2008 News
October 1, 2008
Reaffirming a Commitment to Upper Bucks County
Commissioners Cut Ribbon on New Upper Bucks Government Services Center, Conduct Bi-Monthly Meeting at Richland Twp. Police Building
Moments after members of the Quakertown Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) raised the American flag this morning, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners – James F. Cawley, Esq., chairman, Charles H. Martin and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW – cut the ribbon to officially open the a state-of-the-art, 8,500-square foot Upper Bucks Government Services Center (GSC). The Upper Bucks GSC, located at 226 California Rd. in Richland Twp., replaces the much smaller, former county GSC at 515 West End Blvd. in Quakertown.
Surrounded by dignitaries, including Chief Operating Officer David M. Sanko, former Commissioner Sandra A. Miller, State Representative Paul Clymer, Richland Twp. Supervisor Rick Orloff, Public Works Special Projects Coordinator Joe Bush, county row officers, division leaders and department heads, the commissioners signaled a new era of service for one of the county’s fastest-growing areas.
“This will be a one-stop shop for the residents of upper Bucks,” Chairman Cawley said of the $2.617 million facility. “Services here will include the Health Department and WIC (Women, Infants and Children) clinic, the Office of Public Information, the Sheriff’s Department, Military Affairs, Adult Probation and Parole, and a new regional Consumer Protection office.”
Following the brief ceremony, the commissioners moved across the large parking lot to the Richland Twp. Chief Stuart J. Woods Police Building – where they approved contract resolutions for 15 county departments during their regularly scheduled bi-monthly meeting.
After a few welcoming remarks from Richland Twp. Police Chief Larry Cerami, Chairman Cawley presented a plaque to former Commissioner Miller for her creative inspiration in the design of the 2008 Special Edition tile from the Moravian Pottery & Tile Works. Calling the Tile Works a “wonderful treasure,” Commissioner Miller deflected credit for the new, circular design to the staff of the Tile Works.
Highlights of the resolution portion of the meeting included approval of a $22.635 million grant agreement with the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) on behalf of the Pennsylvania Southeast Regional Task Force. The three-year agreement will continue to enhance emergency interoperability capabilities in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties.
For Community & Business Development, the commissioners approved a two-year $600,000 contract to acquire and renovate properties for lease and eventual resale to low income families. According to Community & Business Development Director Vitor Vicente, this “very successful program” enables Bristol’s Interfaith Housing Development Corporation (IHDC) to provide up to 20 units to low income families through a lease-to-purchase program.
The commissioners also approved a $393,000 contract to purchase the Jeffrey and Martha Giesse property in Lower Southampton Twp. as part of the ongoing NRCS flood mitigation program. The property will be razed in lieu of condemnation.
Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia cast a dissenting vote on a $72,485 contract to approve a software license agreement for the county’s Danaher electronic voting machines. The contract covers licensing for the Nov. 4, 2008 Municipal General Election and the 2009 Municipal Primary Election. Board of Elections/Voter Registration Director Deena Dean stated that the county plans to deploy 808 Danaher machines on the upcoming Presidential election, which is nearly 100 more machines than previously used.
Commissioner Martin abstained from voting on one resolution, a grant application for the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority on behalf of Bristol Borough regarding the use of gaming funds for capital projects and public improvements by Bristol Borough. These improvements involve public safety and police facility upgrades.
During his bi-monthly COO report, Mr. Sanko issued a cautionary note about the $281 million quarterly decrease in revenues that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania reported this week. Sounding a warning that the state is on track to have a budget deficit in excess of $1 BILLION, the county is developing strategies to deal with this reduction in state funding. Because Bucks receives $131 million from Pennsylvania each year to sustain services and programs, county division leaders are being asked to make an honest assessment of their upcoming budgets. The downturn in state revenue equates to a $6 million reduction of the $131 million that is directed to Bucks annually.
Mr. Sanko praised county Grants Coordinator Fonta Reilly for securing a $398,715 U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) grant under the Safe Havens: Supervised Visitation and Exchange Program. According to the DOJ Office of Violence Against Women, this agreement supports “supervised visitation and safe exchange options for families with a history of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and stalking.”
Also included in the COO report was good news for 27 county-owned bridges, which are included in a Pennsylvania Senate Bridge Bill that has been sent to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
The commissioners presented one proclamation, which was read by Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia to recognize Sunday, Oct. 5 as “New Hope/Lambertville AIDS Walk Day.” Beginning with 9 a.m. registration at New Hope-Solebury High, FACT (Fighting AIDS Continually Together) will conduct a 10-kilometer benefit walk.
Accepting the proclamation were Mary Jane Costa of the Bucks County Health Dept. and Ken Black of FACT. “We want to thank the commissioners for their support of HIV services,” Costa noted, unveiling a red and white T-shirt urging residents to “Know Your Status.”
For a full audio account of the October 1 meeting, please go to www.BucksCounty.org and click on the link on the commissioners’ meeting page.
Check out the video from Channel 69 News WFMZ-TV