A Budget Work Session of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Friday, November 2, 2007 at the Whitpain Township Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA at 9:00 AM in Meeting Room B. Supervisors Anthony F. Greco, William L. McKernan III, and Joseph J. Palmer were present. Township Manager Phyllis C. Lieberman, Assistant Township Manager / Township Engineer Roman M. Pronczak, Director of Finance M. Elizabeth McBride, Police Chief Mark A. Smith, and Assistant Finance Director Andi Gallagher were also present. Chairman Leigh P. Narducci and Supervisor Brian W. Young were absent. Present for the first discussion item only were Edward Ross, Nelson Miller, and Jeffrey Mulally.

Ms. McBride introduced the representatives from the Centre Square Fire Company, who explained the proposed Length of Service Program, which is intended to entice people to join the fire company and to retain firefighters. Mr. Mulally indicated that similar programs have recently been initiated by Buckingham and Worcester Townships. Funding for the program can come from the municipality, the fire company, or a combination of the two; however, individual firefighters cannot contribute into the fund. The representatives indicated that based on preliminary discussions, the minimal criteria for eligibility would consist of 150 calls per year and 60 hours of training. Mr. Palmer suggested that a tiered system could also be considered. Mr. Mulally indicated that firefighters can sign up on the first day, but are typically not vested for 5 years. He also added that average annual payouts in other fire companies are approximately $600. Mr. McKernan indicated that some level of control will be needed to prevent arbitrary changes to the plan. The Supervisors indicated that this appears to be a good plan and something they would be willing to participate in. However, the amount of the contribution needs to be based on actual levels of response, as opposed to picking an arbitrary number at the beginning of the year.

Ms McBride distributed a summary of personnel costs from 2005 to 2008. She also discussed changes in staffing levels and the overall percent change from year to year.

Ms. McBride summarized the current debt and reviewed the 1999, 2002, and 2006 bond series. The total debt service payments for 2008 will be $1,547,421. Ms McBride distributed a summary sheet detailing the general, debt service, and fire service millage, and indicated that the total assessed value is approximately $2.0 billion. To cover the 2008 bond payments, Ms. McBride recommended a 0.15 mil increase, which would generate approximately $300,000. Based on a residential assessment of $285,000, the average real estate tax would increase from $556 to $599. Ms. McBride added that long- term revenue projections are more difficult because of the increasing level of assessment appeals. The Supervisors discussed the importance of gradually increasing the budget, versus delaying the inevitable and having an enormous increase in the future. Ms. McBride also stated that the earned income tax can be increased to 1.25%; however, the use of the additional 0.25% is restricted. The Supervisors repeated their concerns about depleting reserves to dangerous levels to avoid a tax increase, and indicated that additional discussions are required. The Supervisors also indicated that they were uncomfortable publishing a budget that does not show an increase and having to add one before the budget is adopted. The Supervisors asked the Finance Director to prepare a budget for publishing that shows a moderate increase, but added that it should be noted that this is only preliminary and will be discussed further.

The next meeting is scheduled for 9:00 AM on Wednesday, November 14, 2007. At approximately 10:45 AM, the Budget Work session was adjourned.

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

#19 - 2007

The regular meeting of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 at the Whitpain Township Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA. Supervisors Leigh P. Narducci, Joseph J. Palmer, Brian W. Young, Anthony F. Greco, and William F. McKernan, III were present. Township Manager, Phyllis C. Lieberman, Township Engineer/Assistant Township Manager, Roman Pronczak, Township Solicitor, J. Peirce Anderson, Director of Finance, M. Elizabeth McBride, Police Chief Mark A. Smith, Park and Recreation Director, Kurt W. Baker, Director of Public Works, Ronald J. Cione, Fire Marshal, David M. Camarda, and Recording Secretary, Michele Alifano were also present. Code Enforcement Officer, Michael E. McAndrew, was absent. There were approximately 10 members of the public in attendance.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Narducci called the meeting to order. It was announced that there are vacancies on both the Planning Commission and the Zoning Hearing Board, with terms to commence in January, 2008. Resumes and letters of interest are being accepted through the close of business November 30, 2007.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan and unanimously passed to approve the advertisement of three upcoming Budget Work Sessions scheduled for Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at 9 AM, Wednesday, October 24, 2007 at 9AM, and Friday, November 2, 2007 at 9AM. Chairman Narducci stated the sessions are open to the public for observation, but not for input.

The dates for the upcoming regular Board of Supervisors' meetings for the month of November were announced. They are scheduled for Wednesday, November 7, 2007 (due to Election Day), and Tuesday, November 20, 2007 at 8:00 p.m.

A motion was made by Mr. Palmer, duly seconded by Mr. Young and unanimously passed to approve the minutes of the October 2, 2007 Board of Supervisors' Meeting.

A motion was made by Mr. McKernan, duly seconded by Mr. Young, and unanimously passed to approve the Treasurer's Report for the month of September, 2007.

A motion was made by Mr. McKernan, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to authorize Manager to advertise for bids for the sale of a sewer camera and related equipment.

A motion was made by Mr. Palmer, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to approve the inter-jurisdictional pretreatment agreement between The East Norriton Plymouth Whitpain Joint Sewer Authority and the three member municipalities.

A motion was made by Mr. Palmer, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to piggyback State Contract 4600008711 (Collective Number CN00014889) for liquid magnesium chloride with corrosion inhibitor for the period October 1, 2007 through September 30, 2008. This year's price is $.78/gallon through Imus, Inc. of Ava, NY.

A motion was made by Mr. Young, duly seconded Greco, and unanimously passed to authorize the Chairman and Secretary to sign on behalf of the Township a Pillar Agreement with Marc Jonas and Claudia McCarron, owners of 1465 Granary Road. This agreement will permit the installation of a paver block driveway apron within the ultimate right-of-way of Granary Road, on the condition that the apron will be removed if any future road widening, repair or excavation is necessary.

A motion was made by Mr. Palmer, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to approve a Contract Agreement between Whitpain Township and Commonwealth of Pennsylvania - Department of Community and Economic Development regarding a grant in the amount of $13,025 for a truck route evaluation study.

A motion was made by Mr. Young, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and passed to approve a request from the Montgomery County Community College for a waiver from the requirement of preparing a land development plan for the construction of a concrete pad and bus shelter in the vicinity of the Advanced Technology Center. Mr. Palmer abstained from the vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Young, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to adopt Resolution Number 836 to approve Subdivision / Land Development Plan titled "Plan of Subdivision Kowalski / Mayer / Valeri Tracts - Prepared for Danny Jake Corporation - Sheets 1 of 20 through 20 of 20, prepared by Richard C. Mast Associates, P.C., plans dated February 8, 2006 and last revised on May 5, 2007 in accordance with Section 509 (b) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code conditioned upon execution of an Improvement Construction Agreement, posting of financial security, receipt of all necessary permits from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, receipt of planning module approval, and resolution of items in letter from the Township Engineer dated April 4, 2006.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to adopt Resolution Number 837 to approve Land Development Plan titled "Well No. 15 Water Supply Facility - Ambler Borough Water Department - Sheets 1 of 10 through 10 of 10", prepared by Gilmore & Associates, Inc., plans dated July 16, 2007 and last revised on September 17, 2007 in accordance with Section 509 (b) of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code conditioned upon execution of an Improvement Construction Agreement, posting of financial security, receipt of all necessary permits from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, and resolution of items in letter from the Township Engineer dated August 24, 2007.

At this time Mr. Palmer called for any comments or questions from the Board. There were none. He then called for comments or questions from the audience. Mr. Bob Whittig expressed his concern over the lack of communication from the local water companies concerning the incidents involving loss of pressure over the last few weeks. Mrs. Lieberman explained that there were three incidents involving Pennsylvania American Water where the pumps that feed Whitpain Township failed. Mrs. Lieberman also explained that there is now An emergency interconnect with PAWco and North Wales Water. This interconnect should help resolve the total loss of water we experienced, however we will still see reduced pressures. Mr. Palmer stated he felt the communication system was lacking, and it should be the responsibility of the water company to notify its customers. Mrs. Lieberman remarked that the Township had made a request to Pennsylvania American Water that if an incident like this should ever happen again that they notify Montgomery County Emergency Management. Also, Whitpain Township did have an announcement on their website to notify residents that may reside in the areas that were affected. Mr. Jack Vogel of Normandy Farms stated that there was quite a bit of confusion among the residents there as to which water company provided their service, and he added the communication of the emergency situation to the residents was handled very poorly. Mr. Pronczak advised that there are three water companies that service Whitpain Township: Pennsylvania American Water, North Wales Water, and Ambler Borough Water. He offered Mr. Vogel a map that details the service boundries within the Township for the different water companies.

Mr. Whittig inquired about the construction of a permanent building to house the Second Alarmers. Mr. Palmer stated it would be at least another year due to the process of finding a central location for call response. Mr. Camarda added that it would be the responsibility of the Second Alarmers to fund the construction of the building.

There being no further business to come before the Board, on motion made by Chairman Narducci, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Brian W. Young,
Secretary 

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