A Work Session of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, February 19, 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 February 19, 2008 Supervisors' Meeting. Vice-Chairman Brian W. Young was present with Supervisors Anthony F. Greco, 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. Chairman Joseph J. Palmer and Supervisor William L. McKernan III were absent. Dave Cavanaugh and Rick Collier form Land Concepts Consultant's were also present.

The Supervisors reviewed the agenda discussing the swearing in of new police officer Seth Homan, approval of the Treasurer's Report for the month of January 2008, approval of the minutes of the February 5, 2008 Supervisors' Meeting, approval of a request from the Rotary Club of Blue Bell to temporary placement of signs announcing the annual Wellness Expo on Saturday, April 12, 2008, approval of a request from Congregation Beth Or to allow temporary placement of lawn signs in the Township advertising their annual Oy Vey 5K and one mile walk being held on June 8, 2008, authorization to advertise proposed Ordinance No. 9-14-1 allowing the Board of Supervisors to provide credit of up to 100% of the applicable impact fee for development which is determined to serve an overriding public interest, a public hearing to consider a request from Broad Axe Partners which intends to operate the Broad Axe Tavern, 910Butler Pike for approval to transfer Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Restaurant License R-10090 from ROCCO'S Brick Oven Pizza in Norristown, and a public hearing on proposed Ordinance No. 155-6, Sewer Use Ordinance regarding the East Norriton Plymouth, Whitpain Joint Sewer Treatment Plant

Kurt Baker, Dave Cavanaugh, and Rick Collier then gave a brief presentation on the Trails Master Plan Program. The main topic of discussion dealt with the application being prepared to acquire the remaining grant money available through the Montgomery County Green Fields/ Green Towns program. They noted that the most logical segment of the core connector trail would travel from the Community College at Morris and Cathcart Roads, along the Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association easement on the Glassman property to Township Line Road, crossing Plymouth Road and continuing along Township Line Road East and the paper street to the Wissahickon Creek. They explained that the Trails Committee is working with Lower Gwynedd to connect the trail to Penllyn Woods and the WVWA Green Ribbon Trail. Lower Gwynedd is considering applying for a portion of their County money to build a pedestrian bridge crossing the Wissahickon and connecting it to the Whitpain Trail. Partnering with Lower Gwynedd and the WVWA will significantly reduce the cost of the project, because the 80/20 match then becomes 90/10. We are looking to get Lower Gwynedd to share in the cost and maintenance of a boardwalk that would span from the bridge to the beginning of the dead-end of Township Line Road East. They noted that letters of agreement with Lower Gwynedd, WVWA/Glassman, and the Community College must be in place by the next Supervisors' Meeting on March 4th. Additionally, a complete cost analysis must be completed in order to estimate any additional costs to the Township after the grant money for this segment is depleted. A Resolution supporting the project financially will be prepared for the Board of Supervisors to consider adopting at the March 4th meeting. The application to the County, including the previously mentioned letters of agreement and the Resolution must be submitted to the County by mid March. The Supervisors agreed to move forward with the application.

The Supervisors then left for the public meeting.

At approximately 8:20 PM the Work Session was reconvened.

Mrs. Lieberman asked if any of the Supervisors wish to attend the meeting of elected officials at Upper Dublin Township on Saturday, March 1, 2008. None of the Supervisors present could attend. Mrs. Lieberman will check with Mr. Palmer.

The Supervisors then discussed two legal matters.

Mrs. Lieberman noted that she had contacted other townships about signs indicating that scouts meet at certain places. She said that some townships don't allow any additional signage without sending them to the Zoning Hearing Board for permission. Others allow for signs of public interest, but limit the size. The Supervisors asked Mr. Garrity to prepare a proposed Ordinance with specific options for consideration.

On another matter regarding signage, Mrs. Lieberman noted that she and Mr. Zucker had received several complaints about the new sign at the old Savory Grill. She said that the sign is not in violation, but that she and Mr. Rieker had met with the owners and their attorney who want to be cooperative about replacing it with one more fitting with the community. After looking at some of the options that Mr. Rieker had presented, the Supervisors suggested that pictures be taken of other signs that we feel are more appropriate and present them to the owner. Mr. Pronczak will take those pictures and then he and Mrs. Lieberman will meet with the owners.

The Supervisors then discussed a personnel matter.

At approximately 9:00 PM the Work Session was adjourned.

Phyllis C. Lieberman
Whitpain Township Manager

#4 - 2008

The regular meeting of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, February 19, 2008 at the Whitpain Township Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA. Supervisors Brian W. Young, Anthony F. Greco, and Adam Zucker were present. Township Manager, Phyllis C. Lieberman, Township Engineer/Assistant Township Manager, Roman Pronczak, Township Solicitor, James J. Garrity, 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. Supervisors Joseph J. Palmer and William L. McKernan were absent. There were approximately 40 members of the public in attendance.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Vice Chairman Young called the meeting to order. A moment of silence was observed and condolences offered in recognition of the passing of Mr. John Schoppe, a sixteen year member and former president of the Center Square Fire Company.

The first order of business was the swearing in of new Police Officer, Seth Homan, by District Judge John S. Murray, III. Vice Chairman Young provided a brief biography for the new officer.

A motion was made by Mr. Zucker, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to approve the Treasurer's Report for the month of January, 2008.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Zucker, and unanimously passed to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2008 Board of Supervisors' Meeting.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Zucker, and unanimously passed to approve a request from the Blue Bell Rotary Club to allow the placement of (2) signs, one at the intersection of Skippack & DeKalb Pikes, and the other in front of the Wissahickon Valley Public Library announcing the annual Wellness Expo which will take place on Saturday, April 12, 2008.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Zucker, and unanimously passed to approve a request from Congregation Beth Or to allow the placement of lawn signs at Whitpain Township parks advertising their annual Oy Vey 5K and 1 Mile Walk which is being held on Sunday, June 8, 2008. The signs will be 18" x 24" in size.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Zucker, and unanimously passed to authorize the Township Manager to advertise Ordinance #9-14-1, an Ordinance amending the codified Ordinances of the Township of Whitpain, Chapter 129 (Subdivision and Land Development), Article I (General Provisions), Section 129-5 (Traffic Impact Fees), Subsection "P" (Credit) to allow the Board of Supervisors to provide a credit of up to one hundred percent (100%) of the applicable impact fee for development which is determined to serve an overriding public interest.

As advertised, a public hearing was held to consider the request from Broad Axe Partners, Inc., which intends to operate the Broad Axe Tavern at 901 Butler Pike, Blue Bell, PA 19422, for approval to transfer Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Restaurant License R-10090 from R.S.R. Sandy Hill, Inc., T-A ROCCO's Brick Oven Pizza, 1339 Sandy Hill Road, Norristown, PA 19401-4155. Neil Pearlstine, Esq. was present on behalf of the applicant, as was Mr. Jerry Scheliga, president of Broad Axe Partners. Mr. Scheliga explained the intent to open the Broad Axe Tavern as a family-oriented restaurant with projected opening taking place sometime in the summer. The corporation had previously applied for a liquor license transfer approximately one year ago, but the approval for transfer expired. A verbatim record of the hearing was taken by a court reporter, and has been attached to and made part of these minutes. There being no questions or comments, a motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Zucker, and unanimously passed to adopt Resolution No. 848, which approves the transfer of Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Restaurant License R-10090.

As advertised, a public hearing was held for Ordinance No.155-6, an Ordinance amending the Code of the Township of Whitpain, Part II (General Legislation), Chapter 122 (Sewers and Sewage), Part 2 (Sewer Service by East Norriton-Plymouth-Whitpain Joint Sewer Waste Water Collection System) by deleting Articles VII through XV in their entirety (inclusive of Sections 122-28 through 122-73) and replace the Articles VII through XV and Sections 122-28 through 122-73 with updated requirements setting forth the uniform requirements for direct and indirect contributions into the wastewater collection system including general provisions; general sewer use requirements; regulations; pretreatment of wastewater; wastewater discharge permit application procedures; administration and permit process and confidential information and publication procedures. Mr. Pronczak explained that Whitpain Township does not have their own sewage treatment plant, and we are serviced by the Borough of Ambler as well as the East Norriton-Plymouth-Whitpain Joint Sewer Authority. Periodically the capabilities of a facility must be evaluated in order to set limits as to what can be discharged into the system. This Ordinance has been developed so that Whitpain Township will be in compliance with regulations that have been established. A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Zucker, and unanimously passed to adopt Ordinance No. 155-6.

Vice Chairman Young called for any comments or questions from the Board. There were none. He then called for any comments or questions from the public. There were none.

With no further business to come before the Board, Vice-Chairman Young adjourned the meeting at 8:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Anthony F. Greco, 
Secretary

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