A Work Session of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, January 22, 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 January 22, 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 J. Garrity, Esq., Township Manager Phyllis C. Lieberman, Assistant Township Manager/Township Engineer Roman M. Pronczak, Director of Finance M. Elizabeth McBride, 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 Parks and Recreation Director Kurt W. Baker were also present. Two residents and a reporter were present.

The Supervisors reviewed the agenda discussing the announcement about the Zoning Hearing Board appointments terms of service that were incorrect on the first meeting of the year agenda, scheduling Supervisors' Meetings for the month of February 2008, approval of the minutes of the January 7, 2008 Supervisors' Meeting, approval of the Treasurer's Report for the month of December 2007, authorization to piggyback the PA General Services Contract Program and the PA Capital Cities Contract for the calendar year 2008, authorization to piggyback the Montgomery County Consortium of Communities and/or any individual Consortium municipality for the purchase of materials and supplies they bid in 2008, allowing the same communities to piggyback our bids in 2008, release of escrow for the Montgomery County Community College Advanced Technology Center, and a confirming motion to approve postponement of the payment of the traffic and sewer impact fees for the St. Helena's school addition to a point in time prior to issuance of the occupancy certificate, provided that the church guarantees in writing that both fees will be paid in full.

Mrs. Lieberman, Mr. Pronczak, and Mr. McAndrew then showed the Board sample stone work for the new WAWA on Route 202. It was brought in for township approval prior to their ordering the stone. The Board approved.

Mrs. Lieberman stated that Dr. Stout of the Montgomery County Community College is going to be meeting with neighbors of their maintenance facility on Cathcart Road to discuss problems that the neighbors are having. Mrs. Lieberman said that it had been suggested that someone from Township staff attend. She noted that the staff felt that initially we should try to let the College work out the problems with the neighbors. If that doesn't work out then the Township might try to mediate. The Supervisors agreed.

Mr. Cione and Ms. McBride then addressed the Board about some Township Building renovations that have been bid and the result of that bid, relating to the 2008 Budget.

They went through the list of items to be renovated and the bid numbers that came in. The bids were higher than expected. They explained that although the money for the renovations had not been budgeted sufficiently, there was money in the Capital Budget that could be used for that purpose. After some discussion, the Board agreed that acceptance of the bids should be placed on the next public agenda.

Mr. Cione then discussed a recent inquiry into bulk leaf collection. He stated that he has been asked to look into this over the years and has prepared information relating to costs for such an operation, which he just updated. He then reviewed that information. After some discussion the Supervisors agreed that taking on this operation in-house with the cost of equipment and manpower was not a prudent idea. They asked that Mr. Cione keep a summary statement available when new requests come in.

The Supervisors then discussed a personnel matter.

The Supervisors then left for the public meeting.

The Work Session was not reconvened.

Phyllis C. Lieberman 
Whitpain Township Manager

#2 - 2008

The second monthly meeting of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held Tuesday, January 22, 2008 at the Whitpain Township Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA. Supervisors Joseph J. Palmer, Brian W. Young, Anthony F. Greco, William F. McKernan, III, and Adam Zucker were present. Township Manager, Phyllis C. Lieberman, Township Engineer/Assistant Township Manager, Roman Pronczak, Assistant 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 approximately 5 members of the public in attendance.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance the meeting was called to order at 8:00 PM.

An announcement was made by Chairman Palmer regarding a correction to the recent terms of appointments to the Zoning Hearing Board. Jack O'Hara was appointed to a 2 year term to the Zoning Hearing Board with his term expiring on December 31, 2009, and Kathryn Schilling was appointed to a 3 year term to the Zoning Hearing Board with her term expiring on December 31, 2010.

An announcement was made regarding the dates for the upcoming regular Board of Supervisors' meetings which are scheduled for Tuesday, February 5, 2008 and Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at 8:00 p.m.

A motion was made by Mr. Young, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to approve the minutes from the January 7, 2008 Board of Supervisors' meeting.

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

A motion was made by Mr. Zucker, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to authorize Whitpain Township to piggyback the PA General Services Contract Program and the PA Capital Cities Contract Program for the calendar year 2008. This will include the purchase of highway materials, vehicles and supplies, as needed.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Young, and unanimously passed to authorize Whitpain Township to piggyback the Montgomery County Consortium of Communities and/or any individual Consortium municipality for the purchase of materials and supplies they bid in 2008. This motion will allow the same communities to piggyback our bids in 2008.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Young, and unanimously passed to release $383,383.80 (Release #1) from the escrow fund for the Montgomery County Community College - Advanced Technology Center. Mr. Palmer abstained from the vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to approve postponement of payment of the traffic and sewer impact fees for the St. Helena's school addition to a point in time prior to issuance of the occupancy certificate, provided that the Church guarantees in writing that both fees will be paid in full.

Vice-Chairman Young then called for any comments or questions from the Board. Chairman Palmer noted that there was a large amount of turnover this year among the Boards and Commissions, including the retirement of the Township Solicitor of 27 years, Mr. J. Peirce Anderson. Chairman Palmer highlighted some of the controversial projects through which Mr. Anderson has guided the Township including Wings Field, Prophecy Creek, and Wentz Run. He thanked Mr. Anderson for providing sound legal counsel and stated that his presence will be missed.

Additionally, Chairman Palmer narrated the story of the Briar Hill Preserve from a news item which he felt needed to be shared with the community. The original owners, Otto Haas and Carol Haas-Gravagno, donated 13 acres of land along Prophecy Creek as conservation easement to the Wissahickon Valley Watershed. Later, Mrs. Haas-Gravagno approached the Wissahickon Valley Watershed with a proposal to sell the Briar Hill Farm. A conservation plan was developed that would limit future development on the property, and keep 80% of the land as natural landscape, while providing public access and preserving scenic views. Chairman Palmer commented that this is how we should look to preserve green space in the Township, by using creativity and partnerships with individuals and organizations that share the same goals.

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

Respectfully submitted,

Anthony F. Greco, 
Secretary

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