2007 News

July 12, 2007

Bucks County Commissioners Host Annual Picnic Meeting at Scenic Van Sant Airport
Public Works, Parks and Recreation and Open Space Items Highlight Agenda

The Board of Bucks County Commissioners ventured to Tinicum Twp.’s picturesque Van Sant Airport for an evening meeting July 11. The event featured a dogwood tree-ringed picnic grove, the inviting scent of hamburgers and hot dogs cooking on an open grill, birds chirping in the background, two grass-strip vintage airplane runways and, perhaps most significantly, very little rain.

Commissioners Charles H. Martin, chairman, and James F. Cawley, Esq. unanimously approved resolutions for 15 departments, including several key items relating to county properties and the administration’s open-space preservation endeavors.

The items included a $256,438 contract with Newtown’s Twining Construction Co. to complete the second phase of historic restoration at the Erwin-Stover House. According to county Executive Director of Parks and Recreation Bill Mitchell, the project includes the addition of a porch and walkways. The county is exploring donation and cost-effective options to install cast-iron fence posts for added authenticity.

Additionally, the commissioners approved a $64,050 purchase of 125 agricultural and open-space preservation signs that will repair and replace damaged signs and highlight recent acquisitions of preserved properties. The signs, made of durable aluminum, are the result of a thorough bid process that represents substantial value to county taxpayers. “It’s important that those who participate in this program are recognized for their contribution to our preserving our county’s future,” noted Commissioner Martin.

The commissioners approved another cost-saving measure through a four-year uniform rental contract for various county departments, including Public Works. According to Chief Operating Officer David Sanko, the $185,161 agreement represents a total that is lower than the county’s expenditure for the previous four years.

At the start of the meeting, the commissioners presented a letter of commendation to county Senior Planner Richard Brahler, who last month received the “Partnership Award for Service” from the Bucks County Transportation Management Association (TMA). Brahler, a key member of the Planning Commission staff since 1990, is a graduate of Penn State who currently serves as project manager for the Quakertown Rail Restoration Alternatives Analysis.

During the “other civics” portion of the meeting, the commissioners approved a $5,000 contribution to the Towns Against Graffiti (TAG) program and $1,500 to the Bucks County Association of the Blind, which will use the fund to teach sight-impaired individuals how to use the county’s electronic voting machines.

Another meeting highlight was a brief speech of appreciation to the commissioners from Tinicum Twp. Supervisor Vice-Chair Boyce Budd. Mr. Budd thanked the county for purchasing and preserving the environmental integrity of Van Sant Airport, which is one of the only remaining grass-strip airports in the United States. The 161-acre facility, which is regulated by state aviation policy, is part of a larger 360-acre portion of preserved land in the original Van Sant family compound.