A Work Session of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, December 4, 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 December 4, 2007 Supervisors' Meeting. Chairman Leigh P. Narducci was present with Supervisors Joseph J. Palmer, 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. One reporter was present.

The Supervisors reviewed the agenda discussing approval of the minutes of the November 14, 2007 Budget Work Session and the minutes of the November 20, 2007 Supervisors' Meeting, approval of the expenditures on the November 2007 Voucher List, the announcement and of and public comment on the proposed 2008 Budget, consideration of a request for a waiver from the requirement of preparing a land development plan for converting a free standing garage to a storage building at 1597 DeKalb Pike, consideration of a request from Wings Field for a waiver from the requirement of filing a land development plan for installation of two temporary trailers adjacent to Hanger #2, and a motion to adopt Resolution Number 838 appointing Bee Bergvall & Co., a certified public accounting firm, to serve as auditor to audit the accounts of Whitpain Township for fiscal year 2007.

Mr. McAndrew then noted that Mr. McKernan had asked that the subject of licensing/registering contractors be placed on the work session agenda. Mr. McKernan explained that he felt that it was a way to protect our residents from shoddy contractors. There was then a lengthy discussion about the Township's liability and would it be assumed that the Township was vouching for the contractor and the quality of his work. Mr. McAndrew said that he would get copies of similar ordinances from other townships for the Board and Mr. Anderson to review.

Mr. Baker then gave an update on the Walbridge Trail Plan. He noted that he had heard from the County that the Township can use its Open Space Grant money for its share of the Farmland Preservation of the Walbridge property. The trail must be designed and excluded from the property before the Farmland Preservation designation is settled. Application has to be made with the County Open Space Board for the Township's match to the Walbridge Farm Preservation Project separate from the Trails application. Mr. Palmer suggested that we ask one or two members of the Open Space Committee to do the work necessary to submit the application.

Mr. Pronczak stated that Mr. Sam Fineman is adding a 1600 sq. ft. addition to his shopping center and has asked for a waiver from having to file a land development plan. Mr. Pronczak said that he felt that the request should be denied, because of the review cost to the Township. If Mr. Fineman was willing to pay those fees and address all staff comments, Mr. Pronczak felt that the land development plan could be waived. The Supervisors asked that Mr. Pronczak contact Mr. Fineman.

The Supervisors then left for the public meeting.

At approximately 8:25 PM the work session was reconvened.

The Supervisors then discussed one legal matter and one personnel matter.

At approximately 9:10 PM the work session was adjourned.

Phyllis C. Lieberman 
Whitpain Township Manager

#22 - 2007

The regular meeting of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, December 4, 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 L. McKernan 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, Code Enforcement Officer, Michael E. McAndrew, 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. There were 4 members of the public in attendance.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Narducci called the meeting to order. An announcement was made that the final meeting for 2007 will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 2007.

A motion was made by Mr. McKernan, duly seconded by Mr. Palmer, and unanimously passed to approve the minutes of the November 14, 2007 Budget Work Session and the minutes of the November 20, 2007 Board of Supervisors' Meeting.

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

The Board of Supervisors announced the proposed 2008 Budget at the meeting that was held on November 7, 2007. The Board of Supervisors then met on November 14, 2007 to discuss the Budget further. The meetings were open to the public. Chairman Narducci stated the 2008 Budget calls for slight increases in the General Fund, the Debt Service Fund, and also the Fire Fund. A copy of the 2008 Budget has been attached to and made part of these minutes. The Board of Supervisors will vote to adopt the Budget at the December 18, 2007 meeting. There will be no public comment at this meeting. Chairman Narducci called for comments or questions from the Board regarding the proposed Budget. There were none. He then called for comments or questions from the audience. Mr. Neil Petusky inquired as to the beginning balance for the Police Pension Fund for 2008, as he did not see it published with the Budget. Ms. McBride responded that there is currently about 10.5 million allotted to the Police Pension Fund. Mr. Petrosky asked if any funds were to be transferred from the General Fund to the Police Pension Fund, to which Ms. McBride replied that $238,000 is what will be contributed, a portion of which will be funded by the state. Mr. Petusky questioned why the figures for the Police Pension Fund have not been published in Whitpain Township's annual budgets since approximately 2002. His concern being that the fund may have experienced a loss. Mr. McKernan explained that the Police Pension Fund is not a Township owned asset, and that the Supervisors are told by the state what funds need to be committed to it based on rate of return expected and benefits paid to police officers. He further added that while the Supervisors oversee the Fund, they do not have control over where those funds are placed. Ho offered that an annual actuary report is published and made available for public review.

A motion was made by Mr. McKernan, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to approve a request from Dr. Baldassano for a waiver from the requirement of preparing a land development plan for converting a free standing garage to a storage building at 1597 DeKalb Pike. The area of the building is appoximately 400 square feet.

A motion was made by Mr. McKernan, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to approve a request from Wings Field Preservation Associates, LP for a waiver from the requirement of filing a land development application for installation of two temporary trailers adjacent to Hanger #2.

A motion was made by Mr. Young, duly seconded by Mr. Palmer, and unanimously passed to adopt Resolution Number 838 appointing Bee Bergvall & Co. P.C., a certified public accounting firm, to serve as auditor to audit the accounts of Whitpain Township for fiscal year 2008.

Mr. Palmer called for any comments or questions from the Board. Chairman Narducci extended his gratitude to Township staff for their generosity and attendance at his retirement dinner. Mr. Palmer then called for any comments or questions from the audience. Mr. Jack Vogel of Normandy Farms inquired about when the upcoming work at Morris Road & Penllyn Pike will be scheduled to take place. Mr. Pronczak responded that they anticipate the work to start in the Spring of 2008, and the work will be completed in just one construction season. The necessary permits are in place, and the funds for Traffic Improvement have been amassed. Additionally, Mr. Pronczak stated that the North Wales Road re-opening had been delayed due to the utility companies having to relocate the poles, as well as the connection of the old road to the new portion of road which involves curbing work. They anticipate having the road open by the end of December.

Mr. Bruce Wall commended Chairman Narducci for his many years of distinguished service to Whitpain Township as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

There being no further business to come before the Board, on motion made by Chairman Narducci, the meeting was adjourned at 8:20 PM.

Brian W. Young, 
Secretary

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