2008 News
November 6, 2008
“Popcorn and a Meeting”
Commissioners Conduct Bi-Monthly Session inside America’s Longest Continuously Operating Theater, the Historic Newtown Theater
With 356 seats and a gently sloping balcony that is modeled after historically significant Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C., Newtown Borough’s charming Newtown Theater holds a unique place in Bucks County lore. As the longest continuously operating theater in the United States, it is a community Mecca for both full-screen movies and live performances coordinated through the Newtown Arts Company.
Sharing the Newtown Theater stage one day after a nearly 75 percent voter turnout in the 2008 General Election, Bucks County Commissioners James F. Cawley, Esq., chairman, Charles H. Martin, Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, LCSW, Chief Operating Officer David M. Sanko and Solicitor (also former Newtown Borough Mayor) Glenn D. Hains, Esq. approved contract resolutions for 14 different county government departments.
Despite a nay vote from Commissioner Marseglia, plans to construct the county’s new, 1,200-space parking garage on Broad St. moved forward by a 2-1 margin. Commissioners Cawley and Martin approved a $20.512 million agreement with Lobar, Inc. of Dillsburg, PA for general construction of the garage. Lobar was the low bidder among the nine companies who participated in the process.
By a 2-1 vote, the board also approved a $591,800 contract with Willow Grove’s Guy M. Cooper for plumbing and fire protection for the new parking garage, and an $80,500 contract with Pipersville’s Worth & Company for HVAC for the same facility.
According to county Operations Director Gerald Anderson, the electrical contract for the garage is being evaluated after having been re-bid. COO Sanko noted that current construction estimates are running at four- or five-year-old estimated cost levels, which will save county taxpayers “millions” of dollars on the project.
County Quality Assurance Director Dick Manna provided an update on the NRCS Neshaminy Creek elevation program, for which the commissioners unanimously approved three contracts to complete utilities additions and elevate two homes in Hulmeville Borough. According to Mr. Manna, the highly successful federal program involves 29 more homes to be elevated and 60 utility-room additions.
Other highlights of the regularly scheduled agenda included a $593,943 contract increase to provide congregate and home-delivered meals through the Area Agency on Aging, a $394,000 contract through the Department of Homeland Security to train volunteers and purchase cots and supplies to handle displaced persons in a disaster (or regional shelter for up to 30,000 people), and a $178,870, one-year grant award and related documents for the Truancy Reduction and Curfew for Kids (TRACK) Project.
Another high note of the two-and-a-half hour meeting was the unanimous approval and acceptance of a $100,123 bequest and deed for 15.9 acres on Elm Ave. in Northampton Twp. as part of the Churchville Nature Center. The donations were generated from the estate of Lucille B. Wynkoop, a longtime volunteer at Churchville Nature Center. Mrs. Wynkoop, a life member of the nature center, passed away last September. According to county Executive Director of Parks & Recreation Bill Mitchell, the 15.9-acre gift is “part of the overall master plan” for the nature center complex.
Churchville Nature Center Naturalist Chris Stieber recalled Mrs. Wynkoop as a true benefactor. “She loved seeing all the kids being educated,” he said. “We are going to use her property as part of the Churchville Nature Preserve. It will have nesting boxes and provide a forum for aquatic studies.” The property also showcases at least a score of deer, which earned the appropriate nickname, “Lucille’s deer.”
During his COO report, Sanko praised county officials for their effort in educating the public about county voting procedures and executing a smooth election. He specifically lauded the Board of Elections, the Planning Commission, the Print Shop and the Sheriff’s Department. “In spite of some doomsayers’ predictions, the sky did not fall,” Sanko noted. “I hope this removes once and for all any doubts about these machines’ ability to handle crowds.”
On Election Day, Commissioner Martin – who chairs the county Board of Elections – traveled to 30 different precincts about the county. Commissioners Cawley and Marseglia also visited multiple precincts to monitor the proceedings. According to Cawley, the election represented a “Herculean task,” one that ultimately resulted in an “impartial, fair, efficient election.” Commissioner Marseglia requested a follow-up meeting to discuss the election and ways to continue sharpening the voting process.
The meeting opened with a proclamation read by Commissioner Martin, recognizing Newtown’s 325th anniversary. The one-time county seat has been a vibrant part of Bucks County’s civic and cultural life for more than three centuries. The commissioners also extended a letter of commendation, read by Commissioner Marseglia, to Bensalem High Social Studies Teacher George Daka, who recently was chosen as the Pennsylvania Council for Social Studies (PCSS) Secondary Level Teacher of the Year for 2008.
The commissioners also received a comprehensive update on the financial and operating activities of the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA) from authority executives. The BCSWA serves more than 380,000 people.
For a full audio account of the November 5 meeting, please go to www.BucksCounty.org and click on the link on the commissioners’ meeting page.