2008 News
May 8, 2008
“A Living Room for The Community”
Bi-Monthly Commissioners’ Meeting Highlighted by Pennwood Branch Library Renovations, Proclamation Celebrating Older Americans Month
As the Board of Bucks County Commissioners convened its first business meeting in three weeks, the signs of spring in full bloom surrounded Langhorne Borough’s picturesque Pennwood Branch Library. The library, originally opened in 1975, has been completely renovated to become part commercial bookstore, a gathering place for teens and children alike, and a comfortable repository of knowledge.
Martina Kominiarek, executive director of the Bucks County Public Libraries, welcomed Commissioners James F. Cawley, Esq., Charles H. Martin and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW, Chief Operating Officer David M. Sanko, and new county Solicitor Glenn Hains to the Pennwood location. Kominiarek presented the commissioners with a draft of the Bucks County Public Libraries’ strategic plan, which outlined nine goals and objectives for the years 2009-2011. Those objectives include: providing attractive, safe and welcoming places to meet and interact with others or to sit quietly and read; young children will have programs and services designed so that they will enter school ready to read, write and listen; and children and teens will have the books, media, and electronic resources they need to satisfy their curiosity, explore topics of personal interest, and help them succeed in school.
Chairman Cawley, whose mother worked at the Levittown branch of the library, held up his library card for the packed room to view. For complete information about the county library system, please visit the Web site www.buckslib.com.
Prior to Kominiarek’s remarks, the commissioners presented proclamations in recognition of Older Americans Month and Corrections’ Employee Week. Commissioner Martin, upon reading the Older Americans Month document, displayed his wry sense of humor by commenting, “I knew I was going to get this one.” Brian Duke, who received the proclamation on behalf of the county Area Agency on Aging, thanked the commissioners and asked the community to become “more involved with us,” specifically addressing more than 100,000 Bucks County residents who have reached the age of 60.
Accepting the proclamation on behalf of Corrections’ Officer Week, which was read by Commissioner Marseglia, county Corrections Director Harris Gubernick saluted the board for its ongoing commitment to public safety and corrections excellence.
The meeting doubled as a salute to outgoing Solicitor Guy Matthews and a “maiden voyage” for Hains, the former Newtown Borough Mayor who replaced Matthews as full-time solicitor on May 5. Both Chairman Cawley and Commissioner Martin thanked Matthews for serving the county with “distinction and great honor.” After Commissioner Marseglia voted “nay” on approval of the April 16 meeting minutes, Hains read the list of resolutions for 14 different county departments. Each of them passed except for a Health Department rules and regulations item governing public bathing places, which was tabled until the board can do additional research.
The commissioners approved three resolutions for Emergency Communications that will provide software upgrades and maintenance for the 9-1-1 Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) system. According to Acting Director of Emergency Communications Pete Ference, the contracts will provide a Microsoft Windows-based interface and onsite emergency service within a specific amount of response time.
By a 2-1 margin, with Marseglia voting “nay,” the board approved a Records Improvement Committee resolution for development services for the Register of Wills. According to Clerk of Courts Mary Smithson, who chairs the Records Improvement Committee, the contract will not cost taxpayers anything, as the funds will be drawn from row-office transaction fees.
Marseglia also voted against a contract increase for paving and drainage improvements at the Correctional Facility on Almshouse Rd. and Rte. 611, Easton Rd.
COO Sanko delivered a comprehensive report, which included an update on the county search for a new medical director (Human Resources has received more than a half-dozen applications, with a deadline of May 23), reservoir voids affecting the Delaware River basin, and U.S. House of Representatives Bill 5036 (regarding a paper audit trail for voting machines nationwide), which fell short of approval on April 15. Sanko also urged the commissioners to draft a letter to 8th Dist. Congressman Patrick Murphy, asking the federal government to restrict property elevation costs to not exceed the property’s value. The commissioners will also be sending a letter of support to the state Senate and Representatives in support of the Public Notice Modernization Act (SB 1087) and SB 428 sponsored by Bucks Sen. Rob Wonderling. Both bills expand options for public notification for a variety of legal matters, and can result in the savings of millions of dollars. Commissioners Cawley and Martin will sign the letter. Commissioner Marseglia does not support it.
Additionally, in recognition of “Bike to Work Week (to be celebrated May 12-16 this year),” Chairman Cawley also proposed the creation of a fledgling county Bicycling Advisory Task Force.
For a full audio account of the May 7 meeting, please go to the commissioners’ meeting page.