2010 News

April 21, 2010

Commissioners are Dogs’ Best Friends:
Bucks to Move Forward With First County Dog Park

One of the projects on Commissioner Chairman Charles H. Martin “top 10 list,” revealed last year, will move forward with the unanimous approval of a fencing contract at the April 21 meeting of the Bucks County commissioners. The county’s first off-leash dog park is planned at Core Creek Park, located in Middletown Township and is being designed and built by General Services’ staff. The fencing contract puts the finishing touches on the plans. General Services originally received a proposal from an outside vendor for the entire project – Director of Operations Gerry Anderson was tasked with finding a more reasonably priced solution. The approved option will save nearly $340,000 over the original proposal.

Planned features include areas for large and small dogs, areas for shade and water, and of course, waste stations. Owners will be required to fill out an application to use the new facility, slated to open this summer, which will document that the dog has been licensed and vaccinated, for the safety of all humans and canines using the new park.

Among the 15 departments represented on the agenda, the Fire Marshal’s office will now conduct fire safety inspections for businesses in Plumstead Township. In its efforts to increase revenues amid decreases in state and federal funding, the Fire Marshal reached out to municipalities to offer the service. This is a pilot program in which the township will bill building owners, and then pay the county based on the approved fee schedule.  

Commissioners also approved an extension to municipal agreements with the boroughs of Bristol, Penndel, Ivyland, Hulmeville, Morrisville, Langhorne Manor and Tullytown, and the townships of Lower Makefield, Wrightstown and Bristol for recycling services provided by Otter Recycling.  Commissioner Marseglia voted no on items 1E (Children & Youth contract for foster care services), 10 (Juvenille Probation contract for electronic monitoring services), and13A (Public Information contract for newsletter production), and abstained on item 7 (Fire Marshal contract for safety inspections in Plumstead Township). Commissioner Martin abstained on item 3A (Community & Business Development contract with the Bucks County Housing Group for an amendment to the repayment clause for the Fountainville Project loan).  

The meeting, held in the Bensalem Library, began with a proclamation recognizing May 8 as Letter Carriers Food Drive Day, when carriers will be collecting non-perishable food donations along their routes, for delivery to the Bucks County Housing Group, Penndel Shelter and many other food pantries throughout Bucks County. Go to www.stampouthunger.info/partner to find out more.

Bee Diddy, the Health Department’s immunization mascot made an appearance with his beekeeper to tout National Infant Immunization Week.  Visit the Health Department's Immunization page to view the department’s immunization schedule.

One day before Earth Day 2010, Consumer Protection Director and Bucks Employees Green Initiative (BEGIN) Co-Chair Mike Bannon was invited to enumerate the committee’s 2009 accomplishments, including lighting upgrades at retrofits in county buildings, a low-mow/no-mow program at the Neshaminy Manor complex in Doylestown Township, recycling at the Grange Fair and modernization of the county fleet for energy efficiency.  Since the county began recycling bottles and cans in its facilities in 2007, waste has been reduced by nearly 100,000 tons and recycling has gone up nearly 10 percent. 

In two key personnel appointments, commissioners unanimously promoted Brian Hessenthaler to chief operating officer, and Lynn Bush to chief clerk.  Additionally, David Boscola assumes the position of acting finance and administration director as the county seeks a permanent replacement for Hessenthaler.  To read more, visit http://www.buckscounty.org/news/2010/2010-04-21-COOChiefClerkAppointments.aspx.  

The next meeting of the commissioners will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 5 at the Upper Bucks YMCA, 401 Fairview Avenue, Quakertown.

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