A Work Session of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, November 7, 2007 at the Whitpain Township Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA at 7:30 PM for the purpose of reviewing the agenda of the November 7, 2007 Supervisors' Meeting. Vice Chairman Joseph J. Palmer was present with Supervisors Brian W. Young, Anthony F. Greco, and William L. McKernan III. Township Solicitor J. Peirce Anderson, Township Manager Phyllis C. Lieberman, Assistant Township Manager/Township Engineer Roman M. Pronczak, Police Chief Mark A. Smith, Director of Finance M. Elizabeth McBride, Director of Public Works Ronald J. Cione, Director of Code Enforcement Michael E. McAndrew, Fire Marshal David M. Camarda, and Parks and Recreation Director Kurt W. Baker were also present. Three residents and two reporters were present. Chairman Leigh P. Narducci arrived after the public meeting.

The Supervisors reviewed the agenda discussing the announcement that the Supervisors held advertised Budget Work Sessions on October 23, October 24, and November 2 and that they will hold one on November 14th at 9:00 AM in Meeting Room B and , if needed, on November 27th at 9:00 AM in Meeting Room B, authorization to advertise and make the entire 2008 Budget available to the public, approval of the minutes of the October 16th Supervisors' meeting, and the Budget Work Sessions of October 23, October 24, and November 2, approval of all expenditures on the October 2007 voucher list, announcement of the proposed 2008 Budget, the scheduling of meetings for public comment and adoption, two releases of escrow, one for Canterbury Estates and the other for Village Square/Beachcomber, approval of a release and indemnification agreement between Whitpain Township and Danella Line Services Company to perform trenching , excavation, and related activities in conjunction with the installation of fiber optics service for the Township Building, consideration of a request for a waiver from the requirement of preparing a land development plan for an outside freezer at Whitpain Tavern, and two Zoning Hearing Board applications.

Mrs. Lieberman and Mr. Anderson then discussed the issue of the freight train whistle noise and the possibility of creating a Quiet Zone. Mr. Anderson explained that federal law requires that whistles be blown prior to crossing an on-grade road, but there are three Quiet Zones that have been created in the state of Pennsylvania. The Township would have to meet certain standards for safety and if those measures are not in place presently, the Township would have to pay for them. The other issue is liability and Mrs. Lieberman said that she would contact DVIT for their input. They will report back to the Board.

Mrs. Lieberman asked how the Supervisors wanted to handle the appointments to the Zoning Hearing Board and the Planning Commission, whether they will want to do interviews. After some discussion, it was decided that a committee should be formed comprised of two Supervisors and someone from the Zoning Hearing Board to conduct interviews and make recommendations to the whole Board for the Zoning Hearing Board appointments and two Supervisors and someone from the Planning Commission to do the same for the Planning Commission appointments. Mr. Young and Mr. Greco will be the two Supervisors.

The Supervisors then discussed a legal matter and a personnel matter. Then they left for the public meeting.

At approximately 8:20 PM, the Work Session was reconvened. Toni Reed and Ron Lehman from Ambler Whitpain Football joined the group to give a status report. Mrs. Reed is the President of the group. She and Mr. Lehman spoke about youth participation and how the program has grown, about the program's performance, community impact, fund raising and community participation, facility achievements, and 2008 and long term objectives. The Township has given the program $5000 annually and this year they are looking for $15,000. The Supervisors congratulated them on the successful program and said that they would take the request under advisement.

There being no further business to discuss, the Work Session was adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Phyllis C. Lieberman 
Whitpain Township Manager

#20 - 2007

The regular meeting of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Wednesday, November 7, 2007 at the Whitpain Township Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA. Supervisors 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, Code Enforcement Officer, Michael E. McAndrew, 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. Supervisor Leigh P. Narducci was absent. There were approximately 5 members of the public in attendance.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice-Chairman Palmer called the meeting to order. It was announced that the Board of Supervisors held advertised Budget Work Sessions on Tuesday, October 23, 2007, Wednesday, October 24, 2007, and Friday, November 2, 2007 in Meeting Room "B". The sessions were open to the public. Another session is scheduled for Wednesday, November 14 at 9 AM, and if necessary a subsequent meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 27 at 9 AM. The meetings will be held in Meeting Room "B".

A motion was made by Mr. McKernan, duly seconded by Mr. Young and unanimously passed to authorize advertising and make the entire 2008 Budget, including all funds as proposed, available for public inspection on Thursday, November 8, 2007.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan and unanimously passed to approve the minutes of the October 16, 2007 Supervisors' Meeting, the Budget Work Sessions of October 23, 2007, October 24, 2007, and November 2, 2007. Mr. Young abstained from the vote due to his absence from the November 2, 2007 meeting.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to approve all expenditures on the October, 2007 Voucher List.

At this time, Mr. Palmer announced the proposed 2008 Budget, which has been attached to and made part of these minutes. The Board intends to receive comments from the public regarding the Budget at the upcoming meetings on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 and Tuesday, December 4, 2007. The Supervisors plan to adopt the Budget at the meeting that will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 2007. Mr. Palmer remarked that the Township has been very dedicated to serving the community, with an aggressive open space plan, as well as a commitment to enhancing security in the Township. He stated that revenues were somewhat restricted this year due to real estate prices, and homeowners appealing their real estate assessments. If the Budget remains as is, it would result in an expected tax increase of approximately $68.00 per household. Mr. Young reminded the public that the Budget is still a work in progress, and some changes should be expected to occur. Mr. Greco explained that the revenue the Township received from real estate transfer tax is down due to the decrease in home prices. Mr. Palmer assured the audience of the value in the Budget, and that even with cost of living increases that inevitably occur, the Township is spending the taxpayer's money wisely.

A confirming motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to release $28,209.35 (Release #2) from the escrow fund for Canterbury Estates (former Donahue property at 1860 Skippack Pike).

A confirming motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Young, and unanimously passed to release $31,621.50 (Release #1) from the escrow fund for the office building at Village Square at Blue Bell / Beachcomber.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Young, and unanimously passed to approve a release and indemnification agreement between Whitpain Township and Danella Line Services Company, Inc. to perform trenching, excavation, and related activities in conjunction with installation of fiber optics service for the Township Building.

A motion was made by Mr. McKernan, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to authorize a request for a waiver from the requirement of preparing a land development plan for an outside freezer at 1529 DeKalb Pike, Whitpain Tavern. The area being occupied is appoximately 153 square feet and is currently paved.

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

NO. 1759-07: Application filed by Bernard H. & Jeanne M. Osbahr as owners of the property located at 1557 Pulaski Drive, Blue Bell, PA, 19422 for variances from the terms of Article VII, Section 160-35 and Article XXV, Section 160-193 to allow a 22' x 11'-11" shed not exceeding 10' in height in the side yard at the subject property. The zoning classification of the subject property is "R-2" Residence" District.

NO. 1760-07: Application filed by Andrew Gajan as owner of the property located at 802 Morris Road, Blue Bell, PA, 19422 for variances from the terms of Article V, Section 160-13 and Article XXV, Section 160-192 to allow a 1,212 square foot addition to be erected within the front yard along Morris Road at the non-conforming subject property. The zoning classification of the subject property is "R-1" Residence" District.

Mr. Palmer called for any comments or questions from the floor. There were none. Mr. Palmer took the opportunity to congratulate Mr. Adam Zucker, previously of a member of the Zoning Hearing Board, on his victory in the recent election. Mr. Zucker will be serving as a member of the Board of Supervisors beginning in January, 2008.

There being no further business to come before the Board, on motion made by Vice-Chairman Palmer, the meeting was adjourned at 8:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Brian W. Young,
Secretary 

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