2009 News

January 7, 2009

A Seamless Transition
For Eighth Time since 1995, Commissioner Charles H. Martin Elected Chairman

Each January, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners conducts its traditional reorganization meeting, specifically to designate the chair and vice-chair for the upcoming year’s slate of business. This morning, as the board returned to the familiar comfort of the first-floor community room of the Doylestown courthouse, Commissioner Charles H. Martin continued to build upon his distinguished record of service to Bucks County.

Following Commissioner Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia’s unseconded nomination for Commissioner James F. Cawley, Esq. to continue as the board chair for the second straight year, Commissioner Cawley nominated Commissioner Martin to serve as chair for the eighth time during his tenure. Despite an “opposed” vote by Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia, Commissioner Martin was appointed by a 2-1 vote. He previously chaired the board during 1996, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2007.

“I want to thank Commissioner Marseglia, but tradition has been that, Commissioner Martin and I – during our term of service – alternate the chair,” Commissioner Cawley told the assemblage. “Charley’s ability to conduct business as the chairman is well-documented.”

Commissioner Martin, the longest-tenured majority commissioner in Bucks County’s rich history, expressed gratitude to his colleagues, noting: “I will have a tough act to follow. I think 2008 was certainly an enviable record. A lot of things that were good occurred. You (Chairman Cawley) are to be commended for your leadership. We will look to continue our progress in 2009.”

After Commissioner Cawley was selected vice chair by a 3-0 vote, the commissioners unanimously approved business resolutions for 14 departments. These included a $54,887, two-year pass through contract to provide shelter services for homeless persons at the American Red Cross Homeless Shelter and a $400,000 contract with Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County to provide housing units in Perkasie Borough for six low-income families.

Arthur Feltes, the county’s new Recycling Coordinator who formerly held the same position in Montgomery County, addressed a five-year contract with Bristol’s Otter Recycling Center, Inc. for receiving and marketing recyclables. The contract is an extension of a contract that has been in place for the last decade and generates revenue for participating municipalities.

The board approved a contract with the county Planning Commission to provide planning assistance to update Lower Makefield Township’s Open Space Plan. According to Planning Commission Executive Director Lynn Bush, Lower Makefield is one of five county municipalities currently enlisting the Planning Commission to update its plan. Seven were recently completed in order to establish parameters for use of a portion of the $87 million Open Space referendum that voters overwhelmingly approved during the November, 2007 election. “It’s a pretty simple process,” Ms. Bush said of the municipal open-space documentation. “We ask them, ‘What did you do with the money last time, and what do you plan to do with it this time.”

The meeting included one proclamation which designated January, 2009 as “National Blood Donor Month” throughout the county. In support of that effort, the county plans to conduct a pair of employee blood drives during late January/early February. The county’s new health director, Dr. David Damsker, joined employee blood drive coordinator Lauren Emma to thank the commissioners for their support. “Hopefully, we will have a lot of employees come and help us out,” Dr. Damsker noted.

During his chief operating officer’s report, David Sanko addressed several items, including state budget shortfall projections that range into the $1.5-$2 billion range. According to Mr. Sanko, there is “not a lot of appetite to raise taxes” at the state level. Nonetheless, he cautioned, “It (the projected deficit) is going to require some difficult choices. We are going to continue to monitor the situation.”

Following public comment, Commissioner Cawley briefly reflected on his first four years as a member of the board. Referencing the county’s successful Open Space preservation efforts, the recent groundbreaking for Phase I of the Justice Center, multiple capital project groundbreakings and ribbon cuttings, and three consecutive years without no property tax increase, he added, “I want to provide this ‘first full term’ report to the people of Bucks County. I hope I have been worthy of their trust. I look forward to continue working with this board to improve the quality of life for the people of Bucks County going forward.”

The next commissioners’ meeting will take place at 10 a.m. on Jan. 21, in the Doylestown courthouse community room. For a full audio account of the Jan. 7 meeting, please go to www.BucksCounty.org and click on the link on the commissioners’ meeting page.