2010 News

April 8, 2010

As Municipal Officials Report Open Space as a Top Area of Interest, 137th Farm is Preserved by Commissioners

At their first meeting outside the courthouse since last year, the Bucks County Commissioners approved an agenda spanning 12 departments, including the preservation of a Quakertown corn and soy bean farm on over 80 acres in between two other preserved properties. Program Director Rich Harvey noted that the Coby farm now brings the county’s tally of preserved farms to 137, and the total acreage to 11,652.

The meeting’s host, Executive Director Anne Marie Spinden of the Bucks County Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (BCABVI) in Newtown, welcomed meeting-goers and outlined some of the programs the organization oversees, including voter registration for the home-bound and free vision screenings for over 3,000 pre-schoolers.  The Web site www.bucksblind.org details how the BCABVI helps their 900 clients lead rich, vibrant and independent lives. Spinden also invited the crowd to patronize the thrift shop located at 400 Freedom Way. 

Four proclamations were presented by the commissioners, Chairman Charles H. Martin, Jim Cawley and Diane Ellis-Marseglia, one honoring the Newtown Library’s 250th anniversary, another acknowledging National Crime Victims Week, a third recognizing Month of the Young Child, and the last, to highlight the Bucks County High School Poet of the Year, the George School’s Ashley Choi who read aloud her award-winning prose.

The business portion of the agenda included a full slate of 15 General Services contracts, mostly relating to energy efficiency projects using federal stimulus funds. The largest item approved unanimously is the $1.5 million bid award for window replacements in the county administration building. Director of Operations Jerry Anderson brought a sample for commissioners to see, which he says is one of the most energy efficient options in the market, and will reap a savings for taxpayers into the future. Acting Chief Clerk Lynn Bush, who served on the county’s stimulus task force with Anderson, emphasized that these dollars are intended to make existing facilities as energy efficient as possible. Other projects include replacement of the cooling tower and boiler system.

Commissioners tabled a Juvenile Probation contract for electronic monitoring services, pending more information. Marseglia voted nay on a contract with the National Union Insurance Company, which provides for a public officials and employment practices liability insurance policy. That measure carried, 2 to 1.

In his bi-monthly Chief Operating Officer report, Brian Hessenthaler noted the 28th annual Bucks County Senior Games will be held beginning June 1. Also in the Area Agency on Aging’s realm, the Bristol Senior Center recently won a competitive grant for $91,000 to build a café for members. The grant’s purpose is to revolutionize nutrition for seniors.  Hessenthaler also encouraged participation in a survey seeking input from family caregivers of veterans. The survey can be found at http://www.gwsurvey.com/caregiversofveterans.html and is being administered by the National Alliance for Caregiving.  A bench warrant system designed by the county’s Information Technology was introduced at the meeting. Chief Information Officer Don Jacobs told the commissioners that citizens can enter anonymous tips in the new system, which can be found at  http://www.buckscountyonline.org/.  

Lynn Bush rounded out the meeting by updating the group on last Wednesday’s municipal seminar. Feedback gathered by the elected officials, and township and borough managers indicate that the three top areas of importance are business vitality and jobs, transportation, and open space.

The next meeting of the commissioners will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 21 at the Bensalem Library, 3700 Hulmeville Road.

For a full audio account of the meeting and a copy of the business agenda, please visit www.BucksCounty.org.