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BUCKS COUNTY CONSORTIUM
Thursday, June 1, 2006
Meeting Minutes
A meeting of the Bucks County Consortium was held at Buckingham Township on June 1, 2006. The following individuals were present:
Chuck Barrett, Commerce Bank
John Boyle, Newtown Township
Eileen Bradley, Wrightstown Township
Katie Braun, Warrington Township
Dana Cozza, Buckingham Township
Joe Czajkowski, Upper Makefield Township
John Davis, Doylestown Borough
Dave Drye, Chalfont Borough
Frank Farry, Middletown Township
Wayne Fultz, New Britain Township
Deb Gentile, Penndel Borough
Mark Goldberg, Warwick Township
Tim Hagey, Warminster Municipal Authority
Don Harris, Newtown Township
Tom Harwood, Newtown Township
Rick Lee, Delaware Valley Insurance Trust
Linda McNeill, Tinicum Township
Ted Middleman, Wrightstown Township
Bob Pellegrino, Newtown Township
Richard Sabol, Upper Southampton Township
Herb Schoell, Upper Southampton Township Sewer & Water Authority
Daniel Sharapan, Warwick Township
Ray Stepnoski, Buckingham Township
Elizabeth Sunday, Plumstead Township
Jeff Vey, Milford Township
Gail Weniger, Warwick Township
Preliminary Remarks
Gail Weniger called the meeting to order, announced the morning's agenda, and thanked Buckingham Township for sponsoring the June meeting of the Bucks County Consortium.
Approval of Minutes
Joe Czajkowski made a motion, seconded by Eileen Bradley, to approve the Minutes of May 4, 2006. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report
Richard Sabol presented the Treasurer’s Report, prepared by Treasurer Vivian Bell, for May. A motion was made by Bob Pellegrino, and seconded by Joe Czajkowski. Motion carried.
Presentation: “NIMS: National Indident Management System”
Don Harris, Director of the Newtown Township Emergency Services Department, presented. Mr. Harris explained the evolution of the NIMS program, provided details concerning
its administration, defined many different levels of NIMS training and certification (eg., ICS 200, 300, and 400), and explained how online testing is conducted.
One item of particular note in regards to NIMS training is that elected officials and anyone expected to respond to an incident is required to complete the basic NIMS course.
To complete the basic course, as well as one advanced course, Consortium members are encouraged to contact him by e-mail at donh@twp.newtown.pa.us.
Mr. Harris, a certified instructor,
will then be able to notify Consortium members about class offerings including one that will be given in the near future at a Council Rock School District facility.
Mr. Harris' presentation concluded with a discussion of the local government NIMS role. He described the following: the role in relation to both large and small scale emergency incidents,
the goal of a "unified command", what comprises a command (including the incident commander, finance officer, logistical officer, etc.), and how personnel might optimize results in an emergency situation.
After a discussion of other municipal organizations such as BCATO that is sponsoring NIMS training, as well as offers by members to include other members in previously scheduled training sessions,
Joe Czajkowski made a motion, seconded by Bob Pellegrino for the Consortium to sponsor a weekday NIMS training. Motion carried.
Presentation: "Playground Design and Maintenance"
Daniel Sharapan, Warwick Township's Park & Recreation Director and a certified playground inspector, presented.
Mr. Sharapan began his presentation by distributing copies of a pamphlet called "The Dirty Dozen: Twelve Playground Hazards" by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
The twelve hazards are as follows: improper protective surfacing, inadequate fall zone, protrusion and entanglement hazards, entrapment in openings, insufficient equipment spacing,
trip hazards, lack of supervision, age-inappropriate activities, lack of maintenance, pinch and other edge hazards, platforms with no guardrails, and equipment not recommended for public
playgrounds. Mr. Sharapan discussed each of these hazards in some detail. One item of particular note is that he informed the membership that only one state requires
playground inspections and that is California.
Picnic Announcement
Jeff Vey notified the membership that the annual picnic of the Bucks County Consortium will be held on July 21st at Milford Township. Mr. Vey discussed this year's planned activities, anticipated donations,
and an e-mailed invitation that would be mailed to all members. Joe Czajkowski stated that he would contact Comcast in order to request a donation.
New & Old Business
Joe Czajkowski and Jeff Vey discussed a formalized meeting - on a regular basis - of member Public Works Directors.
John Davis notified the Consortium membership of his municipality’s interest to hold a formal document shredding day.
Linda McNeill discussed Tinicum Township’s need to obtain water usage data. She asked that any member having data about water consumption per household share it with her municipality.
Gail Weniger asked that members forward arbitration award information to the Consortium’s webmaster, and bring ideas forward about future meeting topics.
Bob Pellegrino announced that Perkasie Borough completed and distributed the Consortium’s annual salary survey.
Adjourn
Linda McNeill made a motion, seconded by Bob Pellegrino, to adjourn the meeting at approximately 10:15AM. Motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted,
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