2009 News

September 16, 2009

Commissioners Move Forward With Churchville Nature Center “Green” Expansion
During Bi-Monthly Business Meeting, Planning Commission Executive Director Lynn T. Bush Named Interim County Chief Clerk

Addressing one of the most comprehensive building projects in Bucks County annals, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners, Chairman Charles H. Martin, Vice-Chairman James F. Cawley, Esq. and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia approved four contracts that will lead to the environmentally friendly growth of the county-owned and operated Churchville Nature Center in Northampton Twp. The meeting doubled as a farewell and tribute to outgoing county Chief Operating Officer/Managing Director and Chief Clerk David Sanko. His chief clerk duties will be handled on an interim basis by Lynn T. Bush, executive director of the county Planning Commission.

On the 45th anniversary of Churchville Nature Center, which is completely booked with school-oriented education programs through the end of the 2009-10 school calendar, the approved contracts include electrical, HVAC, plumbing and general construction items that were drawn from federal “stimulus” funding and came in $275,000 under previous bid specifications. Further, the project will serve as a guide for future county projects that seek to attain the LEED certification, which is sanctioned by the U.S. Green Building Council. LEED is an internationally recognized buildings certification system. “We are very pleased today to award these contracts and get this Churchville Nature Center project started,” county General Services Director Jerry Anderson said when called upon by Chairman Martin.

During a presentation about the environmentally friendly elements of the Churchville expansion, project architect George Donovan touted the multiple green elements of the project, including: geothermal wells, radiant floor technology, a green roof, rainwater storage, porous paving parking areas, photovoltaic (solar) panels, occupancy sensors and other features. Churchville Nature Center Naturalist Chris Stieber thanked the commissioners for their commitment to the project, noting the environmental and habitat preservation education efforts that take place daily at the county facility.

“I am quite pleased, as I am sure my colleagues Commissioner Martin and Commissioner Marseglia are,” Commissioner Cawley stated, adding that he first became aware of the project as chief of staff for Pennsylvania Senator Tommy Tomlinson. “This is a good day.”

The business resolution portion of the meeting also featured the approval of 48 contracts for 14 departments, including 26 renewals of existing contracts for the Area Agency on Aging (AAA). According to AAA Director Brian Duke, these contracts all represent service extensions to the senior community. Among them were a one-year, $180,000 contract with Bucks County Transport to subsidize transportation services for seniors, a $425,000 contract to provide attendant care services for seniors, and multiple contracts for adult day and recreational services and home-delivered meals.

The commissioners also approved three Community & Business Development contracts totaling $976,000 for homeless individuals and services, and a “warden’s agreement” contract with the York County Prison to provide for housing to a maximum of 20 Bucks County female inmates for an indefinite period of time. “We are ready to move immediately,” noted Corrections Director Harris Gubernick. Commissioner Marseglia voted against the contract, and also voted against a $55,454 contract to provide consulting services for the federally mandated narrowbanding project for Emergency Communications.

Continuing its open space acquisition efforts, the board approved a $350,000 Natural Areas Program Grant application for the acquisition of an 87-acre conservation easement in Durham Township. According to county Open Space Coordinator Kris Kern, the purchased included 50 percent county funding, 40 percent state grant funding and 10 percent from a property-owner bargain sale. The 87-acre tract is part of the Gallows Run Watershed, of which the county previously has preserved 300 acres.

The meeting also featured three proclamations from the board, including the annual recognition of Constitution Week and Constitution Day (anniversary: Sept. 17, 1787). Accepting on behalf of the Washington Crossing Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was former Commissioner Sandra A. Miller, who will participate in the recognition of “Bells Across America” at 4 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 17, in the second floor lobby of the county courthouse.

Chairman Martin presented a proclamation on behalf of POW/MIA Recognition Day, which will be recognized on Friday, Sept. 18, 2009. Commissioner Marseglia presented a proclamation on behalf of FACT (Fighting AIDS Continually Together), which was established in 1992 to raise funds and increase awareness in an effort to combat the consequences of AIDS in Bucks. FACT will hold its 10th annual AIDS Walk on September 27, 2009.  The walk has become a much-anticipated event and a major fund raising effort for FACT.  Beginning at New Hope-Solebury High School, participants will walk a scenic, 6.2-mile route through New Hope and Lambertville.

For a full audio account of the meeting and a copy of the business agenda, please visit www.BucksCounty.org. The next meeting of the commissioners will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, October 7 at the Pearl S. Buck Historic Site, 520 Dublin Rd., Perkasie, PA 18944.