Commissioners OK Lower Bucks Hospital Bond

In adopting a resolution approving the Lower Bucks Hospital Redevelopment Area Proposal and Plan, Bucks County Commissioners unanimously reiterated their commitment to the hospital and to the community it serves, a release stated.

The resolution is the second step in a guaranty agreement the Commissioners approved during the Dec. 15 meeting, guaranteeing payment on $14 million in bonds to be issued by the Bucks County Redevelopment Authority for Lower Bucks Hospital.

On hand to discuss the hospital Redevelopment Plan were representatives from Lower Bucks Hospital as well as the Redevelopment Authority.

“We concluded that if some type of revitalization was not established, the community could lose its largest employer and actually exacerbate the economic distress of the area,” said Redevelopment Authority Executive Director Robert White.

“I live in Lower Bucks County…I too have been a patient at this hospital. We are all grateful it is here,” said Commissioner Diane M. Ellis Marseglia, who pushed for more openness with regard to documents and plans. “I think that that’s the beauty of government when we all agree on something and we all agree this hospital needs to stay open and we all agree we have a responsibility to keep it open.”

According to the release, there was additional discussion on how the redevelopment plan would be handled going forward and how much input and interaction the county would have, but in the end commissioners Charles H. Martin, Robert G. Loughery and Marseglia voted unanimously for the plan.

They received thanks from employees, both past and current, who filled the meeting room during the discussion, the release stated.

“I think what we are trying to accomplish here is the ability that information going forward continues to be updated in terms of where we are,” stated Loughery. “We’re taking a major step, I’m proud to be part of this step.”