From the BCCT.
How about school board?
3 Dems running for Morrisville mayor post;
no one from GOP filed for primary
Posted in News on Thursday, April 9th, 2009 at 1:32 pm
by Courier Times staff writer Danny Adler
Three Morrisville Democrats are vying for the Democratic ticket’s mayoral nomination this spring.
No Republicans have filed to run in the primary, including current Mayor Thomas Wisnosky, who said he’s not seeking re-election.
The Morrisville Democratic Club endorsed Patricia Schell, 59, who sat on borough council for 16 years in the 1980s and 1990s. The Democrats running against Schell are Councilwoman Rita Ledger, 48, who is serving her fourth year on council and sat on the zoning hearing board before that, and Graeme Thomson, 37, a computer technician who sits on historic Summerseat’s board of directors.
Showing posts with label Borough Council. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Borough Council. Show all posts
Friday, April 10, 2009
Friday, April 3, 2009
JOINT SCHOOL/BOROUGH COMMITTEE
NOTICE
The next meeting of the Joint School/Borough Council Committee will be held on April 23, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the G-Hall Conference Room located in the rear of the Morrisville Middle/Senior High School.
Traffic concerns at the Grandview Elementary School will be on the agenda. The Committee welcomes interested parties and requests that they come prepared with suggestions for discussion and consideration addressing traffic problems at the Grandview Elementary School.
If you are unable to attend this meeting but would like your concerns to be included, please send an e-mail containing your comments to mmihok@mv.org prior to the day of the meeting.
Marlys Mihok, Secretary
Borough of Morrisville School District
Chairman Facility Committee
The next meeting of the Joint School/Borough Council Committee will be held on April 23, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the G-Hall Conference Room located in the rear of the Morrisville Middle/Senior High School.
Traffic concerns at the Grandview Elementary School will be on the agenda. The Committee welcomes interested parties and requests that they come prepared with suggestions for discussion and consideration addressing traffic problems at the Grandview Elementary School.
If you are unable to attend this meeting but would like your concerns to be included, please send an e-mail containing your comments to mmihok@mv.org prior to the day of the meeting.
Marlys Mihok, Secretary
Borough of Morrisville School District
Chairman Facility Committee
Saturday, March 21, 2009
Contractor Ordinance Recap
From BucksLocalNews.com
Gotta watch those conflicts of interest. You never know when one might pop up.
Glass houses, you know...
Posted on Thu, Mar 19, 2009
Council weighs comments, rejects contractor ordinance
By Petra Chesner Schlatter; Staff Editor
After hearing considerable public comment, the Morrisville Borough Council voted 7-1 not to approve the controversial 'responsible contractor' ordinance (RCO).
Voting "No" at the March 16 meeting were: President Nancy Sherlock, Jane Burger, Eileen Dreisbach, Rita Ledger, Stephen Worob and Kathy Panzitta. Voting in favor of the RCO was David Rivella. Ed Albertson was absent.
James Downey, borough council solicitor, announced that a Bucks County administrator, who lives in Morrisville, informed him that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has said municipalities with RCOs would not get federal Community and Economic Development block grants.
HUD has deemed such ordinances restrict competition and therefore would not give grants for construction.
Downey noted part of his job is to keep Morrisville Borough out of difficulty and that he should "tweak" the proposed RCO and submit it to the county and to HUD for their comments.
The idea of the ordinance was to award all maintenance and public construction contracts to responsible and qualified companies. Part of the proposed ordinance called for giving jobs to companies, which have apprenticeship programs. These contracts would be for at least $10,000.
Some people were saying that union representatives are encouraging municipalities to adopt the RCO. At the March 10 agenda meeting, six people spoke out against adoption of the ordinance. One resident said two council members should not vote on the issue because of conflict of interest.
Marlys Mihok, a member of the Morrisville School Board, said the ordinance would be "very exclusionary" because it would exclude established and reputable contractors with small businesses that cannot provide an apprenticeship program.
Mihok said "there is more than a slight appearance of a conflict of interest." She said two council members should abstain from voting on the ordinance because they belong to unions. They are Ed Albertson and David Rivella. She later said Panzitta and Sherlock should also abstain.
She brought county records, which she said document the union contributions to David Rivella, a democrat who is a journeyman and belongs to a construction union. She said he accepted campaign contributions from several unions.
Mihok also noted that the Democratic Committee in Morrisville accepted union contributions. Rivella is president of the committee.
Rivella said neither the word "union" nor "labor" are mentioned in the proposed RCO.
He said the solicitor should add to the RCO to assure the borough can receive federal funds for construction.
The meeting room was filled with some people who are pro-union.
Jeff Johnson is a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He said his group provides a good apprenticeship program. Johnson said he was in an apprenticeship program, but also received his Bachelor's Degree.
Johnson noted his union does gratis work in the community. One major project was constructing a house for an elderly couple. Their house was ruined in one of the Yardley floods.
Other community service projects include Habitat for Humanity, the Sunshine Foundation, among others.
"These are people who want to have an education," Johnson said. He emphasized the union wants the RCO.
Opposing the RCO was Jeff Zeh, who said 75 percent of construction employees in the Greater Philadelphia area work for non-union open shop construction companies.
"We are opposed to discriminatory arrangements that exclude most qualified construction companies from bidding on public construction projects, he said at the agenda meeting.
Zeh questioned, "Has the borough experienced any serious problems with contractors it has hired to perform borough construction work?"
He mentioned open shop construction companies have apprenticeship programs, which would have been part of the ordinance's requirements.
The RCO "would preclude employees such as those who have completed vocational training programs at the Bucks County Technical High Schools from satisfying the requirement of the proposed ordinance," Zeh said.
He noted the RCO would mean less competition and that "would drive up construction costs for the borough."
Meanwhile, Councilman Worob said at Monday night's meeting that he had been a union chairman for years. He said there are "good things," which unions have done. However, there are unions that "go too far."
Worob said the ordinance is "restrictive. It eliminates competition."
Council member Dreis-bach, who voted "No" on the RCO, said her son and her father belonged to unions. "I know a lot of good contractors and they don't have apprenticeships."
Council member Burger, who voted, "No" on the ordinance, said her husband had gone through an apprenticeship program.
Councilman Rivella, who was the only one voting "Yes," is a member of a union and went through an apprenticeship program. He said his apprenticeship was completed at the Mercer County Vocational school, not through a union.
Burger said, "There are programs that are not union-affiliated." She also said the matter should not go back to the Ordinance Committee, because she is not a lawyer.
President Sherlock asked, "Why didn't we have a motion 'to tweak' the ordinance?"
Worob added, "Maybe this has died."
Burger said the matter could be addressed at a later time. She said the ordinance is "problematic" and "should be rephrased." The ordinance, she said, limits competition.
Sherlock noted the late hour. "The majority of this council does not want the RCO," she concluded.
Gotta watch those conflicts of interest. You never know when one might pop up.
Glass houses, you know...
Posted on Thu, Mar 19, 2009
Council weighs comments, rejects contractor ordinance
By Petra Chesner Schlatter; Staff Editor
After hearing considerable public comment, the Morrisville Borough Council voted 7-1 not to approve the controversial 'responsible contractor' ordinance (RCO).
Voting "No" at the March 16 meeting were: President Nancy Sherlock, Jane Burger, Eileen Dreisbach, Rita Ledger, Stephen Worob and Kathy Panzitta. Voting in favor of the RCO was David Rivella. Ed Albertson was absent.
James Downey, borough council solicitor, announced that a Bucks County administrator, who lives in Morrisville, informed him that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has said municipalities with RCOs would not get federal Community and Economic Development block grants.
HUD has deemed such ordinances restrict competition and therefore would not give grants for construction.
Downey noted part of his job is to keep Morrisville Borough out of difficulty and that he should "tweak" the proposed RCO and submit it to the county and to HUD for their comments.
The idea of the ordinance was to award all maintenance and public construction contracts to responsible and qualified companies. Part of the proposed ordinance called for giving jobs to companies, which have apprenticeship programs. These contracts would be for at least $10,000.
Some people were saying that union representatives are encouraging municipalities to adopt the RCO. At the March 10 agenda meeting, six people spoke out against adoption of the ordinance. One resident said two council members should not vote on the issue because of conflict of interest.
Marlys Mihok, a member of the Morrisville School Board, said the ordinance would be "very exclusionary" because it would exclude established and reputable contractors with small businesses that cannot provide an apprenticeship program.
Mihok said "there is more than a slight appearance of a conflict of interest." She said two council members should abstain from voting on the ordinance because they belong to unions. They are Ed Albertson and David Rivella. She later said Panzitta and Sherlock should also abstain.
She brought county records, which she said document the union contributions to David Rivella, a democrat who is a journeyman and belongs to a construction union. She said he accepted campaign contributions from several unions.
Mihok also noted that the Democratic Committee in Morrisville accepted union contributions. Rivella is president of the committee.
Rivella said neither the word "union" nor "labor" are mentioned in the proposed RCO.
He said the solicitor should add to the RCO to assure the borough can receive federal funds for construction.
The meeting room was filled with some people who are pro-union.
Jeff Johnson is a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. He said his group provides a good apprenticeship program. Johnson said he was in an apprenticeship program, but also received his Bachelor's Degree.
Johnson noted his union does gratis work in the community. One major project was constructing a house for an elderly couple. Their house was ruined in one of the Yardley floods.
Other community service projects include Habitat for Humanity, the Sunshine Foundation, among others.
"These are people who want to have an education," Johnson said. He emphasized the union wants the RCO.
Opposing the RCO was Jeff Zeh, who said 75 percent of construction employees in the Greater Philadelphia area work for non-union open shop construction companies.
"We are opposed to discriminatory arrangements that exclude most qualified construction companies from bidding on public construction projects, he said at the agenda meeting.
Zeh questioned, "Has the borough experienced any serious problems with contractors it has hired to perform borough construction work?"
He mentioned open shop construction companies have apprenticeship programs, which would have been part of the ordinance's requirements.
The RCO "would preclude employees such as those who have completed vocational training programs at the Bucks County Technical High Schools from satisfying the requirement of the proposed ordinance," Zeh said.
He noted the RCO would mean less competition and that "would drive up construction costs for the borough."
Meanwhile, Councilman Worob said at Monday night's meeting that he had been a union chairman for years. He said there are "good things," which unions have done. However, there are unions that "go too far."
Worob said the ordinance is "restrictive. It eliminates competition."
Council member Dreis-bach, who voted "No" on the RCO, said her son and her father belonged to unions. "I know a lot of good contractors and they don't have apprenticeships."
Council member Burger, who voted, "No" on the ordinance, said her husband had gone through an apprenticeship program.
Councilman Rivella, who was the only one voting "Yes," is a member of a union and went through an apprenticeship program. He said his apprenticeship was completed at the Mercer County Vocational school, not through a union.
Burger said, "There are programs that are not union-affiliated." She also said the matter should not go back to the Ordinance Committee, because she is not a lawyer.
President Sherlock asked, "Why didn't we have a motion 'to tweak' the ordinance?"
Worob added, "Maybe this has died."
Burger said the matter could be addressed at a later time. She said the ordinance is "problematic" and "should be rephrased." The ordinance, she said, limits competition.
Sherlock noted the late hour. "The majority of this council does not want the RCO," she concluded.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Borough Council Sez: Open Your Wallets Wider, Please
From the BCCT.
Kudos to Hizzoner. I'm not all that happy that the current condition of our police department is posted for public consumption. However, Tom Wisnosky's generosity is a genuine piece of good news coming from a rather grim week of news featuring the 'Ville.
Council approves budget with $70 tax hike
The mayor is donating his 2009 salary for new guns for police officers.
By DANNY ADLER
STAFF WRITER
Morrisville residents will pay about $70 more next year in municipal property taxes, according to a final budget approved unanimously this week by the council.
On Monday it approved a $5.77 million spending plan — up about $500,000 from this year’s budget — with increased expenses for public works, emergency services and rising sanitation charges.
The millage will increase 3.5 mills to 39.43 mills next year and a homeowner with a property assessed at the borough average of $20,000 will pay about $788 in borough taxes, about $70 more than this year.
One mill, or about $60,000, of the tax hike is allocated for public works trucks and equipment. Another mill will go to the Morrisville Fire Co. for new fire equipment. One and a half mills of the increase, roughly $90,000, are set for the Morrisville Ambulance Squad after being approved by voter referendum.
The residential sanitation charges are set at $357, a $15 increase. The commercial charge will increase $26 to $606. The sanitation increases make up for rising costs by the borough’s trash hauler, Allied Waste Services.
The largest expense for the borough continues to be its police department, accounting for $1.53 million of borough spending.
With a $60,000 increase for the police department budget over this year’s, the borough will fork out money for higher department salaries, as well as office and equipment improvements.
Mayor Thomas Wisnosky said Monday night that he will donate his $2,900 salary next year to the police department so it can purchase new guns for its officers.
Wisnosky said the department uses weapons that are “20-some years old.” “That’s way too old,” the mayor said.
Kudos to Hizzoner. I'm not all that happy that the current condition of our police department is posted for public consumption. However, Tom Wisnosky's generosity is a genuine piece of good news coming from a rather grim week of news featuring the 'Ville.
Council approves budget with $70 tax hike
The mayor is donating his 2009 salary for new guns for police officers.
By DANNY ADLER
STAFF WRITER
Morrisville residents will pay about $70 more next year in municipal property taxes, according to a final budget approved unanimously this week by the council.
On Monday it approved a $5.77 million spending plan — up about $500,000 from this year’s budget — with increased expenses for public works, emergency services and rising sanitation charges.
The millage will increase 3.5 mills to 39.43 mills next year and a homeowner with a property assessed at the borough average of $20,000 will pay about $788 in borough taxes, about $70 more than this year.
One mill, or about $60,000, of the tax hike is allocated for public works trucks and equipment. Another mill will go to the Morrisville Fire Co. for new fire equipment. One and a half mills of the increase, roughly $90,000, are set for the Morrisville Ambulance Squad after being approved by voter referendum.
The residential sanitation charges are set at $357, a $15 increase. The commercial charge will increase $26 to $606. The sanitation increases make up for rising costs by the borough’s trash hauler, Allied Waste Services.
The largest expense for the borough continues to be its police department, accounting for $1.53 million of borough spending.
With a $60,000 increase for the police department budget over this year’s, the borough will fork out money for higher department salaries, as well as office and equipment improvements.
Mayor Thomas Wisnosky said Monday night that he will donate his $2,900 salary next year to the police department so it can purchase new guns for its officers.
Wisnosky said the department uses weapons that are “20-some years old.” “That’s way too old,” the mayor said.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Borough Council Meeting Monday
Maybe they can explain how they allow Reiter to be occupied by students and staff while it it is so unsafe.
Morrisville Council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St. Agenda: regular business items. 215-295-8181
Morrisville Council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St. Agenda: regular business items. 215-295-8181
Friday, November 21, 2008
Morrisville $70 tax hike
From the BCCT. Here's the cost of a do-nothing make-businesses-go-away borough council.
Wait until the school district hands in their bill.
Budget includes $70 tax hike
By GEMA MARIA DUARTE
Morrisville residents will pay about $70 more a year in borough taxes if the 2009 preliminary budget is finalized.
A 3.5-mill increase is needed to balance the $5.8 million preliminary budget, which was approved earlier this week and is up from this year’s $5.3 million spending plan.
One mill, or about $60,000, of the increase is allocated for public works trucks and equipment; another mill to purchase fire equipment; and 1.5 mills, or about $90,000, for ambulance service. The hike for ambulance service passed by voter referendum earlier this month. The total millage in 2009 would be 39.43.
The $70 tax hike is based on the average residential property assessment of $20,000. So residents would pay about $788 in borough taxes next year.
The borough will pay about $45,000 more in sanitation charges in 2009 due to an increase by the borough’s trash hauler. It also will put out $149,530 more for salaries, insurances and general operating costs with no millage increase, borough Manager George Mount said Wednesday.
A majority of the budget, $1.53 million, would go toward the police department.
The budget has to be finalized by Dec. 31.
The budget is available for public viewing at the borough hall, 35 Union St. For more information, call 215-295-8181.
Wait until the school district hands in their bill.
Budget includes $70 tax hike
By GEMA MARIA DUARTE
Morrisville residents will pay about $70 more a year in borough taxes if the 2009 preliminary budget is finalized.
A 3.5-mill increase is needed to balance the $5.8 million preliminary budget, which was approved earlier this week and is up from this year’s $5.3 million spending plan.
One mill, or about $60,000, of the increase is allocated for public works trucks and equipment; another mill to purchase fire equipment; and 1.5 mills, or about $90,000, for ambulance service. The hike for ambulance service passed by voter referendum earlier this month. The total millage in 2009 would be 39.43.
The $70 tax hike is based on the average residential property assessment of $20,000. So residents would pay about $788 in borough taxes next year.
The borough will pay about $45,000 more in sanitation charges in 2009 due to an increase by the borough’s trash hauler. It also will put out $149,530 more for salaries, insurances and general operating costs with no millage increase, borough Manager George Mount said Wednesday.
A majority of the budget, $1.53 million, would go toward the police department.
The budget has to be finalized by Dec. 31.
The budget is available for public viewing at the borough hall, 35 Union St. For more information, call 215-295-8181.
Monday, November 17, 2008
PA State Tax report
Press release from The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center.
School board members, Morrisville Borough Council members, Senator McIlhenney and Representative Galloway: What are you doing about this? Why is there such a regressive tax system in place?
New Report Finds Pennsylvania Tax and Spending Levels Moderate and Stable Over Time
Last update: 12:01 a.m. EST Nov. 16, 2008
HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov 13, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Pennsylvania also has one of the most regressive tax systems in the U.S., with the poor paying 12.3 cents in taxes out of every $1 of income, while the rich pay only 4.3 cents.
Pennsylvania ranks favorably when compared to the nation and to competitor states in overall tax and spending levels, according to a new report from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC).
Pennsylvania state taxes, when measured as a share of state personal income, ranked 32nd among the 50 states in 2005, while state spending ranked 30th. Pennsylvania taxes were 6.3 percent of state personal income, a half-percentage point less than the average of competing states.(1)
But Pennsylvania's tax system is highly regressive, taking a significantly larger share of the incomes of the bottom 20 percent of earners than of the incomes of more affluent Pennsylvanians.
PBPC's new report, The Common Good: What Pennsylvania's Budget and Tax Policies Mean to You, provides a roadmap to state and local tax policy in Pennsylvania, with a focus on whether taxes and spending are fair and appropriate to the state's needs. It can be viewed online at http://www.pennbpc.org/pdf/PBPC_Tax_Primer_08.pdf.
The report finds that, over the past three decades, Pennsylvania state government taxes have held steady as a share of income, while state expenditures have stayed below the national average for 27 of the last 30 years.
The findings on state taxes and spending fly in the face of myths that Pennsylvania state spending is out of control and needs to be reduced, noted Sharon Ward, director of the PBPC, a non-partisan tax policy research organization.
"State budget discussions in Harrisburg begin with an assumption that state taxes and spending are high and that state spending is a luxury," said Ward. "This report makes clear that Pennsylvania spending and taxes are both competitive and necessary for the state's economy to grow."
Two-thirds of state General Fund spending goes to just three items: education, health care, and public safety. The report argues that investments in public goods, including public and higher education, workforce development, and transportation, make a vital contribution to the state's economy and are critical to economic growth.
The new report's findings have important implications for lawmakers as they contemplate a response to a growing state budget deficit. Ward noted that the deficit is the result of declining state revenue collections resulting from a downturn in the business cycle and national economic forces, not a result of unsustainable spending.
The PBPC study found that Pennsylvania fares less well in two other areas--tax fairness and local tax burden.
The Commonwealth has one of the most "regressive" state and local tax systems in the nation, based on the share of income paid in state and local taxes by poor vs. affluent families. One reason for this is Pennsylvania's flat personal income tax rate. While most states have graduated income taxes that assess higher rates on affluent earners than on middle-class and low-income families, Pennsylvania's Constitution requires all earners (except for the poor and elderly) to be taxed at the same, or "uniform," rate. This prevents Pennsylvania from using a progressive income tax to increase the overall fairness of the tax structure.
"Without a progressive income tax, Pennsylvania's state tax system has no way to offset regressive sales and property taxes," Ward said. "That results in lower-income workers paying a bigger chunk of their paychecks in taxes than wealthier Pennsylvanians."
Pennsylvania also relies heavily on local taxes to fund a variety of services, especially public education.
The state ranks near the bottom in the state share of education spending, in 2005 numbers, with 46 other states providing more state help than Pennsylvania. The heavy reliance on local taxpayers for school funding translates into high tax rates in some lower-income school districts and low tax rates in some high-income districts. Even with high local tax rates, some districts do not have enough wealth and income to fund schools adequately, creating wide gaps in school funding.
PBPC's report also found that property taxes in Pennsylvania, measured against state personal income, are only 95 percent of the national average and lower than most competitor states.
"Pennsylvania has started moving toward greater state funding for public education, but more still remains to be done to put Pennsylvania on par with neighboring states and the national average," Ward said.
AMONG THE REPORT'S MAJOR FINDINGS:
-- State Taxes Are Relatively Low: The personal income tax rate, at 3.07
percent, is the second lowest top rate in the country, while the
6-percent sales tax (7-percent in Philadelphia and Allegheny County) is
in the middle range of all states. The corporate net income (CNI) tax
rate of 9.99 percent is relatively high, although loopholes in the law
(and other factors) mean that 71 percent of companies don't pay any
CNI tax.
-- Pennsylvania state taxes and spending are less than a majority of
U.S. states when measured as a share of state personal income. In
2005, state taxes were 6.3 percent of personal income, ranking the
state 32nd in the nation.
-- Pennsylvania state taxes are less than competitor states. New York
and Ohio had slightly higher rates as a share of personal income,
while Delaware exceeded 8 percent and West Virginia hit 9 percent.
-- Pennsylvania Relies Heavily on Local Taxes: Pennsylvania state and local
taxes combined rank 21st nationally, at 10.7 percent as a share of
personal income, compared to 32nd nationally for state only taxes. This
reflects a heavy reliance on local taxes, and especially on local
property taxes, to fund public services.
-- In 2005-06, local governments and school districts relied on
property taxes to fund 71 percent of services and public education.
-- Local Property Taxes Are Comparatively Low But Contain Significant
Disparities Across Districts: Across the state, property taxes average
3.1 percent of personal income, compared to 3.3 percent nationally, 3.3
percent in Ohio, more than 4 percent in New York, and 5 percent in New
Jersey.
-- At the same time, average property tax rates on residential property
can range from 0.9 percent to 9.7 percent of personal income across
Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. It is not uncommon for
poorer school districts to have higher school property tax rates
than more affluent districts in the same county.
-- Pennsylvania's Tax Structure Squeezes Low-Income Workers:
Low-income Pennsylvanians, living paycheck to paycheck, pay much higher
percentages of their income in taxes.
-- The lowest quintile of Pennsylvanians spends 2.5 percent of their
income on sales tax, while the wealthiest fifth spend 1.5 percent or
less.
-- Overall, the poorest 20 percent pay nearly three times their share
of income in state and local taxes than the richest 1 percent--12.3
cents out of each dollar of income compared to only 4.3 cents for
the richest families (once you take into account that state and
local taxes reduce federal taxable income for most affluent
families). Middle-class families also pay a higher share of their
income in state and local income taxes than the wealthiest 20
percent.
The report proposes that policymakers consider an amendment to the Constitution so that a graduated income tax could be introduced to Pennsylvania. That would tax the income of wealthy earners at a higher rate than lower-income workers.
It suggests the state needs a stable stream of revenue that grows over time to keep up with the cost of services, and highlights challenges to a stable tax system. They include declining corporate tax revenue, the aging population, and a tax system that has not been comprehensively updated and reformed in generations. To address these issues, state policymakers should:
-- Review tax exemptions and tax credits for effectiveness;
-- Close loopholes in the corporate net income tax system that allow
multistate and multinational companies to hide Pennsylvania earnings in
lower-tax jurisdictions. That would generate $616 million a year,
according to the Department of Revenue;
-- Broaden the state sales tax base to include currently exempt luxury
items and expand tobacco taxes to include smokeless tobacco.
Pennsylvania is the only state that does not tax smokeless tobacco.
-- Implement a "severance" tax on the extraction of state
resources from the ground, such as natural gas. Estimates show that such
a levy on natural gas drilling could raise $200 million in new revenue
annually.
The Common Good: What Pennsylvania's Budget and Tax Policies Mean to You is an easy-to-read guide to state and local taxes and Pennsylvania's budget process. It is designed to translate the sometimes esoteric terminology of budget and tax issues into plain language.
"This is a one-of-a-kind publication that will help policymakers, journalists, advocates and all Pennsylvanians navigate the world of public spending and taxes to better understand where their tax dollars go," Ward said.
About PBPC
The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC) is a non-partisan policy research project that provides independent, credible analysis on state tax, budget, and related policy matters, with attention to the impact of current or proposed policies on working families. To view the new report on state and local tax policy, go to http://www.pennbpc.org/pdf/PBPC_Tax_Primer_08.pdf.
(1) State personal income measures a state's economic activity. It includes the total of all wages, salaries, employer-contributed pensions and insurance, business earnings, rental earnings, dividends, and interest earned by commonwealth residents.
SOURCE The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
http://www.pennbpc.org/pdf/PBPC_Tax_Primer_08.pdf
School board members, Morrisville Borough Council members, Senator McIlhenney and Representative Galloway: What are you doing about this? Why is there such a regressive tax system in place?
New Report Finds Pennsylvania Tax and Spending Levels Moderate and Stable Over Time
Last update: 12:01 a.m. EST Nov. 16, 2008
HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov 13, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Pennsylvania also has one of the most regressive tax systems in the U.S., with the poor paying 12.3 cents in taxes out of every $1 of income, while the rich pay only 4.3 cents.
Pennsylvania ranks favorably when compared to the nation and to competitor states in overall tax and spending levels, according to a new report from the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC).
Pennsylvania state taxes, when measured as a share of state personal income, ranked 32nd among the 50 states in 2005, while state spending ranked 30th. Pennsylvania taxes were 6.3 percent of state personal income, a half-percentage point less than the average of competing states.(1)
But Pennsylvania's tax system is highly regressive, taking a significantly larger share of the incomes of the bottom 20 percent of earners than of the incomes of more affluent Pennsylvanians.
PBPC's new report, The Common Good: What Pennsylvania's Budget and Tax Policies Mean to You, provides a roadmap to state and local tax policy in Pennsylvania, with a focus on whether taxes and spending are fair and appropriate to the state's needs. It can be viewed online at http://www.pennbpc.org/pdf/PBPC_Tax_Primer_08.pdf.
The report finds that, over the past three decades, Pennsylvania state government taxes have held steady as a share of income, while state expenditures have stayed below the national average for 27 of the last 30 years.
The findings on state taxes and spending fly in the face of myths that Pennsylvania state spending is out of control and needs to be reduced, noted Sharon Ward, director of the PBPC, a non-partisan tax policy research organization.
"State budget discussions in Harrisburg begin with an assumption that state taxes and spending are high and that state spending is a luxury," said Ward. "This report makes clear that Pennsylvania spending and taxes are both competitive and necessary for the state's economy to grow."
Two-thirds of state General Fund spending goes to just three items: education, health care, and public safety. The report argues that investments in public goods, including public and higher education, workforce development, and transportation, make a vital contribution to the state's economy and are critical to economic growth.
The new report's findings have important implications for lawmakers as they contemplate a response to a growing state budget deficit. Ward noted that the deficit is the result of declining state revenue collections resulting from a downturn in the business cycle and national economic forces, not a result of unsustainable spending.
The PBPC study found that Pennsylvania fares less well in two other areas--tax fairness and local tax burden.
The Commonwealth has one of the most "regressive" state and local tax systems in the nation, based on the share of income paid in state and local taxes by poor vs. affluent families. One reason for this is Pennsylvania's flat personal income tax rate. While most states have graduated income taxes that assess higher rates on affluent earners than on middle-class and low-income families, Pennsylvania's Constitution requires all earners (except for the poor and elderly) to be taxed at the same, or "uniform," rate. This prevents Pennsylvania from using a progressive income tax to increase the overall fairness of the tax structure.
"Without a progressive income tax, Pennsylvania's state tax system has no way to offset regressive sales and property taxes," Ward said. "That results in lower-income workers paying a bigger chunk of their paychecks in taxes than wealthier Pennsylvanians."
Pennsylvania also relies heavily on local taxes to fund a variety of services, especially public education.
The state ranks near the bottom in the state share of education spending, in 2005 numbers, with 46 other states providing more state help than Pennsylvania. The heavy reliance on local taxpayers for school funding translates into high tax rates in some lower-income school districts and low tax rates in some high-income districts. Even with high local tax rates, some districts do not have enough wealth and income to fund schools adequately, creating wide gaps in school funding.
PBPC's report also found that property taxes in Pennsylvania, measured against state personal income, are only 95 percent of the national average and lower than most competitor states.
"Pennsylvania has started moving toward greater state funding for public education, but more still remains to be done to put Pennsylvania on par with neighboring states and the national average," Ward said.
AMONG THE REPORT'S MAJOR FINDINGS:
-- State Taxes Are Relatively Low: The personal income tax rate, at 3.07
percent, is the second lowest top rate in the country, while the
6-percent sales tax (7-percent in Philadelphia and Allegheny County) is
in the middle range of all states. The corporate net income (CNI) tax
rate of 9.99 percent is relatively high, although loopholes in the law
(and other factors) mean that 71 percent of companies don't pay any
CNI tax.
-- Pennsylvania state taxes and spending are less than a majority of
U.S. states when measured as a share of state personal income. In
2005, state taxes were 6.3 percent of personal income, ranking the
state 32nd in the nation.
-- Pennsylvania state taxes are less than competitor states. New York
and Ohio had slightly higher rates as a share of personal income,
while Delaware exceeded 8 percent and West Virginia hit 9 percent.
-- Pennsylvania Relies Heavily on Local Taxes: Pennsylvania state and local
taxes combined rank 21st nationally, at 10.7 percent as a share of
personal income, compared to 32nd nationally for state only taxes. This
reflects a heavy reliance on local taxes, and especially on local
property taxes, to fund public services.
-- In 2005-06, local governments and school districts relied on
property taxes to fund 71 percent of services and public education.
-- Local Property Taxes Are Comparatively Low But Contain Significant
Disparities Across Districts: Across the state, property taxes average
3.1 percent of personal income, compared to 3.3 percent nationally, 3.3
percent in Ohio, more than 4 percent in New York, and 5 percent in New
Jersey.
-- At the same time, average property tax rates on residential property
can range from 0.9 percent to 9.7 percent of personal income across
Pennsylvania's 501 school districts. It is not uncommon for
poorer school districts to have higher school property tax rates
than more affluent districts in the same county.
-- Pennsylvania's Tax Structure Squeezes Low-Income Workers:
Low-income Pennsylvanians, living paycheck to paycheck, pay much higher
percentages of their income in taxes.
-- The lowest quintile of Pennsylvanians spends 2.5 percent of their
income on sales tax, while the wealthiest fifth spend 1.5 percent or
less.
-- Overall, the poorest 20 percent pay nearly three times their share
of income in state and local taxes than the richest 1 percent--12.3
cents out of each dollar of income compared to only 4.3 cents for
the richest families (once you take into account that state and
local taxes reduce federal taxable income for most affluent
families). Middle-class families also pay a higher share of their
income in state and local income taxes than the wealthiest 20
percent.
The report proposes that policymakers consider an amendment to the Constitution so that a graduated income tax could be introduced to Pennsylvania. That would tax the income of wealthy earners at a higher rate than lower-income workers.
It suggests the state needs a stable stream of revenue that grows over time to keep up with the cost of services, and highlights challenges to a stable tax system. They include declining corporate tax revenue, the aging population, and a tax system that has not been comprehensively updated and reformed in generations. To address these issues, state policymakers should:
-- Review tax exemptions and tax credits for effectiveness;
-- Close loopholes in the corporate net income tax system that allow
multistate and multinational companies to hide Pennsylvania earnings in
lower-tax jurisdictions. That would generate $616 million a year,
according to the Department of Revenue;
-- Broaden the state sales tax base to include currently exempt luxury
items and expand tobacco taxes to include smokeless tobacco.
Pennsylvania is the only state that does not tax smokeless tobacco.
-- Implement a "severance" tax on the extraction of state
resources from the ground, such as natural gas. Estimates show that such
a levy on natural gas drilling could raise $200 million in new revenue
annually.
The Common Good: What Pennsylvania's Budget and Tax Policies Mean to You is an easy-to-read guide to state and local taxes and Pennsylvania's budget process. It is designed to translate the sometimes esoteric terminology of budget and tax issues into plain language.
"This is a one-of-a-kind publication that will help policymakers, journalists, advocates and all Pennsylvanians navigate the world of public spending and taxes to better understand where their tax dollars go," Ward said.
About PBPC
The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center (PBPC) is a non-partisan policy research project that provides independent, credible analysis on state tax, budget, and related policy matters, with attention to the impact of current or proposed policies on working families. To view the new report on state and local tax policy, go to http://www.pennbpc.org/pdf/PBPC_Tax_Primer_08.pdf.
(1) State personal income measures a state's economic activity. It includes the total of all wages, salaries, employer-contributed pensions and insurance, business earnings, rental earnings, dividends, and interest earned by commonwealth residents.
SOURCE The Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center
http://www.pennbpc.org/pdf/PBPC_Tax_Primer_08.pdf
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Ambulance Squad Tax Hike Vote Next Week
From the BCCT. We've mentioned the referendum here and here previously. Next week, we get to decide to tax ourselves for necessary services.
Check out the BCCT story comments. They are pretty interesting.
Referendum could raise taxes $30 for ambulance squad
By DANNY ADLER, Bucks County Courier Times
Voters in Morrisville will have a say on whether to increase the borough's EMS fund to support the Morrisville Ambulance Squad.
If approved, the borough can increase the EMS fund to 2 mills, which is 1.5 mills more than permitted by the borough code without being approved by voters in a referendum, officials said. The millage for the EMS fund is maxed-out at a half mill.
The millage increase would raise property taxes for the average homeowner by about $30 a year. That translates to about $90,000 more for the EMS fund.
If the referendum fails, the ambulance squad would have to find other ways to raise funds, officials said.
Borough officials said the ambulance squad, with its roughly $450,000 annual budget, entered 2008 with a $14,000 deficit.
Danny Adler can be reached at 215-949-4205 or dadler@phillyBurbs.com.
Ballot question: Shall Morrisville Borough levy an annual tax of two mills for the support of Ambulance and Rescue Squads serving the Borough of Morrisville? YES or NO
Plain English: The ballot question asks the voters of Morrisville whether the borough should assess an annual tax of 2 mills for the purpose of funding ambulance and rescue services serving Morrisville.
A vote of yes approves the levying of a tax of 2 mills for this purpose.
Check out the BCCT story comments. They are pretty interesting.
Referendum could raise taxes $30 for ambulance squad
By DANNY ADLER, Bucks County Courier Times
Voters in Morrisville will have a say on whether to increase the borough's EMS fund to support the Morrisville Ambulance Squad.
If approved, the borough can increase the EMS fund to 2 mills, which is 1.5 mills more than permitted by the borough code without being approved by voters in a referendum, officials said. The millage for the EMS fund is maxed-out at a half mill.
The millage increase would raise property taxes for the average homeowner by about $30 a year. That translates to about $90,000 more for the EMS fund.
If the referendum fails, the ambulance squad would have to find other ways to raise funds, officials said.
Borough officials said the ambulance squad, with its roughly $450,000 annual budget, entered 2008 with a $14,000 deficit.
Danny Adler can be reached at 215-949-4205 or dadler@phillyBurbs.com.
Ballot question: Shall Morrisville Borough levy an annual tax of two mills for the support of Ambulance and Rescue Squads serving the Borough of Morrisville? YES or NO
Plain English: The ballot question asks the voters of Morrisville whether the borough should assess an annual tax of 2 mills for the purpose of funding ambulance and rescue services serving Morrisville.
A vote of yes approves the levying of a tax of 2 mills for this purpose.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Borough Council Recap
From the BCCT.
First off, congrats and good wishes to Councilman Albertson.
Now let's check the box scores:
* Dems 6, GOP 2 (a big swing from the GOP control of a few months ago)
* Council 3, PJRP 0 (this most recent defeat for PJRP might be better to call a forfeit since the plans were withdrawn. Anyone know the scoop on that?)
* Citizens: zero tax relief (let's hope Councilman Albertson can help turn that around. Can we afford to wait another year to sweep out the do-nothing council?)
Memo to the Dems: The GOP may have ruled the roost for many previous years, but you're in charge now. If you don't get your collective act together and get new life in this town, you'll be tagged with the error on the play and be relegated back to minority status.
P.S.: Go Phils!
Council appoints Democrat to fill vacant seat
The Morrisville Borough Council appointed Democrat Edward Albertson to fill a council seat left vacant last month by Republican George Bolos.
Albertson, who works for the Public Service Enterprise Group energy company in New Jersey, Monday night edged out Fred Kerner, vice chairman of the Morrisville Democratic Club, for the Third Ward council seat in a 4-3 vote.
Council Democrats Eileen Dreisbach and Rita Ledger, as well as Republicans Jane Burger and Stephen Worob voted to nominate Albertson. Democrats Nancy Sherlock, Kathryn Panzitta and David Rivella voted for Kerner, who works in the mail room at Rider University.
The face of the eight-member board is now made up of six Democrats and two Republicans.
Albertson was sworn in by District Judge Michael Burns. He shook hands with his new colleagues and took his seat behind the council’s dais.
Bolos resigned last month because he moved to Virginia with his family.
In other business Monday night, the council unanimously denied preliminary plans for an office building at East Bridge Street and North Delmorr Avenue that was developer Penn Jersey Real Properties’ second attempt of sorts for a Morrisville Gateway Center.
The controversial Gateway Center proposal was killed in May by a lack of council support. A month later, Penn Jersey proposed an office building that was less than half the size of the Gateway Center proposal.
The council denied the second project because Penn Jersey withdrew its plans, officials said.
The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching Penn Jersey officials for comment.
First off, congrats and good wishes to Councilman Albertson.
Now let's check the box scores:
* Dems 6, GOP 2 (a big swing from the GOP control of a few months ago)
* Council 3, PJRP 0 (this most recent defeat for PJRP might be better to call a forfeit since the plans were withdrawn. Anyone know the scoop on that?)
* Citizens: zero tax relief (let's hope Councilman Albertson can help turn that around. Can we afford to wait another year to sweep out the do-nothing council?)
Memo to the Dems: The GOP may have ruled the roost for many previous years, but you're in charge now. If you don't get your collective act together and get new life in this town, you'll be tagged with the error on the play and be relegated back to minority status.
P.S.: Go Phils!
Council appoints Democrat to fill vacant seat
The Morrisville Borough Council appointed Democrat Edward Albertson to fill a council seat left vacant last month by Republican George Bolos.
Albertson, who works for the Public Service Enterprise Group energy company in New Jersey, Monday night edged out Fred Kerner, vice chairman of the Morrisville Democratic Club, for the Third Ward council seat in a 4-3 vote.
Council Democrats Eileen Dreisbach and Rita Ledger, as well as Republicans Jane Burger and Stephen Worob voted to nominate Albertson. Democrats Nancy Sherlock, Kathryn Panzitta and David Rivella voted for Kerner, who works in the mail room at Rider University.
The face of the eight-member board is now made up of six Democrats and two Republicans.
Albertson was sworn in by District Judge Michael Burns. He shook hands with his new colleagues and took his seat behind the council’s dais.
Bolos resigned last month because he moved to Virginia with his family.
In other business Monday night, the council unanimously denied preliminary plans for an office building at East Bridge Street and North Delmorr Avenue that was developer Penn Jersey Real Properties’ second attempt of sorts for a Morrisville Gateway Center.
The controversial Gateway Center proposal was killed in May by a lack of council support. A month later, Penn Jersey proposed an office building that was less than half the size of the Gateway Center proposal.
The council denied the second project because Penn Jersey withdrew its plans, officials said.
The newspaper was unsuccessful in reaching Penn Jersey officials for comment.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
October 21, 2008: Bolos Replacement Day
From the BCCT. Anyone have anything to say to George and family?
Bolos resigns from council
The council has 30 days from Saturday to fill the vacancy.
By DANNY ADLER
Councilman George Bolos is leaving Morrisville, along with his seat on the borough council.
His resignation is effective Saturday, and then the council has 30 days to fill the vacancy, officials said.
Bolos, a Third Ward Republican councilman who’s lived in the borough for about 15 years, is resigning because he’s moving to Virginia.
Bolos said he will miss the borough and hopes the borough can revitalize its downtown business district, calling economic development “the biggest issue” facing Morrisville.
“[Officials] need to do something in the way of economic development in the downtown area,” Bolos said in an interview before Monday’s council meeting.
Bolos also resigned from the Morrisville Municipal Authority Monday night. He has served on various council committees, is the former chairman of the Morrisville Economic Development Corporation and board member for the Morrisville Community Pool.
He first joined the council when he was appointed in January 2002 to fill a vacancy left by now-mayor Thomas Wisnosky. Bolos’ resignation leaves only two Republicans out of the remaining seven council members.
“I will miss the people of the borough. There’s a reason people stay for generations. It’s a unique town,” Bolos said.
Bolos resigns from council
The council has 30 days from Saturday to fill the vacancy.
By DANNY ADLER
Councilman George Bolos is leaving Morrisville, along with his seat on the borough council.
His resignation is effective Saturday, and then the council has 30 days to fill the vacancy, officials said.
Bolos, a Third Ward Republican councilman who’s lived in the borough for about 15 years, is resigning because he’s moving to Virginia.
Bolos said he will miss the borough and hopes the borough can revitalize its downtown business district, calling economic development “the biggest issue” facing Morrisville.
“[Officials] need to do something in the way of economic development in the downtown area,” Bolos said in an interview before Monday’s council meeting.
Bolos also resigned from the Morrisville Municipal Authority Monday night. He has served on various council committees, is the former chairman of the Morrisville Economic Development Corporation and board member for the Morrisville Community Pool.
He first joined the council when he was appointed in January 2002 to fill a vacancy left by now-mayor Thomas Wisnosky. Bolos’ resignation leaves only two Republicans out of the remaining seven council members.
“I will miss the people of the borough. There’s a reason people stay for generations. It’s a unique town,” Bolos said.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Borough Council Meeting tonight
From the BCCT.
We'll miss you George. Best of luck to you and your family in Virginia.
Morrisville council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St. Agenda: public comment; regular reports; consider renewing membership with the Friends of the Delaware Canal for $100; consider payment for the Morrisville library boiler in the amount of $7,758; consider payment for West Bridge Street curb and sidewalk replacement in the amount of $266,107.17; consider resolution to apply to the Bucks County community development block grant program; consider appointments to the cable advisory board, economic development corporation and recreation advisory board; consider extending Williamson Park hours to accommodate the Morrisville Rotary carnival; consider planting project and support the TreeVitalize grant application; consider resolution to adopt FEMA’s National Incident Management System for emergency planning; consider authorizing borough personnel, engineer and solicitor to carry out enforcement procedures under the Dangerous Structures Ordinance; consider accepting Councilman George Bolos’ resignation from the borough council and the Morrisville Municipal Authority. 215-295-8181
We'll miss you George. Best of luck to you and your family in Virginia.
Morrisville council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St. Agenda: public comment; regular reports; consider renewing membership with the Friends of the Delaware Canal for $100; consider payment for the Morrisville library boiler in the amount of $7,758; consider payment for West Bridge Street curb and sidewalk replacement in the amount of $266,107.17; consider resolution to apply to the Bucks County community development block grant program; consider appointments to the cable advisory board, economic development corporation and recreation advisory board; consider extending Williamson Park hours to accommodate the Morrisville Rotary carnival; consider planting project and support the TreeVitalize grant application; consider resolution to adopt FEMA’s National Incident Management System for emergency planning; consider authorizing borough personnel, engineer and solicitor to carry out enforcement procedures under the Dangerous Structures Ordinance; consider accepting Councilman George Bolos’ resignation from the borough council and the Morrisville Municipal Authority. 215-295-8181
Monday, September 8, 2008
2004: "Morrisville brimming with potential"
Almost four years later, other than Cloverleaf, where are any of these items?
Borough Council members? Anything you would like to say? This was two whole election cycles ago.
Waterfront study: Morrisville brimming with potential
By: JEFF WERNER 12/16/2004
A marina with retail shops and moderately priced living units and a transportation hub in the center of the downtown area are just a few of the ideas included in a vision for Morrisville Borough being put forth as part of a comprehensive study of the Bucks County waterfront.
Representatives from Urban Design and Planning, a consulting firm hired by the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority to draft a visioning plan for the corridor, met with Morrisville leaders during a special meeting.
The plan could be a potential boon to the long overlooked Manor Park section of town, located south of Route One, with the potential for major access to the Delaware River and close to 100 acres of redevelopable property.
"The first ward of Morrisville is going to be the renassiance of Morrisville," predicted council president Jane Burger. "This is where you have the opportunities for access to the river, where you have some open space, a walkway along the river and development potential. I just want to jump up and down with excitement. This could be tremendous for us."
If everything comes together as planned, Burger said the plan envisions people walking along the river passed a conglomeration of new businesses, recreational uses and higher end housing in the Manor Park section of the town.
Specifically, the riverfront plan incorporates several major ideas put forth by borough officials, including the potential of a transportation hub supported by a complementary transit-oriented development at the Toll Brothers site on Pennsylvania Avenue.
"A transit station there would certainly enhance our property values, provide easy transportation and bring in more retail development. That would be exciting for us to see in our downtown area," said Burger.
The transit hub envisions both a SEPTA and New Jersey Transit stop and the potential of an exclusive access road linking the hub with express Route One to lessen the traffic impact on local roads. In addition, a parking garage could produce revenue for the borough, said Burger.
The hub would be a particular boon to the nearby downtown Bridge Street area.
"Because we're a borough, we have a town center that can be developed and we have a downtown," said Burger. "We don't have a lot of blocks, but we can be very concentrated and very visible."
Burger points to the recently enhanced corner of South Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street where the statue of Robert Morris now stands. "It's just another enhancement for our downtown. It's another gateway for the town."
Much of the riverfront plan, however, is targeted south of Bridge Street in the Manor Park neighborhoods.
There, the plan envisions opening up the Morrisville Borough riverfront to public access, with new pedestrian and bicycle routes along the entire waterfront from Bridge Street to Falls Township.
According to the plan, "New marinas, with nearby mixed use development, would give residents recreational access to the river. An over-50 housing complex would be located nearby. The park along West Post Road will be enhanced. New residential development, as well as a small amount of mixed use, would occur along South Pennsylvania Avenue in Falls Township. Public open space would be located along the Delaware River from Morrisville's northern border to Biles Island, and a riverwalk would extend the length of the redevelopment area."
"Bringing the public to the river is important," said Burger. "We already have the walk along the river levee," said Burger. "With this, we would continue it southward and tie it into Falls. It would make a very nice walk."
The study also recommends opening the Manor Park riverfront to potential redevelopment, with new retail outlets, recreational opportunities and housing units.
A major component of that puzzle is the Staley property, which the plan envisions as one day being replaced by a marina with retail shops, residential units and access to the Delaware River.
The next step, said Burger, will be to decide what is the best mix of retail, recreational and housing.
"It's a dream for us in the future if it becomes available," said Burger, of the Staley site, "but we have to put our plans and ideas on paper now. This is putting a plan in place for how we would like to see it developed. We have $2 million available. We know there is a price tag. We just need to get things into place before you go to the table with an option."
Already in the works is the redevelopment of the Cloverleaf Diner site into between 40 and 80 units of age-restricted units. The council has already heard several development proposals for the site and is expected to hear at least one more at its December 14 meeting before making a decision.
Also on the radar screen in Manor Park is the future of the Piciotti's property. The potential exists for the development of housing around what is now a landlocked borough-owned lake.
"If there's housing around there, what a beautiful view it would make," said Burger. "We could put some public access in there so people can go in there and fish or maybe have a few little paddle boats."
In addition, Falls Township is working closely with Morrisville to change the nature of South Pennsylvania Avenue from industrial to residential and commercial to complement adjacent areas of Morrisville Borough.
"Falls is rethinking this whole area," said council president Jane Burger, pointing to a map of South Pennsylvania Avenue. "It certainly will enhance Pennsylvania Avenue which is really not inviting right now."
Borough Council members? Anything you would like to say? This was two whole election cycles ago.
Waterfront study: Morrisville brimming with potential
By: JEFF WERNER 12/16/2004
A marina with retail shops and moderately priced living units and a transportation hub in the center of the downtown area are just a few of the ideas included in a vision for Morrisville Borough being put forth as part of a comprehensive study of the Bucks County waterfront.
Representatives from Urban Design and Planning, a consulting firm hired by the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority to draft a visioning plan for the corridor, met with Morrisville leaders during a special meeting.
The plan could be a potential boon to the long overlooked Manor Park section of town, located south of Route One, with the potential for major access to the Delaware River and close to 100 acres of redevelopable property.
"The first ward of Morrisville is going to be the renassiance of Morrisville," predicted council president Jane Burger. "This is where you have the opportunities for access to the river, where you have some open space, a walkway along the river and development potential. I just want to jump up and down with excitement. This could be tremendous for us."
If everything comes together as planned, Burger said the plan envisions people walking along the river passed a conglomeration of new businesses, recreational uses and higher end housing in the Manor Park section of the town.
Specifically, the riverfront plan incorporates several major ideas put forth by borough officials, including the potential of a transportation hub supported by a complementary transit-oriented development at the Toll Brothers site on Pennsylvania Avenue.
"A transit station there would certainly enhance our property values, provide easy transportation and bring in more retail development. That would be exciting for us to see in our downtown area," said Burger.
The transit hub envisions both a SEPTA and New Jersey Transit stop and the potential of an exclusive access road linking the hub with express Route One to lessen the traffic impact on local roads. In addition, a parking garage could produce revenue for the borough, said Burger.
The hub would be a particular boon to the nearby downtown Bridge Street area.
"Because we're a borough, we have a town center that can be developed and we have a downtown," said Burger. "We don't have a lot of blocks, but we can be very concentrated and very visible."
Burger points to the recently enhanced corner of South Pennsylvania Avenue and Bridge Street where the statue of Robert Morris now stands. "It's just another enhancement for our downtown. It's another gateway for the town."
Much of the riverfront plan, however, is targeted south of Bridge Street in the Manor Park neighborhoods.
There, the plan envisions opening up the Morrisville Borough riverfront to public access, with new pedestrian and bicycle routes along the entire waterfront from Bridge Street to Falls Township.
According to the plan, "New marinas, with nearby mixed use development, would give residents recreational access to the river. An over-50 housing complex would be located nearby. The park along West Post Road will be enhanced. New residential development, as well as a small amount of mixed use, would occur along South Pennsylvania Avenue in Falls Township. Public open space would be located along the Delaware River from Morrisville's northern border to Biles Island, and a riverwalk would extend the length of the redevelopment area."
"Bringing the public to the river is important," said Burger. "We already have the walk along the river levee," said Burger. "With this, we would continue it southward and tie it into Falls. It would make a very nice walk."
The study also recommends opening the Manor Park riverfront to potential redevelopment, with new retail outlets, recreational opportunities and housing units.
A major component of that puzzle is the Staley property, which the plan envisions as one day being replaced by a marina with retail shops, residential units and access to the Delaware River.
The next step, said Burger, will be to decide what is the best mix of retail, recreational and housing.
"It's a dream for us in the future if it becomes available," said Burger, of the Staley site, "but we have to put our plans and ideas on paper now. This is putting a plan in place for how we would like to see it developed. We have $2 million available. We know there is a price tag. We just need to get things into place before you go to the table with an option."
Already in the works is the redevelopment of the Cloverleaf Diner site into between 40 and 80 units of age-restricted units. The council has already heard several development proposals for the site and is expected to hear at least one more at its December 14 meeting before making a decision.
Also on the radar screen in Manor Park is the future of the Piciotti's property. The potential exists for the development of housing around what is now a landlocked borough-owned lake.
"If there's housing around there, what a beautiful view it would make," said Burger. "We could put some public access in there so people can go in there and fish or maybe have a few little paddle boats."
In addition, Falls Township is working closely with Morrisville to change the nature of South Pennsylvania Avenue from industrial to residential and commercial to complement adjacent areas of Morrisville Borough.
"Falls is rethinking this whole area," said council president Jane Burger, pointing to a map of South Pennsylvania Avenue. "It certainly will enhance Pennsylvania Avenue which is really not inviting right now."
Monday, September 1, 2008
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."
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Morrisville Borough Council recap
From the BCCT.
PUBLIC MEETING WRAP
Morrisville council
215-295-8181
When: Monday, Aug. 18.
Issue: Accept April 21 meeting minutes.
Vote: Approved 8-0 by nancy Sherlock, Kathryn Panzitta, George Bolos, Jane Burger, Eileen Dreisbach, Rita Ledger, David Rivella and Stephen Worob.
Issue: Pay bills; pay $64,165.68 to J.L. Gruber Contractor Inc., for curb and sidewalk replacement on South Pennsylvania Avenue.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Morrisville Rotary’s request to use Williamson Park for a carnival from Oct. 2 through Oct. 5.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Three projects to possibly be funded by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission’s compact authorization investment program; direct the borough manager and engineer to send a list of the projects and an application to the bridge commission.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Impact: The borough wants to install new curbs and sidewalks on the north side of West Bridge Street from Harding to Cox avenues at an estimated cost of $100,000, the north side of Philadelphia Avenue between South Pennsylvania Avenue and Washington Street at an estimated cost of $70,000 and both sides of Washington Street between Philadelphia Avenue and Green Street at an estimated cost of $75,000. The borough was given approximately $1.5 million from the bridge commission for improvements to West Bridge Street and South Pennsylvania Avenue. Because bids for those projects came in low, the borough has a surplus of about $345,000. If these projects are approved by the bridge commission, that would leave the borough with an approximate $100,000 surplus.
Issue: Resolution for sewer extension for the Falkowski/Kulpinski subdivision at 130 Delaware Ave.; 2008 Labor Day Run following the previously established route; amend the resolution reducing membership of the UCC Board of Appeals from five members to three members
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Appoint Paul Kavanagh to a three-year term on the Morrisville Economic Development Corp.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Appoint Karen Kane to a three-year term on the Morrisville Economic Development Corp.
Vote: Approved 4-0 by Burger, Dreisbach, Ledger and Rivella. Other council members voted for two other applicants.
PUBLIC MEETING WRAP
Morrisville council
215-295-8181
When: Monday, Aug. 18.
Issue: Accept April 21 meeting minutes.
Vote: Approved 8-0 by nancy Sherlock, Kathryn Panzitta, George Bolos, Jane Burger, Eileen Dreisbach, Rita Ledger, David Rivella and Stephen Worob.
Issue: Pay bills; pay $64,165.68 to J.L. Gruber Contractor Inc., for curb and sidewalk replacement on South Pennsylvania Avenue.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Morrisville Rotary’s request to use Williamson Park for a carnival from Oct. 2 through Oct. 5.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Three projects to possibly be funded by the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission’s compact authorization investment program; direct the borough manager and engineer to send a list of the projects and an application to the bridge commission.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Impact: The borough wants to install new curbs and sidewalks on the north side of West Bridge Street from Harding to Cox avenues at an estimated cost of $100,000, the north side of Philadelphia Avenue between South Pennsylvania Avenue and Washington Street at an estimated cost of $70,000 and both sides of Washington Street between Philadelphia Avenue and Green Street at an estimated cost of $75,000. The borough was given approximately $1.5 million from the bridge commission for improvements to West Bridge Street and South Pennsylvania Avenue. Because bids for those projects came in low, the borough has a surplus of about $345,000. If these projects are approved by the bridge commission, that would leave the borough with an approximate $100,000 surplus.
Issue: Resolution for sewer extension for the Falkowski/Kulpinski subdivision at 130 Delaware Ave.; 2008 Labor Day Run following the previously established route; amend the resolution reducing membership of the UCC Board of Appeals from five members to three members
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Appoint Paul Kavanagh to a three-year term on the Morrisville Economic Development Corp.
Vote: Approved unanimously.
Issue: Appoint Karen Kane to a three-year term on the Morrisville Economic Development Corp.
Vote: Approved 4-0 by Burger, Dreisbach, Ledger and Rivella. Other council members voted for two other applicants.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Borough Council Meeting tonight
GOVERNMENT
Morrisville Council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St.
Agenda: Regular reports and business; consider directing the borough manager and engineer to send a list and application to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission regarding additional projects that will be requested with the surplus money from the Compact Authorization Investment Program; consider paying $64,165.68 to J.L. Gruber Contractor, Inc., for curb and sidewalk replacement on South Pennsylvania Avenue; consider approving the projects to be funded by the remaining DRJTBC grant money; consider adopting sewer extension resolution for the Falkowski/Kulpinski subdivision at 130 Delaware Ave.; consider approving 2008 Labor Day Run; consider motion to acknowledge Randy Kenner’s resignation from the zoning hearing board; consider two 3-year appointments to the Morrisville Economic Development Corp.; consider amending resolution regarding the UCC Board of Appeals reducing membership from five members to three members. 215-295-8181
Morrisville Council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St.
Agenda: Regular reports and business; consider directing the borough manager and engineer to send a list and application to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission regarding additional projects that will be requested with the surplus money from the Compact Authorization Investment Program; consider paying $64,165.68 to J.L. Gruber Contractor, Inc., for curb and sidewalk replacement on South Pennsylvania Avenue; consider approving the projects to be funded by the remaining DRJTBC grant money; consider adopting sewer extension resolution for the Falkowski/Kulpinski subdivision at 130 Delaware Ave.; consider approving 2008 Labor Day Run; consider motion to acknowledge Randy Kenner’s resignation from the zoning hearing board; consider two 3-year appointments to the Morrisville Economic Development Corp.; consider amending resolution regarding the UCC Board of Appeals reducing membership from five members to three members. 215-295-8181
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Ambulance Company Tax Hike on Ballot
The Morrisville Borough Council wants you to decide to raise your own taxes. The November ballot will have a referendum where the people of Morrisville can approve a millage increase for the rescue squad.
The ambulance company is a great place to spend your money wisely and effectively. Staffed by dedicated volunteers, these people are literally life savers. This is a no-brainer decision.
I just wonder why this is a potentially "OK" tax rise. Is it because it's only a few mils and it's only $30 bucks a house? Is it because "everyone" needs the rescue squad and not just the "children"? Or is it something else?
Why wasn't the council able to find a revenue neutral way to provide the same funding? It leaves open the question of why the council members who voted against Gateway (read: new tax revenues) now want to tax you more. I'm all for funding the rescue squad at a higher level. Now cut at least the same amount out of the overall budget and make it a neutral impact to the taxpayer. According to the quote provided by the BCCT, it looks like one council member wants to pile the increase on top of what we already pay.
Here's the catch: You're taxing yourself and the paid council members evade the responsibility of accurately managing the budget. Imagine this line in the BCCT next year: "'I didn't raise your taxes,' said council member X, "you voted it in. It's your responsibility that your tax bill is higher.'"
If only...IF ONLY!...there was someone on the borough council who was aggressive in ferreting out corruption and malfeasance and could spot slackers wasting the taxpayer's dime. Where could we find someone like that?
Morrisville residents to vote on EMS fund
Voters in Morrisville will have their say on a millage increase to bulk up the EMS fund to support the Morrisville Ambulance Squad.
A resolution to place a referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot passed unanimously at Monday night’s council meeting. The referendum will ask voters whether they want the borough to increase the EMS fund to 2 mills, which is 1.5 mills more than permitted by the borough code without being approved through a successful referendum, solicitor James Downey said.
Councilman Stephen Worob noted that the millage increase translates to about $30 per household. The borough solicitor will submit the referendum to Bucks officials. If approved, it will appear on the November ballot.
The ambulance company is a great place to spend your money wisely and effectively. Staffed by dedicated volunteers, these people are literally life savers. This is a no-brainer decision.
I just wonder why this is a potentially "OK" tax rise. Is it because it's only a few mils and it's only $30 bucks a house? Is it because "everyone" needs the rescue squad and not just the "children"? Or is it something else?
Why wasn't the council able to find a revenue neutral way to provide the same funding? It leaves open the question of why the council members who voted against Gateway (read: new tax revenues) now want to tax you more. I'm all for funding the rescue squad at a higher level. Now cut at least the same amount out of the overall budget and make it a neutral impact to the taxpayer. According to the quote provided by the BCCT, it looks like one council member wants to pile the increase on top of what we already pay.
Here's the catch: You're taxing yourself and the paid council members evade the responsibility of accurately managing the budget. Imagine this line in the BCCT next year: "'I didn't raise your taxes,' said council member X, "you voted it in. It's your responsibility that your tax bill is higher.'"
If only...IF ONLY!...there was someone on the borough council who was aggressive in ferreting out corruption and malfeasance and could spot slackers wasting the taxpayer's dime. Where could we find someone like that?
Morrisville residents to vote on EMS fund
Voters in Morrisville will have their say on a millage increase to bulk up the EMS fund to support the Morrisville Ambulance Squad.
A resolution to place a referendum on the Nov. 4 ballot passed unanimously at Monday night’s council meeting. The referendum will ask voters whether they want the borough to increase the EMS fund to 2 mills, which is 1.5 mills more than permitted by the borough code without being approved through a successful referendum, solicitor James Downey said.
Councilman Stephen Worob noted that the millage increase translates to about $30 per household. The borough solicitor will submit the referendum to Bucks officials. If approved, it will appear on the November ballot.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Morrisville Borough Council Meeting Tonight
Reminder that the Morrisville Borough Council meets tonight. Will Steve Worob introduce his tax resolution? Or is he too concerned with promoting his book to be an effective council member?
Morrisville Council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St. Agenda: public comment; payments to Morrisville Fire Co. and Morrisville Ambulance Squad; request the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission transfer of $40,000 from curb and sidewalk project to the Median Island & Traffic Signal Installation project; award contract for the Median Island & Traffic Signal Installation project; direct solicitor to create a referendum on the November ballot to increase the millage to support the Morrisville Ambulance Squad; ordinance for collection of insufficient-fund charges; final plan for Falkowski/Kilpinski Subdivision; advertise amended traffic ordinance; consider tennis program presented by NJTL of Trenton; establish recreation program director; consider supporting PA House bills 2532, 1065 and 2525 pertaining to animal regulations; consider preliminary subdivision plan for Christopher Urban subdivision at 121 Grandview Ave.; consider preparing and advertising an amendment to the zoning ordinance regarding signage; and consider entering a mutual aid agreement between the Morrisville Fire Co. and the Trenton Hazardous Materials Team. 215-295-8181
Morrisville Council: 7:30 p.m., borough hall, 35 Union St. Agenda: public comment; payments to Morrisville Fire Co. and Morrisville Ambulance Squad; request the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission transfer of $40,000 from curb and sidewalk project to the Median Island & Traffic Signal Installation project; award contract for the Median Island & Traffic Signal Installation project; direct solicitor to create a referendum on the November ballot to increase the millage to support the Morrisville Ambulance Squad; ordinance for collection of insufficient-fund charges; final plan for Falkowski/Kilpinski Subdivision; advertise amended traffic ordinance; consider tennis program presented by NJTL of Trenton; establish recreation program director; consider supporting PA House bills 2532, 1065 and 2525 pertaining to animal regulations; consider preliminary subdivision plan for Christopher Urban subdivision at 121 Grandview Ave.; consider preparing and advertising an amendment to the zoning ordinance regarding signage; and consider entering a mutual aid agreement between the Morrisville Fire Co. and the Trenton Hazardous Materials Team. 215-295-8181
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
We're Waiting Steve...
The silence is deafening...
Remember this post?
School Funding Fight
Or are they just content with publicly whining about how unfair the current funding plan is and not following through with the hard work of making proposals become reality?
While I think about it, someone got up at a recent school board meeting and said, "Someone needs to do something" about the tax situation. Well, DUH. Talk about a stroke of the blinding obvious.
First off, I remember very well who said that from the audience. Now it's time to pay up. Congratulations! YOU, sir, are that someone. Introduce a resolution in the borough council supporting this tax plan. Get one introduced in the school board. Pass them both unanimously and present them tied with red ribbons and bows to Governor Rendell, Senator McIlhenney, and Representative Galloway.
Remember this post?
School Funding Fight
Or are they just content with publicly whining about how unfair the current funding plan is and not following through with the hard work of making proposals become reality?
While I think about it, someone got up at a recent school board meeting and said, "Someone needs to do something" about the tax situation. Well, DUH. Talk about a stroke of the blinding obvious.
First off, I remember very well who said that from the audience. Now it's time to pay up. Congratulations! YOU, sir, are that someone. Introduce a resolution in the borough council supporting this tax plan. Get one introduced in the school board. Pass them both unanimously and present them tied with red ribbons and bows to Governor Rendell, Senator McIlhenney, and Representative Galloway.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Gateway Discussion at Agenda Meeting Tonight?
I received this email from a trusted source and would like to ask everyone who supports the Gateway projects to contact their borough council members. Let them know you support Gateway and that you expect their affirmative vote in council.
Go to the borough website from the link on the sidebar to the left and find your council members. Let them know you support Morrisville.
MAYOR
Tom Wisnosky: 215-295-0439
COUNCIL MEMBERS 2008
President:
Nancy Sherlock 215-736-1264
Vice President:
Kathryn Panzitta 215-295-1264
George Bolos: 215-428-0667
Jane Burger: 215-736-1321
Eileen Dreisbach: 215-295-1914
Rita Ledger: 215-295-4344
David Rivella: 215-295-5030
Stephen Worob: 215-736-2987
Heard that Gateway will be discussed this evening during the agenda meeting tonight at Boro Hall. Meeting begins at 7:30.
Also heard that a conversation was held with Jane Burger and that Ms. Burger mentioned that she CAN'T think of any reasons to support this project!!!
To put it simply, this could be the end of the Gateway project.
Please make an effort to attend and voice your opinion and call your ward representatives.
Go to the borough website from the link on the sidebar to the left and find your council members. Let them know you support Morrisville.
MAYOR
Tom Wisnosky: 215-295-0439
COUNCIL MEMBERS 2008
President:
Nancy Sherlock 215-736-1264
Vice President:
Kathryn Panzitta 215-295-1264
George Bolos: 215-428-0667
Jane Burger: 215-736-1321
Eileen Dreisbach: 215-295-1914
Rita Ledger: 215-295-4344
David Rivella: 215-295-5030
Stephen Worob: 215-736-2987
Heard that Gateway will be discussed this evening during the agenda meeting tonight at Boro Hall. Meeting begins at 7:30.
Also heard that a conversation was held with Jane Burger and that Ms. Burger mentioned that she CAN'T think of any reasons to support this project!!!
To put it simply, this could be the end of the Gateway project.
Please make an effort to attend and voice your opinion and call your ward representatives.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Gateway Meeting Update
Was anyone at the borough meeting last night? How was the Gateway presentation?
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