From the BCCT.
Nominees sought for Landmark Towns award
By GEMA MARIA DUARTE
Do you know an outstanding person, business or organization involved with the Landmark Towns projects?
Nominate that person or entity for the first Landmark Towns of Bucks County community achievement awards.
“The awards are intended to recognize and celebrate the achievements of the best people, businesses and organizations in Bucks County whose works complement the mission of Landmark Towns,” said Donna Boone, regional Main Street coordinator for Landmark Towns of Bucks County.
Landmark Towns is a regional revitalization initiative of four boroughs along the Delaware Canal — Bristol, Morrisville, New Hope and Yardley. The project, which is led by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, is designed to help these small towns renew economic life in their business districts, while preserving and enhancing their industrial and cultural heritage.
“The countless hours that these individuals, businesses and not-for-profit organizations provide significantly contribute to a better quality of life, making the four Landmark Towns better places to live, work and play,” Boone said.
Nominations can be made in several categories, such as Landmark Towns of Bucks County Partner of the Year, Woman in Business, Philanthropy, Economic Development, Cultural/Historic Organization, Community Enrichment and Business Excellence.
Details of each category can be found in the nomination brochures available at the four borough halls or by requesting them from Boone at 2 Canals End Road Suite 204-C in Bristol or calling 215-781-2605.
Nominations are due by Jan. 16. Recipients will receive their awards at a banquet April 29 at the Yardley Country Club.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Pickled??
From the BCCT.
Towns work through economic downturn
By JAMES MCGINNIS
So anxious he couldn’t sleep, Northampton township Manager Robert Pellegrino walked into budget meeting after budget meeting but gave the community only two options — raise taxes or lay off cops.
When people stopped buying homes, the tax on real estate transfers in Northampton fell more than $600,000. Pellegrino said he had “no cushion.”
And if the troubles of Wall Street continue to hit small town Main Street, other towns across Lower Bucks could be in the very same pickle next year.
Communities throughout the area are bracing for significantly lower returns on their investments, less revenue from building permits and fees, and higher costs on everything from insurance to road salt and even bullets. (Some police are paying nearly three times as much for ammunition thanks to the war in Iraq.)
Facing a $1.1 million deficit this year, Bristol Township will draw from a “dangerously low” cash reserve to balance the budget. Township Manager Jeff Bartlett warned that the town could run out of money in two or three years. But Councilman Rick Pluta said he was more worried about the poor. “If we raise taxes,” he said, “that could be someone’s prescription drug bill for the month.”
Bristol Township and its sister to the south seemed polar opposites this budget season. Bensalem will continue to spend big (and offer tax rebates) thanks to $10 million in casino host fees from Philadelphia Park and a $61 million nest egg from the sale of its sewer system. Still, Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo was cautious about the future.
Investments that generated $3.6 million in 2007 will yield only $2.1 million this year, Bensalem finance manager Jack McGinley estimated. Still there’s enough money for the $250 rebate check for the owners of every home in town.
Bensalem started offering its rebates in 2007. The people of Falls will get rebate checks for the first time in 2009 — $100 for every property owner and $50 for every business owner.
But that might seem a pittance compared to the $5,000 “gift” checks headed to all those who own property in Tullytown. Landfill fees will allow the borough to continue to provide the rebate checks and a large number of services this year, according to the budget.
Tullytown property taxes pay for the borough administration but wouldn’t be enough to cover expenses for police, public works or street repairs, as budgeted for 2009. Tullytown’s reliance on landfill income was cause for concern when then-outgoing borough manager Andy Warren presented his budget in October. Landfill income could begin to taper off in two to three years, leaving the borough in a pickle, he warned.
Already pickled, Morrisville — with the third-highest municipal property taxes in Lower Bucks — had to raise them another $70 this year.
When Mayor Thomas Wisnosky found out there wasn’t enough money for new police guns, he gave up his $2,900 salary. Wisnosky said some of the department’s guns were more than 20 years old.
Still some towns are managing to make ends meet. With some of the lowest municipal taxes in the area, Langhorne, Penndel, Newtown, Lower Southampton and Newtown Township will go without a tax increase again this year.
After finally paying off a municipal bond, officials in Bristol wanted to lower taxes this year. But any savings the borough hoped to realize are needed to balance the budget, borough Manager Jim Dillon told his council.
Middletown raised taxes $29 for the average resident to pay off debt.
Lower Makefield raised taxes $10 for the average resident to give more money to the Yardley-Makefield Fire Co. Wrightstown avoided a tax increase, cutting from the budget a $200,000 salt shed.
Even Yardley started the budget process in the hole, but it was hardly dramatic. The borough council announced an $82 deficit, but ended with a budgeted $3.70 surplus. So the community has at least a little money to sock away for 2010.
BIG TICKET ITEMS
Despite the economy, officials in Lower Bucks will spend millions of dollars on big-ticket items this year.
Bensalem will contribute $4.4 million to a planned athletic center adjacent to its high school and $5.5 million to expand the police department.
Falls will spend $2.5 million on a bigger senior center and another $1.2 million for a boat access on the Delaware River near Pennsbury Manor.
Newtown Township will spend $2.6 million on athletic fields and $8 million on a new municipal complex.
Middletown will spend $2.7 million on a new public works building.
Bristol will also spend $2 million on renovations to its police and fire departments, using about $1.6 million in grants.
UPDATED WITH GRAPHIC
Towns work through economic downturn
By JAMES MCGINNIS
So anxious he couldn’t sleep, Northampton township Manager Robert Pellegrino walked into budget meeting after budget meeting but gave the community only two options — raise taxes or lay off cops.
When people stopped buying homes, the tax on real estate transfers in Northampton fell more than $600,000. Pellegrino said he had “no cushion.”
And if the troubles of Wall Street continue to hit small town Main Street, other towns across Lower Bucks could be in the very same pickle next year.
Communities throughout the area are bracing for significantly lower returns on their investments, less revenue from building permits and fees, and higher costs on everything from insurance to road salt and even bullets. (Some police are paying nearly three times as much for ammunition thanks to the war in Iraq.)
Facing a $1.1 million deficit this year, Bristol Township will draw from a “dangerously low” cash reserve to balance the budget. Township Manager Jeff Bartlett warned that the town could run out of money in two or three years. But Councilman Rick Pluta said he was more worried about the poor. “If we raise taxes,” he said, “that could be someone’s prescription drug bill for the month.”
Bristol Township and its sister to the south seemed polar opposites this budget season. Bensalem will continue to spend big (and offer tax rebates) thanks to $10 million in casino host fees from Philadelphia Park and a $61 million nest egg from the sale of its sewer system. Still, Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo was cautious about the future.
Investments that generated $3.6 million in 2007 will yield only $2.1 million this year, Bensalem finance manager Jack McGinley estimated. Still there’s enough money for the $250 rebate check for the owners of every home in town.
Bensalem started offering its rebates in 2007. The people of Falls will get rebate checks for the first time in 2009 — $100 for every property owner and $50 for every business owner.
But that might seem a pittance compared to the $5,000 “gift” checks headed to all those who own property in Tullytown. Landfill fees will allow the borough to continue to provide the rebate checks and a large number of services this year, according to the budget.
Tullytown property taxes pay for the borough administration but wouldn’t be enough to cover expenses for police, public works or street repairs, as budgeted for 2009. Tullytown’s reliance on landfill income was cause for concern when then-outgoing borough manager Andy Warren presented his budget in October. Landfill income could begin to taper off in two to three years, leaving the borough in a pickle, he warned.
Already pickled, Morrisville — with the third-highest municipal property taxes in Lower Bucks — had to raise them another $70 this year.
When Mayor Thomas Wisnosky found out there wasn’t enough money for new police guns, he gave up his $2,900 salary. Wisnosky said some of the department’s guns were more than 20 years old.
Still some towns are managing to make ends meet. With some of the lowest municipal taxes in the area, Langhorne, Penndel, Newtown, Lower Southampton and Newtown Township will go without a tax increase again this year.
After finally paying off a municipal bond, officials in Bristol wanted to lower taxes this year. But any savings the borough hoped to realize are needed to balance the budget, borough Manager Jim Dillon told his council.
Middletown raised taxes $29 for the average resident to pay off debt.
Lower Makefield raised taxes $10 for the average resident to give more money to the Yardley-Makefield Fire Co. Wrightstown avoided a tax increase, cutting from the budget a $200,000 salt shed.
Even Yardley started the budget process in the hole, but it was hardly dramatic. The borough council announced an $82 deficit, but ended with a budgeted $3.70 surplus. So the community has at least a little money to sock away for 2010.
BIG TICKET ITEMS
Despite the economy, officials in Lower Bucks will spend millions of dollars on big-ticket items this year.
Bensalem will contribute $4.4 million to a planned athletic center adjacent to its high school and $5.5 million to expand the police department.
Falls will spend $2.5 million on a bigger senior center and another $1.2 million for a boat access on the Delaware River near Pennsbury Manor.
Newtown Township will spend $2.6 million on athletic fields and $8 million on a new municipal complex.
Middletown will spend $2.7 million on a new public works building.
Bristol will also spend $2 million on renovations to its police and fire departments, using about $1.6 million in grants.
UPDATED WITH GRAPHIC
Toll Bridge Construction *Almost* Done
From the BCCT
New traffic pattern at Route 1 construction zone
Bucks County Courier Times
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has announced a new layout of exit and entry ramps at the Route 1/Pennsylvania Avenue interchange in Morrisville, beginning Monday.
The last interchange segment, the on/off ramps linking Route 1 southbound with the southbound lanes of South Pennsylvania Avenue, will be in place. The other three exit or entry quadrants at the interchange were recently reconfigured as part of the continuing $102 million Trenton-Morrisville (Route 1) Toll Bridge rehabilitation and widening project, said commission spokesman Joe Donnelly.
The only major portion of work that remains at the interchange is the application of a pavement top coat. This will take place later this year when winter is over.
"This project is progressing in a manner that should allow the work to be completed in advance of its original scheduled completion date," said commission executive director Frank G. McCartney.
New traffic pattern at Route 1 construction zone
Bucks County Courier Times
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has announced a new layout of exit and entry ramps at the Route 1/Pennsylvania Avenue interchange in Morrisville, beginning Monday.
The last interchange segment, the on/off ramps linking Route 1 southbound with the southbound lanes of South Pennsylvania Avenue, will be in place. The other three exit or entry quadrants at the interchange were recently reconfigured as part of the continuing $102 million Trenton-Morrisville (Route 1) Toll Bridge rehabilitation and widening project, said commission spokesman Joe Donnelly.
The only major portion of work that remains at the interchange is the application of a pavement top coat. This will take place later this year when winter is over.
"This project is progressing in a manner that should allow the work to be completed in advance of its original scheduled completion date," said commission executive director Frank G. McCartney.
Quakertown: $4.8 Million Shortfall
From the BCCT.
Has anyuone asked the Emperor yet what the 2009-10 budget looks like here at home?
How about the 2008-09 budget?
District budget facing $4.8 million shortfall
By: HILARY BENTMAN
Quakertown school board members got their first look at the 2009-10 budget and it's probably one they'd like to forget.
That's because the dismal economy and declining revenues have left the district $4.8 million in the hole.
The administration is recommending drawing $4.1 million in reserves down to zero to give officials time to make further cuts to not only balance the budget but build up the fund balance again.
"We can't have a budget with negative numbers," said Superintendent Lisa Andrejko.
Officials acknowledge starting with a zero fund balance is a scary proposition, particularly if the money can't be found to replenish the account.
After an early round of cuts, the district is looking at an $87.9 million preliminary budget, which is $3.4 million, or 4 percent, higher than the current $84.5 million budget.
Taxes will certainly increase next year; the question remains by how much.
Under a state-set cap, the district is allowed to increase taxes by 4.1 percent, or 5.14 mills, before seeking voter approval. For a home assessed at the district average of $28,800, that translates to a $148 tax increase, for a total bill of $3,762.
However, Quakertown can exceed this cap without voter permission through exceptions -ways for schools to disregard certain expenses in their budgets, such as construction, retirement and health care costs that contribute to the need for higher taxes.
With its allowable exceptions, Quakertown could raise taxes by about 4.59 percent, or 5.755 mills, which translates to a tax increase of $166, for a total bill of $3,780.
The district has fallen victim to the foundering economy.
Several major businesses within the district, including Lowes and Target, have succeeded in getting Bucks County to reassess their property values because of a decline in their worth. When a property's assessment value drops so does the amount of taxes the district generates.
The district has lost about $125,000 in revenue because of reassessments, said business manager Sylvia Lenz.
New construction in the district has also dropped off, along with home sales, hurting the amount collected in real estate transfer taxes. The district has also seen revenue from earned income tax increase by less than 1 percent, compared with the 3 percent to 5 percent increases seen in previous years, said Lenz.
As for the cuts the district will consider, no area is off the table. Everything from new and vacant staff positions, to technology, facility improvements, class electives and sports will be examined.
"Throughout every level we're going to see reductions," said Andrejko. "Every level is going to have some impact."
Officials will continue to work on the plan with a preliminary budget up for adoption on Feb. 12.
Has anyuone asked the Emperor yet what the 2009-10 budget looks like here at home?
How about the 2008-09 budget?
District budget facing $4.8 million shortfall
By: HILARY BENTMAN
Quakertown school board members got their first look at the 2009-10 budget and it's probably one they'd like to forget.
That's because the dismal economy and declining revenues have left the district $4.8 million in the hole.
The administration is recommending drawing $4.1 million in reserves down to zero to give officials time to make further cuts to not only balance the budget but build up the fund balance again.
"We can't have a budget with negative numbers," said Superintendent Lisa Andrejko.
Officials acknowledge starting with a zero fund balance is a scary proposition, particularly if the money can't be found to replenish the account.
After an early round of cuts, the district is looking at an $87.9 million preliminary budget, which is $3.4 million, or 4 percent, higher than the current $84.5 million budget.
Taxes will certainly increase next year; the question remains by how much.
Under a state-set cap, the district is allowed to increase taxes by 4.1 percent, or 5.14 mills, before seeking voter approval. For a home assessed at the district average of $28,800, that translates to a $148 tax increase, for a total bill of $3,762.
However, Quakertown can exceed this cap without voter permission through exceptions -ways for schools to disregard certain expenses in their budgets, such as construction, retirement and health care costs that contribute to the need for higher taxes.
With its allowable exceptions, Quakertown could raise taxes by about 4.59 percent, or 5.755 mills, which translates to a tax increase of $166, for a total bill of $3,780.
The district has fallen victim to the foundering economy.
Several major businesses within the district, including Lowes and Target, have succeeded in getting Bucks County to reassess their property values because of a decline in their worth. When a property's assessment value drops so does the amount of taxes the district generates.
The district has lost about $125,000 in revenue because of reassessments, said business manager Sylvia Lenz.
New construction in the district has also dropped off, along with home sales, hurting the amount collected in real estate transfer taxes. The district has also seen revenue from earned income tax increase by less than 1 percent, compared with the 3 percent to 5 percent increases seen in previous years, said Lenz.
As for the cuts the district will consider, no area is off the table. Everything from new and vacant staff positions, to technology, facility improvements, class electives and sports will be examined.
"Throughout every level we're going to see reductions," said Andrejko. "Every level is going to have some impact."
Officials will continue to work on the plan with a preliminary budget up for adoption on Feb. 12.
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