2010 News

August 20, 2010

“Building the Leaders of Tomorrow"
Commissioners Open 62nd Annual Middletown Grange Fair No. 684 with Bi-Monthly Business Meeting

For 62 years, the Middletown Grange Fair No. 684 has served as a forum to celebrate agriculture and its rich tradition throughout the Bucks County community. According to Grange Fair Director Scott Dengler, the five-day event in Wrightstown Township is a time to “pay particular attention to (4-H) youth, because they are the backbone of this fair, and the future of the fair.”

Following its annual tradition, the Board of Bucks County Commissioners helped to “officially open” the Grange Fair during a flag raising ceremony that also included the National Anthem and the 4-H Pledge. Commissioner James F. Cawley, Esq. opened the board’s bi-monthly business meeting by reading a proclamation recognizing the Grange as a “showcase for Bucks County 4-H youth to present the culmination of their yearly projects and livestock for judging. The Grange Fair brings the community together and showcases the talents of our neighbors as they enter over 4,200 items for judging ranging from cakes to quilts.”

Commissioner Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW followed by proclaiming August 18, 2010 as “4-H Day” throughout the county. In accepting that proclamation, 4-H Coordinator Bob Brown extended his appreciation to the commissioners, calling them “the backbone and foundation of what drives our program.” Each commissioner also received a traditional basket of Bucks County produce, presented by Mike Fournier of the Penn State Cooperative Extension.

The crowning of the 2010 Grange Fair Queen, Ashley Mullican, 18, of Yardley, led to a full slate of business during which the board approved 40 contract resolutions for 14 county departments and tabled one item, a contract to purchase publications for the Law Library.

The approved items included a trio of very significant land preservations, among them the 136.75-acre Mease Farm on Slifer Valley Rd. in Springfield Township and 69.41 acres of the Snipes Farm on West Bridge St. in Falls Twp. According to county Agricultural Land Preservation Director Rich Harvey, the Snipes Farm is the first preserved by the county in Falls Township. “In the spirit of the Grange Fair, the Snipes Farm is the oldest farm in Bucks County under continuous family operation – more than 300 years,” Mr. Harvey told the commissioners.

The county contributed $683,750 to the conservation easement on the Mease Farm, which features 65 Black Angus cattle and crops. It is the 14th farm preserved by Bucks County in Springfield Twp. With the addition of the Mease and Snipes farms, the county Agricultural Land Preservation program has protected 140 farms encompassing 11,892 acres since 1990.

In addition, the county Open Space Program added 25 acres through a Natural Area Programs Grant to acquire a 25-acre conservation easement on the Snipes property. According to Jonathan Snipes, “This is a real honor for us. It is the culmination of years of conversation about ways to protect our farm.” Also in attendance was 91-year-old Sam Snipes, Jonathan’s father. “This property is very significant for its natural resources and wooded areas,” noted county Open Space Coordinator Kris Kern.

The commissioners adopted a Planning Commission stormwater management plan for the Neshaminy Creek Watershed – the largest watershed in the county. The plan was initially conducted in 1992, making Bucks County one of the first in Pennsylvania to develop such a plan. Yesterday’s adoption took place as a public hearing.

For Parks and Recreation, the commissioners approved a pair of home purchases in Bristol Township through federal funds from the NRCS Flood Mitigation program. At the owners’ request, both homes will be demolished rather than elevated, as they lie in the Neshaminy Creek flood plain.

The commissioners also approved $62,232 for the settlement of four agreements relating to the Robin Run and Warrington Dams. Those settlements will be made to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Clean Water Fund and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Fish and Boat Commission, respectively. At Commissioner Marseglia’s suggestion, the county will address the matter with the engineering company involved with the dams, Carroll Engineering.

Commissioner Ellis-Marseglia cast a pair of no votes on General Services contracts related to a Declaration of Taking to acquire a handicap accessible ramp required by PennDOT for the county Parking Garage, as well as a Declaration of Taking to acquire a 7,622-square foot parcel in Doylestown Borough required for construction of the new Judicial Center.

The next commissioners’ meeting will take place on September 1, 2010,  at 10:00 a.m.
in the Morrisville Free Library, 300 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Morrisville Borough. For an audio account of the August 18 meeting, please visit the home page of the official county website, www.BucksCounty.org.