From the BCCT.
Tolls not ruled out for bridge
By CHRIS ENGLISH
Bucks County Courier Times
Motorists might have to dig into their wallets or purses to cross the new Scudder Falls bridge when it's completed in several years.
A spokesman for the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission, the group that owns and operates the I-95 bridge from Lower Makefield to Ewing, said making the new span a toll bridge hasn't been ruled out.
Pete Peterson said all options for funding the $250 million I-95/Scudder Falls bridge improvement project, or replenishing funds spent on the project, will be considered. The project, expected to start in 2011, includes a new bridge adjacent to the current one, two additional lanes on I-95 on the Pennsylvania side up to the Newtown exit, some improvements to I-95 on the New Jersey side and improvements to the bridge exits and entrances.
“We've submitted our environmental assessment of the project and, once that's reviewed and we get it back, we'll be going back to Pennsylvania and New Jersey to talk about different funding options,” said Peterson. “We'll also be looking for federal contributions. Everything is on the table, but it's probably premature to be talking about the possibility of a toll bridge until after we sit down and talk with the states and federal government about what level they can kick in to support the project.”
Peterson also said the commission won't grant Lower Makefield's request for additional sound muffling walls along I-95 in the township.
Peterson said the budget for sound barriers has been increased from $3 million to about $7 million. The Lower Makefield supervisors still want a little more to go toward muffling sound from the highway for a few more residents, but Peterson said bridge commission officials say they've already gone above and beyond and that's enough.
“We've gone 150 percent above what was required and that's sufficient at this point,” he said.
But Lower Makefield won't stop asking.
“We haven't gotten any formal response from them so we'll continue to advocate for additional sound barriers,” responded Lower Makefield Supervisor Steve Santarsiero. “We're not taking this as a final response and we'll continue to work to get those additional sound barriers.”
Santarsiero said he didn't like the idea of the new bridge possibly being a toll span.
“Personally, I would argue against that,” he said. “I can't speak for the entire board of supervisors. It's probably premature to talk about it. Once decisions are made on exactly how this project will unfold, then those other types of issues can be addressed.”
A draft environmental assessment that the bridge commission prepared for the project is being reviewed by the New Jersey and Pennsylvania departments of transportation and the Federal Highway Administration. The environmental assessment is also being reviewed by federal and state environmental resource and regulatory agencies with regard to project findings, assessments and mitigation for environmental considerations, including historical and archeological resources, threatened and endangered species and wetlands, among others.
The Federal Highway Administration is the agency ultimately responsible for reviewing the environmental assessment and determining whether it's acceptable and can be distributed for public examination and comment during a 30-day period that would include a public hearing.
Once the assessment is approved, the project would enter its final design phase, probably next year and in 2010, said Peterson. The latest timeline, always subject to change, has construction starting sometime in 2011, he said.
While final decisions haven't been made on exactly how the project will be built, the bridge commission's recommended preferred alternative has the following elements:
Widen I-95 in Pennsylvania to the Newtown exit by adding one lane in each direction. The additional lanes would be taken from the grass median separating the northbound and southbound sides of the highway.
Reconfigure the Taylorsville Road interchange in Lower Makefield by eliminating the eastern southbound off-ramp from I-95 and combining it with the western southbound off-ramp. All other ramps at the interchange would be retained with minor alignment modifications. This part of the project also includes other improvements, including changes to I-95 acceleration and deceleration lanes to improve traffic safety and flow.
Replace the Scudder Falls bridge with a new span just slightly upstream. The new bridge would have five lanes northbound [three for through traffic and two for auxiliary entry/exit] and four lanes southbound [three for through traffic and one for auxiliary entry/exit]. This part of the project also calls for full inside and outside shoulders. Bicycle and pedestrian lanes on the southbound side of the bridge are also being considered and a decision will be made during final design.
Reconstruct and reconfigure the Route 29 interchange through the use of roundabouts.
For more information, call the project hot line, 800-879-0849, or visit www.scudderfallsbridge.com or www.drjtbc.org. on the Web.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Yes, We CAN Make You Pay For That
From the BCCT
Residents take on debt to pay for curb work
By GEMA MARIA DUARTE
Bucks County Courier Times
Bridgette Tattersall was ready to tap into her 401(k) retirement plan to pay for mandated curb and sidewalk work at her Rumpf Avenue home in Penndel.
“I was desperate,” she said Thursday afternoon, referring to the repair costs she was facing — and her two layoffs in less than a year. “The letter [from the borough] said if we didn't put in the curbs and sidewalks, [the borough] could put a lien against our house or we could face jail time.”
Instead of tapping into her retirement account, she and husband Robert opted to get a loan to pay for the $4,000 curb repair and sidewalk installment.
The Tattersalls are among several residents who took on debt to pay for the work required by the borough.
In April, Penndel sent Rumpf Avenue residents notices about the borough's summer street resurfacing project. But before the street work could be completed, homeowners were told they had to repair curbs and either fix or install sidewalks by July 1.
After residents complained of the short notice and begged for more time, the borough extended the curb repair deadline to Aug. 1 and the sidewalk installment work to September 2009.
As of Thursday, most of the curbs had been repaired and borough officials said they expect the street reconstruction to be completed by the end of the month.
Like the Tattersalls, Laura Moffitt's family also took out a loan. They borrowed $7,000 for curb work alone, she said.
“The way the economy is, it would have been nice if we could have saved up the money instead of getting a loan,” she said.
Residents take on debt to pay for curb work
By GEMA MARIA DUARTE
Bucks County Courier Times
Bridgette Tattersall was ready to tap into her 401(k) retirement plan to pay for mandated curb and sidewalk work at her Rumpf Avenue home in Penndel.
“I was desperate,” she said Thursday afternoon, referring to the repair costs she was facing — and her two layoffs in less than a year. “The letter [from the borough] said if we didn't put in the curbs and sidewalks, [the borough] could put a lien against our house or we could face jail time.”
Instead of tapping into her retirement account, she and husband Robert opted to get a loan to pay for the $4,000 curb repair and sidewalk installment.
The Tattersalls are among several residents who took on debt to pay for the work required by the borough.
In April, Penndel sent Rumpf Avenue residents notices about the borough's summer street resurfacing project. But before the street work could be completed, homeowners were told they had to repair curbs and either fix or install sidewalks by July 1.
After residents complained of the short notice and begged for more time, the borough extended the curb repair deadline to Aug. 1 and the sidewalk installment work to September 2009.
As of Thursday, most of the curbs had been repaired and borough officials said they expect the street reconstruction to be completed by the end of the month.
Like the Tattersalls, Laura Moffitt's family also took out a loan. They borrowed $7,000 for curb work alone, she said.
“The way the economy is, it would have been nice if we could have saved up the money instead of getting a loan,” she said.
Throw out the Scouts!
From the Intelligencer.
Scouts forced to stop school recruitment
By THERESA HEGEL
The Intelligencer
In past years, signing up for Scouting has been a relatively simple process for Pennridge families.
All they had to do was show up at back-to-school night in September, and they'd find tables in the lobby devoted to both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
This year, however, those informational tables will no longer be a fixture in the district.
The decision came after a religious group threatened Pennridge with a lawsuit for not allowing both secular and spiritual organizations to stump for members.
The district is not ready to open the lobby to every group that wants a table, Superintendent Robert Kish said. And, according to their attorney, that's exactly what they'd have to do.
“It would be a matter of who you say no to,” he said.
Restricting back-to-school tables to school-affiliated groups, such as parent-teacher organizations, keeps the district on solid legal ground.
“Litigation is expensive,” Kish said. “It's sad, but unfortunately, it's the way things are these days.”
A group of parents involved in the Boy Scouts showed up at Tuesday's special board meeting to question the decision.
Bill Sherman of Perkasie said he understands where the district is coming from, though he doesn't necessarily agree with its decision. His 11-year-old son, who is home-schooled, advanced into Boy Scouts in the spring after several years as a Cub Scout.
“Scouting has been shown to be such a great organization for giving boys a leg up on leadership and values,” Sherman said. “Why wouldn't anyone want to make that available to as many kids as possible?”
Kish, however, has nothing but respect for Scouting.
“We've had a good working relationship with the Scouts for a long time,” he said. “I'm sure we're going to continue that.”
Offering them a space at back-to-school night “is just one of those things we're not going to be able to do,” he said.
Most of the district's open houses are clustered in the second week of September. The evening events consist of a brief orientation and a chance for parents to meet their children's new teachers, Kish said.
Pennridge has had troubles on the religious front before.
Last year, a group of parents was upset that a song was removed from an elementary Christmas concert for being too overtly Christian.
One of the mothers involved contacted an attorney, though she said she had no intention of suing.
In 2001, the district was sued by a graduate of Pennridge High School after he was temporarily prevented from distributing a flier in school that questioned the district's policy on the evolution vs. creationism debate.
Scouts forced to stop school recruitment
By THERESA HEGEL
The Intelligencer
In past years, signing up for Scouting has been a relatively simple process for Pennridge families.
All they had to do was show up at back-to-school night in September, and they'd find tables in the lobby devoted to both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.
This year, however, those informational tables will no longer be a fixture in the district.
The decision came after a religious group threatened Pennridge with a lawsuit for not allowing both secular and spiritual organizations to stump for members.
The district is not ready to open the lobby to every group that wants a table, Superintendent Robert Kish said. And, according to their attorney, that's exactly what they'd have to do.
“It would be a matter of who you say no to,” he said.
Restricting back-to-school tables to school-affiliated groups, such as parent-teacher organizations, keeps the district on solid legal ground.
“Litigation is expensive,” Kish said. “It's sad, but unfortunately, it's the way things are these days.”
A group of parents involved in the Boy Scouts showed up at Tuesday's special board meeting to question the decision.
Bill Sherman of Perkasie said he understands where the district is coming from, though he doesn't necessarily agree with its decision. His 11-year-old son, who is home-schooled, advanced into Boy Scouts in the spring after several years as a Cub Scout.
“Scouting has been shown to be such a great organization for giving boys a leg up on leadership and values,” Sherman said. “Why wouldn't anyone want to make that available to as many kids as possible?”
Kish, however, has nothing but respect for Scouting.
“We've had a good working relationship with the Scouts for a long time,” he said. “I'm sure we're going to continue that.”
Offering them a space at back-to-school night “is just one of those things we're not going to be able to do,” he said.
Most of the district's open houses are clustered in the second week of September. The evening events consist of a brief orientation and a chance for parents to meet their children's new teachers, Kish said.
Pennridge has had troubles on the religious front before.
Last year, a group of parents was upset that a song was removed from an elementary Christmas concert for being too overtly Christian.
One of the mothers involved contacted an attorney, though she said she had no intention of suing.
In 2001, the district was sued by a graduate of Pennridge High School after he was temporarily prevented from distributing a flier in school that questioned the district's policy on the evolution vs. creationism debate.
Tax Hike For Ambulances
Here's a follow up article to the rescue squad referendum on the November ballot.
A public service message from Captain Obvious: Did you notice that the Borough Council members are all pretty quiet about this, especially our resident high official?
In Morrisville, the referendum question will ask: "Shall Morrisville Borough levy an annual tax of two mills for the support of Ambulance and Rescue Squads serving the Borough of Morrisville?"
Morrisville Borough officials did not submit an explanation or statement about why the voter referendum is being sought.
There had been considerable discussion at Morrisville Borough Council meetings about the dire financial situation of the Morrisville Ambulance and Rescue Squad.
In July, Brian Eckert, chief of the squad, and Roxie Rookstool, squad supervisor, had appealed to the council, asking for a 2-mills tax increase. Council members agreed to put it to the voters.
Eckert had said the squad had a deficit of $14,000 in December 2008. The annual budget is about $450,000.
The main problem, according to Eckert and Rookstool, is a "drastic loss in fund drive revenue." The annual fund drive was down $12,000 from last year.
Eckert and Rookstool explained the squad needs a new truck. Currently, there are two trucks, but one is 18 years old and the other is five to six years old. They said a new vehicle, which would cost $200,000, is a "necessity."
A public service message from Captain Obvious: Did you notice that the Borough Council members are all pretty quiet about this, especially our resident high official?
In Morrisville, the referendum question will ask: "Shall Morrisville Borough levy an annual tax of two mills for the support of Ambulance and Rescue Squads serving the Borough of Morrisville?"
Morrisville Borough officials did not submit an explanation or statement about why the voter referendum is being sought.
There had been considerable discussion at Morrisville Borough Council meetings about the dire financial situation of the Morrisville Ambulance and Rescue Squad.
In July, Brian Eckert, chief of the squad, and Roxie Rookstool, squad supervisor, had appealed to the council, asking for a 2-mills tax increase. Council members agreed to put it to the voters.
Eckert had said the squad had a deficit of $14,000 in December 2008. The annual budget is about $450,000.
The main problem, according to Eckert and Rookstool, is a "drastic loss in fund drive revenue." The annual fund drive was down $12,000 from last year.
Eckert and Rookstool explained the squad needs a new truck. Currently, there are two trucks, but one is 18 years old and the other is five to six years old. They said a new vehicle, which would cost $200,000, is a "necessity."
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