2010 News
July 21, 2010
Commissioners Visit Tinicum Township’s Scenic Sand Castle Winery for Bi-Monthly Business Meeting
In another installment of the Board of Bucks County Commissioners’ effort to take its bi-monthly business meetings to diverse county locations, the board visited Sand Castle Winery in Tinicum Township July 21. Chairman Charles H. Martin, Vice Chairman James F. Cawley, Esq. and Commissioner Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW were welcomed warmly by Sand Castle owner and proprietor Joseph Maxian. Asked prior to the meeting how many acres make up the Sand Castle wine and catering operation, Mr. Maxian replied: “You never have the acres; they have you – and the answer is 72.”
The third-oldest winery in Bucks County (behind Buckingham and Peace Valley), Sand Castle sold its first bottle in 1988. It features classic European grapes that have been crafted by European winemasters. Mr. Maxian takes great pride in his product, stating, “All over the world, people marvel, ‘Is this from Pennsylvania?’ I say, ‘Not only from Pennsylvania, but Bucks County.’ “ Sand Castle is also one of the eight members of the Bucks County Wine Trail, which can be visited online at www.buckscountywinetrail.com.
Following Mr. Maxian’s remarks, Chairman Martin asked attendees to remember former Bucks County Judge Ward F. Clark, who passed away Monday. The then commissioners considered a full slate of county business that included 39 contract resolutions for 15 departments and four budget adjustments. Among them were 17 contracts for the Area Agency on Aging – many of which were annual renewals of recreational and educational programs for the senior centers located throughout Bucks.
The board untabled and approved a $35,000 contract for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding of the roof and surrounding structure of the Morrisville Borough Library entrance. The contract request was explained by borough officials and unanimously approved by the commissioners following those clarifications. “In a down economy, investing in libraries makes a lot of sense,” Commissioner Cawley commented.
Another highlight of the meeting was the approval of $32,294 to purchase a new, 2011 15-passenger bus for Military Affairs. Both Chairman Martin and Commissioner Cawley lauded the unique veterans’ bus program, which has provided free rides to the Philadelphia and Coatesville VA Hospitals since 2001. County Military Affairs Director Dan Fraley spoke of the great popularity of the program, noting that various organizations have contributed $7,000 in support to date during 2010. The bus that is being taken out of service has 250,000 miles on the odometer.
The county Open Space preservation program added 55 acres through a $263,000 conservation easement on the Hardy property in Springfield Township. According to Open Space Coordinator Kris Kern, the property is part of the headwaters of Cook’s Creek – one of the county’s critical watersheds. The county shared the cost of the preservation on a 50-50 basis with Springfield Twp.
For Parks & Recreation, the board approved a $48,350 contract with Kaiser Construction Co., Inc. of Denver, PA to stabilize and restore a historic stone barn that is located adjacent to the canal and River Rd. in Point Pleasant. The contract includes roof replacement, interior post and beam repairs and miscellaneous masonry repairs. According to Parks & Recreation Executive Director Bill Mitchell, the barn dates back to 1810, or before the canal existed. Mr. Mitchell explained that the structure, once restored, will be rented to prospective tenants that include tile crafters and a bike-rental company.
Commissioner Marseglia voted “no” on four contract resolutions, including a portion of a $3.158 million Children & Youth contract renewal with Youth Services Agency of Jim Thorpe, PA to provide case management, counseling and residential treatment services; an amendment to the lease for the Pennsylvania Southeastern Region Counter Terrorism Task Force offices in Warwick Twp; a $200,000 contract to cover compensation for the Counter Terrorism Task Force employees; and a $9,259 increase for Excess Workers Compensation. She also abstained on a $3,970 MH/MR contract amendment to reallocate funds to the Lenape Valley Foundation. Those items each passed by a 2-1 margin.
During his chief operating officer’s report, Brian Hessenthaler spoke of the delegation from Namdong District, Korea, which is visiting and touring Bucks County this week in conjunction with the commissioners and the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce. He invited the public to the annual Korean Armistice Ceremony of Remembrance, which will take place at noon on Saturday, July 24, in the county Courthouse Memorial Courtyard (in front of the Korean War Memorial on Court St.). He also reminded residents to participate in the Bucks County Comprehensive Plan Survey, which is available through August 23 on the county website, www.BucksCounty.org, at libraries, chambers of commerce and through the county Planning Commission office. He also mentioned that the county budget cycle for 2011 begins in earnest on August 2. For an audio account of the July 21 meeting, please visit the home page of the official county website, www.BucksCounty.org.