2009 News

May 6, 2009

Justice Center Project Takes Another Stride Forward
Construction Manager Hired After Exhaustive RFP Process, Commissioner Interviews

The Bucks County Commissioners, Chairman Charles H. Martin, Jim Cawley and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, held their first bi-monthly meeting of May inside the spacious banquet hall of the Milford Township Fire Company, which doubles as the temporary home of the Upper Bucks Senior Center. Marking a major milestone, part of the business portion of the meeting allowed the Justice Center project to again stake another step forward, with the hiring of a construction manager.

Among the 37 items involving 16 departments, the $2.258 million contract with Joseph Jingoli & Son, Inc. will provide construction management services for the parking garage and justice center. The recommendation prompted a lengthy discussion that included explanations from General Services Director Jerry Anderson, who detailed the state grant requirement that the county execute a contract with a construction manager in order to qualify for state funds to defray project costs. Chairman Martin added that the Jingoli bid was much lower than the other two qualified bidders for the job, which came in at $4.9 million and $3.9 million, respectively. Chairman Martin also referenced the recent construction work that Jingoli managed for Chester County’s Justice Center and at Neshaminy Manor, Bucks County’s award-winning senior and assisted living facility. “Chester County was very pleased,” he noted. Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia expressed her opposition to the contract award, voting against it.

Commissioner Marseglia also cast nay votes for items 3b, 3c, 3e, 3g, 3h, 9a and 16a (click here to view agenda). At Mr. Anderson’s request, the board also tabled a contract to replace the roof of the Administration Building in Doylestown.

To the delight of several in the audience, the board voted unanimously to install fire retardant, repair shingles and replace signs on six covered bridges in the upper portion of the county. The project will protect the structures from potential arsonists and other damage.

The fire company hall provided a gracious and appropriate setting for the annual proclamation of May as “Older Americans Month” throughout Bucks County, among other proclamations and a commendation presented by the commissioners.

During her opening remarks, Upper Bucks Senior Center Director Rose O’Brien trumpeted the center’s highly successful membership drive, which has lifted the organization’s numbers from 137 to its current level of 842. “We’re a team,” O’Brien explained. Accepting the Older Americans Month proclamation was Area Agency on Aging (AAA) Advisory Council Chair Nancy Keenan. Fifty-two years ago, Keenan and her husband held their wedding reception in the Milford Township Fire Company banquet hall.

The board asked county AAA Director Brian Duke to present the Charles A. Kane “Friend of Seniors” Award to Milford Township Manager to Jeffrey Vey. The award, named for the late AAA Director Kane – who passed away during June, 2007 – honors a distinguished advocate of the senior community. Mr. Vey, who also serves as president of the Milford Township Fire Company, told a large assemblage that included dozens of Senior Center members, “It’s not what we take; it’s what we give that is our true measure.” During the “Other Civics” portion of the meeting, the commissioners voted unanimously to award $2,000 to the Upper Bucks Senior Center to support ongoing operations.

In addition to the Older American Month proclamation, the board proclaimed May as “Foster Parent and Volunteer Month,” May 3-9 as “Corrections Officers and Employees Week” and Saturday, May 9 as “Letter Carriers ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ Food Drive Day.” Bucks County residents are reminded to place non-perishable food items beneath their mailbox for collection during this one-day event. Last year, Bucks Countians contributed 144,000 pounds of food to the U.S. Postal Service-sanctioned drive, during which more than 300,000 Letter Carriers collected more than 73.1 tons of food nationwide.

During his Chief Operating Officer’s report, David Sanko referenced the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania budget deficit, which is currently projected at greater than $3 billion. He invited the public to the National Day of Prayer ceremony, to be held at noon, May 7, in the Doylestown courthouse courtyard, and he reminded voters to participate in the May 19 Municipal Primary Election.

The next meeting of the Bucks County Commissioners will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 20 at the Solebury Township Building, 3092 Sugan Rd., Solebury.