Home Care In Bensalem, PA

HARRISBURG, PA —Motorists driving on the Pennsylvania Turnpike may want to be a little more careful going through construction work zones.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission have launched their Work Zone Speed Safety Camera Program designed to crack down on drivers speeding through highway construction sites.

The statewide enforcement was previously an initial five-year pilot program known as the Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement until Gov. Josh Shapiro signed House Bill 1284 into law on Dec. 14.

Over the five years of the pilot program's operation, there was a 38 percent reduction in speeding in work zones (1 mph or more over the speed limit), a 47 percent reduction in excessive speeding in work zones (11 mph or more over the speed limit), and work zone crashes declined by up to 50 percent when a speed enforcement vehicle was present, officials said.

"The Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program is about making work zones safer for both workers and motorists by reducing speeds and changing driver behavior," PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll said. "Data from the pilot program shows it was successful, and we're pleased that it's now a permanent program in Pennsylvania."

Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

One major construction work zone is the Route 1 Improvement Project in Bensalem and Middletown townships in Bucks County.

The legislation made several adjustments, including a new 15-day warning period beginning on the mail date of the first violation.

If a driver is caught speeding through a work zone by Work Zone Speed Safety Cameras, they will not receive a second violation until 15 days after the mail date of their first violation.

This allows time for the warning to be delivered to the motorist to ensure they are aware of the program and change their driving behavior.

Once the 15-day warning period has ended, multiple violations can be received on consecutive days, and even on the same day.

Additionally, under the new legislation, all violations are reset, meaning every motorist will start over with a first violation, even if they had received violations under the pilot program.

Violations that were issued before Feb. 15, during the pilot program are still valid and will continue to be pursued.

Work zones with speed safety cameras deployed are marked with signage in advance of the enforcement area. To improve driver awareness and ensure the signs are more easily noticed by motorists, new high-visibility signs are being implemented.

Pennsylvania's Work Zone Speed Safety Camera program uses vehicle-mounted systems to detect and record motorists exceeding posted work zone speed limits by 11 miles per hour or more using electronic speed timing devices.

Camera systems are only operational in active work zones where workers are present. Registered owners will receive a warning letter for a first offense, a violation notice with a $75 fine for the second offense, and a violation notice with a $150 fine for third and all subsequent offenses.

These violations are civil penalties only; no points will be assessed for driver's licenses.

In 2022, there were 1,293 work zone crashes in Pennsylvania, resulting in 14 fatalities, and 42% of work zone crashes resulted in fatalities and/or injuries.

Since 1970, PennDOT has lost 90 workers in the line of duty. The PA Turnpike has lost 45 workers since 1945.

(Photos Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation)

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —The streak is over.

After 30 years, township residents will see a municipal tax increase as a "reluctant" Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo delivered the news but was thankful that a $300 homeowners rebate check will remain intact for 2024.

"This is one of our budgets this year that has given us the most problems with funding," the mayor said. "We're not able to fund the (Parks and Recreation) budget anymore. I'm very reluctant obviously to do this increase, but at the same time extremely pleased that we're going to keep up the $300 rebate to our homeowners. The only difference in our budget would be the increase for all our additional parks that we have now that we haven't before, and all the equipment."

The increase is 1.5 mills.

The council unanimously approved the $67 million 2024 municipal budget at its Dec. 4 special budget meeting. Council President Joseph Pilieri was not in attendance.

DiGirolamo said the parks and recreation budget is separate from the township's general fund.

"We would not be able to go on to do the things that parks and rec need to do," the mayor said. "Reluctantly, to raise a tax is so difficult in these times. I know you all know what's going on with inflation in your own homes. We are getting hit in every department. We;ve done a heck of a job to keep everything else down."

The mayor thanked the council for working together as a team, along with all of the township's department heads.

"The raise the mayor is talking about is not that much, it's $33 a household in totality," Council President Edward Kisselback said. "What it allows us to do is continue what we provide for everyone in the township. We wanted to make sure the raise was fair to businesses and residents. This is the appropriate action."

Kisselback said that the township has 1,400 acres of open space —five times the amount for a township of Bensalem's size that is required by the state — and that it is a myriad of parks, the Bensalem Country Club, Firefighters Field, and Bensalem Community Park.

"We want to make sure that Bensalem maintains its record with its ranking as one of the best places to live for families in the state and nation," Kisselback said.

A resident with the average home assessment paid a $4,490 tax bill in 2023.

Residents paid $337 in municipal taxes, $534 in Bucks County taxes, $93 for fire and rescue services, and $3,525 to the Bensalem Township School District.

"$33 is $33, but I think what we're getting is some amazing improvements to our parks," Councilwoman Stacey Champion said. "Nothing is free. We all have to do our part."

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —More than 30 teams from throughout the tri-state area come to the Bensalem Township School District for a three-day robotics competition at the end of March.

The Fightin' Robotic Owls will host hosting the three-day FIRST Robotics Competition on March 22-24 with more than 30 teams from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware competing.

School officials are seeking the following volunteers: judges (interview teams and give out awards), queues (help teams line up before matches), referees, field reset (resets the competition field after each match), and Pit Admin (seated role, makes announcements and acts as info desk).

School officials said that training will be provided and a free T-shirt given out.

Anyone interested in volunteering can click here for more information.

Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In other school district news:

Bensalem High School students were selected for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 11 Band and Choral Festivals. Bensalem High School hosted the festivals this year.

On Jan. 11, the school district welcomed 130 top band students from 35 schools across Bucksand Montgomery counties.

Bensalem’s Ethan Zhao (flute), Levi Tedder (bass clarinet), Nishanth Behala (tuba), Jenni Kolano (saxophone), Jake Wagner (guitar/trumpet), Yasmine Chakrane (clarinet), Samantha Bajek (trumpet), and Nate Kollman (bari sax) participated.

On Jan. 25, BHS students Aidan McLendon, Nick Ferriola, Ethan Hinshaw, Emiliano Quinones, Jacob Ashford, Maggie MacAdams, Samantha Bajek, Ah'vae Turay, and Teni Onilari participated in the PMEA District 11 Chorus Festival. The students sang alongside some of the most talented singers from more than 30 schools in Bucks and Montgomery counties.

Additionally, Samantha Bajek moved forward to the Region 6 Band and Chorus festivals. Ethan Hinshaw, Emiliano Quinones, and Maggie MacAdams were selected to the Region 6 Chorus Festival.

PMEA is a statewide nonprofit organization of more than 4,000 members dedicated to promotingand supporting quality music education, learning, and performance in schools and communitiesin Pennsylvania.

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —This year, Bensalem Township was ranked as one of the "50 Best Places to Live for Families" in the nation.

The ranking came from Forbes Magazine, which touted the township's parks, amphitheater for concerts, and other amenities for residents.

Township officials would love to maintain that rating. But with those top services comes a price for residents next year —a tax increase in the 2024 municipal budget for the first time in 30 years.

Township officials attributed the increase to helping fund park improvements.

In a seven-page letter, Mayor Joseph DiGirolamo said it was either raise taxes 1.5 mills or "undertake significant cuts to facilities and programs at a time when the demand for these programs and facilities is at its highest."

Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"You all know that I do not make this recommendation cavalierly," the mayor said. "It pains me to suggest any tax increase for any reason. Now is not the time, however, for us to begin to chip away at those aspects of our township that make it a desirable place to live. Our public safety will always come first and it is critical to keeping our community a great place to live. The quality of our government services —particularly our parks, playgrounds, youth programs, and open space —are also integral to keeping Bensalem a vibrant and desirable place to live, work, and raise our children."

Click here to see the mayor's full message

The mayor said that public safety represents 65 percent of the municipal budget.

While there is a tax increase, the mayor said he was happy to continue the $300 annual rebate given to township owners.

The mayor said that Bensalem remains the only municipality in the state that provides any casino host fee monies directly to residents from having Parx Casino located in the township.

DiGirolamo said that despite that tax increase, Bensalem is in a strong financial position.

"My reluctance to raise taxes is well-documented," DiGirolamo said. "Any suggestion to increase your taxes comes with the belief that it is not only absolutely necessary but that it is the right thing to do as well for the long-term future of this community to which I devoted so much of my life."

Patch is asking candidates to share their views on issues in Bucks County. Stephanie Ferrandez of Bensalem Township presents her ideas.

Dino Ciliberti, Patch Staff

Candidates running in the Nov. 7 general election are providing background about themselves and their positions on the issues to voters in these profiles, which will run in Patch individually for each candidate.

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —Stephanie Ferrandez is running for the Bensalem Township School Board in the Nov. 7 general election.

Ferrandez is one of 10 candidates vying for five, four-year school board terms along with school board members Eric Price, Marc Cohen, and Heather Nicholas, and challengers Rebecca Mirra, Karen Winters, Bryan Hanratty, Deborah King, Cathy Dress, and Jim Kane.

Biographical Information

Name: Stephanie Ferrandez

Find out what's happening in Bensalemwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Age: 56

Town of residence: Bensalem

Position sought: School Board Director

Are you an incumbent? No. Served 2017 to 2021 on the school board.

What Towns Does Your Position Cover? Bensalem and Trevose

Party affiliation: Democrat (Cross-registered for both primaries.)

Family: Married with two teenage children.

Education: Swarthmore College, B.A. with Honors in the Social Sciences & University of Pennsylvania Law School Juris Doctor

Occupation: Attorney for 28 years. Owner of Gonzalez Ferrandez Law based in Bensalem.

1. What are the top issues currently facing your position and how do you plan to address them?

There are many controversial issues in the media, but I want to focus on old-fashioned education. While some children are doing well, others are struggling with the basics. Less than 50 percent of our children scored proficient in math in recent years of annual state testing. How will they be prepared to get a good job or go to college? Our high school students do not have access to enough electives to train them for jobs upon graduation or information about job opportunities.

Local businesses are looking for trained workers but we are not making those connections. Well-trained and educated workers benefit our entire community. Instead of using millions in COVID monies received beginning in 2021 to hire additional teachers and instructional aides, the District chose to pay down existing expenses and add to savings for a rainy day. The rainy day is here!

Other issues requiring attention are the stalled plans to upgrade the middle school and the closing of the Shafer pool, as well as the shortage of bus drivers.

2. Identify specific goals or ideas you have to enhance life in your position:

Board Members need to be proactive, not waiting for the administration to bring forth ideas. My specific goals would be to 1) hire more teachers, instructional aides, and bus drivers using the final year of COVID monies the District will receive; 2) create internships for seniors with local businesses and trades to increase access to good jobs; 3) adjust the BHS curriculum to provide for more electives with specific job training; 4) create a premier summer program for our younger kids, at no cost or for a small fee, with classes in theater, art, science, etc.; 5) take action on the stalled discussions for upgrading our two middle schools without the need for building the proposed expensive new mega-middle-school.

3. What in your experience or background prepares you for election to office?

I am a trial attorney, which means that I know how to advocate for my client. If I am elected to serve on the Board again, our kids will be my clients. I do not rest until I ask all the questions, get answers, and think outside of the box to offer a creative solution. Some people find my tenacity unsettling or wish I would not speak in public about difficult issues. Our kids face a challenging future and do not need complacency from their school leaders.

By being involved in our community, I always made myself accessible and listened to parents, students, and staff to find out what was working well and what needed to be addressed. The three-minute speaking rule the current board uses to limit community comments at meetings hinders listening, engagement, and problem-solving.

Since leaving the board at the end of 2021, people have continued to reach out to me, knowing I am approachable and might have a suggestion for them. Finally, I am willing to take positions that are not in line with party politics or what the administration wants to seek excellence for our children and community.