New jobs, WWI veteran recognition and enhanced park safety are on the way
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
The Falls Township supervisors had a busy agenda during their Oct. 16 meeting, when a slew of vital topics, including job creation, park rejuvenation and WWI soldier recognition, were covered.
Within the Falls Township Meeting Room, located in the Municipal Building at 188 Lincoln Highway in Fairless Hills, the first item up for discussion was the creation of 25 new jobs at an 8.77-acre site situated at the Keystone Port Complex. At this spot, Airgas, which is headquartered in Radnor, plans to expand upon its current roster of 40 locations and 1,200 employees spanning the Greater Philadelphia region.
Following a presentation and thorough review, the supervisors voted unanimously to grant approval of a minor subdivision, as well as preliminary and final land development to the company.
According to a representative, Airgas has more than 1 million customers in the U.S. and manufactures oxygen, nitrogen and argon. While nitrogen serves customers in electronics and metal fabrication and works as a preserving agent to quickly freeze food, argon is used primarily for welding.
All produced products are fed through a short pipe rack to storage tanks, where materials serve as inventory for tractor trailers, which are used to distribute to various customers. While double-wall tanks prevent leaks, the representative said in the event of an accident, “it goes right back where it came from — the air.”
The company plans to construct an air separation plant on a portion of the former U.S. Steel Corporation property. The clean industrial process enhances the reliability of oxygen supplied to hospitals, uses ambient air and has no emissions, or hazardous or residual waste. Airgas is awaiting a permit from the Department of Environmental Protection, which should be approved by mid-November.
Next, supervisors unanimously approved a Bells of Peace Proclamation at the request of the United States World War One Centennial Commission, which asks that everyone toll bells at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 (Veterans Day) in remembrance of the 4.7 million people who served in World War I.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Armistice agreement, which ended the fighting in the war. In all, WWI claimed the lives of 116,516 Americans, with 200,000 wounded. The Falls supervisors adopted the proclamation at the suggestion of chairman Bob Harvie, a history teacher at Bucks County Technical High School.
“It was the way that World War I ended that set the stage for World War II,” Harvie said.
He added that the link between WWI is apparent in future conflicts as well, including the Korean War and Cold War. The redrawn boundaries led to “many tensions” in Saudi Arabia and Iraq as well.
“It continues to this day in many ways,” he said.
The board then announced ways local officials are working to revamp Quaker Penn Park, 350 Pennsbury Memorial Road, Morrisville. The mission is to bring residents to the park for picnics, parties under the pavilions, playground fun and sports — not just boating.
To make guests feel safer and to prevent inappropriate park behavior, the supervisors authorized the installation of electric cameras at the park’s entrance, as well as spots throughout the park.
“We have a lot of people who do use the park and they don’t feel very secure,” said Jason Lawson, Public Works director. “Hopefully, they’ll feel more secure and use it more.”
Officials plan to add cameras at the park entrance to see license plates of cars coming and going. Cameras are also slated to be placed by the boat ramp, restroom facilities and playground. Some 75 percent of the project costs are being covered by a Bucks County open space grant. Public Works employees recently installed six street lights and six parking lot lights for added safety. Previously, the park had no lighting, according to Lawson.
The addition of electricity and cameras comes on the heels of a recent addition of a swing set, playground, picnic tables, riverfront cleanup and three compost toilet facilities. According to officials, the compost toilets will save the township $1,000 per year as compared to the cost of portable toilets. Falls will also save on maintenance costs and may cut back on the expense of running water. The facility would be relatively maintenance-free for 20 years other than adding fresh wood chips every few years.
Finally, the board took a major step to ensure Falls isn’t littered with telecommunications equipment for which the governing body had no oversight. Supervisors unanimously approved a resolution to oppose a House bill that, if passed, would strip municipalities of local control.
House Bill 2564, the Small Wireless Facilities Deployment Act, would permit wireless providers and cable operators to install antennas in all public rights-of-way. Introduced by State Rep. Frank Farry (R-142), the bill states, “A municipality may not limit the placement of small wireless facilities by minimum separation distances.”
According to Falls attorney Lauren Gallagher, the bill would permit wireless providers and cable operators to install equipment anywhere within the township. Harvie said he believes the bill is not constitutional.
“Municipalities do like having a little bit of control,” he said. “If this bill becomes law, they can come and start putting devices anywhere they want to.”
Gallagher also stated the proposed law would dramatically decrease the revenue Falls receives from wireless facilities. The bill limits annual fees paid to municipalities to $25 per small wireless facility or $25 per new utility pole with a small wireless facility. Officials said Falls collects about $300 annually for these devices. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at sbambino@newspapermediagroup.com
