Township Tears Down Dirt Barrier on Constance Drive

A lot of serious responsibility comes with the job of chairperson for the Warminster board of supervisors. But that doesn't mean the job also doesn't come with one or two perks.

Board chairperson Leo Quinn jumped at the chance to grab the wheel of a Case front loader and remove the first chunk of dirt from an earthen barrier located on Constance Drive in the Street Road Industrial Park. 

"Now we're going to have to get one and put it in the backyard," joked Quinn's wife, Claudia Eisenmann-Quinn.

Thursday morning's excavation marked the end of a 30-year struggle to get the road up to code and dedicated to the township. Mark Hankin, who owns and develops the properties in the Street Road Industrial Park, is pleased to hand over maintenance responsibilities to Warminster's Public Works department.

"I'm glad to lose the privilege of plowing the roads in the early morning after a snowstorm," said Hankin.

The finish line to completing the turnover came into view approximately three years ago, said Quinn. The end of the road solidified over the last six months, according to Quinn, with township manager Rich Manfredi negotiating the final agreement with Hankin.

"There was a lot of give and take for both of us," said Hankin. "It's a very cooperative agreement."

Quinn said that the connected path between Mearns Road and Louis Drive will improve the flow of traffic in the industrial park, which includes businesses on Constance Drive, Nina Way and Patricia Drive.

"That's going to attract new companies and tenants for Mark and improve commerce for the township," said Quinn.

Another benefit is an additional easement connecting the Centennial bus depot to Constance Drive, providing a new exit route for the buses, away from the logjam that is Street Road in the afternoon. Quinn estimated the district would save approximately $20,000 a year from fuel expenses.

On a sidenote, Quinn also presented a $25 personal check to Manfredi that will benefit the Warminster Parks and Recreation Department. Even though the check bears Quinn's signature, the money came from a friendly wager he had with previous township solicitor Michael Savona.

During a township meeting a while back, Quinn thought Savona was too optimistic about a timeline for completion of the project. When he proved to be correct, Savona coughed up the $20. Quinn added $5 to the donation in order to get matching funds from his employer.