Upper Makefield awards paving contract, hires full-time police officer

Upper Makefield is moving forward with planned improvements to roads and a park.

On May 7, the township’s board of supervisors approved a contract that opens the door for Philadelphia-based contractor James D. Morrissey Inc. to perform paving in the township.

The $538,574 contract will see Morrissey undertake the improvement work on Barlow Bridge Road, Davis Drive, Fieldstone Way, Timber Knoll, Avondale Drive, Woodside Lane, Old Dolington Road and Cooper Road, according to Township Manager David Nyman.

Upper Makefield officials budgeted in advance for the expense, which is being paid for through the general fund portion of the township budget and state-provided Liquid Fuels funding.

Meanwhile, supervisors also decided to enlist Polaris Construction of Warminster to install a walking trail and undertake related drainage work at Lookout Park.

At their May 7 meeting, supervisors’ approved Polaris’ bid of $149,325 to do the work.

The township is using $103,270 in funding from the Bucks County Open Space Program to pay for the walking trail and drainage upgrades.

In other news, Upper Makefield supervisors approved the promotion of Justin Edwards to the position of full-time police officer. Edwards had been serving as a part-time officer in the township department since February, officials said.

According to the township, Edwards studied criminal justice at DeSales University and underwent basic training at both the Philadelphia Police Academy and Montgomery County Municipal Police Academy.

He has worked as a police officer in Philadelphia, where he gained experience in community relations, investigating accidents, and patrolling in high crime and heavily populated districts. A resume highlight includes a Commendation for Merit for a sight robbery arrest in 2016.

Edwards is replacing a retiring officer. The department has 15 officers, plus Chief Mark F. Schmidt.

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