Voters in the third ward will make the ultimate selection in this year's November 7 municipal election. They will choose from among two candidates to be nominated by the Democratic and Republican parties, or may choose a write-in candidate. Whomever is elected will serve for only two years, when Jenkins' term expires.
At their meeting on July 17, President Michael Hudak described the procedure that will be followed to name an interim Commissioner. Under the First Class Township Code, Commissioners have just 30 days to fill a vacancy. Candidates are limited to persons who have resided in the third ward for at least a year. Bethlehem Township just redrew its ward boundaries last September, so it's unclear whether a candidate must be a person who lived in the ward as it exists now or as it was when Jenkins was elected. Interestingly, there was no motion to accept Jenkins' resignation. In some municipalities, boards with a vacancy will delay the acceptance of a resignation to give themselves more time.
Jenkins is a Democrat. In the municipal race four years ago, she defeated Republican Phil Barnard by a scant eight votes.
Because of that vacancy, Commissioners voted unanimously to table an offer from the Housenick Estate to accept $1.3 million for the exterior stabilization of the Archibald Johnston mansion. Hudak and Davis were both leery that the one bid received was nearly $500,000 more than industry professionals had estimated. "What's the harm in doing our due diligence? he asked. At the same time, he warned that the actual cost to renovate the interior of the mansion will be $4-5 million.
While Davis agreed with Hudak to delay this matter for a full board, she stressed the importance of acting quickly. She also stressed that she would oppose the use of taxpayer funds to rehab the mansion.
In other business, Commissioners voted unanimously to seek proposals from five firms for a new parks and open space plan. At the request of resident Dennis Brennan, the board agreed to include the detention pond at the end of Gloucester Drive.
14 comments:
Let the historic building rot.
Why is she resigning?
Who will they get to fill that post.
Mickey Thompson for Commissioner
@6:37 AM,
As it says in the first paragraph, "for personal reasons". Ms. Jenkins is entitled to her privacy, If she chooses not to share her reasons, then it's nobody's business but hers.
@7:35 AM,
Read the post to answer your question.
@7:51 AM,
Thompson does not live in the 3rd ward.
I took a nice walk around the beautiful grounds earlier this summer, and I was saddened by the deterioration of the mansion and nearby steps in just the past two years. As a history major in my youth, I can appreciate desires to preserve history. On the flip side, I can also appreciate the budgetary constraints of the Township. As reported in the Express, in 2011 Pennoni Associates did a master plan, and Evan Stone reported at a Township meeting that "restoring the mansion for public use, including the installation of public restrooms, would cost $1.1 million." Now, as you report, six years later just the exterior stabilization alone was bid at $1.3 million, with potentially millions more to renovate the interior.
Sadly, the mansion was already in a state of some deterioration when the Twp was bequeathed the property in 2005, which if all are honest was years in the making (including during Mrs. Housenick's lifetime). However, that deterioration has greatly advanced since then. I wish for the mansion to be renovated, and not simply preserved in some sort of architecturally embalmed state. However, I can appreciate the apprehensions of those overseeing tight municipal budgets to venture into this when estimates have already risen millions of dollars in such a short time.
Without recalling the specifics, I recall there were stipulations in the will for its public ownership, along with a committee of 3 Trustees (independent of the Twp) responsible for the money left for the maintenance of the park. I am afraid that as long as the mansion's preservation is left to a budget-constrained municipal political body, financial realities will always prevent what could be. Is there not some legal way for the Twp and the Housenick Trustees to work together within the confines of the will to perhaps create (or find) an independent (and professional) non-profit Historical Preservation entity who could utilize the Trust fund to leverage for additional grants and fundraising? Perhaps the mansion and immediate proximity could be leased to this entity for 20 years for a $1 a year, with any/all liabilities assumed by this historical entity to release the Twp of that concern. If the funds have been raised, and the mansion renovated, that lease could be stipulated to thereafter be automatically renewed in 20 year increments. However, if the renovation has not been financially possible, then the mansion plot would revert back to the Twp for whatever fate then-Twp leaders decide. Perhaps some sort of arrangement as this could fit the public ownership intent of the will while putting it in the hands of those whose sole purpose, and expertise, will be active renovation.
I know passions got entwined with idealism, "ownership", and politics from the various "friends" and personalities in the past. However, the more time that passes, the more expensive it will become. Perhaps enough time has elapsed to find a creative solution before its too late.
To clarify, my suggestion is not for the whole park to be leased, just an "island" within the park of the mansion and immediate vicinity, while the remainder of the beautiful park land is still fully in Twp hands.
Even if renovated, they don't know what they can do with it. I believe they are restricted from alcoholic beverages in this public facilities, so no wedding rentals or anything else. $5 million for an empty and maybe useless box. Get rid of a money pit
Hudak was right. Tear it down
Do you know if Pat Breslin's "Township Observer" US mail delivered newspaper, is receiving advertising payments from the same township that he is a commissioner of? One ad in the recent issue is for the community center and the other is a police dept ad.
If pat breslin is voting on any police or rec center items, he should be arrested for receiving ad monies for his toilet paper observer!
Bethlehem Tp has bought no ads from Breslin.
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