Board of Supervisors
Monday, January 04 2010
The organization and regular business meeting of the
Northampton Township Board of Supervisors was called to order at 8:05 p.m.
Members of the Board of Supervisors present were:
Vincent J. Deon
George F. Komelasky
Eileen Silver
James T. Cunningham
Frank Rothermel
Others present were:
Fire Marshal Frank Fenton, Acting Township Manager
The pledge of Allegiance to the flag was led by Vincent J.
Deon.
Moment of Silence
Chairman Deon held a moment of silence in support of our troops serving in
dangerous places around the world.
Public Comment
Peter Palestina - 47 Lynford Road - Congratulations to Eileen and
all Board Members. Presented a photo collage of the veteran's ceremony throughout the year to the
chairman.
James Kinney- 32 Willowbrook Drive - Thanked Dr. Friedman for his
service and congratulated George Komelasky and Eileen Silver on their win.
Eileen Zolotorofe - 600 Sackettsford Road - Congratulated Eileen
& George on their winning the election.
Approval of Temporary Chairman
- A motion (Komelasky-Silver) was approved appointing Vincent J. Deon as temporary
chairman for the purposes of the organization meeting. Motion Passed 5-0.
Selection of Chairman of the Board of Supervisors for
Calendar year 2010 - A motion (Rothermel-Cunningham) to appoint
Eileen Silver as Chairman for the Board of Supervisors for 2010 year. Discussion ensued with Mr. Rothermel
withdrawing his motion. A motion (Komelasky-Silver) to appoint Vincent Deon as Board Chairman for 2010 calendar year.
Motion Passed 3-2 (with Rothermel & Cunningham voting nay).
Selection of Vice-Chairman of the Board of Supervisors
for Calendar Year 2010-A motion (Silver-Deon) to appoint George
Komelasky as Vice-Chairman, for the calendar year 2010. Motion Passed 3-2 with (Rothermel
& Cunningham voting nay).
Selection of Secretary of the Board of Supervisors for
Calendar Year 2010 - A motion (Komelasky-Rothermel) to appoint
Eileen Silver as Secretary, of the Board of Supervisors of Northampton Township for the calendar year
2010.Motion Passed 5-0.
Selection of Treasurer of the Board of Supervisors for
Calendar Year 2010 - A motion (Komelasky-Silver) to appoint Frank
Rothermel to serve as Treasurer of the Board of Supervisors of Northampton Township for the calendar year 2010.
Motion Passed 4-1 (with Cunningham voting nay).
Appointment of Vacancy Chairman
-A motion (Komelasky-Silver) to appoint Robert Borkowski, 167 Cameron Drive, Holland,
PA to serve as Chairman of the Vacancy Board for the 2010 calendar year. Motion Passed 4-1 (with Cunningham
voting nay).
Chairman Deon read a statement into the record regarding civility
and welcomed Eileen Silver and congratulated George Komelasky. Chairman Deon thanked his fellow supervisors for his
appointment as Chairman for a second year. Thanked Dr. Friedman for his service, Mr. Pellegrino and a long list of
employees, committee's and volunteers. Chairman Deon asked his fellow supervisors to list to main goals they would
like to achieve this year he began with Mr. Rothermel;
Mr. Rothermel would like to save tax payer money, close loop
holes for no bid contracts and get competitive pricing, 2) make appointments to Board's for fiscal
responsibilities.
Mr. Komelasky would like to see redevelopment in the Holland and
Richboro areas and clean up traffic in both areas 2) to look at preserving open space.
Mrs. Silver would like to go greener to save money and look in to
solar power 2) look at cost not price.
Mr. Cunningham would like to look at financial resources 2) would
like greater diversity on board and commissions and look at limiting terms.
Chairman Deon would like to maintain order and government, be
more tolerant and listen, maintain order and civility, 2) to be more business friendly, include the business
community, work on a composite facility for Northampton Township and work on the redevelopment of the Holland Area
and Davis Pontiac.
Appointment by Chairman of Liaison
Responsibilities - Chairman Deon made the following appointments
and assignments for Board liaisons.
Internal Affairs - George F.
Komelasky
Public Safety - Vincent J. Deon
Public Works - Eileen Silver
Community Development - George F.
Komelasky
Community Services - Frank
Rothermel
Community Facilities - Vincent J.
Deon
Delaware Valley Insurance Trust
- Robert M. Pellegrino, (George F. Komelasky, Alternate)
Delaware Valley Workers Compensation Trust -
Robert M. Pellegrino (George F. Komelasky, Alternate)
Delaware Valley Health Insurance Trust - Robert
M. Pellegrino, (George F. Komelasky, Alternate)
Special Liaison to Council Rock School District
- Frank Rothermel
Representatives to SWBSWC - Vincent J. Deon,
James T. Cunningham
Special Liaison to Open Space Acquisition -
George F. Komelasky,
Delegate to PSATS - Eileen Silver
Southeast Bucks League of Municipalities -
George Komelasky
Regional Planning Traffic Task Force - Vincent
J. Deon, James Cunningham
National Association of Towns and Townships
-
Bucks County TMA - Robert Braubitz
APPOINTMENTS OF PROFESSIONAL
CONSULTANTS
Appointment of Township Solicitor
-A motion (Komelasky-Silver) to appoint the firm of Rudolph, Pizzo and Clarke, LLC, to
serve as Township Solicitor for the 2010 calendar year. Board discussion ensued with Mr. Rothermel citing several
reasons to not appoint Rudolph, Pizzo & Clarke LLC, as township solicitor, and questions regarding hourly rates
and retainer arrangements were discussed. Motion Passed 3-2 (Rothermel-Cunningham voting
nay).
Appointment of Township Engineer
-A motion (Komelasky-Cunningham) to appoint the engineering firm of CKS Engineers
Inc., David W. Connell, principal engineer, as the Township Engineer to serve for the calendar year 2010.
Motion Passed 5-0.
Appointment of Video Consultant -
Chairman Deon reviewed the three proposals that were received for Video Consulting
Services for 2010.Mr. Rothermel noted Video Gold's price was $15,737, Foster Digital $15,720 and
Skotleski Video Productions $14,000. It was pointed out that Skoletsky's bid although they were the lowest does not
state what services they are going to perform. Chairman Deon clarified that Video Gold supplied all of the
information that was requested in the RFP. Mr. Komelasky reviewed the differences in what the consultants are
offering. A motion (Komelasky-Silver) to appoint Video Gold as Video Consultant to serve for the calendar year 2010.
Motion Passed 3-2 ( with Cunningham & Rothermel voting nay).
Appointment of Township Planner
-A motion (Komelasky-Rothermel) to appoint J. Jerome Skrincosky, of Hawk Valley
Associates, P.C. as Township Planner to serve for the calendar year 2010. Motion Passed
5-0.
RESOLUTIONS AND MOTIONS
Appointment of Brokers of Record
-A motion (Komelasky-Cunningham) I move to continue self-insuring Township risk for
General Liability, Workers Compensation, and Employee Health benefits through the Delaware Valley Trusts, and to
appoint the Willis of Maryland, Inc., Maryland as the broker of record for Township Employee Performance Bonds. Mr.
Rothermel raised concerns with Delaware Valley believe there could be better rates out there from other companies and
would like to look at competitive rates. Mr. Komelasky noted savings we have received from Workers Compensation it
supplements and benefits our budget. Mrs. Silver questioned if the Board is allowed to go out and get quotes. Mr.
Rothermel stated he has tried but needs specific information. Motion Passed 3-2 (with Rothermel and
Cunningham voting nay).
Establishment of Depositories for Township Funds
Within and Outside of Northampton TownshipA motion
(Deon-Komelasky) appointing the following depositories located within Northampton Township as eligible for the
deposit of Township funds contingent upon the institution furnishing evidence to the Township that any such deposit
shall be insured or covered with security in a manner or method required by the second-class township code; Citizens
Bank, First National Bank of Newtown, Fox Chase Bank, M&T Bank, PNC Bank, Wachovia Bank, William Penn Savings
& Loan Association, TD Bank. Also, appointing the following depositories located outside of Northampton Township
as eligible for the deposit of Township funds contingent upon the institution furnishing evidence to the Township
that any such deposit shall be insured or covered with security in a manner or method required by the second-class
township code; 1st Savings of Perkasie, Abington Bank, Bank of America, Bank of New York, Beneficial Bank,
Bucks County Bank & Trust, Doylestown Federal Savings and Loan, Harlesyville National Bank & Trust,
Harleysville Savings & Loan, Huntingdon Valley Bank, PLIGT (Pennsylvania Local Government Trust), Premier Bank,
Royal Bank of Canada, Stonebridge Bank, Third Federal Bank, Univest Corporation, Willow Grove Bank and Yardville
National Bank, Motion passed 5-0.
Resolution R-10-1 Setting Bond Limits for the
Treasurer, Township Manager and Finance Director - A motion
(Deon-Komelasky) that the Northampton Township Board of Supervisors adopt Resolution R-10-1 fixing the bond amounts
for Township Officers for the 2010 calendar year at $3,000,000.00 for the Treasurer at $1,000,000.00 for the Township
Manager and at $1,000,000.00 for the Finance Director.Motion Passed 5-0.
Resolution R-10-2 Setting the Real Estate Tax Levy for
2010 - A motion (Deon-Silver) to adopt Resolution R-10-2
establishing the real estate tax millage for Northampton Township for the 2010 calendar year General Fund 2.755 mils,
Debt Service Fund 4.6625 mils, Fire Protection Fund .80 mils, Rescue Squad Fund .125 mils, Park & Recreation Fund
1.50 mils, Library Fund 1.30 for a total of 11.1425 mils. Board discussion ensued with Mr. Rothermel noted this is a
tax increase and still wants to see competitive bidding and make appointments to boards with fiscal integrity. Mrs.
Silver does not see any correlation between the tax levy and professional services two separate items. Motion
Passed 3-2(Rothermel-Cunningham voting nay).
Set Meeting Schedule for the Board of Supervisors for
the 2010 Calendar Year - The Chairman sets the meeting dates of
the Board of Supervisors. Chairman Deon set the meeting schedule of the Board of Supervisors for 2010 as follows:
Regular business meetings of the Board of Supervisors will be held at 8:00 pm on January 27, February 24, March 24,
April 28, May 26, June 23, July 28, August 25, September 22, October 4 Budget Presentation, 27, November 8 (Budget
Workshop), 17, December 8 and 22 and Reorganization will be held on Monday, January 3, 2011. Ms. Silver would like to
see the Agenda review meetings to start at 6:30 pm and the regular televised meeting at 7:30 pm. Mr. Rothermel feels
it is not fair to the residents to only hold one meeting a month. Discussion ensued. Chairman Deon after Board
consensus changed the start time of the meetings to 6:30 for agenda review and 7:30 for the televised
meeting.
Set 2010 Holiday Schedule -
The Chairman sets the Holiday Schedule. Chairman Deon set the 2010 holiday schedule
for non-uniformed employees as proposed by the Administration.
Set Mileage Reimbursement
-A motion (Deon-Komelasky) to approve the 2010 mileage reimbursement rate to Township
Employees using their personal vehicle for Township related business at the rate established by the Internal Revenue
Service. Mrs. Silver questioned if they fill out a form for reimbursement and Chairman Deon answered yes employees
must fill out a form for reimbursement. Motion passed 5-0.
Boards and Commissions
Appointments to Historical
Commission - Chairman Deon deferred appointments to the meeting of
January 27, 2010.
Appointment to Parks & Recreation
Board - A motion(Deon-Komelasky) to appoint Martin Wade, Gerlad
Lemly and Edward Radlow to the Parks & Recreation Board till December 31, 2014. Motion Passed
5-0.
Appointment to Zoning Hearing
Board
A motion (Komelasky-Silver) to appoint Bruce Stamm to a three
year term on the Zoning Hearing Board to expire on December 31, 2012. Mr. Rothermel noted Mr. Stamm has served since
2000 and others have expressed an interest and would like to hold this appointment till the next meeting and
interview interested persons. Discussion ensued among the board. Motion passed 3-2 (with Rothermel &
Cunningham voting nay).
Appointments to Building Code Board of
Appeals
Chairman Deon noted there are currently two openings on the
Building Code Board of Appeals and they vacancies need to be filled before January 7, 2010 due to an upcoming hearing
and a quorum is needed. A motion (Deon-Komelasky) to appoint Matthew Piotrowski, Architect to a fire year term
expiring March 15, 2014 and to appoint Michael Wolstenholme to fill an unexpired term through March 15, 2010. Mr.
Cunningham would like to see residents appointed first and Mr. Rothermel would like to see Bill O'Neill appointed
since he fits the qualifications of an engineer. Motion Passed 3-2 (with Rothermel and Cunningham voting
nay).
Board Comments:
Mrs. Silver spoke on the Township and meeting of the employees
and department heads and gave thumbs up to the employees for all of their hard work.
There being no further business for the organization meeting of
the Board of Supervisors, Chairman Deon adjourned the organization meeting at 9:40 pm
Respectfully Submitted,
Eileen Silver, Secretary
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