WARMINSTER TOWNSHIP COMPREHENSIVE PLAN - E-Library

Commun itv Facilitiessurplus of beds may exist by the year 2000. This trend may be attributed to increases in technology,more alternatives, and more cost-efficient methods of treatment. However, there may be a deficit in thenumber of beds available in long-term health care facilities for the year 2000. The deficit in long-termcare facilities is anticipated because of an increase in the number of persons aged 65 and older. Theaging of the baby boom generation will also be a major factor in the need for long-term heairh carebeyond the year 2000. This group, born between 1946 and 1964, will start to turn 65 in 201 1.Although an increase in the elderly population is projected, the need for long-term care may beaddressed through less costly and more appropriate alternative care methods to meet the medical andpersonal needs of many members of this population. These alternatives include adult day care,personal care facilities, continuing life care facilities, and in-home services.Library FacilitiesThe Bucks County Library Center (Center County), located in Doylestown Borough, is the closestbranch of the Bucks County Free Library System. In addition to borrowing books, borough residentscan participate in educational programs offered at the library. The library receives funding from thecounty and individual gifts.The Pennsylvania Department of Education Bureau of the State Library utilizes a standard of 1.5currently useful items per person to determine the adequacy of a library’s collection. The BucksCounty Library Center, serving the central Bucks area with an estimated population of 89,915 peoplein 1996, has 157,458 items (Dec. 1996). Thus the area’s ratio of books per person, 1.7, is slightlymore than the recommended standard. This is due primarily to the fact that the library is the centrallibrary for the entire county system. The County Library Center serves as a repository for materialswhich are available to all other county libraries.Educational Faci I hiesSchools have several important community functions. They serve not only as places for academicinstruction but also provide opportunities for social and physical development. School facilities servingChalfont Borough provide indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, classroom space, and auditoriumswhich are available for use by borough residents after school hours.Providing school facilities is a dynamic process due to the fluctuating growth and decline of studentpopulations. New requirements for handicapped accessibility and year round school options also affectschool facilities. As needs change, facilities may be expanded, rehabilitated, closed, or sold. Becauseof the important role schools play, the community must be aware of these facilities and the factorsaffecting them.The schools serving Chalfont Borough are part of the Central Bucks School District which also serviceNew Britain and Doylestown boroughs and Buckingham, Doylestown, New Britain, Warrington, andWarwick townships. One elementary school, a junior high school, and a high school serve ChalfontBorough. These schools, their enrollments, and capacities are shown in Table 15 on the next page.Chalfont Borough Comprehensive Plan Update Draft 43