HORSHAM TOWNSHIP AUTHORITY
FOR NASJRB (NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE)
MEETING MINUTES
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 21 2006
In Attendance:
Authority Board
Staff
W. William Whiteside, III, Chairman
Michael J. McGee
Joanna M. Furia Esq., Vice Chairman
Mary Eberle Esq.
Carolyn T. Carluccio
Curt Toll, Esq.
David Creamer, Treasurer
William
Walker
Donnamarie Davis Esq.
William Donnelly (arrived late 3:45 p.m.)
.
Carmen S. Italia, Jr.
Absent:
Joan Nesbitt, Secretary
Jeffrey Albert, Esq.
Mr. Whiteside called the meeting to order at 3:04 PM in the Horsham Township Municipal
Building at 1025 Horsham Road, Horsham PA, 19044. Mr. Whiteside
introduced Ms. Carluccio and announced that she was appointed to the Authority to replace Commissioner James
Mathews who has resigned. The Board members introduced themselves and
all those present did likewise. A sign in sheet was circulated and is
attached hereto. LTC Burnham Army PMO and Gregory Preston Navy PMO
representative joined the meeting via speaker phone.
On a motion by Mr. Italia which was seconded by Mr. Creamer the Board unanimously approved
the minutes as proposed for the May 17, 200 meeting. Mr. McGee advised
the Board that the Township continues to advance the Authority funds to operate. He suggested that the Board
consider entering into a formal agreement with Horsham Township committing to reimburse the
Township. Ms. Furia moved and Mr. Creamer seconded and the
Board unanimously approved a motion to direct the Solicitor to prepare an agreement for the Boards
consideration. Mr. McGee distributed a list of checks for the
Board’s consideration. Mr. Italia then moved and Ms. Furia seconded
to approve the list of checks in the amount of $9,702.50; the motion passed unanimously.
Mr. McGee briefed the Board on the Advertisement for the Horsham Memorial Army Reserve
Center. Pointing out that the tour of the facility would take place on
July 20th and the deadline for responses would be Oct 6, 2006. The Army is expected to forward the environmental information on the property in
the near future. The official Environmental Condition of the Property
Report (ECP) is not expected until January or February of 2007. He
also pointed out that the service area includes all Montgomery County and the County of Bucks.
The Board then discussed the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission letter dated
June 5, 2006 authored by Barry Seymour. Mr. Seymour requested that the
Reuse Committee be expanded to include both a professional with regional development perspective, and a member who
would act as an aviation resource and contact point. After
considerable discussion the Board declined to add additional members to the Reuse Committee as requested and
further that no additional members would be added to any of the committees at the current time.
Mr. Toll reported that he had no matters for the Board to consider. Mrs. Eberle advised that the Articles of Incorporation had been approved by
Secretary of the Commonwealth. She also suggested that the Authority
and the Township should come to agreement on the manner in which the expenses associated with the Township’s Staff
time devoted to the Authority should be calculated. Ms. Furia moved
and Mr. Creamer seconded and the Authority unanimously approved a motion to draft such an agreement.
Mr. McGee reported that the Authority’s web site should be available in approximately a
month and the address is www.hlra.org. He also reported that the
grant OEA application has yet to be filed.
Mr. McGee brought a newspaper article concerning the possible location of a new mission on
NAS JRB Willow Grove that would created several hundred positions and possibly be a mission for the
111th. The new mission as reported is the Warfighting
Headquarter Augmentation Unit. Colonel Comtois Commanding Officer of the 111th Fighter Wing ANG advised
that the proposed unit existed on a smaller scale and is currently located at Penn State. He further suggested that the HLRA should not involve itself with possible
military missions on the Base. Ms. Gabor of OEA advised the Board that
the BRMM speaks to the issue and an LRA should be consulted and have input to the use of all BRAC
properties.
LTC Burnham reported that the Army expects to start construction on the new Army Reserve
Center in the military enclave during fiscal year 2008. He also
reported that the Army would allow dye tests if needed at the existing facility to determine where the sewage is
being treated.
Greg Preston who called in at 3:40, stated that he was not aware of when the Navy would
make a declaration of surplus property. He did state that the Navy is
aware of the Authority’s position on the location of the Army. After
some discussion the Board suggested that a high level meeting be arranged to insure that the Authority has an
opportunity to have input on the location of the Army on Base. Mr. Preston recommended that the Authority proceed
in that manner. Mr. McGee and Mr. Toll were directed to arrange such a
meeting.
Mr. Whiteside asked if there where any questions or comments from those in
attendance. Colonel Comtois stated that he had concern for the morale
of his unit and requested that the Authority should not speak as if the Base were closing given that his Unit will
remain. Michael Shea of the Montgomery County Workforce Development
stated that they will be hiring a consultant to help identify jobs and impacted businesses. At this time it seems that there are approximately 300 civilian jobs that will be
displaced. He stated that he will keep the Board informed of their findings.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael J. McGee
Executive Director
