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UPPER PROVIDENCE TOWNSHIP
DELAWARE COUNTY
BUSINESS and COMMITTEES MEETING
September 27, 2007
7:30

The Upper Providence Township Council held their monthly Committees Meeting on September 27, 2007 at 7:30 PM in the Upper Providence Township Building. Mr. Bierling led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Bill Thomas, 104 Valley View Road, asked about the Mancil Road storm sewer project and if the proposed fix was the best allocation of funds.  He questioned the Township Engineer’s comments regarding the best fix being tying into the sewer system.  Mr. Thomas also asked for the budget allocation for the project.

Anthony Caruso, E. Rose Tree Road, informed Council that he represented a group of neighbors who opposed the proposed Rose Tree Park Inn and carriage house project.  He suggested that the development would add congestion and change the nature of the Park.  Mr. Caruso submitted a petition to Council signed by those who oppose the project.

Present were Edward Cashman, Chairman, Edward Bierling, Vice Chairman, William Clinton and Steven Visek.  Also present were Robert Pappano, Township Solicitor and Anthony T. Hamaday, Township Manager

Old Business
None

New Business

Appointment of Police Chief
Mr. Bierling made a motion, seconded by Mr. Clinton, to appoint David Montella as Upper Providence Township Chief of Police in accordance with the agreed upon terms of employment, Uniformed Personnel Administration Code and the Home Rule Charter effective January 1, 2008.

Discussion:

Mr. Cashman indicated that he believed Council was ready to make an appointment at the September regular Council meeting but since there was not an agreement to the terms of employment with Sergeant Montella, Council could not act.  There is now an agreement with Sergeant Montella on the terms of employment.

Mr. Visek offered that he held deep reservations about the selection process.  He added that while the process started out well it developed problems resulting from a perception that the decision on a new chief of police had already been made leading potential candidates to not apply.  Mr. Visek also added that there could be a substantial change in the make up of Council and that the responsible thing for Council to do would be to appoint an acting Chief and let a new Council appoint a new Chief. Mr. Visek concluded his comments by suggesting that Council should make the appointment at a regular meeting rather than a committees meeting.

Mr. Clinton added that he believed the process went well and he was impressed with the candidate.  He suggested that some of Mr. Visek’s comments offered a lot of conjecture and were not useful to him.  He indicated that Council was responsible for acting on the moment and should move forward with this well qualified candidate.

Mr. Visek clarified his comments and indicated that he was concerned only with the process.  He believes Sergeant Montella is a good candidate who is well qualified and he can support him as the new Chief of Police.

Resolution No. 2007-25 rescinding Resolution No. 85-1-24-39

Mr. Bierling amended his motion, accepted by Mr. Clinton, to adopt Township Resolution No. 2007 – 24 appointing David Montella as Upper Providence Township Chief of Police in accordance with the agreed upon terms of employment, Uniformed Personnel Administration Code and the Home Rule Charter effective January 1, 2008.

Mr. Clinton    Yes                  Mr. Visek       Yes
Mr. Bierling   Yes                  Mr. Cashman   Yes

Motion passed 4-0      

Mr. Bierling made a motion, seconded by Mr. Clinton to adopt Township Resolution No. 2007-25 rescinding Resolution No. 85-1-24-39 reestablishing the reporting process for the Chief of Police as outlined in the PA Second Class Township Code.

Mr. Clinton    Yes                  Mr. Visek       Yes
Mr. Bierling    Yes                  Mr. Cashman  Yes

Motion passed 4-0

Mr. Visek made a motion, seconded by Mr. Bierling to adjourn the Regular meeting at 8:20 PM.   Motion passed 4-0

EMST Tax Ordinance Amendment

Mr. Pappano informed Council that he has prepared an amendment to the Township’s existing EMST Tax ordinance in order to comply with the State legislatures changes to the enabling legislation for collecting the tax.  He indicated that the tax will now be called the Local Services tax and the new provisions among other things will set an income limit exemption at $12,000.  He asked Council to announce the proposed ordinance.  Mr. Cashman announced the proposed ordinance and asked it to be placed on the October Agenda

Trail Plan Update

Mr. Clinton gave Council an overview of the public trail plan workshop held on September 19, 2007 at the Rose Tree Fire Company.  He indicated that there were approximately 130 attendees and a tremendous amount of feedback as well as new ideas were offered to the consultants.  He added that meeting comments have been posted on the Township website and that the next steps include learning from the new data and making specific recommendations to Council.  Mr. Clinton also thanked all the Council members for their attendance at the meeting.  Mr. Visek thanked Mr. Clinton and Mr. Williamson for the great job in running the meeting.

Ruskin Lane Escrow Release

Mr. Hamaday informed Council that Ruskin Lane LLC has requested an escrow release for work at the Martin Subdivision on Highland Avenue and the request will be placed on Council’s October Business meeting agenda.

CDCA Membership Update

Mr. Pappano informed Council that he attended a meeting with the solicitors for the 3 new members and CDCA to continue to work on the membership agreement. He added that the agreement is nearing completion and a revision should be available in 2 weeks.  Mr. Visek offered that he believed that all of the 9 current member municipalities would also have to approve any agreement.  Mr. Pappano confirmed that it was the case.

Mr. Clinton asked Council to conduct a public informational meeting to discuss sewers after the November elections.  Council agreed to schedule such a meeting for the 1^st week after the election and asked Mr. Hamaday to make the necessary arrangements including inviting the Sewer Authority and professionals.

Delinquent Sewer Connections

Mr. Hamaday informed Council that Bob Pinto, Special Council, has begin the process of notifying those property owners who have yet to connect to the public sewer in each of the Sewer Authority’s project areas that they need to connect.  The notice is the first step required by the Township Code and the Duty to Connect ordinance.

Open Space Update

Mr. Hamaday provided informed Council and the public that he continues to talk to 2 property owners with regard to potential parcel acquisitions.  Mr. Clinton acknowledged Fred Reid, Recreation Board Chairman, and asked if he had any comments.  Mr. Reid suggested that the Recreation budget be increased to account for the increase in open space.

Ad-hoc Comprehensive Plan Committee

Mr. Visek informed Council that he spoke with Joe Solomon, Planning Commission Chairman, regarding the creation of an ad-hoc committee to oversee the Comprehensive Plan.  Mr. Visek continued that Council has discussed this numerous times and let the Planning Commission act as the oversight committee but Mr. Solomon believes that a separate committee needs to be established by Council due to the work load of the Planning Commission.  Mr. Visek also announced that he, Mr. Solomon and Mr. Hamaday would be meeting to discuss the Comprehensive Plan as part of the budget process

2008 Budget Workshop

Council began discussions on the 2008 budget process and decided that a separate budget workshop would be appropriate to begin actual discussions and goal setting.  Council agreed to schedule a meeting on October 1 or October 3, 2007 depending on confirmation of each Council members availability.

Parking/Traffic Complaints

Mr. Hamaday informed Council that he was in receipt of the following complaints a from residents:

10 S. Overhill Road - Parking Concerns
Shadeland Avenue - Parking Concerns

Olive Street @ Lincoln Street – Parking Restrictions
Media Station Road. – Truck Parking
Cape Cod/Well Fleet Traffic Concerns

He informed Council that he would forward to the Public Safety Committee for their review and recommendations for Council action.

2007 Road Program Update

Mr. Hamaday informed Council that the road program is nearing completion and Strawberry Lane should be finished early next week.  He added that this year’s program has gone extremely smooth with no complaints.  He attributed that to the Township

Engineer’s inspector, Terry Gallagher, and his diligence in making sure the contractor performs as expected.

The Committees Meeting was adjourned at 9:30 PM.

Respectively Submitted,

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Anthony T. Hamaday
Township Secretary

______________________
Edward James W. Cashman
Council Chairman