2010 News
May 5, 2010
Where the Pedals Meet the Road:
Commissioners Move Ahead with Bike Plan Preparations
The Philadelphia firm Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. was unanimously selected to prepare a countywide bicycle plan at the commissioners’ first May meeting. The plan will be developed as part of the county’s overall comprehensive plan, which will cover recreation, transportation and open space among other components. The commissioners first appointed a bicycle task force in 2008. The group recommended that the county conduct a study that will guide plans for enhancing the county’s path system. The study is expected to be completed in about 18 months.
Other items on the commissioners’ agenda at the meeting, held at the Upper Bucks YMCA in Quakertown, included two corrections contracts with Aramark for maintenance, project support and materials for the corrections campus in Doylestown Township. Director Harris Gubernick noted that for larger, scheduled projects, the county’s General Services Division is consulted to weigh the benefits of performing the work in-house.
Kris Kern, open space coordinator, presented a 23-acre Milford Township property that today was preserved as part of the natural areas program. According to Kern, the parcel is a keystone piece of the township’s greenway along the Unami Creek. It is located within the highlands region, a priority area supported by the state’s greenway plan, and is designated as a PA Audubon important birding area.
Before the business portion of the meeting began, the YWCA’s Allison Fox welcomed the crowd, noting the facility has programs for every age. Commissioner Chairman Charles H. Martin praised Fox and the other staff for doing an outstanding job, as evidenced by the full-to-capacity parking lot. Several proclamations were presented at the May 5 meeting, including Foster Parent and Volunteer Month, which was accepted by the county Children and Youth’s (C&Y) Jade DiClemente and foster parent Peggy Roman, who encouraged anyone considering the possibility of becoming a foster parent to contact C&Y. Roman has foster parented almost 35 children over the last decade. “It’ll change your life,” she told the group. For more information, call 215-348-6997.
Members of the Bucks County Health Department, Bucks County traffic safety, and police officers from Quakertown Borough and Richland Township all accepted a proclamation for Bike Safety Rodeo Day, to be held Saturday, May 8 at 9 a.m. at the Quakertown Memorial Pool parking lot. Children will get to ride a course, and those in need will receive a free helmet. A similar event was held yesterday in Bristol. According to health educator Kelly Pavloski, 18 children participated and received helmets at the event, held at Venice Ashby Community Center.
Corrections Officer Week was also recognized at today’s meeting, with Director Gubernick joined by Chris Pirolli. Gubernick thanked the commissioners for their acknowledgement of the work his 350-plus officers and staff do to ensure public safety in Bucks County.
A representative of the county’s only professional symphony orchestra visited the commissioners this morning to show appreciation of their continued support. Executive Director Ron Workman of the Delaware Valley Philharmonic Orchestra presented Commissioners Martin, Jim Cawley and Diane Ellis-Marseglia with a etched glass plaque, and invited meeting goers to their next free outdoor concert June 16. Visit www.dvpo.org for details.
Following an impassioned plea from a member of the public regarding the questionable fate of Washington Crossing Historic Park, Commissioner Cawley asked his colleagues to collaborate on a letter urging further dialogue between all stakeholders before any further action is taken by the state legislature.
During his chief operating officer report, Brian Hessenthaler reiterated the positive news about the county’s Aaa bond rating by Moody’s, its highest ever. He noted that it couldn’t come at a better time. With the county soon borrowing money for its justice center, the rating will save taxpayers approximately $2 million. Only two other counties of the commonwealth’s 67 share this distinction. He also mentioned the Area Agency on Aging’s upcoming public hearing, taking place Monday, May 10 from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. at the Bucks County Library Center, Pearl Buck Meeting Room, 150 South Pine Street, Doylestown. The hearing is meant to collect input from the public as the AAA begins its 2010-2011 plan and budget.
The final COO remarks punctuated the importance of citizen vigilance in the wake of the failed terror attempt in New York’s Times Square. He called the public our first line of defense. “Alert someone, contact authorities,” he said.
Chief Clerk Lynn Bush reported that the county continues to set records at its household hazardous waste events. This past Saturday, 1,238 cars showed up for the first of five scheduled collection events. She also noted that an updated Municipal Directory is now available to be viewed online. Visit the Bucks County Planning Commission for more information on both items.
The next meeting of the commissioners will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, May 19 at the Ben Wilson Senior Center, 580 Delmont Avenue in Warminster.
For a full audio account of the meeting and a copy of the business agenda, please visit www.BucksCounty.org.