In a Former One-Room Schoolhouse, Commissioners Honor Students, Educators for Conservation Efforts
A brief history lesson was offered as the June 2 meeting of the Bucks County commissioners began. Plumstead Township Supervisor Vice Chairman Stacey Mulholland welcomed the audience to the meeting at the Plumstead Township building by pointing out that the area where participants sat was once a one-room schoolhouse, built in 1858. She presented each commissioner with a book on the history of the township, which was officially formed in 1725. The school was an appropriate setting for the Conservation District awards, presented to one educator, several students and other citizens for their environmental stewardship efforts. Executive Director Gretchen Schatschneider presented the high school student of the year award to James Douglas of Palisades High School, the outstanding individual conservation award to Alan Carey of Newtown, conservation organization of the year to No Child Left Inside’s Stacey Mulholland and outstanding conservation educator to Cheri Tenaglia of William Tennent High School.
During the business portion of the meeting, Commissioners Charles H. Martin, chairman, Cawley, and Diane Ellis-Marseglia considered and adopted a slate of items from 15 departments. Among them was the first farm to be preserved in East Rockhill Township under the Agricultural Preservation program. With the 70-acre easement, program administrator Rich Harvey now counts 138 farms on 11,722 acres preserved in perpetuity. Open Space program coordinator Kris Kern also offered two properties for preservation, a 73-acre parcel in Bedminster Township and a 70-acre parcel in Nockamixon Township that she noted is within the Gallows Run watershed.
Several Health Department items were approved as part of phase 2 of the federal H1N1grant. Dr. David Damsker, director, noted that the equipment approved by the commissioners will allow the department to establish large-capacity points of dispensing in the event of a large health emergency.
One Corrections item was tabled from the agenda – a contract for fingerprint and imaging systems interface and administration.
Chief Operating Officer Brian Hessenthaler reported that PECO has planned a power outage for Thursday, June 3 at 11 p.m. through Friday, June 4 at 4 a.m. Those affected should have received notification from PECO. Additionally, he shared information on the Area Agency on Aging and the PA Department of Agriculture’s farmer’s market nutrition program. Those interested should call the AAA at 215-348-0510 to determine eligibility. Hessenthaler also congratulated Neshaminy Manor for earning the Excellence in Action award for a fourth consecutive year. In order to qualify for the Excellence in Action Award, a facility must score in the top 10 percent of overall customer satisfaction. During the most recent MyInnerView surveys, Neshaminy Manor received a customer satisfaction rating of 99.3 percent from long-term residents and their families.
Chief Clerk Lynn Bush provided meeting goers with an update on four municipalities who are recipients of the PECO Green Region grant program. They are New Britain township and borough, Doylestown Township and Morrisville Borough. She also lauded the dedication and meaningful work of Fred Groshens who recently tendered his resignation from the Open Space Advisory Board. Bush credited him with his policy development and vision from the program’s inception in 1997.
The next meeting of the Bucks County Commissioners will be held at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, June 16 at the David Library, 1201 River Road, Washington Crossing.
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