BCATO 117th Annual Convention
Save the Date- Saturday, February 22, 2025
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.
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.
Panel Discussion Presentation
Here is the list of resolutions that were approved to move to PSATS.
PSATS County Association Presentation