2007 News

May 23, 2007

Bucks County Commissioners Complement Patriotic Meeting with County's 104th Farm Preservation
Visit to Sellersville’s VFW Post 245 Includes County Acquisition of Doylestown Borough’s National Guard Armory

As a tangible way of paying tribute to the men and women who protect the United States as members of our Armed Forces, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners trekked to Sellersville for today’s bi-monthly meeting. The Forrest Lodge Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 245 served as a gracious host, providing a spacious backdrop for the commissioners to present six different proclamations and unanimously approve resolutions for 14 county departments.

The first resolution, a $660,000 county appropriation to purchase the 137-acre Springfield Twp. farm of John and Linda Keller, represents the 104th farm protected from development under the Bucks County Agricultural Preservation Program. A working beef and corn farm, the Keller property consists of two separate tracts, one consisting of 52 acres, the other of 85.5 acres.

“This looks like a wonderful addition to the program,” commented Commissioner Chairman Charles H. Martin upon viewing an aerial photograph of the property that was presented by county Agricultural Preservation Program Director Rich Harvey.

According to Harvey, the Keller farm ranked second on a list of 55 applications during 2006. It raised the county’s preserved acreage inventory to 9,580 – keeping the program on its inexorable pace to reach a goal of 10,000 later this year.

“We are optimistic of reaching our goal of 10,000 acres this year,” Harvey noted, adding that the Keller property lies within a mile of 1,000 acres previously preserved in Springfield Twp.

A pair of Public Works projects moved forward during the agenda, as the commissioners approved the agreement of purchase for the National Guard Armory property located at 97 Shewell Ave., and six construction contracts for the Upper Bucks Government Service Center and District Court (see separate release). According to Chief Operating Officer David M. Sanko, the Armory acquisition was facilitated through a grant from Pennsylvania Sen. Chuck McIlhinney, leaving no debt burden for Doylestown Borough or Bucks County taxpayers.

During his report, Sanko also detailed the county’s cost-conscience decision to move a modular unit from Ivyland to Doylestown Township’s Bucks County Corrections Facility to create a new reception/intake area. A $4,475 contract change order with Mobilease Modular Space will provide funding for transportation of the unit.

“The moving of that modular unit will save county taxpayers in excess of a quarter of a million dollars in what would have been construction dollars, if that had been built from scratch,” Sanko elaborated. Corrections Director Harris Gubernick added that this modular unit will free up much-needed holding area space in the facility.

Sanko also praised Emergency Services Director John Dougherty and his department for “recently being rated by the state at the highest possible rating of outstanding for training, preparedness, response and recovery operations. Congratulations go out to John and the entire team of responders – fire, police and EMS – as part of that public safety platform.”

Additionally, the COO announced that the commissioners’ Delaware River Flood Task Force will conduct its first meeting on Tuesday, May 29, at 4 p.m. in the board conference room of New Hope’s Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission conference room.

Sanko’s report concluded with an update of the Board of Elections Municipal Primary. The certification process is in the meticulous stage of being finalized, a set of procedures that includes a two-percent audit of the ballots cast.

Prior to the regular agenda, the commissioners issued a proclamation recognizing Emergency Medical Services week. Accepting was Jeryl DeGideo of Emergency Health Services, who lauded Bucks County for offering a “unique feel to providing EMS.”

Accepting a proclamation in recognition of Armed Forces Day was Army 1st Lt. Anthony DeLia, a Perkasie Borough Police Officer who doubles as a headquarters company commander for the PA Army National Guard’s 228th Forward Support Battalion, which is headquartered in Sellersville, the only PA National Guard unit that calls Bucks County home. The unit served a tour of duty in Iraq during 2005-2006.

“Our unit is dedicated to duty and discipline,” DeLia told the commissioners.

Another memorable portion of the meeting involved the presentation of The National Committee for Employee Support of the Guard and Reserves “My Boss is a Patriot” award to Commissioners Martin, James F. Cawley, Esq. and Sandra A. Miller. Nominated for the honor by Stacey Hajdak, director of the Commissioners’ Office of Public Information, the commissioners each received a framed certificate and a lapel pin bearing the word, “Patriot.”