A Work Session of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, April 3, 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 April 3, 2007 Supervisors' Meeting. Chairman Leigh P. Narducci was present with Supervisors Joseph J. Palmer, Brian W. Young and Anthony F. Greco. Solicitor J. Peirce Anderson, Township Manager Phyllis C. Lieberman, Assistant Township Manager/Township Engineer Roman M. Pronczak, Chief Mark A. Smith, Director of Finance M .Elizabeth McBride, Director of Code Enforcement Michael E. McAndrew, Fire Marshal David M. Camarda, and Parks and Recreation Director Kurt W. Baker were also present. Supervisor William L. McKernan III arrived late. There were 2 residents and one reporter present.

The Supervisors reviewed the agenda discussing approval of the minutes of the March 20, 2007 Supervisors' Meeting, two authorizations to release final escrow , consideration of a request from Montgomery County Community College for a waiver from the requirement of preparing a land development plan for the construction of a 289 sq. ft. patio area in front of the campus store on the Blue Bell campus, consideration of 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 30 foot by 17 foot concrete pad and installation of propane tanks to service the Advanced Technology Center, adoption of Resolution Number 825 designating the National Incident Management System as the basis for all incident management within Whitpain Township, and adoption of Resolution Number 826 that calls for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to revise their expansion plans to reduce the impact upon adjoining property owners, and provide for the installation of sound barriers along the edge of the Northeast Extension in Whitpain Township.

Mr. Palmer and Mr. Pronczak then reported on the public officials meeting and the public meeting with the Turnpike Commission that they attended. Basically, much of what we and property owners had been told previously about the scope of the widening project and the installation of sound barriers has changed. Much of the Township where sound barriers had been promised will now not have them and because of DEP stormwater regulations the Commission will be taking more land from property owners, including some full takings. Mr. Palmer noted that that was the reason that he wanted the Board to adopt Resolution Number 826 that evening.

Mrs. Lieberman then stated that the Running Club of Ambler was asking permission to hold its annual race along Lewis Lane. The Supervisors saw no problem with the request as did Chief Smith.

The Supervisors discussed two legal matters.

The Supervisors then left for the public meeting.

At approximately 8:25 PM the Work Session was reconvened.

At approximately 8:35 PM the Work Session was adjourned.

Phyllis C. Lieberman
Whitpain Township Manager

#7 - 2007

The regular meeting of the Whitpain Township Board of Supervisors was held on Tuesday, April 3, 2007 at the Whitpain Township Building, 960 Wentz Road, Blue Bell, PA. Supervisors Leigh P. Narducci, Joseph J. Palmer, Anthony F. Greco, Brian W. Young, and William L. McKernan were present. Township Manager Phyllis C. Lieberman, Township Solicitor J. Peirce Anderson, Township Engineer/Assistant Township Manager Roman Pronczak, Director of Finance, Elizabeth M. McBride, Code Enforcement Officer Michael E. McAndrew, . Director of Public Works, Ronald J. Cione, Fire Marshal David M. Camarda, Chief Mark Smith from the Police Department, Park and Recreation Director, Kurt W. Baker, and Recording Secretary Michele Alifano were also present. There were approximately ten members of the public in attendance.

Following the Pledge of Allegiance, Chairman Narducci called the meeting to order.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Palmer, and unanimously passed to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2007 Supervisors' Meeting. Mr. Young abstained from the vote due to his absence from the previous meeting.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to authorize final release (Release #6) of all remaining escrow funds held for the Frost Office Building (LD-8-05), located at 1061 DeKalb Pike.

A motion was made by Mr. Greco, duly seconded by Mr. Palmer, and unanimously passed to authorize final release (Release #4) of all remaining escrow funds held for the Sentry Park West (2005) Parking Lot Modifications (LD-5-05).

A motion was made by Mr. Young, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to approve a request from Montgomery County Community College for a waiver from the requirement of preparing a land development plan for the construction of a 289 sq. ft. patio area in front of the campus store on the Blue Bell Campus. Mr. Palmer abstained from the vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Young, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously 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 30 foot by 17 foot concrete pad and installation of propane tanks to service the Advanced Technology Center. Mr. Palmer abstained from the vote.

A motion was made by Mr. Palmer, duly seconded by Mr. Greco, and unanimously passed to adopt Resolution Number 825, a resolution designating the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the basis for all incident management within the Township.

A motion was made by Mr. Palmer, duly seconded by Mr. McKernan, and unanimously passed to adopt Resolution Number 826, a resolution that calls for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to revise their expansion plans to reduce the impact upon adjoining property owners, and provide for the installation of sound barriers along the edge of the Northeast Extension in Whitpain Township.

Mr. Palmer explained that over the past five years, the Township has worked with the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission to minimize the impact that the impending expansion project would have on the surrounding communities that border the Turnpike. An acceptable verbal agreement was reached in which the proposed design of the project was to be minimally invasive. Mr. Palmer added that the Turnpike Commission gave a presentation of their proposed design on March 29, 2007, which was seen to violate the initial agreement that was reached, and did not take into consideration the aggressive impact this expansion would have on the neighbors. As a result, Resolution Number 826 was crafted by the Board.

At this time, Vice-Chairman Palmer called for any comments or questions from the Board. Mr. Palmer commended Fire Marshal, David M. Camarda, and the Second Alarmers, the Township's new EMS service, for providing an introductory program and seminar for the residents at Normandy Farms, and he also applauded the Second Alarmers having an average response time of 5.50 minutes to emergencies. The township had perceived that response time may have been in the 7 to 8 minute mark and they are very pleased with the present times.

Ms. Flo Wise was present to speak on behalf of the residents of the West Ambler community, and she expressed the concern that the residents wish to improve their quality of life in their neighborhood. She stated that West Ambler does not seem like it is an integral part of Whitpain Township, and she indicated that are grants available to minority communities for improvement projects. She requested support from the Board in regard to the asbestos problem, as well as other issues such as drugs, traffic flow through the neighborhood, and the possible construction of a recreation center. Mr. Palmer responded that the Board has discussed the problems in that area, and he assured Ms. Wise that the Township will work with the residents to develop creative solutions to their problems.

There being no further business to come before the Board, on motion made by Chairman Narducci, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Brian W. Young, Secretary

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