2010 News

December 16, 2010

Commissioners Approve $14 Million Guaranty Agreement for Lower Bucks Hospital

A full slate of business highlighted the final 2010 meeting of the Board of Bucks County Commissioners, which took place at the Bucks County Visitors Center in Bensalem Township. In addition to adopting a no-tax increase county operating budget for the fifth consecutive year, Commissioners approved 50 contract resolutions for 16 departments, adopted four budget adjustments and agreed to enter into a “guaranty agreement guaranteeing the timely payment of principal and interest on a series of Bonds to be issued by the Redevelopment Authority of the County of Bucks” in an amount not to exceed $14 million for Lower Bucks Hospital.

Lower Bucks Hospital, which is currently restructuring through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, opened in 1954 and employs 1,000 full and part-time workers. According to hospital President Albert Mezzaroba, the facility is the only mental health unit in Bucks County. “The support of the county is what is going to keep us running into the future,” he told the board. While Commissioner Chairman Charles H. Martin and Commissioner James F. Cawley, Esq. voted to approve the guaranty agreement, Commissioner Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW abstained from the vote. After unsuccessfully requesting a postponement on the vote, Commissioner Marseglia requested a copy of the Lower Bucks Hospital business plan from Mr. Mezzaroba, and also expressed concern about the hospital’s human resources protocols.

The last commissioners’ meeting of the year has become a tradition at the Visitors Center, which features a display of 25 decorated trees from 25 different local organizations. “This is by far the best year,” praised Jerry Lepping, executive director of the Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau. Chairman Martin concurred by adding, “This facility is so attractive at this time of year.” The trees will be on display at the Visitors Center until January 8, 2011.

Among the 50 resolutions was a $34.6 million contract with Independence Blue Cross of Philadelphia for hospitalization, medical, prescription and vision coverage to approximately 2,500 county employees. The contract also includes 250 additional dependents that are part of the federal health care passage for individuals up to the age of 26. The contract represents a 9.6-percent increase, according to county Human Resources Director Meredith Dolan. That 9.6 figure represents a significant reduction from the original projection of 16 percent, according to Dolan. Commissioner Cawley voted against the Blue Cross contract, objecting to the additional dependent coverage in its blanket form.

The county added 37 acres to its Open Space preservation rolls, as the board approved a Natural Areas Grant for $102,476 to acquire a 30.2-acre conservation easement on Woodcock Lane in Springfield Township and a Municipal Open Space Grant with Warrington Township to acquire a 7-acre portion of property on Stump Rd. According to county Open Space Coordinator Kris Kern, the Springfield Township addition is particularly significant because it involves a creek that flows into the county-owned Lake Towhee. That lake is the source of clay that is used by the Moravian Pottery and Tile Works in Doylestown.

Commissioner Marseglia voted against a pair of Children & Youth contracts, a $98,550 renewal with Pathways Adolescent Center of Oil City, PA and a $235,000 renewal with Pinebrook Family Services of Allentown, PA.

The meeting also featured the passage of new county Health Department rules and regulations governing all wells and their construction specifications. County Chief Clerk Lynn Bush praised this addition to the county regulation arsenal, while Health Director Dr. David Damsker noted that all existing wells will be grandfathered from the new rules.

During his bi-weekly chief operating officer remarks, Brian Hessenthaler noted that the county Military Affairs office took delivery on its new veterans’ bus this week. The former bus provided more than 10,000 rides to local VA hospitals while racking up more than 268,000 miles. Mr. Hessenthaler also reminded employees and members of the public that the annual Courthouse Christmas program will take place at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 23, in the third-floor rotunda.

The meeting concluded with the award of $187,000 to 20 non-profit organizations through the bi-annual Bucks County Conference and Visitors Bureau Grant Awards program. The monies are generated through hotel taxes. To date, the program has provided approximately $800,000 to local non-profits. Commissioner Cawley credited Chairman Martin as the “brainchild” of the program. This year’s awards went to: Bucks County Zoo ($12,000); Bristol Riverside Theatre ($8,000); New Hope Celebrates ($3,500); Doylestown Historical Society ($4,000); Pearl S. Buck International ($15,000); Bowman’s Hill Wildflower Preserve ($15,000); River Road Business Alliance ($10,000); Johnsville Centrifuge ($2,000); James A. Michener Art Museum ($25,000); Bucks County Wine Trail ($15,000); Delaware Valley Philharmonic ($3,500); Craven Hall ($3,000); New Hope Historical Society ($3,500); Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce ($15,000); Bucks County Audubon Society ($7,000); Garden of Reflection ($5,000); Bucks County Choral Society ($2,500); Bucks County Historical Society – Mercer Museum ($30,000); Newtown Corporation ($2,000); Historic Fallsington ($6,000).

Tom Carroll, owner of Crossing Vineyards in Washington Crossing, thanked the commissioners for their support of the Bucks County Wine Trail. With nine vineyards, Bucks County has more than any other county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The next meeting of the Board of Bucks County Commissioners will take place at 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 6, 2011, in the Courthouse Community Room, 1st Floor, Doylestown, PA 18901. For an audio account of the Dec. 15 meeting, please visit the official county website, www.BucksCounty.org, and click on the commissioners’ meetings link.