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BUCKS COUNTY CONSORTIUM

Thursday, February 3, 2005

Meeting Minutes

A meeting of the Bucks County Consortium was held at Doylestown Borough on February 3, 2005. The following individuals were present:

Preliminary Remarks

Jeffrey Vey called the meeting to order, announced the morning's agenda, and thanked Doylestown Borough for sponsoring the February meeting of the Bucks County Consortium.

Approval of Minutes

A motion was made by Mark Fournier, and seconded by Paul Williams, to approve the Minutes of February 3, 2004. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer’s Report for January was presented. A motion was made by John Cornelius, and seconded by Mark Fournier, to approve the Treasurer’s Report for January. Motion carried.

Presentation: “Police Regionalization”

Chief James Donnelly of Doylestown Borough, Chief Paul T. Dickinson of Perkasie Borough, and Chief Joseph Costello of Warwick Township presented the topic of police regionalization. Included in the discussion were the following topics: regionalization on a school district basis, redundancy of current police services (e.g., records and investigations), current regionalization efforts (SERT), available information and resources (e.g., the survey “Police Services in Pennsylvania”), how regionalization might work, municipal oversight and political representation, regionalization myths (saving money, officer reduction, “policing is policing”), available grants, political issues, community fears (not knowing the police officer), officer fears (what is going to happen to me?), opportunities (better school selection, and specialized skill training), roadblocks, evolving police responsibilities, etc. The panel then answered a series of police regionalization questions: John Davis asked that the panel elaborate on the position of police officers; Mark Fournier discussed resistance to police regionalization, and the role of the State Police; John Granger stated that it would be best to focus on those regionalization objectives that are immediately achievable; John Cornell stated that regionalization might evolve from the expansion of current municipal agreements, and state involvement; and Daniel Olpere discussed public incentives and how those incentives were impacted by State Police services. Other questions and discussion included those related to successful regionalization (Philadelphia County, Northern York, Allegheny County, etc.).

Membership: Plumstead Township

Richard Sabol reported that Plumstead Township’s application is in order. A motion was made by Bob Pellegrino, seconded by Paul Williams, to accept the membership of Plumstead Township. All members were in agreement, and membership status was granted.

Committee Formation

The following membership committees were formed: Legislative to be chaired by Dan Olpere, Training to be chaired by Stephanie Mason, Public Safety to be chaired by Gail Weniger, and Capital Improvements to be chaired by Jeffrey Vey.

New & Old Business

Sue McKeon discussed issues related to volunteer fire companies, and reported that the Borough’s Association might be available to deal in depth with fire company related topics.

John Davis reported on the issue of police officer stand-by court pay. He asked that he would keep the membership informed on this issue, and requested that Richard Sabol distribute information from him, related to this matter, to the membership.

Dave Nyman discussed a “report of duty” clause established by Plumstead Township.

Jeffrey Vey asked members to forward police contracts to Milford Township for placement on a central website.

Adjourn

Dan Kerr made a motion, seconded by John Davis to adjourn the February meeting of the Bucks County Consortium @ 11:05AM. Motion carried.

Respectfully submitted,

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