BCATO 117th Annual Convention
2025 Annual Convention Recap
BCATO 117th Annual Convention
The Bucks County Association of Township Officials hosted its 117th Annual Convention on February 22nd at the Northampton Valley Country Club. After breakfast and networking amongst the sponsors and guests, President Maggie Rash opened the convention, welcoming everyone. Pledge of Allegiance and a moment of reflection were given by Vincent Deon, of Northampton Township. Next was a Moment of Silence to honor Warwick Supervisor and Past BCATO President, Judith Algeo. The presentation of the BCATO Intern Scholarship in Honor of Judith Algeo to Springfield Township was presented by President Maggie Rash, along with a Moment of Silence and Presentation of the George Metzger Service Award Posthumously Honoring Middletown Supervisor Anna Payne. The Youth Service Award in Honor of Dr. Richard “Doc” Derstine was presented to students and teachers of the STEM Outreach Club from Palisades High School. The Panel Discussion "Ensuring a Robust Future of Emergency Services" included the following panelists: John Geib, Director of Emergency Communications, and Bob Barnes, Deputy Director of Operations from the County 911 operations. Chief Scott Fleischer, Point Pleasant Fire Company, Chief Glenn Forsyth, Newtown Fire and Rescue, Evan Resnikof, Newtown’s EMS Chief and President of the County’s EMS Chiefs Association, and Chuck Pressler, Central Bucks EMS. It was a successful and informative convention that included interaction from both panelists and the guests. Thank you, as always, to our sponsors and those who participated this year and special thanks to Amanda Gerace for taking photos of the convention.
Youth Service Award in Honor of Dr. Richard “Doc” Derstine was presented to students and teachers of the STEM Outreach Club from Palisades High School.
Past Conventions
BCATO 116th Annual Convention
Thank you to all who joined us for the BCATO 116th Annual Convention on February 24, 2024.
The Northampton Valley Country Club was the site of the 116th Annual BCATO Convention. We are pleased to welcome our newest director, Stephanie Shortall, Supervisor, New Britain Township, to the Executive Board. This year's panel discussion "Leadership - Lessons Learned from Local Government," featured Gov. Mark Schweiker, State Senator Steve Santarsiero (PA-10), and State Senator Frank Farry (PA-6). We were also joined by Fire Chief Tim Brewer, Upper Makefield Fire Company who presented a review of the emergency operation that resulted from the extreme weather event in Upper Makefield Township in July 2023 resulting in the tragic loss of lives in Bucks County. We applaud Chief Brewer for his effort and for sharing this valuable information with our members.
It was wonderful to connect with our municipal neighbors and our sponsors. A special thank you to our member townships and sponsors for your support. Check out our video highlights of the BCATO 116th Annual Convention.
BCATO 115th Annual Convention
2023 Annual Convention
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the BCATO 115th Annual Convention. It was terrific to be back in person. We appreciated the hospitality of Northampton Township and the opportunity to hold the Convention at the municipally owned Northampton Valley Country Club. Pictured above were our hosts Adam Selisker, Chairman of the Northampton Board of Supervisors, Bob Pellegrino, Township Manager, and VInce Deon, township Tax Collector. Also pictured are newly elected PA Representatives, Kristen Marcell (PA-178) and Joe Hogan (PA-142). Rep. Shelby Labs, (PA-143) also stopped by. Our Bucks County Board of Commissioners led by Bob Harvie, Chairman, Diane Eilis- Marselglia, Vice Chair, and Gene DiGirolamo provided updates on both challenges facing the county and successes in meeting the needs of our residents. Barry Luber, Warrington Township Manager, and Bucks County Consortium President discussed an effort moving ahead to form an infrastructure consortium to target water and sewer issues. Dave Nyman, BCATO's 1st Vice President, discussed the March 2, 2023, PA Senate Policy Committee Hearing on the Sterling Act.
Vince Deon, 2nd Vice President presented the Metzger Service Award to Mayor Joe DiGirolamo, Bensalem for his more than two decades of service to his township and often leading the way across the county. Mayor Joe has been a fixture on the BCATO Board of Directors for many years and will be missed. We are pleased to note that Michelle Benitz, Councilwoman, Bensalem, will now represent Bensalam's interest on the board.
This year's panel discussion focused on the robust housing market here in Bucks County and some of the unintended consequences municipalities are facing as a result. We would like to thank our panelists, Florence Kawoczka, Executive Director of Habitat of Humanity of Bucks County, Erik Clare, Executive Director of the Bucks County Housing Group, Micheal Roedig, Director of Planning Services for the Bucks County Planning Commission, and Judy Stern-Goldstein, Landscape Architect and Planner for Gilmore and Associates.
No convention would be complete without an update from PSATS. Joe Gerdes, Director of Government Relations for PSATS provided a very thorough look into the prospects for this year's legislative priorities.
Finally, thank you to our many sponsors for their support. It was really great to connect in person.
Bucks County Association of Township Officials
PO Box 1200
Doylestown,
PA 18901