Board of Commissioners Meeting January 8, 2004

The stated meeting of the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Abington was held on Thursday, January 8, 2004 at the Township Administration Building, Abington, PA., with President Stanford A. Gross presiding.

CALL TO ORDER: 8:00 p.m.

ROLL CALL: Present: Commissioners WEILHEIMER, WACHTER,

O’CONNOR, GROSS, LUKER, TURCO, AGOSTINE,

MYERS, ZAPPONE, RING, DEVORE, GILLESPIE,

MCGRATH, CARLIN, DIJOSEPH

Township Manager CONWAY

Assistant Township Manager LAHAZA

Township Solicitor HERDER

Township Treasurer SOLOMON

Chief of Police KELLY

Township Engineer POWERS

Finance Director MATIZA

Director of Parks and Recreation WENDELL

Director of Code Enforcement MATTEO

Director of Public Works MICCIOLO

Superintendent of W.W.T.P. LEBER

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

NOMINATION AND SWEARING IN OF NEW COMMISSIONER OF WARD 12:

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to adopt Resolution 04-004 to fill the unexpired term of Eric Kretschman, who has resigned, and to nominate a new Ward 12 Commissioner to serve until December 31, 2005.

Commissioner McGrath nominated Carol DiJoseph, seconded by Commissioner Zappone.

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

MOTION to adopt Resolution 04-004 passed 14-0.

District Justice Joseph Dougherty swore in Carol DiJoseph as the new Commissioner of Ward 12.

 

Resolution 04-004

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 8, 2004

COMMENDATIONS:

Commissioners Gross and Ring presented Barbara C. Ferrara, former Commissioner of Ward 1 from 1988 to 2004, and President of Board of Commissioners 1996 to 2004, with a gift and a plaque honoring her hard work, leadership, and public service to Abington Township.

SWEARING IN OF NEW POLICE OFFICERS:

District Justice Joseph Dougherty swore in Raymond Townsend and Kevin Magee as new Abington Township Police Officers.

MINUTES:

Commissioner Ring made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Wachter to approve the minutes of the Board of Commissioners meeting of December 11, 2003.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

ANNOUNCEMENT

Commissioner Gross announced that an Executive Session was held on December 17, 2003 to evaluate the performance of the Township Manager and the Township Solicitor.

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner DeVore to officially appoint Barbara C. Ferrara as the Chairperson for the Abington Centennial Committee.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS 2004:

PUBLIC WORKS - Director Robert A. Wachter, Assistant Director Dennis C. Zappone, Michael O’Connor, Wayne C. Luker, Donald W. DeVore.

PUBLIC SAFETY - Director Peggy Myers, Assistant Director Dee McGrath, Dennis C. Zappone, Michael W. Gillespie, Gail Weilheimer.

CODE ENFORCEMENT - Director Doretta Agostine, Assistant Director Michael O’Connor, Wayne C. Luker, Carol DiJoseph, Robert A. Wachter.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS - Director Donald W. DeVore, Assistant Director John J. Carlin, Nicholas M. Turco, Gail Weilheimer, Carol DiJoseph.

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 8, 2004

 

FINANCE - Director Wayne C. Luker, Assistant Director John J. Carlin, Michael W. Gillespie, Robert A. Wachter, Michael O’Connor.

VOLUNTEER BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS:

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Wachter to reappoint Barbara Wertheimer to the Zoning Hearing Board for five years.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner DeVore to reappoint Bruce Eckel as Solicitor for the Zoning Hearing Board.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Commissioner Agostine made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Zappone to appoint Teresa Scroggins and Thomas Tyler to the Library Board of Directors for three years.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Commissioner Gross announced that the other Volunteer Boards will be appointed at our February Board of Commissioners meeting, which will give us time to review the candidates.

PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE:

THE COMMITTEE HAD NO BUSINESS AT THIS TIME.

CODE ENFORCEMENT AND LAND DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE:

THE COMMITTEE HAD NO BUSINESS AT THIS TIME.

PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE:

REMOVAL of 15 MINUTE PARKING Signs at Rosemore Garden Apartments - 200 Easton Road

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to REMOVE four 15 MINUTES PARKING signs at two locations in front of the Rosemore Garden Apartments (F & G Buildings), 200 Easton Road.

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 8, 2004

 

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

NO PARKING BETWEEN SIGNS - 1044 Tyson Avenue

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to install signs reading NO PARKING BETWEEN SIGNS in front of 1044 Tyson Avenue.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

YIELD Sign - Roberts Avenue at Edgecomb Avenue

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to install one YIELD sign on Roberts Avenue at Edgecomb Avenue.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

PAL Grant

Commissioner Myers made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner McGrath to authorize Township officials to accept a grant award from PAL in the amount of $10,000 for funding of Community Service Officers.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

PUBLIC AFFAIRS COMMITTEE:

Bid Award - Printing of 2004-2005 Annual Report and Calendar

Commissioner DeVore made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to award the bid for printing 23,000 copies of the 2004-2005 Annual Report and Calendar to Color Source, Inc., the lowest responsible bidder, in the amount of $12,902.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Solicitor’s Retainer

Commissioner DeVore made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to set the annual retainer of Solicitor Rex Herder of the firm of Bresnan and Herder at $98,000, payable in monthly installments of $8,166.66, for the period of January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005. This fixed annual retainer will cover attendance at meetings of the Board of Commissioners and the Code Enforcement Committee, and all legal work, including litigation customarily performed by the office of the Solicitor.

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 8, 2004

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Treasurer’s Report:

Treasurer Max M. Solomon announced a member of his staff gave birth today to a baby boy. For December 2003, $715,109 was deposited into Fleet Bank. YTD $16,040,136.

Investments

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to approve the report showing no new investments for the month of November, 2003 as previously circulated to the Board.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Expenditures/Salaries and Wages

Motion to:

Approve the November, 2003 expenditures as previously circulated to the Board, in the amount of $1,609,116.64 and salaries and wages in the amount of $1,271,582.58.

Authorize the proper officials to sign vouchers in payment of bills and contracts as they mature for the month of February, 2004.

Roll Call resulted in the MOTION being passed 15-0.

Training and Conference Expenses

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to approve the Advance and Travel Expense activity for November, 2003 as previously circulated to the Board. Advances and Travel Expense reports were $1,670 and $3,247.53, respectively. Eleven (11) month expenses total $43,859.07.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Clearing Fund/Deferred Revenue and Expense/Petty Cash

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to approve the Clearing Fund, deferred revenue/expense activity and petty cash balances for the month of November, 2003 as previously circulated to the Board.

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 8, 2004

Petty Cash balances were approved as per Finance Committee Report.

Clearing Fund receipts and disbursements for the month of November, 2003 were $.72 and ($0.00), respectively.

Deferred Revenue/Expense receipts and disbursements for the month of November, 2003 were $176,190.35 and ($47,156.39), respectively.

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0.

Resolution 04-001 - Investment of Township Funds

Commissioner Luker made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to adopt Resolution 04-001 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 04-001

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 8, 2004

Public Hearing - Ordinance 1907 - $242,000 of Non-Electoral Debt - General Obligation Note Series A 2004

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to adopt Ordinance 1907, calling for the issuance of $242,000 in General Obligation Non-Electoral Debt to purchase two refuse trucks and costs of issuance.

Commissioner Gross opened the Public Hearing at 8:20 p.m.

Commissioner Gross asked for any comments from the Commissioners. There were none.

Commissioner Gross asked for any public comments in favor of this ordinance. There were none.

Commissioner Gross asked for any public comments in disfavor of this ordinance. There were none.

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

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0. The Hearing was closed at 8:21 p.m.

MOTION to adopt this ordinance passed 15-0.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinance 1907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinance 1907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinance 1907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinance 1907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinance 1907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinance 1907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinance 1907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinance 1907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 8, 2004

Public Hearing - Ordinance 1908 - Administration Fee for Refunds on Large-Item Refuse Pickups

Commissioner Gross made a MOTION, seconded by Commissioner Carlin to adopt Ordinance 1908, amending Ordinance 1648, providing that an administrative fee be charged for refunds on large item refuse pickups.

Commissioner Gross opened the Public Hearing at 8:22 p.m.

Commissioner Gross asked for any comments from the Commissioners. There were none.

Commissioner Gross asked for any public comments in favor of this ordinance. There were none.

Commissioner Gross asked for any public comments in disfavor of this ordinance. There were none.

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

MOTION was ADOPTED 15-0. The Hearing was closed at 8:23 p.m.

MOTION to adopt this ordinance passed 13-2. Commissioners Gillespie and Luker opposed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ordinance 1908

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 8, 2004

REMARKS OF COMMISSIONERS:

Commissioner Gillespie announced that Saturday, January 10, 2004 will be the ground-breaking ceremony for the football stadium.

Commissioner DeVore congratulated our two new Police Officers.

Commissioner McGrath wished the two new Police Officers good luck, and welcomed Carol DiJoseph and Gail Weilheimer to the Board.

Commissioner Luker reminded the Commissioners and staff of the Dr. Martin Luther King program at the High School on January 19, 2004 at noon.

Commissioner Weilheimer thanked Barbara Ferrara for the hard work she has done on behalf of the Township and Board over the past 16 years. She has done a phenomenal job.

Commissioner O’Connor welcomed Carol DiJoseph and Gail Weilheimer to the Board.

Commissioner Agostine thanked Mr. Micciolo and Greg Breyer for their assistance with a problem she had in her ward.

Commissioner Wachter wished everyone a Happy New Year, and thanked Mr. Matteo and Mr. Micciolo for their assistance with a problem he had in his ward.

Commissioner DiJoseph thanked everyone for their warm welcome, and commented she will enjoy her time on the Board.

Commissioner Zappone thanked Mr. Wendell for his work on the Ardsley Trail.

Commissioner Gross welcomed Carol DiJoseph and Gail Weilhiemer to the Board. He thanked Commissioner Myers, the Oversight Committee, and Fire Marshal Clark for their assistance with the McKinley Fire Company. He thanked Commissioners Agostine, O’Connor, and Wachter for their assistance in getting this first meeting underway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Board of Commissioners Meeting January 8, 2004

 

ADJOURNMENT: 8:30 p.m.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Burton T. Conway, Secretary

 

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