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Board of Commissioners
Meeting Minutes
Board of Commissioners Meeting - January
10, 2002
The stated meeting of the Board of Commissioners of
Abington Township was held on Thursday, January 10,
2002, at the Township Administration Building, Abington,
PA, with President Barbara C. Ferrara presiding.
CALL TO ORDER: 8:04 p.m.
ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners FERRARA,
AGOSTINE,
WACHTER, RING, GROSS, CARLIN,
ZAPPONE, KRETSCHMAN,
MCGRATH, DEVORE, O’CONNOR,
MYERS, LUKER, GILLESPIE, TURCO,
Township Manager CONWAY
Assistant Township Manager LAHAZA
Township Solicitor HERDER
Chief of Police KELLY
Treasurer SOLOMON
Township Engineer POWERS
Director of Finance MATIZA
Director of Public Works MICCIOLO
Director of Code Enforcement MATTEO
Director of Parks and Recreation WENDELL
Superintendent of W.W.T.P. LEBER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
COMMENDATIONS:
Chief Kelly stated that the first commendation is for
Lieutenant Timothy Woodward. He has served as a Lieutenant
for the Montgomery County Detectives and the First Assistant
to District Attorney Bruce Castor. He is retiring to
a private practice and we want to honor him for the
great work that he has done. He ran the Homicide Investigative
Unit for the Montgomery County Detectives and was involved
with us on some major cases.
Deputy Chief John Livingood introduced Oscar Vance
Chief of Montgomery County Detectives.
Oscar Vance stated that Timothy Woodward served in
the United States Marine Corps. He served in the Montgomery
County District Attorney’s Office as his Deputy
Chief. He is one outstanding individual.
Board of Commissioners January 10, 2002
Chief Vance, Chief Livingood, and Commissioner Ferrara
presented Lt. Timothy Woodward with a commendation for
his service to our citizens and cooperation with our
Police Department.
Chief Kelly introduced the Directors of the Police
Athletic League (PAL), Ed Micciolo, Lawrence Matteo,
and Douglas Wendell and the President of PAL, Lou Klein.
Lou Klein stated without all of the cooperation and
efforts of everyone involved this Police Athletic League
would never have begun. Kal Rudman gave us our first
contribution of $10,000. It helped us purchase insurance
and get started. We are very thankful and he presented
a plaque to honor Kal Rudman.
Kal Rudman announced he will be sponsoring a large
number of college scholarships for the mandatory college
education for the police throughout Montgomery County.
He also acknowledged KAL’S PALS, young men involved
in the Abington PAL, who were present at the meeting.
President Ferrara made the following Committee appointments:
PUBLIC WORKS: Stanford Gross, Director, Michael
O’Connor, Asst. Director, Peggy Myers, Doretta
Agostine, James Ring.
CODE ENFORCEMENT: Doretta Agostine, Director,
James Ring, Asst. Director, Wayne Luker, Michael O’Connor,
Robert Wachter.
PUBLIC SAFETY: Peggy Myers, Director, Dee McGrath,
Asst. Director, Michael Gillespie, Nicholas Turco, Stanford
Gross.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS: Robert Wachter, Director, Michael
Gillespie, Asst. Director, Donald DeVore, John Carlin,
Dennis Zappone.
FINANCE: Wayne Luker, Director, Michael O’Connor,
Michael Gillespie, John Carlin, James Ring.
PENSION: Stanford Gross, Robert Wachter, Dennis
Zappone.
TOWNSHIP/SCHOOL LIAISON: Barbara Ferrara, Doretta
Agostine, Stanford Gross, James Ring, John Carlin.
PERSONNEL & WAGE NEGOTIATION: Barbara Ferrara,
Eric Kretschman, Nicholas Turco, James Ring.
COMMUNITY POLICING: Nicholas Turco, Donald DeVore,
Michael O’Connor, Peggy Myers, Dee McGrath.
CALENDAR COMMITTEE: Barbara Ferrara, Dee McGrath,
Robert Wachter, Doretta Agostine.
CIVIC ASSOCIATION/COMMISSIONER COMMITTEE: Barbara
Ferrara, Eric Kretschman, Doretta Agostine, John Carlin.
LIAISON TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
Stanford Gross.
APPOINTMENTS TO VOLUNTEER BOARDS:
Commissioner Ferrara opened the floor for nominations
for the Volunteer Citizen Boards and Commissions:
Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Gross to appoint Fred Blumberg, Esq. for Industrial
Development Authority Solicitor.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Gross to appoint Bruce J. Eckel, Esq. as the Zoning
Hearing Board Solicitor.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Gross to appoint Michael F. Dunn, Esq. as the Civil
Service Commission Solicitor.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Gross to appoint Joan Cantor, MD as Police Surgeon.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
Commissioner Ferrara opened nominations for the Planning
Commission: Commissioner O’Connor nominated Ashley
Spearman, Commissioner Myers nominated Bradley Werden,
and Commissioner Luker nominated Van Strother.
Van Strother was appointed with 13 votes. Ashley Spearman
was appointed with 8 votes.
Commissioner Ferrara opened nominations for one position
on the INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Commissioner
Krestchman nominated Bruce Toll.
Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Agostine to close the nominations.
Bruce Toll was appointed unanimously.
Commissioner Ferrara opened nominations for four positions
on the LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. Commissioner
Luker nominated Garrett Page, Commissioner Turco nominated
Jo Ann Werthner, Commissioner Gross nominated Elaine
Shay, Commissioner Kretschman nominated Douglas Callantine.
Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Gross to close the nominations.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
Garrett Page, Douglas Callantine, Elaine Shay, and
Jo Ann Werthner were appointed unanimously.
Commissioner Ferrara opened nominations for the ZONING
HEARING BOARD: Commissioner Luker nominated Arthur
L. Bigelow; Commissioner Gross nominated Jay O’Connor;
Commissioner Gillespie nominated Bradley Werden. Arthur
L. Bigelow is running as a permanent member of the Zoning
Hearing Board and the other two candidates are running
as alternates.
Arthur L. Bigelow was appointed unanimously.
Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Kretschman to appoint Arthur Bigelow as a permanent
member.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Kretschman to appoint Jay O’Connor as the alternate.
MOTION was ADOPTED 13-2.
Commissioner Ferrara opened nominations for four ENVIRONMENTAL
ADVISORY COUNCIL: Commissioner DeVore nominated
Robert Montgomery; Commissioner Carlin nominated Catherine
Gauthier; Commissioner Luker nominated Iris Innes; Commissioner
Gross nominated William Avery.
Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Gross to close the nominations.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
Catherine Gauthier, Robert Montgomery, William Avery,
and Iris Innes were appointed unanimously.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
Commissioner Ferrara stated that at the request of
the ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, she
appointed Ivy Silver, Dr. Amy Sichel, and John Loew
to that Committee.
MINUTES:
Commissioner Kretshman made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Ring, to approve the minutes of the Board of Commissioners
Meeting - December 13, 2001.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:
Meadowbrook I Sanitary Sewer District Ordinances
# 1871 and # 1872:
Commissioner Ferrara opened the Public Hearing for
Ordinances #1871, establishing the Meadowbrook I Sanitary
Sewer District, and Ordinance #1872, providing for the
construction and assessment of sanitary sewers for homes
listed on exhibit A, at 8:32 p.m.
Commissioner Ferrara asked for comments for and against
approving the Ordinances. There were none. Commissioner
Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Agostine,
that the Hearing be closed. The Hearing was closed at
8:33 p.m.
Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Agostine, to approve Ordinance #1871 and Ordinance #1872.
MOTION was APPROVED 15-0.
Board of Commissioners January 10, 2002
ORDINANCE NO. 1871
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 132 (SEWERS AND SEWERAGE)
OF THE CODE OF THE TOWNSHIP OF ABINGTON, BY THE ADDITION
OF ARTICLE XXII, TO BE TITLED "MEADOWBROOK #1 SANITARY
SEWER DISTRICT ESTABLISHED."
AND NOW, this 10th day of January, 2002,
the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Abington
does hereby enact and Ordain as follows:
Section 1. Chapter 132 (sewers and sewerage) of the
Code of Township of Abington is hereby amended by the
addition of Article XXII, titled, Meadowbrook #1 Sanitary
Sewer District Established, as follows:
ARTICLE XXII
132-163. District Created. There is hereby
established a sewer district to be known as the Meadowbrook
# 1 Sewer District (hereinafter the District).
132-164. District Defined. The Meadowbrook #1 Sanitary
Sewer District is hereby defined as those residential
properties presently existing on the streets listed
as set forth in Exhibit A, which is attached hereto
and made a part hereof.
132-165. Appointment of Costs. The cost of constructing
the sewer collection lines and associated components
necessary to serve the District shall be apportioned
between and assessed against the properties in the District
in accordance with Article I of this Chapter.
132-166. Recovery of Costs. The cost apportioned to
and assessed against each property in the District pursuant
of Section 132-165 together with simple interest as
six per centum (6%), shall be payable over a fifteen
(15) year period in quarterly installments.
132-167 Annual Rate or Rental, the owners of properties
in the District connection with and using the Township
sanitary sewer system shall pay an annual rate or rental
in accordance with the schedule of residential rates
as adopted by the Township Board of Commissioners. The
schedule of rates is on file at the Township Building.
132-168. In the event that any property owner in the
district shall fail to timely pay the amount specified
in Section 132-166, and such amount remains unpaid for
a period of thirty (30) days, the entire cost apportioned
to and assessed against that property purusant to Section
132-165 shall then become due and payable, and the same
shall constitute a lien on the property, and the Township
solicitor shall proceed to collect the same under the
general laws relating to the collection of municipal
claims.
Section 2. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately.
Approved by the Board of Commissioners and enacted
into an Ordinance this 10th day of January,
2002.
TOWNSHIP OF ABINGTON
By: ________________________
Barbara C. Ferrara, President
ATTEST:
____________________________
Burton T. Conway, Secretary
ORDINANCE NO. 1872
PROVIDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF BRANCH SANITARY
SEWERS IN CERTAIN STREETS IN THE TOWNSHIP OF ABINGTON,
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, AND ASSESSING THE ASSESSABLE
COST THEREOF UPON THE PROPERTIES ADJOINING OR ADJACENT
THERETO, AND PRESCRIBING THE METHOD OF COLLECTION SAME.
The Board of Commissioners of the Township of
Abington, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, does hereby
enact and ordain:
Section 1. That the township construct or cause to
be constructed sanitary sewers in the Meadowbrook #
1 Sanitary Sewer District, as the district is defined
in Ordinance #1871 of the Township of Abington, including
force mains, interceptors and pump station(s) which
may be necessary.
Sanitary sewer service to be provided for residential
properties presently existing on the streets listed
as set forth in Exhibit A, which is attached hereto
and made a part hereof.
Section 2. So much of the cost and expenses of the
hereinbefore mentioned improvements, including engineering,
legal, advertising and similar expenses, as is legally
chargeable upon the properties accommodated or benefitted
thereby, shall be assessed pursuant to the foot front
and/or benefit rule, as outlined in Ordinance #1871.
Approved by the Board of Commissioners and enacted
into an Ordinance the 10th day of January,
2002.
TOWNSHIP OF ABINGTON
By: ________________________
Barbara C. Ferrara, President
ATTEST:
_________________________
Burton T. Conway, Secretary
EXHIBIT "A"
MEADOWBROOK #1 SANITARY SEWER DISTRICT
Gilbert Road Lindsay Lane Mill
Road
1203 1251 1344 1401 1400
1204 1258 1353 1402
1212 1263 1362 1418
1215 1270 1365 1419
1224 1273 1377 Block 32; Unit 3
1225 1280 1380 (vacant lot)
1234 1299 1387
1237 1300
1240 1312
1248 1341
Randolph Road Wrack Road
1070 1086 1129 1148
1077 1093 1138 1151
1078 1096
1085
Revised 11/27/01
Wastewater Collection System Evaluation:
Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Ring to authorize ADS Services to perform field monitoring
on wastewater flows and rainfall at a cost not to exceed
$230,000, to be funded from unallocated Sewer Capital
Retained Earnings.
Commissioner Turco asked if this went out for competitive
bidding.
Mr. Leber replied no, this service provider was selected
by the Engineer and the reason ADS Services was selected
without going out for competitive bidding is that they
don’t have comparable services from other sources.
The Engineer has certified them to be a professional
service.
Commissioner Turco stated that it still goes out for
bid and there might be only one bidder and in his opinion,
they are not a professional service. A professional
service is a legal service or an accounting service.
Solicitor Herder stated engineering services are viewed
as being a professional service. It is not clear that
this is a pure engineering service and simply because
something might be considered a professional service
does not mean that it can not go out for bid.
Commissioner Ferrara asked if there are time constraints.
Mr. Leber replied that we have a three month window
where we can get usable data for this service. If we
go out for bid, we will have to wait a year from now
before we can collect data and get into the program.
Commissioner Carlin stated this is part of the remedy
that was proposed to people who had sewer back ups from
the storm in June.
Mr. Leber stated this is the best time of year to get
the data we need.
Commissioner Turco stated to President Ferrara that
we had from June 2001, until tonight to go out for bid.
Commissioner Zappone asked Mr. Leber where is this
company located.
Mr. Leber replied Houston, Texas.
Commissioner Zappone asked if there is this type of
service in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware.
Mr. Leber replied he is not aware of another service
comparable to this one.
Commissioner Zappone asked Mr. Leber if he will look
into other companies to bid this job.
Mr. Leber replied that he will do whatever the Board
directs.
Commissioner Zappone made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Turco to table this issue.
MOTION was tabled 6-9.
Economic Development - Old York Road Revitalization:
Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Ring to approve Addendum #2 to the McCarthy Masonry
and Concrete, Inc. Old York Road Phase III
Revitalization contract, in an amount not to exceed
$108,847.50, in order to continue improvements along
the Old York Road corridor. $103,847.50 will be provided
by Penn State Abington as a partnership, and $5,000
will be allocated from Economic Development Acct. #07-01-502-7300
for field work contingency. Commissioner Gross thanked
Penn State.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
Nancy Shuman, 1419 Lindsay Lane, spoke against the
Meadowbrook I Sanitary Sewer District. We received a
letter dated December 4, 2001, from Mike Powers, Township
Engineer announcing the results of a re-vote for the
installation of sanitary sewers. This re-vote of December
4, 2001, was as a result of a petition signed by 17
residents of Mill, Dale, Wrack, and Gilbert Roads asking
for a special separation from the vote. No
Board of Commissioners January 22, 2002
residents on Lindsay, Randolph, Coates, or Meetinghouse
Roads signed the petition nor asked for any change in
the original June 1, 2001 vote. We expect to be bound
by the results of the June 1, 2001 vote and request
exemption from the results of the December 4, 2001 vote
and decision. We neither asked for nor expected any
variation from the June 1, 2001 vote and in that vote
we voted no.
Commissioner Ferrara stated that this was done because
there were people whose septic systems were not functioning
and they needed relief and the law says we must afford
the relief.
CODE ENFORCEMENT AND LAND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:
Subdivision Plan SD-01-07 Phillip Sopinsky - 225
Susan Drive:
Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Ring to approve Subdivision Plan SD-01-07, as prepared
by William C. Parry, Registered Professional Land Surveyor,
proposing to subdivide the property into two lots. Lot
No. 1 will have an area of 13,045 sq. ft., and Lot No.
2 will have an area of 9,535.1 sq. ft. Both lots will
conform to all other dimensional requirements of the
Zoning Ordinance with the removal of the existing in-ground
swimming pool and concrete decking. The property is
known as 225 Susan Drive, zoned in the (R-4) Residential
District, in Ward 4 of the Township.
Motion is subject to the following conditions:
Concrete monuments must be installed at new corners
on front and rear property lines.
Engineering Department will only accept signed plan
when accompanied by two new deeds with new property
descriptions.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
Brian Sopinsky, 526 Olivia Way, Lafayette Hill, PA.
questioned the need for the first condition listed on
the agenda. There are existing monuments and pins on
other corners from which we can measure the distance
to the property boundaries.
Mr. Herder stated that this is for the new line that
is being created. You have to put the pins in for the
new line because that is the requirement of the Code.
Subdivision Plan SD-01-06 Denise Santagata - 1625
Ridgeway Avenue:
Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Ring to approve Subdivision Plan for Denise Santagata,
as prepared by Donald John Boucher, proposing
Board of Commissioners January 22, 2002
to subdivide the property into two lots. Both Lots
1 and 2 have a lot area of 7,500 sq. ft. Each will conform
to all other dimensional requirements of the Zoning
Ordinance. The property is known as 1625 Ridgeway Avenue,
zoned in the (R-4) Residential District in Ward 8 of
the Township.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:
Removal of No Parking Between Signs - Bockius
Avenue:
Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
McGrath to approve the removal of No Parking Between
Signs on the west side of Bockius Avenue opposite
the driveway of 1253 and 1259 Bockius.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:
Bid Award - Printing of 2002-2003 Annual Report
and Calendar:
Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Agostine to award the bid for the printing of 23,000
copies of the 2002-2003 Annual Report and Calendar to
Alcom Printing Group, Inc., the lowest responsible bidder,
in the amount of $12,328.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
FINANCE COMMITTEE:
Treasurer Max M. Solomon stated as of the month of
December 2001, the Tax Office collected from the various
departments the sum of $830,000; year to date $15,000,000.
For Real Estate taxes we collected $19,000,000 - 98%
of the total, leaving us with a balance of $346,000.
We had an increase of $200,000 over the year 2000.
Investments:
Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Turco to approve the investments for the month of November,
2001 as previously circulated to the Board. It was noted
that investments for the month totaled $1,375.000. Interest
rates ranged from 2.703% to 4.30%.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
Expenditures/Salaries and Wages:
Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Ring to approve the November, 2001 expenditures as previously
circulated to the Board, in the amount of $624,829.07
and salaries and wages in the amount of $2,008,327.95
and to authorize the proper officials to sign vouchers
in payment of bills and contracts as they mature for
the month of February, 2002.
Roll call resulted in the MOTION being ADOPTED 15-0.
Training and Conference Expenses:
Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Ring to approve the Advance and Travel Expense activity
for November, 2001 as previously circulated to the Board.
Advances and Travel Expense Reports were $200 and $1,563.15,
respectively. Eleven (11) month YTD expenses total $31,549.17.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
Clearing Fund/Deferred Revenue and Expense/Petty
Cash:
Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Ring to approve the Clearing Fund, deferred revenue/expense
activity and petty cash balances for the month of November,
2001 as previously circulated to the Board.
Petty Cash balances were approved as per Audit Committee
Report.
Clearing Fund receipts and disbursements for the month
of November, 2001 were $17,126.93 and ($17,127.89),
respectively.
Deferred Revenue/Expense receipts and disbursements
for the month of November, 2001 were $3,586.54 and ($7,176.57),
respectively.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
Resolution No. 02-001 - Investments of Township
Funds:
Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Ring to adopt Resolution No. 02-001 authorizing the
Finance Director and his/her designate to invest Township
funds in any and all such financial institutions as
permitted by First Class Township Code.
MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.
RESOLUTION NO. 02-001
INVESTMENT OF TOWNSHIP FUNDS
WHEREAS, Abington Township invests its funds
in various financial institutions
utilizing financial instruments permitted by state
law; and
WHEREAS, the finance director on a daily basis
monitors these investments and acts
on behalf of the Township.
NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that on this
10th day of January, 2002, the Board
of Commissioners of the Township of Abington does hereby
authorize the finance
director and his/her designate to invest Township funds
in any and all instruments and
with any and all institutions as so listed and in accordance
with Section 1705.1 of the
First Class Township Code.
TOWNSHIP OF ABINGTON
_________________________
Barbara C. Ferrara, President
Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
_________________________
Burton T. Conway, Secretary
COMMENTS:
KOL AMI:
Commissioner Ferrara stated that the Congregation Kol
Ami application is under litigation and the Board can
not answer any questions; however we have material that
was prepared by our Solicitor, explaining the Township’s
situation for the public to review.
Commissioner Ring made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner
Agostine to call for alternating opinions from the public.
MOTION was ADOPTED 8-2.
Mark Levin, President of Congregation Kol Ami asked
that the record reflect that the Board is changing their
procedure tonight in allowing comments to be made in
a manner other than according to how people signed the
sign-up sheet. When he appeared before the Board on
December 13, 2001, he noted the numerous efforts that
Congregation Kol Ami has made in an attempt to amicably
settle this dispute. After the Zoning Hearing Board
unanimously ruled in our favor on August 15, 2001, our
attorneys sent your attorneys a letter suggestive meeting
to discuss settlement. As of today, we still have no
response. He asked the Board to agree to settle this
dispute.
Charles Whipple, 1970 Deer Run, Meadowbrook, stated
that virtually all of the neighbors are opposed to the
application. There are 126 homes on the adjoining neighborhood
streets of Robert Road and only two support the application.
Abington Township has the right to determine their own
zoning and your are not only protecting your own neighborhood,
but you are protecting the integrity of all residential
communities.
Jim McCormick, 1940 Robert Road, stated he supports
the use of this property by the Congregation Kol Ami.
He believes that this is a proper use and it is a good
use. He would count on Abington Township to enforce
any public safety regulations necessary to make this
a safe use.
Thomas H. King, 1215 George Road, Meadowbrook, stated
he understands the long term zoning for a country-club-type
synagogue. He can not understand why Congregation Kol
Ami would want to be next to unhappy residents. He is
sure they themselves cherish their own residential zoning
privileges.
Charles Thum, 1950 Robert Road, stated he and his wife
have lived in the cul-de-sac for 28 years. We strongly
support the continued use of this property for religious
and religious educational purposes. We feel it is a
proper continuance. We recognize
Board of Commissioners January 10, 2002
Congregation Kol Ami as responsible people who are
sensitive to the concerns to the neighbors.
Lynn Whipple, 1970 Deer Run, Meadowbrook, stated that
she is an Abington resident whose property borders on
the site Kol Ami wishes to buy. We purchased our property
four years ago in order to build a new house. We heard
that a synagogue made an offer on this residentially
zoned property. We fear traffic, noise, intrusive lighting,
and loss of property value in our quiet residential
neighborhood. She thanks the Commissioners for their
efforts to maintain the integrity of the zoning ordinance.
Elliot Holin, 1661Tuckerstown Road, Rabbi for Congregation
Kol Ami stated we are in search of a home. Since 1994,
we have held worship services at one location, religious
classes two days a week in another setting, and High
Holy Day Services at a different location. Children
attend Hebrew School classes in one place, worship services
in another, Bar/Bas Mitzvah services are in his home
and Committee Meetings are held in members homes over
a wide geographical area. We need a greater sense of
stability and permanence.
William Clinton, 1083 Frederick Road, stated he has
two points: How is the Township going to enforce the
concessions and what would the penalty be if the concessions
were violated? There will be violations. There have
been allegations that the residents are being anti-Semitic.
We deny such allegations.
Sister Celine Wornillo, Provincial Superior for the
Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth, residing at
4001 Grant Avenue, Philadelphia, Pa., stated that the
property in question has been a place known for young
men and women to come and learn about religious life.
We would like to see God be praised at this property
and to be a sacred place. We want Congregation Kol Ami
to have this property and we feel they would be an asset
to the neighborhood.
Ann Skipion, 1060 Frederick Road, Lower Moreland, stated
that her brother-n-law was asked to sign a petition
to allow Kol Ami to operate a synagogue on Robert Road
and was told his Real Estate taxes would go up if he
did not sign the petition.
Leslie C. Moore, President of the American Civil Liberties
Union of Pennsylvania, read a statement from Larry Frankel,
Director of the American Civil Liberties Union. The
ACLU supports the efforts of Congregation Kol Ami to
exercise the religious freedom guaranteed to them by
the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United
States. We join with many others in calling on the Board
of Commissioners to end its opposition to Congregation
Kol Ami’s proposed use of the former Catholic Convent
at 1908 Roberts Road as a Synagogue.
Bob Sklaroff, 1219 Fair Acres Road, Rydal, stated that
Congregation Kol Ami has received considerable media
attention and therefore the Board of Commissioners must
clarify the current legal and policy situations. The
zoning laws must be followed and you should not permit
a public religious institution in a residential neighborhood.
Kol Ami has tried to inappropriately invoke a new land
use law. The Federal Statute ensures that religious
institutions are not subject to prejudice in the process
of finding a home. This is a conditional privilege not
an absolute right. They are not empowered to situate
themselves, wherever they desire, disregarding the neighbors’
legitimate interests and the governments basic responsibility
to preserve health, education, and human services.
Monsignor Thomas Dwayne, Pastor of St. John of the
Cross Church, Roslyn who resides at 2741 Woodland Road,
Roslyn, stated that his Church has been in a residential
section for 50 years. He feels that no one should speak
about Congregation Kol Ami, unless they have visited
the property on Robert Road. These kinds of services
bring hope and value to peoples’ lives.
Bernice King, 1215 George Road, stated that she is
opposed to Congregation Kol Ami due to the parking and
traffic problems that will occur. She asks to keep the
neighborhood residential (R-1) with all of the restrictions
that incurs and not to change the rules just because
a group of people see potential of this property for
their purposes.
Dan Lacavage, 955 Springhouse Road, Meadowbrook stated
he is a member and student of Congregation Kol Ami.
He feels it is only fair to hear from the kids of Kol
Ami and presented letters from the students of the Kol
Ami Religious School. He does not understand why his
congregation is prevented from worshipping and praying
at a site where the Sisters and Monks worshipped and
prayed.
Hannah Rosenberg, 1105 Maris Avenue, stated that she
is in the seventh grade of Kol Ami Religious School,
studying Hebrew and the Bible in preparation for her
Bas Mitzvah. When friends ask where is her Synagogue;
she has no answer. We are orphaned with no real home.
All we want is a spiritual home we can call our own.
James Fink, 1969 Robert Road, stated that when he moved
into his home eight years ago, it was a quiet neighborhood,
and still is with low traffic, low noise, and no intrusion.
That could change if the proposed sale goes through.
This is a zoning issue not a religious issue. He supports
the Zoning Hearing Board’s decision.
David Sloviter, resident of Abington and past President
of Congregation Kol Ami, stated there are myths about
the use of the property. The facts are the majority
of the neighbors who will be impacted by our presence
are in favor of our use. The only regularly scheduled
activities that will be held are two religious school
sessions on Wednesday and Sunday, total four hours,
and one weekly Sabbath Worship Service. The total for
regular scheduled activities is less than eight hours
a week. All of the cars that could attend a service
at Kol Ami can be accommodated on site. The traffic
impact on the surrounding neighborhood is substantially
less than other permitted uses. The presence of a religious
institution in a residential neighborhood is considered
desirable. There has been no settlement discussions
despite Kol Ami’s repeated efforts to reach out
to the Board of Commissioners. The conditions imposed
on us by the Zoning Hearing Board are limitations of
the size of the Congregation, the size of gatherings,
and the hours of operation. Kol Ami is the only potential
user of the property that would maintain the park like
setting and restore the existing buildings. The entrance
is on a street that ends in a cul-de-sac and no driveways
are passed along Roberts Road to enter the property.
Kol Ami has been denied access to any Abington official
during our preparation of the land development application.
Robert Betz, 1030 Spring Valley Road, stated he developed
Meadowbrook Manor Woods. He built over 50 houses. They
want to put in a parking lot of 213 cars and that run-off
water has to go somewhere and it will go right down
to Spring Valley Road.
Richard Weiner, 344 Thorpe Road, President of the Philadelphia
Chapter of the American Jewish Committee stated we have
supported the efforts of Kol Ami in trying to acquire
this property. It is time to resolve the controversy
in a way that will be equitable for everyone. There
have been no efforts to do that and he feels the Board
has a responsibility to accommodate all of the citizens
and to act favorably.
Randy Ostrech, 2043 Robert Road, stated she is a mother
of a special needs child and afraid for her child’s
safety. She bought her home six years ago and she did
not expect to have a synagogue in her neighborhood.
She stated that she is a Jewish woman and there is no
anti-Semitism here. How are my children going to learn
to ride a bike. There are no sidewalks. There is one
way in and one way out.
Commissioner Gross commented on the Public Works Wastewater
Collection System Evaluation issue. While he recognizes
the fact that we ideally should go out to bid, we have
already spent over $100,000 to people whose homes were
affected by sewer back ups in the June 16, 2001 flood,
and this is the time to move on this.
Commissioner Turco commented that the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania says we need to go out for competitive
bid.
Commissioner Carlin commented that he will defer his
comments to the next Public Works Committee regarding
the Wastewater Collection System Evaluation issue.
Commissioner Kretschman asked Solicitor Herder if prior
to the news conference, did the ACLU and the Attorney
General’s Office ever contact the Township on the
Congregation Kol Ami matter?
Solicitor Herder replied no.
Commissioner Kretschman commented that there are always
two sides to a story.
ADJOURNMENT: 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Burton T. Conway, Secretary
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