2008 News

February 21, 2008

Commissioners Approve Contract Resolutions for 14 Departments During Spirited Bi-Monthly Meeting
Commendations Presented to Chalfont VFW Post 3258, Perkasie Fire Company No. 1

During a standing-room-only meeting of the Board of Bucks County Commissioners, public discussion of the county’s Danaher ELECTronic 1242 voting-machine system dominated a three-hour, 20-minute session. Ultimately, Commissioners James F. Cawley, Esq., chairman, and Charles H. Martin voted unanimously to approve resolutions for 14 departments, while Commissioner Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia cast a “nay” vote for a $109,524, two-year contract with Clemmer Moving and Storage of Telford, PA to haul the Danaher machines to precincts throughout the county during the Municipal Primary and General elections of 2008 and 2009. Comments from residents focused on concerns about reliability and verifiability that has led to the de-certification of a variety of direct-recording electronic (DRE) machines in many states. The commissioners agreed they will meet, in a public meeting, with representatives of the concerned voters to examine data specific to the Danaher system used by Bucks County.

Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia also cast a “nay” vote for three insurance contracts with Paist & Noe under the Finance department aegis. These contracts, which passed by a 2-1 margin, included the addition of the new Bucks County Forensic Facility to the county property insurance policy, a premium for bond coverage for elected and appointed officials, and premium renewal for general liability, professional liability, and Mcare assessment for the Neshaminy Manor assisted living facility.

Approval was given for a seven-year, $4.8 million contract with Verizon to purchase and service 911 Emergency Communications telephone switching equipment. According to county Chief Operating Officer David M. Sanko, former director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA), the technology will allow dispatch personnel to track wireless cell phones from the soon-to-be-completed Emergency Communications annex in Ivyland. Sanko also noted that the requisite hardware cost approximately $500,000 less than original estimates.

The commissioners approved a three-year extension of the county’s Microsoft Enterprise Software agreement for Information Technology. Another resolution with the Bucks County Community College, Center for Workforce Development approved a $35,000 contract for implementation of financial applications for the Prothonotary and Sheriff’s departments. “This includes software and training for our migration from the mainframe,” noted Prothonotary Patricia Bachtle.

Prior to nearly two hours of discussion of the county voting machines, the commissioners took part in three separate presentations, including awarding of the national Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Fred C. Hall Memorial Outstanding Post Special Project Award to Chalfont VFW Post 3258 and its commander, Robert Larrisey. On hand to present the award on behalf of the Bucks County Youth Center quilting project was Pennsylvania VFW State Commander John Getz. Surrounded by samples of the colorful quilts produced by 85 boys and girls as part of the program, Getz delivered the Hall award to Commander Larrisey and his wife, Penny, who volunteers her time and energy to oversee the sewing circle.

“Let me just say how proud we are,” Chairman Cawley told the assembled dignitaries, who included Doylestown Twp. Police Chief Stephen J. White and Bucks County Veterans Affairs Director Dan Fraley. After Commissioner Martin read a letter of commendation from the board, Cawley praised the quilters for their “civic-mindedness” and “community spirit.”

The second commendation was presented to Perkasie Fire Company No. 1 for its recent achievement of the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Voluntary Rescue Service Recognition (VRSR) certification. This accomplishment is particularly noteworthy because the company is the first fire company in Bucks County to successfully complete this certification.

The VRSR is a “program whereby a rescue service is recognized by the PA Dept. of Health as meeting standards of rescue design, equipment, personnel training, staffing, communications, reporting and operations.” The three-year certification followed a rigorous inspection by Bucks County Emergency Health Services officials on behalf of the state health department.

“This is a long process, and I want to say ‘thank you’ to Perkasie Fire Co. for getting this done,” praised Bucks County Emergency Health Services Director Jeryl DeGideo, noting that the process includes 14 different certifications.

The commissioners and county Controller Raymond McHugh also accepted a $39,394 P-card rebate check from PNC Bank Vice-President Jeff Warner. The rebate was $20,000 more than last year’s check, generated through cost savings of use of PNC check cards for county purchases. “This program is a win-win for the county and PNC,” McHugh said.

During his bi-weekly report, Sanko highlighted another cost-savings program, which netted the county $10,300 through Staples and Verizon coupons. The COO also spoke briefly about a letter the county sent to Pennsylvania Secretary of State Pedro Cortes asking the state to “confirm that the Danaher system meets the requirements of the Department of State as a certified system.”

Chairman Cawley read a letter that he wrote to PEMA Bureau of 911 Programs Director Bureau of 911 Programs Robert P. Wetzel, requesting a PEMA audit review of the Bucks County Emergency Communications’ 911quality assurance program.” For a copy of the letter, click on this link. For a full audio account of the meeting, click here.