2009 News

October 22, 2009

Commissioners Visit Award-Winning Crossing Vineyards: Bi-Monthly Business Meeting Features Approval of 46 Contract Resolutions Involving 12 County Departments

After being greeted by a kaleidoscope of fall landscape colors leading to a second-level room that often hosts wine tastings and fine-dining events, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners conducted a two-and-a-half hour business session at Upper Makefield Township’s Crossing Vineyards. The vineyard, which recently was awarded a platinum international medal for a recent merlot vintage, served as a topical choice of location for a full slate of county business.

“This is a wonderful vineyard,” Commissioner Chairman Charles H. Martin observed before introducing winery owner Tom Carroll. “Last weekend, I was here as they dedicated a warehouse with unique energy saving equipment.”

 During his welcoming remarks, Mr. Carroll expounded on the merits of living in Bucks County, where 11 wineries make for one of the most popular wine-producing destinations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. “Today, we are harvesting some of our 20,000 grapevines, which will be used to make Cabernet Franc,” Mr. Carroll noted.

Amplifying on the unique historic qualities of Bucks County, members of the Bucks County Covered Bridge Society presented a check to the board for ongoing protection of the 12 covered bridges that lie within county borders. “Covered bridges are a proud symbol of times gone by,” Wayne Seifert of the Covered Bridge Society told the Commissioners after Springfield Township Supervisor Volker Oakley presented a commendation in honor of their ongoing commitment as stewards of the Knecht’s Covered Bridge. There are over 200 covered bridges remaining in Pennsylvania.

The business portion of the meeting featured the approval of 46 contracts for 12 departments, as well as the tabling of three contracts for additional review and the abstention of Commissioners Martin and James F. Cawley, Esq. on a proposed contract to provide administrative services related to the Bucks County Network against Domestic Abuse. Commissioner Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW voted against a pair of contracts for licensing and warranty extension fees involving the county’s 765 voting machines. Those contracts passed by a 2-1 vote.

Among the approved contracts were a $325,999 agreement to provide support services related to the Bucks County Network against Domestic Abuse Grant for A Woman’s Place, a $396,431 grant award for the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program (HPRP) through the state Department of Community & Economic Development, and a $3.906 million grant through the U.S. Department of Energy to be used for energy efficiency retrofits of the county administration buildings and facilities at the Churchville Nature Center. The energy grant will be coordinated through a “team approach,” according to county Chief Clerk Lynn Bush and Director of Operations Jerry Anderson.

Other approved contracts included 27 items involving the county Mental Health/Mental Retardation department – among them a $2.645 million contract with Holicong’s BARC to provide vocational rehabilitation, employment and intervention services, and a $1.553 contract with Langhorne’s Woods Services to provide adult training, pre-vocational and private licensed facility services.

Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia issued a proclamation declaring October as “Domestic Violence Awareness Month” throughout the county, adding that the Commissioners’ board “encourages victims and their families and friends to seek assistance through Family Justice Centers and by contacting the National Domestic Violence hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE.”

In addition, First Assistant District Attorney David Zellis touted the significance of a $689,932 grant award for the Bucks County Network against Domestic Abuse Grant through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Violence Against Women. “This was a partnership,” Mr. Zellis commented, thanking county Grants Coordinator Fonta Reilly, Donna Byrne of A Woman’s Place, Barbara Clark of the Network of Victims Assistance (NOVA), Chief Adult Probation Officer Sean Ryan and others. “This is the largest grant the DA office has ever received,” Mr. Zellis added.

The presentation portion of the meeting also included Commissioner plaques celebrating the five-year anniversary of county ownership of the Bucks County Horse Park. Maureen Farris touted the effort as “public policy at its best,” adding that annual membership in the park averages just 55 cents per day.  

Acting Chief Operating Officer Brian Hessenthaler touched on several themes, including the ongoing consideration of the county’s 2010 budget. “We’re going to concentrate on our issues,” Mr. Hessenthaler stated. He also spoke about the county’s recent H1N1 flu newsletter, which arrived late in many resident mailboxes in relation to last Saturday’s 4th Annual Pandemic Flu Drill. That drill inoculated nearly 6,500 residents with season flu vaccine. Mr. Hessenthaler urged county residents to read the newsletter for timely information about H1N1. 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 11 a.m. on Wednesday, November 4 at the Middletown Township Municipal Building, 3 Municipal Way, Langhorne, PA, 19047.