A Work Session of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at the Whitpain Township Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA at 7:30 PM for the purpose of reviewing the agenda of the May 20, 2008 Supervisors' Meeting. Chairman Joseph J. Palmer was present with Supervisors Brian W. Young, William L. McKernan III, Anthony F. Greco and Adam D. Zucker. Township Solicitor James G. Garrity, Assistant Township Manager/Township Engineer Roman M. Pronczak, Chief Mark A. Smith, Director of Code Enforcement Michael McAndrew, Fire Marshal David M. Camarda, and Parks and Recreation Director Kurt W. Baker were also present. Township Manager Phyllis C. Lieberman, Director of Finance M. Elizabeth McBride, and Director of Public Works Ronald J. Cione were absent. Two residents were present.

The Supervisors reviewed the agenda discussing the introduction of a new police officer, Heather Roelle, who will be sworn in by District Judge John S. Murray, III, the awarding of Detective Anthony Lepore an Honorable Discharge from the Whitpain Township Police Department, approval of the minutes of the May 6, 2008 Supervisors' Meeting, approval of the Treasurer's Report for the month of April, 2008, the request from Fineman Realty Partners for a waiver from the requirement of filing a land development application for a 1,600 square foot addition at 40 Skippack Pike, the Municipal Landowner Partner Agreement between Wissahickon Watershed Partnership and Whitpain Township for design services grant related to the naturalization of an existing detention basin in the Village Circle development, reimbursement agreements between Whitpain Township and PECO and Verizon pertaining to utility relocation costs associated with the Skippack Pike/Narcissa Road/Prophecy Creek Driveway Project, and the adoption of Resolution Number 857, a resolution pursuant to Act 57 of 2003 setting the tapping fee requirements for connecting to the sanitary sewer collection and treatment system within Whitpain Township.

Chief Smith asked the Supervisors for authorization to file a grant application for the DARE Program at Saint Helena's School. Chief Smith indicated that in previous years a joint application was filed for the Wissahickon School District and Saint Helena's; however, two separate applications are now required. The Supervisors granted the authorization.

Mr. Pronczak presented a request for a donation from Montgomery County Lands Trust and the Supervisors authorized a donation of $250.

Mr. Camarda gave the Supervisors an update on a fire that occurred on Leslie Lane and indicated that he would like to acknowledge the efforts of a neighbor who reported the fire and assisted in keeping things under control until the fire department arrived. The Supervisors agreed that this gentleman should be recognized at a public meeting.

Mr. Pronczak discussed a letter received from the Montgomery County Department of Community Development regarding participation in the County's Community Block Grant Program. Municipalities are offered the option of participating in the County's program or opting out in favor of the Commonwealth's Small Communities Program. It was decided to opt for the County program.

The Supervisors discussed a legal matter pertaining to a land lease of Township owned property and Wings Field.

At approximately 8:15 PM the work session was reconvened.

The Supervisors discussed a legal matter pertaining to Wissahickon Park.

At approximately 9:25 the work session was adjourned.

Roman M. Pronczak, P.E.
Whitpain Township Engineer/ Assistant Township Manager

#10 - 2008

The regular meeting of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008 at the Whitpain Township Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA. Supervisors Joseph J. Palmer, Brian W. Young, Anthony F. Greco, Adam Zucker, and William L. McKernan were present. Township Engineer/Assistant Township Manager, Roman Pronczak, Township Solicitor, James J. Garrity, Code Enforcement Officer, Michael E. McAndrew, Park and Recreation Director, Kurt W. Baker, Fire Marshal, David M. Camarda, Police Chief Mark A. Smith, and Recording Secretary, Michele Alifano were also present. Township Manager, Phyllis C. Lieberman, Director of Finance, M. Elizabeth McBride, as well as Director of Public Works, Ronald J. Cione were absent. There were approximately 20 members of the public in attendance.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Palmer called the meeting to order.

For the first order of business, Chairman Palmer introduced a new police officer, Heather Roelle, to the Board of Supervisors and presented a brief detail of her background. Ms. Roelle was sworn in by District Justice John S. Murray, III.

For the first order of business, Chairman Palmer introduced a new police officer, Heather Roelle, to the Board of Supervisors and presented a brief detail of her background. Ms. Roelle was sworn in by District Justice John S. Murray, III.

At this time, the Board awarded Detective Anthony Lepore an Honorable Discharge from the Whitpain Township Police Department. Chairman Palmer noted that Detective Lepore began his career as a police officer in 1973, working for the Borough of Ambler. In 1978, he began his career with Whitpain Township where he has worked as a patrolman, in the Juvenile Division, and most recently as a detective. Detective Lepore will officially retire on June 27, 2008 after 35 years of police work. Police Chief Mark Smith presented Detective Lepore with an Honorable Discharge Medal.

A motion was made by Mr. Young, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to approve the minutes of the May 6, 2008 Supervisors' Meeting.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to approve the Treasurer's Report for the month of April, 2008.

A motion was made by Mr. McKernan, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to approve a request from Fineman Realty Partners for a waiver from the requirement of filing a land development application for a 1,600 square foot addition at 40 Skippack Pike. Mr. Zucker recused himself from the vote. Chairman Palmer noted that the Board was in receipt of a letter written by resident, Robert Trejo of Meade Road, which stated his opposition to the waiver of a land development plan. While the Board acknowledged Mr. Trejo's concerns, Chairman Palmer stated that the Township Engineering Department carefully weighed the traffic & safety issues, and they are in full support of the project.

A motion was made by Mr. McKernan, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to approve the Municipal Landowner Partner Agreement between Wissahickon Watershed Partnership and Whitpain Township for design services grant related to the naturalization of an existing detention basin in the Village Circle development.

One confirming motion was made by Mr. Young, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to approve reimbursement agreements between Whitpain Township and PECO, and also between Whitpain Township and Verizon, pertaining to utility relocation costs associated with the Skippack Pike/Narcissa Road/Prophecy Creek Driveway Project, subject to the Solicitor's review.

A motion was made by Mr. Young, duly seconded by Mr. Zucker, and unanimously passed to adopt Resolution Number 857, a resolution pursuant to Act 57 of 2003, setting the tapping fee requirements for connecting to the sanitary sewer collection and treatment system within Whitpain Township.

Vice-Chairman Young then called for comments or questions from the audience. Mrs. Susan Mudambi had a question regarding the plans for the Leoni tract proposed subdivision, and whether the Township had been informed of any updates. Mr. Pronczak answered that there have been no recent updates, but he stated that the developers would most likely be in contact with the surrounding neighbors for their input as to what issues need to be addressed. He also stated that the Township had offered the use of its facilities for a meeting to take place between the residents and the developers.

With no further business to come before the Board, Vice-Chairman Young adjourned the meeting at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Anthony F. Greco, 
Secretary                                                               

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