A Work Session of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, October 7, 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 October 7, 2008 Supervisors' Meeting. Chairman Joseph J. Palmer was present with Supervisors Brian W. Young, Anthony F. Greco, William L. McKernan III, and Adam D. Zucker. Township Solicitor James Garrity, Township Manager Phyllis C. Lieberman, Assistant Township Manager/Township Engineer Roman M. Pronczak, Director of Finance John Marcarelli, Police Chief Mark A. Smith, Director of Public Works Ronald J. Cione, Director of Code Enforcement Michael E. McAndrew, Fire Marshal David M. Camarda and Director of Parks and Recreation Kurt W. Baker were also present. One reporter and six members of the public were present.

The Supervisors reviewed the agenda discussing the announcement of the Executive Session held on Monday, October 6th, a motion to advertise Budget Work Sessions, approval of the minutes of the September 16, 2008 Supervisors' Meeting, approval of the September 2008 Voucher List, a motion to authorize the Township Solicitor to represent the Township before the Board of Assessment Appeals on October 21, 2008 regarding appeals from the owners of twelve office buildings in the Township, approval of an agreement between Whitpain Township and System Planning Corporation regarding a Fire and Rescue Services Study for Whitpain Township in the amount of $47,825, a motion to approve funds not to exceed $5,000 to Land Concepts, Inc. for additional work on the Trails Master Plan over and above the original contract amount of $24,100, a motion to approve an Assignment and Assumption of Deposit Agreement between Whitpain Township, Deerfield at Whitpain, Inc., and Conestoga Bank pertaining to the financial security for the Deerfield development, a motion to adopt Resolution No. 863 authorizing the 2008 allocation of $360,055.26 from the General Municipal Pension System State Aid Program deposited to the pension plans as follows: $165,625.42 to the Police Pension Plan and $194,429.84 to the Non-Uniformed Pension Plan, a motion to authorize the advertisement of proposed Ordinance No. 4-224 adopting a new Article XXXII Age Qualified Overlay District and establishing an Age Qualified Overlay District in the R-1 Residence District and the R-2 Residence District, and several Zoning Hearing Board applications.

Mrs. Lieberman then advised the Board that Mr. Pronczak has completed his Masters of Public Administration Program with an all A record. The Board congratulated him on that achievement.

Saly Glassman, a resident, then addressed the Supervisors. Ms. Glassman explained that she has work very hard for and invested a great deal of her own money in securing open space in the Township. Some of the parcels she has worked on are the Armentrout Preserve, the Haas Property, and her own property, Kindle Hill. She noted that she has been in a fight with the School District over a 30 acre portion of her property which has been has been preserved and will not be able to ever be sold for development. She has built a new barn and indoor riding facility on the site and the School District wants her assessment increased. She said that if the District is successful, she and others will have no incentive to restrict their properties from development. Now the Township wants to put a trail on her property and she is not inclined to want to cooperate. She said that she understands that the Supervisors have no authority over the School District, but that she is looking for support of her position. The Supervisors said that they are sympathetic and do support individuals who want to make this kind of contribution to the community.

The Supervisors then left for the public meeting.

At approximately 8:20 PM the work session was reconvened.

The Supervisors discussed one legal and one personnel matter.

At approximately 9:00 PM the work session was adjourned.

Phyllis C. Lieberman 
Whitpain Township Manager

#17 - 2008

The regular meeting of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 at the Whitpain Township Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA. Supervisors Joseph J. Palmer, Brian W. Young, Anthony F. Greco, William McKernan, and Adam Zucker were present. Township Manager, Phyllis Lieberman, Township Engineer/Assistant Township Manager, Roman Pronczak, Township Solicitor, James J. Garrity, Finance Director, John Marcarelli, Director of Public Works, Ronald J. Cione, Code Enforcement Officer, Michael E. McAndrew, Fire Marshal, David M. Camarda, Park and Recreation Director, Kurt W. Baker, Police Chief, Mark Smith, and Recording Secretary, Michele Alifano were also present. There were approximately 25 members of the public in attendance.

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

Chairman Palmer announced that the Board of Supervisors Board of Supervisors held an Executive Work Session to discuss a land acquisition on Monday, October 6, 2008 at 8PM. The session was closed to the public.

A motion was made by Mr. Young, duly seconded by Mr. Greco and unanimously passed to approve the advertisement of three upcoming Budget Work Sessions scheduled for Monday, October 20, 2007 at 9 AM, Wednesday, October 22, 2007 at 2:30 PM, and Friday, October 24, 2007 at 9AM. The sessions are open to the public for observation.

A motion was made by Mr. Zucker, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2008 Supervisors' Meeting.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to approve all expenditures from the September, 2008 Voucher List.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Young, and unanimously passed to authorize the Township Solicitor to represent the Township before the Board of Assessment Appeals on October 21, 2008 regarding appeals from the owners of twelve office buildings in the Township.

A motion was made by Mr. McKernan, duly seconded by Mr. Zucker, and unanimously passed to approve an agreement between Whitpain Township and System Planning Corporation (TriData Division) regarding a Fire and Rescue Services Study for Whitpain Township in the amount of $47,825, subject to conditions and final approval set forth by the Township Solicitor.

A motion was made by Mr. McKernan, duly seconded by Mr. Young, and unanimously passed to approve funds not to exceed $5,000 to Land Concepts Inc. for additional work on the Whitpain Township Trails Master Plan over and above the original contract amount of $24,100.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Zucker, and unanimously passed to approve an Assignment and Assumption of Deposit Agreement between Whitpain Township, Deerfield at Whitpain, Inc., and Conestoga Bank. This agreement pertains to the financial security for the Deerfield development on Walton Road.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to adopt Resolution No. 863 authorizing the 2008 allocation of $360,055.26 from the General Municipal Pension System State Aid Program be deposited to the various Pension Plans as follows:

$165,625.42 to Police Pension Plan 
$194,429.84 to Non-Uniformed Pension Plan

A motion was made by Mr. McKernan duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to authorize the Township Manager to advertise proposed Ordinance #4-224, an Ordinance amending the codified Ordinances of the Township of Whitpain, Chapter 160 (Zoning) to adopt a new Article to be known as “Article XXXII Age-Qualified Overlay District” establishing an Age-Qualified Overlay District in the R-1 Residence District and the R-2 Residence District and repealing any Ordinances or portions of any Ordinances in conflict therewith. Chairman Palmer stated there was some discussion in the pre-meeting regarding some issues with this particular Ordinance, and the inconsistency of some of the plans, but this agenda item is simply an authorization to advertise.

The Board of Supervisors took no action regarding the following applications to the Zoning Hearing Board:

NO. 1807-08: Application filed by Michelle Mellor as owner of the property located at 1542 Sylvan Drive, Blue Bell, PA 19422, for variances from the terms of Article VII, Section 160-35, Article XXVIII, Section 160-193, and Article XXVIII, Section 160-194.D to allow a 28' x 14' shed to remain in the side yard 9' from the principle structure rather than in the rear yard and separated by no less than 10' from the principle structure as required, at the subject property. The zoning classification of the subject property is "R-2" Residence District.

NO. 1808-08: Application filed by Keystone Lands, Inc. as owner of the property located at 1860 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, for the following relief at the subject property:

1. Variances from the terms of Article XXVI, Section 160-180.B & C, and Section 160-182.2.A to allow (2) 60" x 36" advertising flags.

2. Variances from the terms of Article XXVI, Section 160-182.2.F(1) and Section 160-182.2.F(3) to allow (5) directional signs, 3 sq. ft. each to be displayed every day until the last house in development is sold, rather than (2) sq. ft. each and not more than 3 days, six times per year.

The zoning classification of the subject property is "AQRC" Age Qualified Residential Community District.

The Board of Supervisors then considered the following applications to the Zoning Hearing Board:

NO. 1809-08: Application filed by James B. Chambers & John O. Chambers Jr. as owners of the property located at 598 Skippack Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, for a variance from the terms of Article VII, Section 160-37.A and Article XXIX, Section 160-206 & 207 to allow the addition of an on-line auction with limited on-site retail sales to an existing non-conforming office use at the subject property. The zoning classification of the subject property is "R3" Multi-Family District.

Chairman Palmer explained that the Planning Commission would have the opportunity to review this case, but that the Zoning Hearing Board meeting would occur prior the Board of Supervisors being able to vote on this matter. A motion was made by Mr. McKernan, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to authorize the Township Solicitor to appear in opposition of this application in the event that a continuance is not granted. If the continuance can be obtained, there will be no opposition and the Board of Supervisors will make its decision based upon the recommendation of the Planning Commission.

Vice-Chairman Young then called for any comments or questions from the Board. Mr. Greco announced that the annual Harvest Festival would be held this coming weekend, October 11th and 12th, at the Township Building. Chairman Palmer congratulated Mr. Pronczak for his recent achievement of obtaining a Master's Degree in Public Administration. He then called for any comments or questions from the audience. Mr. Russ Bellavance, of the Wissahickon Valley Historical Society, informed of a $5000 grant that was received from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development which will be utilized for capital improvement projects. Mr. Bruce Wall inquired as to the progress on the construction at the intersection of Penllyn Pike & Morris Road. Mr. Pronczak stated that there has been a delay due to the utility companies, but the Township hopes to move forth with the project by the end of the week. Also, Chairman Palmer announced that the Board would be discussing a legal item and a personnel item immediately following the public meeting. 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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