Odor scrubber replacement in Bensalem
Rep. K.C. Tomlinson and Sen. Frank Farry announced that Bensalem Township has received a grant from the Pennsylvania Local Share Account program for an odor scrubber replacement.
The grant will fund the odor scrubber replacement project at the Totem Road Pump Station in Bensalem, which will replace the current chemical odor scrubber unit as the current scrubber has reached the end of its current life. Some $500,000 has been granted for the project. This will make sure foul odors from the facility will not escape into neighboring areas.
“This is excellent news for the Bensalem area,” Tomlinson said. “Making sure that the current odor scrubber is replaced makes sure the pump station on Totem Road stays active and continues to treat wastewater properly.”
“I’m pleased to have helped secure funding for this necessary project in Bensalem,” Farry said. “This investment of a new odor scrubber will make sure their odor control system always remains operational.” ••
New law cracks down on street racing
Reps. K.C. Tomlinson and Joe Hogan, along with Sen. Frank Farry, announced that legislation proposed by Tomlinson and Hogan to crack down on street racing, House Bill 2266, was signed into law by Gov. Josh Shapiro. Farry introduced the companion bill in the Senate.
“This is a crucial piece of legislation. We are seeing more and more of these illegal street racing events in our area,” Tomlinson said. “This is now my fourth piece of legislation related to crime that has become law. The safety of my community is a top priority for me.”
“I want to thank Rep. Tomlinson for allowing me to work with her on this issue,” Hogan said. “Act 103 of 2024 will keep our streets and communities safer and is a bipartisan solution to a troubling crime.”
“Illegal street racing has become an incredibly dangerous issue and needs to stop before more people or law enforcement officers are hurt or killed at these events,” Farry said. “As part of this new law, the organizer of these events will now be held accountable with penalties, and I think that is crucial in reducing the number of these incidents and keeping our communities safe.”
Act 103 of 2024 will update the penalties that exist for street racing, by increasing the fine from $250 up to $2,000 per violation and taking the driver’s vehicle away on any second or supplementary violations.
This new law will also create new penalties for those who organize a street race, including charging them with a third-degree felony if anyone is seriously hurt or killed from a street race. ••
Local projects funded
Rep. Joe Hogan and Sen. Frank Farry announced that four projects in both the 142nd Legislative District and 6th Senatorial District have received grant funding from the Pennsylvania Local Share Account program.
The projects that received funding are as follows:
• Langhorne Manor Borough will receive $348,826 for the replacement of drainage swales along West Prospect Avenue, between Station Avenue and Hulmeville Avenue, with infiltration trenches.
• Lower Southampton Township will receive $313,999 for the purchase and installation of new intersection cameras across Lower Southampton. This project includes purchasing and installing cameras and associated equipment at about 22 identified intersections.
• The Upper Southampton Municipal Authority will receive $593,343 to purchase and install two bypass pumps at the Mill Creek Pump Station located in Lower Southampton. USMA is in the process of upgrading its sanitary sewer stations at the Mill Creek station.
• Middletown Township will receive $1 million to finish lighting upgrades at Community Park. The project will replace lighting at a skate park, two soccer fields and a baseball field at Community Park.
“I am thrilled to see this grant money come through for projects in the district,” Hogan said. “All of these projects help improve the quality of life for the citizens of these areas and will help Lower Bucks continue to be a great place to live and grow a family.”
“I’m pleased to have helped secure funding for these important projects in the district. Each addresses a critical need and will greatly benefit our community for years to come,” Farry said. ••
Neshaminy getting a new roof
Rep. Joe Hogan announced Neshaminy School District has received a grant from the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program, which provides grants to public school districts and area career and technical schools for eligible facility improvement projects.
Neshaminy will receive $826,875 from this program for a roof replacement project at Neshaminy High School. This project will fix leaking issues that have been occurring at the high school for multiple years.
“I am so pleased to see Neshaminy receive this crucial grant funding,” Hogan said. “This will help make a major and necessary improvement to the high school facility and help continue to make sure our kids feel safe, secure and healthy in their schools.” ••
Securing doors at schools
Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Jared Moskowitz introduced a measure to enhance school safety through the reinforcement of interior and exterior doors, the Secure & Fortify Entrances and Rooms in Schools Act. This bill would require an expert panel to make recommendations on the installation or modification of school doors and provide a decade-long investment to implement this security upgrade nationwide.
“We have a responsibility to ensure that every necessary safeguard is in place to protect our students, educators and school communities in the event of a safety emergency,” Fitzpatrick said. “The bipartisan SAFER Schools Act puts the physical security of our educational institutions front and center by mandating and funding the reinforcement of doors in every primary and secondary school nationwide. I am grateful to partner with Rep. Moskowitz and continue my work with my good friend, the remarkable Tony Montalto, and Stand with Parkland in advancing this critical initiative. Congress must act with urgency and resolve to create the safest possible learning environments — our children’s safety and success and parents’ peace of mind depend on it.”
The SAFER Schools Act would:
• Instruct the CISA director to convene a rulemaking advisory committee consisting of law enforcement and safety officers, technological and structural experts, and school personnel.
• Direct the advisory committee to consider key aspects of school door reinforcement as well as develop and report to Congress their recommendations on door requirements, performance standards, certification and training, and more.
• Require the CISA director, taking into account the advisory committee’s report, to issue a final rule requiring the installation or modification of interior and exterior doors in primary or secondary schools.
• Provide an additional annual increase of $100 million for 10 years to the Homeland Security Grant Program to assist schools in meeting the final rule’s requirements. ••
Fire and emergency services co-op for high schoolers
Sen. Frank Farry (R-6th dist.) and Bucks County Community College announced a partnership among the Bucks County Emergency Health Services, Bucks County Community College and several local Bucks County high schools to offer a Fire and Emergency Services Co-Op Program for students entering 12th grade in the 2025-2026 school year.
The no-cost program will be held in the second half of the school day at the Lower Bucks Public Safety Training Center in Croydon, and will offer 400 hours of industry training, nine college credits and multiple professional and industry certifications.
The Fire and Emergency Services Co-Op Program is not only for students interested in joining a fire department or ambulance squad, but for students already involved in a volunteer fire and/or EMS company who would like additional training. The program will also be beneficial for students who want to get a jump-start on a college degree, want to be able to apply for a live-in program near a college or university or those needing the industry minimum to get hired as an EMT, firefighter, dispatcher, nurse, physician assistant and other similar careers.
“I know firsthand the difficulty our local volunteer fire departments have with recruitment and retention of new members,” Farry said. “I have been happy to champion legislation in Harrisburg to aid in these efforts and this new co-op program will be a fantastic opportunity for our students, while recruiting the next generation of volunteers to help protect our community.”
Farry, chief of Langhorne-Middletown Fire Company since 2001, an active member of the organization for thirty-five years and chair of the Senate Fire & EMS Caucus, secured the state funding to start the program and worked with Bucks County Community College and local school districts to develop the Co-Op.
“Bucks County Community College is committed to empowering students with real-world skills that lead to meaningful careers,” said Patrick M. Jones, president and CEO of Bucks County Community College. “The Fire and Emergency Services Co-Op Program not only provides valuable training, but by partnering with local schools and industry leaders, we are ensuring that students receive a head start on both college and career pathways, all while serving a critical need in public safety.”
For additional information, email Matthew.Hatrak@bucks.edu or call 610-227-5467. ••
Weddings, vow renewals
Linda Bobrin, Register of Wills and Clerk of Orphans’ Court, will be holding her annual Vows and Veterans wedding celebration on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from noon to 2 p.m. in the third-floor rotunda of the Bucks County Administration Building in Doylestown.
In addition to the wedding ceremony, a vow-renewal ceremony will be part of the celebration. Former U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy will officiate the ceremonies.
The free wedding will feature photography by Courtney Kanig Photography, live music by Mervin Toussaint Jazz Band, flowers, videography, cupcakes and a catered lunch. The first five participating couples will receive a gift certificate for a night at 1740 House in Lumberville.
The registration deadline is Oct. 30. Email willsandweddings@buckscounty.org. Participating couples looking to marry or renew their marriage vows must include at least one veteran or first responder. Couples interested in the wedding ceremony must apply for and obtain their marriage license by Nov. 1. The marriage license application can be found at buckscounty.gov/marriagelicenses.
For more information on how to participate or to donate services or funds, call Rachel Landsberg at 215-340-8268. ••
Farry office hours in Bensalem
State Sen. Frank Farry (R-6th dist.) is offering satellite office hours the first Wednesday of every month, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Bensalem Township Municipal Building, 2400 Byberry Road, Bensalem.
Farry’s staff will be on site to assist with state government services; Property Tax/Rent Rebate applications, birth and death certificate applications, SEPTA Senior Key card registrations and renewals; and unemployment issues. ••
Lower South supervisor meeting schedule
The Lower Southampton Township Board of Supervisors meets at 7:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month at the Township Building, 1500 Desire Ave., Feasterville. The next meeting is Nov. 13. ••
Bensalem Council meeting schedule
Bensalem Township Council meetings are generally held on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7 p.m. in the Municipal Building at 2400 Byberry Road, Bensalem.
Meetings can be viewed live on Comcast Xfinity Channel 22 in Bensalem and on Verizon Fios Channel 34 throughout Bucks County. They can also be streamed live on the Bensalem Township YouTube channel.
The schedule is Nov. 12 (Tuesday), Nov. 25, Dec. 4 (budget meeting) and Dec. 16. ••
Bensalem school board meeting schedule
The Bensalem Township Board of School Directors holds meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Dorothy D. Call Administrative Center, 3000 Donallen Drive, Bensalem.
The next meeting will take place on Nov. 26.
The public is invited to attend.
The following meeting is on Dec. 17 (third Tuesday). ••
Commissioners meeting
The Bucks County Commissioners meet on the first and third Wednesdays of the month at 10:30 a.m. at the Bucks County Administration Building, 55 E. Court St., in Doylestown.
The meetings are broadcast on the county’s YouTube channel.
The next meeting will be Nov. 6. ••
