2008 News

November 20, 2008

“Truth, Justice and a Classic Design”
Commissioners Approve Contract Resolutions for 13 Departments, Including $6.57 Million for Architectural Design of New Justice Center

By a 2-1 vote, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners today approved a $6.57 million contract with New York City design firm Hellmuth, Obata & Kassabaum (HOK) to provide architectural services for a new Doylestown Justice Center. The resolution is the first step in the third and final phase of the master plan that will include a new, 1,200-space parking garage on Broad St., the razing of the current multi-deck parking garage on Main St., and a 265,000-square foot Justice Center.

County Director of Operations Gerald Anderson told the commissioners’ board – Chairman James F. Cawley, Esq., Charles H. Martin and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW – that the $6.57 million figure represented a savings of approximately $5.5 million from a March, 2008 proposal of over $12 million from HOK. “We felt that was too much,” Anderson noted, adding that the new agreement was structured last week. Commissioner Martin expressed his sentiments about the design contract by observing: “The desire was to continue (moving forward on the Justice Center project), but not at any cost.”

During a two-hour session that took place in the spacious meeting hall of Hulmeville Borough’s William Penn Fire Company, Chairman Cawley and Chief Operating Officer David M. Sanko praised Anderson and “his negotiating team” for the substantial contract cost savings. Commissioner Marseglia cast the dissenting vote on the design contract and savings.

By a 2-0-1 vote – with Commissioner Martin abstaining – the board also approved a $1.53 million electrical contract with Huntingdon Valley’s Palman Electric, Inc. for work on the new parking garage. With construction contracts now in place, groundbreaking for that facility will take place during the upcoming months, according to county officials. Commissioner Marseglia, citing her first affirmative vote for the Justice Center project, indicated she didn’t want to delay the project by voting no.

To the delight of Chairman Cawley, the commissioners unanimously approved a 20-year cooperative agreement with Bucks County Community College to provide public-safety training services at a 12-acre site on the Rohm & Haas grounds in Bristol. Through a “unique set of circumstances,” the Lower Bucks Public Safety Training Center will be built through a series of funding streams that include $2.5 million
from the commissioners, $1.25 million secured by former 8th District Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick, funding secured by current 8th District Congressman Patrick Murphy, and funding from the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

“I’d like to thank the Lower Bucks Public Safety Training Center Committee,” Chairman Cawley told committee chair Robert Hedden. Commissioner Martin added his appreciation for the committee’s patience in reaching this point in the process. Mr. Hedden told the commissioners, “We’re anxious to get going.”

During his bi-weekly COO report, Mr. Sanko reminded those in attendance that the county’s proposed 2009 budget will be unveiled next week.

Commissioner Marseglia offered several items for consideration as part of miscellaneous other items, including 18 recommendations regarding poll workers and election-day issues and a proposal to distribute teen drug-testing kits through county offices or agencies. The Bucks County Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, chaired by District Justice Donald Nasshorn, will make a recommendation within 30 days for consideration regarding the drug-testing kits.

The meeting opened with a proclamation declaring Nov. 22, 2008 as “Survivors of Suicide” Day throughout the County of Bucks. It was read by Commissioners Marseglia and Cawley, and presented to members of the county Health Department and Coroner’s Office and Joe Werner of the Neshaminy School District. Each year, roughly 32,000 Americans commit suicide. Barbara Shellhorn of the Health Dept. shared up-to-date 2008 suicide statistics for Bucks County. View the Bucks County 2008 Suicide Statistic Map.

Approximately a year and a half ago, Bucks County Coroner Dr. Joseph Campbell was approached to explore the topic of suicide prevention within our adolescent community. Subsequent analysis of data indicated that the adult and elderly populations should be included in prevention efforts, as well. The Coroner’s office has teamed with the Bucks County Health Department and extended invitations to county and private agencies to form and sustain a Suicide Prevention Task Force that addresses all groups at risk throughout Bucks County

A second presentation involved a Letter of Commendation to Perkasie’s Nancy Keenan as the 2008 recipient of the Pennsylvania P4A Advocacy Volunteer Award. This award, for which she was nominated by peers from the Bucks County Area Agency on Aging (AAA), underscores her commitment as the longtime chair of the AAA Advisory Council. Joining the commissioners for the presentation was Pennsylvania Association of Area Agencies on Aging Executive Director Crystal Lowe. Mrs. Keenan thanked the Bucks County senior community, and offered a special note of thanks to her husband for helping her become a valued advocate for the senior population.

For a full audio account of the November 19 meeting, please go to www.BucksCounty.org and click on the link on the commissioners’ meeting page.