2008 News
July 3, 2008
“A National Treasure Here In Bucks County”
Commissioners Receive Update on Veterans Cemetery Plans during Fourth of July-Themed Meeting at New Hope’s American Legion Post 79
New Hope’s 120-member American Legion Post 79 provided a patriotic backdrop for the July 2 bi-monthly meeting of the Board of Bucks County Commissioners. Prior to approving contract resolutions for 10 different county departments, Commissioners James F. Cawley, Esq., chairman, Charles H. Martin and Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW, joined a contingent of veterans as county Military Affairs Director Dan Fraley provided an update on federal plans for the 205-acre National Veterans Cemetery in Upper Makefield Twp.
According to Mr. Fraley, Phase 1A of the project will include a 12-acre early burial area with temporary facilities, followed by the second construction phase (1B). Upon completion, the 64-acre Phase 1 will provide 15,550 full casket gravesites, 15,100 pre-placed crypts, 6,500 in-ground cremation sites and 4,100 columbarium niches.
“This was a long battle, but we won. The VA recognized the beauty of this location. We won, because the veterans wanted it here,” Fraley told the audience, which included veteran Fred Caldwell, who personally collected 1,200 signatures in support of the Bucks County cemetery site. “The VA will build this in five sections. It will be built in the local architectural style, with cobblestones and slate dormers.”
Fraley also thanked the commissioners for their commitment to a 27-acre “Welcome Park,” which will be a key open-space component of the national project. The commissioners announced their intention to purchase the land for the Welcome Park during October, 2007.
The agenda portion of the two-hour meeting featured a pair of Health Department contracts intended to protect public safety. The commissioners agreed to purchase 8,500 doses of flu vaccine for fall, 2008 administration – a large portion of that total through the county’s third-annual Pandemic Flu Drill. According to Barbara Schellhorn, county director of personal health services, the commissioners’ $497,804 purchase of 12 point of dispensing (P.O.D.) supplies from VeriCor, LLC lifts the county’s P.O.D. stockpile to 24 of the 30 that would be needed for a countywide prophylaxsis in the event of a bio-terrorism event. The purchase was 100 percent funded by a bio-terrorism state grant.
The commissioners also approved a $10,000 annual grant to provide transportation services to Doylestown for family court and county court clients who need assistance making the trip. During 2007, the program provided more than 200 rides for court-related business.
Although all 10 departmental resolutions were approved, Commissioner Marseglia cast a nay vote for three individual items, including a $306,000 insurance premium renewal for coverage of county property and a pair of HVAC contracts to improve air quality for the Atrium Building in Warminster.
Chairman Cawley also announced the formation of a seven-member “Responsible Contracting Ordinance Study Group,” which will be chaired by county Finance Director Brian Hessenthaler. Other appointees include county Purchasing Director Maureen McIlvaine and citizen members Jonathan J. Reiss, Esq., Bernard A. Griggs, Michael F. Connelly, Robert G. Solarz and Gustav Perea. Commissioner Martin abstained from voting on the committee formation.
During his bi-weekly report, Chief Operating Officer David M. Sanko addressed multiple issues, including the county fire marshal’s receipt of a $40,100 grant for 10-year, tamper-resistant smoke alarms and fire-prevention education. Mr. Sanko also expressed concern about the uncertain nature of the state budget and its potential impact on county services, and offered a safety reminder regarding Fourth of July fireworks safety.
For a full audio account of the July 2 meeting, please go to www.BucksCounty.org and click on the link on the commissioners’ meeting page.