BUCKS COUNTY CONSORTIUM Thursday, November 4, 2004 Meeting Minutes A meeting of the Bucks County Consortium was held at Luigi’s Ristorante Italiano on November 4, 2004. The following individuals were present: Chuck Barrett, Commerce BankVivian Bell, Warrington Township Eileen Bradley, Wrightstown Township John Boyle, Newtown Township John Cornelius, New Britain Township Frank Farry, Middletown Township Dean Fernsler, Department of Community and Economic Development Don Harris, Newtown Township Stephanie Mason, Doylestown Township William McCauley, Bensalem Township Sue McKeon, Lower Southampton Township Bob Pellegrino, Newtown Township Richard Sabol, Upper Southampton Township Dan Sharapan, Warwick Township Marilyn Stecker, Milford Township Jeffrey Vey, Milford Township Gail Weniger, Warwick Township Linda Wieand, Tinicum Township Paul Williams, Dublin Borough Preliminary Remarks Frank Farry called the meeting to order, announced the morning's agenda, and thanked Commerce Bank for sponsoring the annual roundtable discussion of the Bucks County Consortium. Approval of Minutes A motion was made by Bob Pellegrino, and seconded by Jeffrey Vey, to approve the Minutes of October 7, 2004. Motion carried. Treasurer’s Report The Treasurer’s Report for October was presented. A motion was made by Jeffrey Vey, and seconded by Gail Weniger, to approve the Treasurer’s Report for October. Motion carried. Presentation: “Roundtable Discussion – Emerging Trends in Volunteer Fire Service” Dean Fernsler, a Local Government Policy Specialist for the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, and Don Harris, Newtown Township Fire Marshal presented. The presentation covered a wide array of volunteer fire service issues. Topics covered included: revenue generation, special projects such as a fire extinguisher recharge program, departmental responsibilities that may also include zoning and land development, volunteer vs. paid fire departments, National Fire Prevention Association standards, fire prevention programs, staff scheduling, shift rotations, day coverage / daytime response, statewide perspectives, departmental standard operating procedures and skill sets, cooperative agreements (regionalization), future financial trends and impacts, financial incentives (pensions, awards, insurance, call compensation programs), volunteer retention rates, training costs, Garcia ruling, DCED fire publications, the reduction of firefighters in the Commonwealth from 210,000 in 1970 to 70,000 in 1990, etc. New & Old Business Eileen Bradley made a motion, seconded by Paul Williams, that the slate of officers for 2005 be closed. The slate of officers included Jeffrey Vey, President; Bob Pellegrino, 1 st Vice-President; Gail Weniger, Second Vice-President; and Vivian Bell, Treasurer. Motion carried. John Cornelius made a motion, seconded by Paul Williams, to approve the slate of officers. Motion carried. Stepahanie Mason reported that an International City Managers Association (ICMA) University Workshop, “Leadership Lit From the Best Sellers List” was held on Thursday, 30 September 2004 in Ambler. She made a motion that the Bucks County Consortium provide a contribution in the amount of $500 toward the training program’s cost. Gail Weniger seconded the motion. Motion carried. Adjourn Frank Farry directed that a thank you be sent to Chuck Barrett of Commerce Bank for sponsoring the November meeting. He also announced that the next meeting will be the annual Holiday Party and that it would be held on Friday, December 3 rd at Luigi’s, and that information concerning the event would be forthcoming. Respectfully submitted, ___________________ |