifications; Jefferson Crossing – the pedestrian bridge is complete; and Swede Square Shopping Center – right turn lane work is waiting for PECO to relocate the utilities.

            Mr. Staufenberg introduced the next item on the agenda, Storm Drainage Issue/Projects.  Township Engineer, Bob Blue reported:  A. Briar Lane and Hillcrest Avenue work is pending the Evergreen Road development; B. Lawnton Road, Lafayette and Springview Roads storm water system design plans – no new update; and C. 605 Meadowbrook Road – work is pending by the Public Works Department; D. Walgreen’s storm drainage work – to begin late spring, early summer; and E. overall storm drainage plan – no new update.  Township Manager, Helmuth Baerwald reported that the township has been alerted to some drainage issues along Whitehall Road. Township Engineer, Bob Blue reported that he checked out the problem area and spoke with the one of the neighbors in the area of the issue.

            Mrs. Heckman introduced the next item on the agenda, Traffic Issues.   Township Manager, Helmuth Baerwald reviewed that there are traffic studies being done for Township Line Road and the Germantown Pike corridor with the potential widening of  Germantown Pike from North Wales Road to Whitehall Road as part of the construction of a new entrance for the Norristown Farm Park property.  Mr. Staufenberg commented that the Germantown Pike traffic study has been going on before the Township knew about anything happening with Wood’s Golf Center.  Township Manager, Helmuth Baerwald reviewed that Germantown Pike is a county road and that Township Line Road is a state road.

            Mr. Staufenberg introduced the next item on the agenda, US Route 202 Widening. Township Manager, Helmuth Baerwald reported that the Township is meeting with PADOT soon to address the bumpy condition of the left hand turn lane West on Germantown Pike.

            Mrs. Heckman introduced the next item on the agenda Sanitary Sewer Issues.  Township Sewer Engineer, Stuart Rosenthal of Gilmore Associates reported:  A. Timberlake Station Pump (impellors) replacement – the impellor has been replaced/installed and is working; B. Taft Road Sewer Interceptor Slip Lining Work – Consent Order work complete, with one punch list item remaining; C. Stony Creek Stabilization Work – work completed by the Public Works department; and D. Comparison of Flow Data – Norris City and Saw Mill Run Pumping Stations – areas were looked at on the February 13, 2008 rainfall and the Sewer Department is going to video the public portions of the system and then make a decision if the problem is in the public portion of the system.

            At this point on the meeting, Police Chief, John McGowan recommended the bid for the two 2008 motorcycles be awarded to Montgomery County Harley Davidson for $13, 512.00 each for a total of $27,024.00.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to approve Chief McGowan’s recommendation to award the motorcycle bid.  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, “New Business” Budget Revisions.  Township Manger, Helmuth Baerwald reviewed the budget revisions dated February 15, 2008.  Mr. Serratore made a motion to approve the revisions.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Heckman and approved unanimously.

            Mr. Gracia introduced the next item on the agenda, Spring Leaf Collection.  Mr. Gracia read an announcement that the Township will have a leaf collection from April 28 to May 9, 2008.  The leaves are to be placed in biodegradable bags and the residents must call the township to schedule pick up.

            Mr. Serratore introduced the next item on the agenda, 2007 Survey of Financial Condition.  Township Manger, Helmuth Baerwald reviewed the 2007 Survey of Financial Condition.  Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to approve execution of the 2007 Survey of Financial Condition.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Serratore and approved unanimously.

            Mr. Gracia introduced the next item on the agenda, Norriton Fire Engine Co. Budget Comparisons and Deferred Benefit Plan.  Township Manager, Helmuth Baerwald reviewed the Norriton Fire Engine Co. budget and deferred benefit plan.   Mr. Serratore made a motion to approve the deferred benefit plan calculations.  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, Authorize Bids for Road Paving, Road Materials, Equipment Leasing and Generator.  Mr. Serratore made a motion to authorize advertisement of the bids for Road Paving, Road Materials, Equipment Leasing and Generator for opening at the March regular meeting.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Staufenberg and approved unanimously.

            Mr. Gracia introduced the next item on the agenda; Reschedule the April regular meeting to April 29, 2008.  Mrs. Heckman made a motion to change the regular meeting to April 29, 2008 due to scheduling of the Primary Elections on April 22, 2008.   After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mr. Staufenberg and approved unanimously.

            Mr. Serratore introduced the next item on the agenda, Attendance Authorization. A. FBI/LEEDA Annual Training Conference – Chief McGowan; and B. NIMS Training - $208.00 per person. Mrs. Heckman made a motion to approve items A and B.  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, Expenditure Authorization.  A. Township Vehicles: Parks and Recreation, Manager and Dump Truck; B. Homer Group – Comprehensive Plan - $6,000 - $6,500.00; C. Chamber of Commerce PFEW – IDA to fund; D. Veteran’s Memorial Fundraising Breakfast Tickets – IDA to fund; E. 85^th Anniversary Ad Macedonia Baptist Church - $100.00; F. Montgomery County Lands Trust Membership - $150.00; G. DROP Program – Raymond Archambault; and H. MRA Car Wash – engineering expense - $10,443.00.  Mr. Gracia made a motion to authorize items A through H.  After requesting any comments and there being none, the motion was seconded by Mrs. Heckman and approved unanimously.

            Mr. Serratore reviewed the meeting schedule for February 24, 2008 through March 25, 2008.

            Mr. Gracia introduced the next item on the agenda, Legislation.  Township manager, Helmuth Baerwald reviewed the following that are under consideration by the PA General Assembly:  Smoking ban, Advertising public notices in community papers, Fees in lieu of public land, Tipping fees, Waiver for police in-service training, Daycare facilities, and Curative amendments.

            There being no other business to come before the Board, the Chairman asked if there were any residents who wished to speak, a resident questioned the status of Washington Square Gardens proposed development.  Township Manager, Helmuth Baerwald reported that the owner of the properties has resubmitted a request for the supervisors to consider scheduling a public hearing.  The owner will have to meet with staff first and he will be advised that he first has to go to the neighborhood with his plans before the supervisors will consider the plans.  The same resident questioned the United Stor-All proposed plan.  Mr. Baerwald stated that this will be discussed at the March regular meting.

            Mr. Staufenberg made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:07 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