2007 News

November 8 , 2007

Commissioners Applaud Voters for Overwhelming Approval of Open Space Referendum All 54 Bucks County Municipalities, All 308 Voting Districts

Twenty departments were represented on the agenda at today’s bi-monthly commissioners’ meeting, held at the courthouse in Doylestown.  Before the board turned to its new business, Commissioners Charles H. Martin, James F. Cawley and Sandra A. Miller paid tribute to Roving Park Ranger Dan Gol for his role in ensuring the capture of a bank robber in Doylestown Township. Gol was surrounded by family and colleagues as he received a commendation letter for his dutiful efforts. Additionally, with November recognized as Adoption Awareness Month, the county’s Children and Youth office, adoption division, was presented with a proclamation for their work toward finding 40 permanent, loving adoptive families for area children last year.

Those items highlighted at the meeting included a contract to provide additional holding cells at the Bucks County Correctional Facility. Harris Gubernick explained that the currently undersized reception unit will now be afforded an expansion, freeing up critical cell space.  Gubernick anticipates the new reception unit will be operational in approximately four weeks.

The commissioners also approved a municipal open space grant to acquire a 6.3-acre conservation easement on a property in Chalfont Borough. Kris Kern, Open Space program coordinator, explained that this particular property illustrates the creativity that can be achieved with municipalities facing limited space. Ten greenhouses currently dot the land where a park will soon stand, once the land is remediated. The county obtained the land for only 10 percent of its appraised value.     

The commissioners thanked Kern and all supporters of the county’s successful open space referendum, which passed by a large margin Tuesday night. Seventy-four percent of all voters gave the nod for the county to proceed with a plan that aims to include all areas of the county in its continued preservation efforts.

A Parks and Recreation item highlighted on the agenda features the sale of a 24-acre parcel of land by Toll Brothers, allowing Bucks County to build a passive park at the entrance to the planned veteran’s cemetery in Upper Makefield and Newtown townships.

In his regular report, David Sanko, chief operating officer, noted that this week’s election saw 28.62 percent of voters turn out.    Sanko also pointed out that the final piece of the county’s parking garage plan is under review by the Doylestown Borough Planning Commission. “We’ve gotten very positive feedback” from the professionals reviewing the plan, he told the commissioners.   Finally, Sanko reminded meeting-goers that the county’s digital health department is now up and running, with over 100 food facility inspections already online. 

Thursday morning also allowed the board to remember Lucille Trench, former Bucks County commissioner, who passed this week. Commissioner Miller remembered she was Ms. Trench’s immediate predecessor, and reflected, “They were big shoes to fill.” Miller noted she often sought her counsel and advice in the early days of her first term.  Commissioner Cawley told the gathering, “She always held the best interest of the people of the county in mind. I can’t think of any better criteria for us to use.”  Chairman Martin echoed their sentiments.  

The next meeting will be held in the courthouse community room on Wednesday, November 21.