Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
Board of Commissioners Meeting - January 9, 2003

The stated meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Abington was held on Thursday, January 9, 2003 at the Township Administration Building, Abington, PA., with President Barbara C. Ferrara presiding.

CALL TO ORDER: 8:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners AGOSTINE, WACHTER,

LUKER, TURCO, ZAPPONE, RING, GROSS,

O’CONNOR, CARLIN, MYERS, MCGRATH,

DEVORE, GILLESPIE, KRETSCHMAN (8:20 p.m.),

FERRARA

Township Manager CONWAY

Assistant Township Manager LAHAZA

Township Solicitor HERDER

Chief of Police KELLY

Treasurer SOLOMON

Director of Finance MATIZA

Township Engineer POWERS

Director of Parks and Recreation WENDELL

Superintendent of W.W.T.P. LEBER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

COMMENDATIONS:

Commissioners Ferrara, Wachter, and Agostine presented commendations to Reverend Robert Hoag and Barbara Rowland who are retiring from the Abington Library Board of Directors and thanked them for their service and dedication.

Commissioner McGrath and Mr. David Rondinelli of the Abington Joint Town Watch Council recognized George Griffin, Vice President of Marketing for Dietz & Watson Corporation and Ken Hoffman, ADM Corporation for their dedicated support of the Abington Township 2002 National Night Out event against crime.

MINUTES:

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Luker to approve the minutes of the Board of Commissioners meeting of December 11, 2002.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

APPOINTMENTS TO VOLUNTEER BOARDS:

Commissioner Ferrara opened the floor for nominations for the Volunteer Citizen Boards and Commissions:

Commissioner Ferrara opened nominations for two positions on the PLANNING COMMISSION: Commissioner McGrath nominated Arthur Hall Adams; Commissioner Ferrara nominated John Di Primio.

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Agostine to close the nominations.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Arthur Hall Adams and John Di Primio were appointed unanimously.

Commissioner Ferrara opened nominations for two positions on the LIBRARY BOARD OF DIRECTORS: Commissioner Agostine nominated Thomas Tyler; Commissioner Wachter nominated Teresa Bethel.

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Ring to close the nominations.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Thomas Tyler and Teresa Bethel were appointed unanimously.

Commissioner Ferrara opened nominations for the ENVIRONMENTAL ADVISORY COUNCIL: Commissioner Wachter nominated Frank Campbell.

Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Gross to close the nominations.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Frank Campbell was appointed unanimously.

Commissioner Ferrara opened nominations for the INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY: Commissioner Ferrara nominated George H. Baldwin.

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Agostine to close the nominations.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

George H. Baldwin was appointed unanimously.

Commissioner Ferrara opened nominations for the ZONING HEARING BOARD: Commissioner Gross nominated Jay O’Connor.

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to close the nominations.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Jay O’Connor was appointed unanimously as a voting member.

Commissioner Ferrara opened nominations for two alternate positions for the ZONING HEARING BOARD: Commissioner DeVore nominated William J. Lynott; Commissioner Gross nominated Thomas J. Bogar.

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Wachter to close the nominations.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Mr. Lynott and Mr. Bogar were voted unanimously as the two alternate members of the Zoning Hearing Board.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:

PA DEP Fine for Overflow

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve the PA Department of Environmental Protection’s Consent Order and Agreement to pay a fine in the amount of $4,053, funds to be drawn from Sewer Fund Operation Account No. 02-10-205-5305.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Wastewater Collection System Evaluation Engineering Services

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to authorize CET Engineers to perform additional flow monitoring management and data analysis for the Collection System Evaluation at an engineering cost not to exceed $11,700, to be funded from unallocated Sewer Operating Fund retained earnings.

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 9, 2003

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

Wastewater Collection System Evaluation Field Monitoring Authorization

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to authorize Customized Solutions, Ltd. To perform field monitoring on wastewater flows and rainfall at a cost not to exceed $144,560, to be funded from unallocated Sewer Capital retained earnings.

MOTION was ADOPTED 14-0.

CODE ENFORCEMENT AND LAND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

Public Hearing - Ordinance No. 1884 - Establishment of Zoning Districts - Clarification of Zoning District Boundary Lines

Commissioner Ferrara opened the Public Hearing at 8:17 p.m. She asked for comments from the Commissioners.

Commissioner Agostine stated to Solicitor Herder that after reviewing the Montgomery County Planning Commission letter to the Township, there were comments made that the language contained in the proposed ordinance amendment sounded logical; however it was suggested the Township consider adding additional language to guard against any survey inaccuracies, whether intentional or unintentional, and asked for his opinion.

Solicitor Herder replied the reason for having a survey done by a licensed surveyor is to guard against any inaccuracies.

Commissioner Turco asked does this Ordinance have anything to do with the electoral re-districting that we are in the process of doing?

Commissioner Ferrara replied no.

Commissioner Agostine stated this is strictly for split-zoned parcels.

Commissioner O’Connor asked did we vote to advertise this last month?

Commissioner Agostine replied yes.

Commissioner O’Connor stated it was not in the minutes.

Solicitor Herder stated it was previously voted on and advertised.

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 9, 2003

Commissioner Ferrara asked for public comments in favor of this Ordinance. There were none.

Commissioner Ferrara asked for public comments in disfavor of the Ordinance.

Ken Krawchuk, 117 West Avenue, stated since you did a bad job drawing the lines, why are you making the public pay for it?

Commissioner Agostine stated we are not re-drawing any lines.

Solicitor Herder stated the zoning district boundary lines do not follow property lines in all cases. If a property owner disputes where the property line is located, then we have a registered surveyor resolve the dispute.

Mr. Krawchuk stated so the boundaries of the zoning districts were never surveyed.

Commissioner Ferrara replied we have to establish the marks to demonstrate exactly where the lines are located.

Mr. Krawchuk stated he is against this Ordinance, and why should the taxpayers have to pay for the Township doing a shoddy job of drawing the lines?

Commissioner Ring made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Agostine to close the Hearing.

MOTION was PASSED 15-0. The Hearing was closed at 8:25 p.m.

Commissioner Ferrara made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Agostine to adopt Ordinance No. 1884, amending Section 300.3(a) of the Abington Township Zoning Ordinance to require a field survey to be performed by any persons seeking clarification of the location of a zoning district boundary line. Parties seeking clarification will pay for the cost of the survey.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Ordinance 1884

Subdivision Plan SD-02-11- David and George Betz - Tyson Avenue

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Ring to approve the subdivision plan for David P. Betz and George T. Betz, as prepared by Donald John Boucher, Registered Professional Land Surveyor, dated December 17, 2002. Applicants propose to subdivide the property into two lots. Lot 1 will have an area of 7,684 sq. ft. and Lot 2 will have an area of 7,819 sq. ft. Both will conform to the dimensional requirements of Section 403.3 as directed by Section 501.3 of the Abington Zoning Ordinance. Property is situated on the west side of Tyson Avenue, 147.73 ft. northwest of Jenkintown Road, zoned in the Mixed Use District in Ward 9.

Motion is subject to the following condition:

Applicant will comply with the staff review letter of November 19, 2002.

Motion is subject to the following waivers:

Waiver from the installation of full street improvements, Section 146-27.

Waiver from the submission of an Architectural Plan, Section 146-11.L.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:

Handicapped ParkingSign Removal - 1130 Easton Road

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to approve the removal of one Handicapped Parking sign in front of 1130 Easton Road.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:

Bid Award - 2003-2004 Annual Report/Calendar

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Gillespie to award the bid for printing 23,000 copies of the 2003-2004 Annual report and Calendar to Gateway Graphics, the lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of $13,215.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Commissioner Wachter made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Gillespie to adopt Resolution 03-002 declaring January 20, 2003 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Abington Township.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Commissioner Ferrara read Resolution 003-002 aloud for the record. She asked will the service be held at the Abington High School?

Commissioner Luker replied yes.

Resolution 03-002
FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer Max M. Solomon stated for the month of December, 2002 $714,805 was deposited into Fleet Bank, YTD $14,881,465. For Real Estate taxes for the month of December, 2002 we collected $307,057, YTD $19,491,562.

Investments

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to approve the investments for the month of November, 2002 as previously circulated to the Board. It was noted that investments for the month totaled $435,000. Interest rates ranged from 2.75% to 6.00%.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Expenditures/Salaries and Wages

Motion to:

Approve the November, 2002 expenditures as previously circulated to the Board, in

the amount of $1,230,828.49 and salaries and wages in the amount of $2,007,958.72.

Authorize the proper officials to sign vouchers in payment f bills and contracts as

they mature for the month of February, 2003.

Roll Call resulted in MOTION being PASSED 15-0.

Training and Conference Expenses

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to approve the Advance and Travel Expense activity for November, 2002 as previously circulated to the Board. Advances and Travel Expense Reports were $0.00 and $4,564.88, respectively. Eleven (11) month YTD expenses total $39,095.79.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Clearing Fund/Deferred Revenue and Expense/Petty Cash

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 9, 2003

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to approve the Clearing Fund, deferred revenue/expense activity and petty cash balances for the month of November, 2002 as previously circulated to the Board.

Petty Cash balances were approved as per Finance Committee Report.

Clearing Fund receipts and disbursements for the month of November, 2002 were $0.00 and ($0.00), respectively.

Deferred Revenue/Expense receipts and disbursements for the month of November, 2002 were $21,240.00 and ($272,327.19), respectively.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Destruction of Township Records

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to authorize the destruction of Accounts Payable invoices for the 1994 stored in the basement of the Township Building.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Resolution No. 03-001 - Investment of Township Funds

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner O’Connor to adopt Resolution No. 03-001 authorizing the Finance Director and his/her designate to invest Township funds in any and all such financial institutions as permitted by the First Class Township Code.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Resolution 03-001

REMARKS FROM COMMISSIONERS:

Commissioner Zappone asked could the Committee look into restructuring the leaf collection program?

Commissioner Ferrara stated she feels there are a lot of problems with it and we need to put it on the Public Works agenda next month for discussion.

Commissioner Turco stated the rezoning of districts for voting has to be done by December 31^st.

Commissioner Ferrara stated it has been delayed because of all the questioning on the State level.

Commissioner Turco stated applications to register to run for offices begins in February and this is going to create an embarrassing situation for the Board.

Commissioner Kretschman stated we received the numbers in November and we only have to do some minor changes to the maps.

Commissioner Turco stated any changes should be made as soon as possible.

Commissioner Kretschman stated we will vote to advertise the changes at next month’s meeting and vote on it in March.

Commissioner Ferrara asked how long does it have to be advertised for?

Solicitor Herder replied he does not know. He will look it up.

Commissioner Turco stated if we vote on it in March, that is past the filing date.

Commissioner Kretschman stated it is not past the withdrawal date.

Commissioner McGrath asked will we be able to see the lines before it is advertised?

Commissioner Kretschman replied yes.

Commissioner Agostine wished everyone a Happy New Year.

Commissioner Luker invited all of the Commissioners and staff to the Martin Luther King, Jr. program at Abington High School.

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 9, 2003

Commissioner Turco wished everyone a Happy New Year.

Commissioner DeVore thanked Mr. Matteo, Township staff, Commissioners Agostine, Carlin, and McGrath for their assistance at the hearings regarding the buildings for the new schools.

Commissioner Kretschman stated he raised the issue of the Parks Capital funding and right now it is based on the number of square footage of new development in the Township. His idea is to take a portion of the new in-lieu-of money we will receive from the addition to the Abington Hospital and dedicate it to Parks Capital.

Commissioner Ferrara asked for that to be put on the Public Affairs agenda next month. It would have to be done by Resolution so it is carried out on a regular basis.

Mr. Conway stated he plans on putting the 2003 Capital discussion on the next Public Works Committee agenda and the Parks Capital can be part of that discussion.

Commissioner Carlin requested the Parks Capital issue be put on the Public Affairs agenda.

Mr. Micciolo stated if the Board wants the current system changed for leaf collection, he needs to know tonight. We are working on several ways to inform the public of when we will be coming out to collect the leaves. The dates are posted in the calendar, on the website, and listed on Channel 43.

Commissioner Ferrara stated if the schedule is set in stone, there is no way to control the pick up once a problem occurs. She suggested putting up signs in the neighborhood.

Mr. Micciolo stated the landscapers have to set their schedules a month in advance. The leaf collection schedule needs to be set in advance to give the residents plenty of notice.

Posting signs is a waste of money and he uses that manpower to put more machines on the street.

Commissioner Kretschman asked Mr. Micciolo could we compromise and keep the schedule in the calendar, but put up signs in problem areas?

Mr. Micciolo stated we will keep the current system and set up a specific system for any changes to the schedule.

Commissioner Ferrara suggested putting signs up stating "Leaf pick-up will be delayed until a certain date."

Commissioner Ring stated we would like the current system to continue and discuss putting up signs at a further date.

Commissioner Ferrara agreed, and we will discuss it at the next Public Works Committee meeting.

ADJOURNMENT: 8:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Burton T. Conway, Secretary

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