Provco Pineville (Wawa) submitted preliminary plans last week for a Wawa at the corner of Silver Lake Rd. & the Newtown Bypass. The township have accepted the application as administratively complete, and is processing the application for distribution to its consultants for review.

Note:

• Only 6 fueling stations
• No signage - what does that mean?

More, including links to the plan and Transportation (Traffic) Impact Study...

[Karen Downer is president of the NAACP Bucks County Branch.]

The school board elections are over* and new directors are taking their oaths. We at the NAACP Bucks County are hoping for a fresh start when it comes to talking about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in our local schools.

In campaign literature and public comments at school board meetings, we have heard many people push to derail or repeal DEI efforts in our schools for fear they would make white students feel guilty or ashamed. Lost in those conversations of what might happen to white students if DEI programs move forward are the actual experiences that students of color in Bucks County are having right now.

Well-designed DEI plans never set out to make students feel shame, but somehow those allegations and fears are getting more attention and concern than the actual experiences of our students today in districts without DEI plans. These plans are not solely for the benefit of students of color. All our children are growing up in an increasingly diverse country (read“2020 Census Population Data Reveals A More Diverse Newtown Township”; https://sco.lt/5FUu2K). In the U.S. since 2000, the Asian American/Pacific Islander population grew 29.3%, the Hispanic and Latino/a population 20%, and the Black/African American population 11.6%. America’s future depends on the ability of all children to work together productively, to respect each other, and to thrive as one America.

As school boards start their terms, the  NAACP Bucks County stands ready to help.

More...

Shop with a Cop is a national program pairing police officers with children to afford them a better holiday season.  This will be the 4th Shop with a Cop event that Newtown Township, Newtown Borough, Upper Makefield Police and Northampton Township Police Departments will participate in. The program allows children to view police officers in a different atmosphere which helps promote positive relationships.  The Shop with a Cop program is funded solely through the generosity of our local community’s residents and businesses. Volunteers from the community assist with gift wrapping, hosting, and registration. 

Police Officers from Newtown Township, Newtown Borough, Upper Makefield Township and Northampton Township Police Departments volunteer their personal time to support the program.  We anticipate over 115 children will participate in the program this year.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://bucks.crimewatchpa.com/newtowntwppd/34824/post/4th-annual-shop-cop-december-11-2021

If you have an idea for an environmental improvement for your community or business, let DEP help you make it happen with grant funding. A DEP grant can help your organization, municipality, business, or farm be more energy efficient, restore your local stream, reduce erosion, prepare for climate change, help lower air pollution, or teach kids or adults about environmental challenges and solutions. Watch this webinar to learn how to apply for grant funding from DEP.

At the 22 November 2021 Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting, Supervisor John Mack updated participants regarding traffic and pedestrian safety issues on North Sycamore Street near Silo Drive in Newtown. He summarized the comments and suggestions of Police Chief Hearn. This was followed by a lively discussion that included several ideas for mitigating the danger to both pedestrians and drivers.

Read a summary of this meeting: bit.ly/Nov2021-MMM-highlights

"I don't believe having a driver's license should be a prerequisite for participating in municipal government," said Mr. Christensen in a public comment before the Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) at the November 23, 2021, public meeting.

This was not the first time that Mr. Christensen came before the BOS to advocate for hybrid meetings. View a video of his comments at the August 25, 2021 BOS meeting.

Reports from Planning Commission; Engineer's update: DCED Watershed Restoration Fund grant, Lower Dolington Road Multi-Use Trail, Village at Newtown Traffic Study; Solicitor's Report: Legal NAC Expansion Project, Bucks County EMS Chief’s Association Request for ARPA Funds for EMS; Budget Discussion; Hybrid Meetings; Planning Commission to review Arcadia HOP Application; More...

This is my personal summary of the November 23, 2021, meeting of Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.

Contents

• Public Comment
• Reports of Committees
• Reports of Officials
• Bills List
• Old Business
• New Business
• My Personal Notes

Read more...

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced today that fatalities, injuries, and crashes decreased overall at 26 roundabouts at 23 locations in the time since they were built, according to department data.

"The modern roundabout is simply safer than the traditional intersection," said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. Department data based on police-submitted crash reports spanning the years 2000 through 2020 shows that fatalities at [these roundabouts] were reduced by 100 percent and the total number of crashes decreased by 22 percent.

Additionally:

• Suspected serious injuries were reduced by 81 percent;
• Suspected minor injuries were reduced by 36 percent;
• Possible/unknown severity injuries were reduced by 76 percent; and
• Property damage-only crashes increased by 13 percent.

In addition to the 26 roundabouts meeting the selection criteria, 36 other roundabouts have been built on state routes with 19 more in construction and 20 in final design.

The Bucks County roundabouts included in the review are at the following intersections:

• Route 2043 (Trevose Road) and Somerton Road
• Route 213 (Bridgetown Pike/Maple Avenue) and Route 2010 (Bridgetown Pike)

Roundabouts are frequently installed to address intersections with safety issues but may also be installed to improve traffic flow as well as other reasons such as traffic calming, and to facilitate pedestrian mobility.

To educate Pennsylvanians on how to navigate a roundabout, the department created a video on how to use both single and multi-lane roundabouts whether in a vehicle, on a bicycle or on foot. The video can be accessed by visiting the roundabout page on www.penndot.gov or by visiting the department's YouTube channel.

[From John S. Hallas, Director, Bureau of State Parks]

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) will be conducting a one-day, antlered and antlerless deer hunt Wednesday, December 1, at Tyler State Park, Bucks County. The hunt is held every year to help maintain balance within the park's ecosystem.

Wildlife biologists have determined that the deer population is adversely affecting the natural habitat. Deer impact the delicate balance of the park's ecosystem by over-browsing on tree saplings, forest understory, shrubs and wildflowers. To that end, large deer populations have caused damage to the parks natural ecosystem resulting in a severe reduction in the biological diversity of plant and animal species in the area.

As with hunts held in the past, only shotguns will be permitted, using "00" buckshot, and will be limited to 150 hunters holding special state park permits. Please know that the DCNR's Bureau of State Parks takes every precaution to ensure that the hunt is conducted safely. As a safety measure, safety zones, no hunting areas, and park boundaries will be posted and strictly enforced. Extra Park Rangers, Wildlife Conservation Officers, and State Police will be stationed throughout the park during the hunt. The park will be closed to other activities that day.

There will also be a regulated late season archery hunt in the park north of Dairy Hill Trail to include the Covered Bridge area for a total of 500 acres. The dates for the hunt will be December 27, 2021 through January 29, 2022. There will be a total of 60 permits issued, with a maximum of 12 hunters per day in the hunting area. All hunters must attend the mandatory safety orientation.

"I am proud to have secured $1.83M in state funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for our district," said Senator Santarsiero on Instagram.

• $686,000 to Doylestown Township to expand the New Britain Road multi-use trail
• $573,689 to Yardley Borough for North Main Street sidewalk improvements
• $450,000 to Plumstead Township for pedestrian improvements on Old Easton Road and Route 611
• $75,000 to Newtown Borough for Old Skunky streambank restoration
• $50,000 to Solebury Township to construct a public restroom at Aquetong Spring Park

Read more about these grants and projects: https://www.senatorstevesantarsiero.com/newsroom/ 

The American Rescue Plan has provided Pennsylvania counties, cities, boroughs and townships with $6.15 billion in federal funding, with half disbursed among nearly every state municipality this summer and the second half following next year. This funding offers an unprecedented opportunity for local government leaders to invest in community projects that improve Pennsylvanians’ lives.

Localities have wide latitude in how they disburse ARP funds. But does this flexibility apply to land conservation, waterway restoration, and recreation projects?

To find out, WeConservePA, a charitable conservation organization, sought analysis from attorneys experienced with local government and regulatory issues. As the legal analysis confirmed, many conservation-related projects — investments in parks and other public outdoor recreation spaces, natural infrastructure to prevent pollution and manage stormwater, and land and easement acquisitions in support of these efforts — are among the eligible expenses.

These allowable investments could improve Pennsylvania communities for years, decades, and — in some cases — even centuries. Rather than providing a temporary good, most conservation-related investments deliver enduring public benefits.

An estimated 100,000 Americans died of drug overdoses in one year, a never-before-seen milestone that health officials say is tied to the COVID-19 pandemic and a more dangerous drug supply.

Overdose deaths have been rising for more than two decades, accelerated in the past two years and, according to new data posted Wednesday, jumped nearly 30% in the latest year.

Experts believe the top drivers of overdose deaths are the growing prevalence of deadly fentanyl in the illicit drug supply and the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many drug users socially isolated and unable to get treatment or other support.

The number is “devastating,” said Katherine Keyes, a Columbia University expert on drug abuse issues. “It’s a magnitude of overdose death that we haven’t seen in this country.”

Drug overdoses now surpass deaths from car crashes, guns and even flu and pneumonia. The total is close to that for diabetes, the nation’s No. 7 cause of death.

Drawing from the latest available death certificate data, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 100,300 Americans died of drug overdoses from May 2020 to April 2021. It’s not an official count. It can take many months for death investigations involving drug fatalities to become final, so the agency made the estimate based on 98,000 reports it has received so far.

The CDC previously reported there were about 93,000 overdose deaths in 2020, the highest number recorded in a calendar year. Robert Anderson, the CDC’s chief of mortality statistics, said the 2021 tally is likely to surpass 100,000.

It found the estimated death toll rose in all but four states — Delaware, New Hampshire, New Jersey and South Dakota — compared with the same period a year earlier. The states with largest increases were Vermont (70%), West Virginia (62%) and Kentucky (55%).

[PA saw a 13.1% increase in overdose deaths for the 12 months ending April 2021.]

“2021 is going to be terrible,” agreed Dr. Daniel Ciccarone, a drug policy expert at the University of California, San Francisco.

[image: Portsmouth Listens has helped the city transform its public meetings. Above, a Portsmouth Listens facilitator leads a study circle.]

Picture this: You're at a public meeting. Members of the public share concerns at the microphone, with a timer buzzing if they talk too long. The council sits quietly and does not respond to the public's comments, and then proceeds with the agenda once the public comment period is over. Something about the process just feels wrong, but you can't deviate from the rules of the meeting. Or can you? Some communities across the country are changing the law to allow for more participatory public meetings. And you can too*.

The shift from in-person to online meetings during the pandemic is an example of how we actually can change the way we hold public meetings. Some communities are even electing to keep online components intact after the pandemic ends in order to allow for easier participation (read, for example, “Doylestown: Incorporating Zoom Into Live BOS Meetings").

As we think about changing public meetings, this seems like the moment to take stock of how we structure our meetings in general. Is the way that we have historically held public meetings the best way? Are we truly engaging the public? 

Communities across the United States are starting to experiment with more modern styles of public meetings that are participatory and collaborative. For instance, the city of Austin, Texas, has an entire Public Participation wing of its government. In Chicago and Boston, cities have experimented with the public's participation in deciding budget priorities. In 2017, Portsmouth, N.H., voted to change its city council rules to allow more public dialogue in public meetings.

Portsmouth historically used a traditional city meeting format of Robert's Rules of Order and public comment. But then the city voted to change its meetings to include community dialogue sessions that replaced public comment. The rationale for changing the meeting structure was to promote more engagement between the council and the public. 

In Portsmouth's community dialogue sessions, the nine city councilors break into small groups with constituents and lightly facilitate a conversation where community members can bring up any topics on their mind. 

In an era where many communities are distrusting or dissatisfied with their local government, flipping the script on how we engage the public may be the answer.

A board within Pennsylvania’s Department of Environmental Protection has cleared the way for setting strict drinking-water limits for two forms of toxic man-made substances known as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down in humans and the environment.

The proposed rule approved Tuesday by the Environmental Quality Board would set stricter limits compared with a federal Environmental Protection Agency advisory for compounds within the per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, family. The proposal is expected to be published next year in the PA Bulletin, followed by a 60-day public comment period and five public hearings.

“This rulemaking not only protects our environment from elevated levels of contamination and pollution but also protects the public health of Pennsylvanians,” said DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell.

The rule would set limits of 14 parts per trillion for PFOA and 18 parts per trillion for PFOS. The current EPA health advisory level is set at 70 parts per trillion for both.

More...

State agriculture officials have had it with Japanese barberry.

After considering it previously in 2018, Pennsylvania officials have added the invasive shrub to their list of noxious weeds, and merchants will not be permitted to sell it by the fall of 2023.

The shrub is popular with landscapers. Unfortunately, it also is popular with black-legged ticks, the variety which spreads Lyme disease.

“Many seemingly attractive plants can actually harm our environment, our food supply and our health,” Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said. “Pennsylvania does not take banning the sale of a plant lightly.”

Originally brought to the U.S. from Japan and eastern Asia in the 1800s as an ornamental, it has been used widely as a landscape shrub because of its fall coloring and particularly because deer do not typically eat it.

In the wild, however, it can spread easily into woodlands, pastures and fields, crowding and choking out native vegetation.

At the November 10, 2021, Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, Township Engineer Leanna Colubriale of RVE put forward a proposal to authorize approval of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) Regional Streetlight Procurement Letter of Intent.

In an email to BOS members Ms. Colubriale summarized the program:

There are four general phases of the Regional Streetlight Procurement Program (RSLPP), with Phase 1 being the completion of a Feasibility Study. This is prepared by Keystone Lighting Solutions (KLS) through DVRPC at no cost to the Township. After the feasibility study is completed and reviewed between the Township and KLS, the Township makes the decision to enter into the program. Decisions typically are made in December.

If the Township decides to move forward, Phase 2 consists of Design and Auditing, which typically will occur in January through March 2022. KLS will then perform the field audit of the existing lights and develop the database. KLS then prepares the report on the design and cost options. At the end of Phase 2, the Township will decide if they want to contract with Armor Electric through DVRPC to complete the work. There is typically a 20% reduction on costs through this program than if the municipality did it on their own.

The next phases are the PECO rebates, which KLS is responsible for, and then construction. They are generally looking at a construction timeline of summer 2022.

RSLPP Fact Sheet: https://bit.ly/RSLPPphase3FactSheet

At the November 10, 2021, Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, Police Chief John Hearn gave his October 2021 Police Report.

The Chief highlighted several items including the high number of deer struck by cars and gave some details regarding an October 22, 2021, serious accident involving a pedestrian near the North Sycamore Street/Silo Drive Intersection.

Supervisor John Mack pointed out that there have been a number of accidents involving pedestrians at this location (read, for example, “Silo Drive & North Sycamore: A Dangerous Intersection in Newtown Township!”.

It was the Chief's opinion that speeding was not a major factor, it was more about distracted drivers and pedestrians not using the crosswalk.

Mr. Mack asked the Chief if he had any ideas for making this intersection safer such as using yellow warning lights. The Chief pointed out problems with that and suggested that education is needed and that perhaps flyers could be posted in local businesses. He also said he would be meeting with Bucks County traffic officials to see if they had further ideas.

At the November 10, 2021, Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, supervisors approved the "hanging" (i.e., advertising to the public) of the 2022 Preliminary Budget, which is a revision of the Manager's recommended budget.

The main difference between the Preliminary Budget and the recommended budget is the elimination of a new 1.5 Mill real estate tax dedicated to the Fire Protection Fund. Instead, the Preliminary Budget allocates $350,000 from the General Fund to the Fire Fund. This will result in a lower General Fund reserve; i.e., $1,284,055 (8.6% of expenditures).

Historically, Newtown has strived to maintain a reserve of at least 10% of expenditures. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) recommends that local governments maintain a fund balance equal to two months of expenditures, equivalent to approximately 17% of General Fund operating expenditures. In 2020, Newtown Twp's reserve was $2.8 million (23% of expenditures). In 2021, the reserve is estimated to be $3.0 million (also 23% of expenditures).

View the video of the discussion leading up to the vote...

 Discussion on Nextdoor posted on November 9, 2021:

Susan Schechter, Newtown Grant

Hit and Run Car Accident on Sycamore. At approximately 6:00pm, a blue/green SUV vehicle turned out of Silo Drive, onto Sycamore Street, heading in the direction to go North on 532. Unfortunately, this occurred in the same exact area of the latest tragedies. The SUV accelerated very quickly to pull out, and slammed into my Drivers side door, majorly side swiping my car. Then, I had to watch the vehicle just speed away going North on 532. This vehicle will have front right fender damage. Please, if anyone knows anything or possibly saw this this accident or vehicle, please let me know. I would be so helpful. Thank you all.

Rolanda Polans, Roberts Ridge Park

Susan, I passed right by that area tonight about 8:00 with my husband. We were talking about the recent tragic event because we know the man who was hit there. I am wondering if there is a video camera by the light nearby. I am sure you contacted the police. I am really sorry to hear that another incompetent,crazy, wild driver is on the road. I hope you are ok physically! Something needs to be done with the lighting in that area as well as more police monitoring.

Susan Schechter, Newtown Grant

Thank you so very much for reaching out and sincere concern. The Newtown Township Police responded, said that Green Parrot has good cameras, and there is another camera situated near the traffic light. That should have been able to get the vehicle and plate number. It was a nightmare of an experience. Something must be done to help with the immense number of cars, coming and going from that entire area.

Chris Hastings, Upper Makefield PA

What am I missing here? You have a sub “Main St” with retail businesses, parallel parking, and pedestrians crossing the street. Yet, the speed limit is 35 mph?

Can you imagine if Witherspoon St. in Princeton or Delaware Ave in Pennington were 35 mph? In town?

People are nuts pulling out of Silo in Newtown. Most don’t even stop before taking a right or they get so tired of waiting to take a left, they just pull out and hope for the best.

25 mph on Sycamore! If you can’t lose another 30 seconds in life-take the bypass.

The Newtown Township Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) issued its official written decision regarding the Application of Provco Pineville Acquisitions, LLC to build a Wawa super store at the intersection of the Newtown Bypass and Lower Silver Lake Road in Newtown.

The decision grants the applicant’s request for a special exception to operate a Motor Vehicle Fueling and Convenience Store, but denies the applicant’s requests for all variances (number of fueling stations and sign relief). The ZHB voted 3-2 on September 20, 2021, to deny the variances (read “Breaking News: Wawa's Request for Zoning Variances Denied!”).

All parties have 30 days from November 4, 2021 to file an appeal to the Court of Common Pleas from the Decision. I fully expect Provco to do so.

More details, including "Findings of Fact", witness testimony synopsis, and the decision on each variance request...

The Wrightstown Board of Supervisors is working on a 2022 municipal budget that anticipates keeping the township real estate property tax rate the same as in 2021.

Supervisors discussed aspects of the preliminary budget at their Monday, Oct. 25 public meeting.

Supervisor Chairman Chester Pogonowski said the board anticipates that the general fund portion of the budget could increase 3.9% next year to $2.054 million.

The largest budgeted item in the general fund is police protection coverage, an expense that is increasing, per terms of a contract, about 5% to $846,527*, Pogonowski said. In addition to police, the general fund component of the budget pays for a variety of essential services, including township administration.

Despite the expected expense rise in the general fund, Wrightstown supervisors believe they’ll be able to keep the municipal millage rate at 9.23. The last millage rate increase occurred in 2018, Pogonowski said.

To date (Nov 14, 2021) there are 78 responses to my 2022 Budget Cut Survey. 

The first section of the survey asks respondents which of the following personnel cuts they would make (see figure above):

• Eliminate hiring a new Deputy Fire Chief
• Eliminate hiring a consultant to provide part-time zoning & code enforcement services 
• Eliminate hiring of 1 additional police officer
• No promotion of supervisors within the Police Department 

The second section asks respondents which of the following capital spending cuts they would make:

• Reduce number of new police vehicles purchased
• Eliminate Financed purchase of police body
• Eliminate two new truck purchases for Public Works Department
• Eliminate purchase of one Parks and Recreation pickup
• Eliminate Police Department Facilities
• Eliminate purchase of new Admin/Finance/Codes software

The survey is still open: TAKE THE SURVEY NOW!

DISCLAIMER: This is not an official Newtown Township Survey. It’s purpose is solely to inform John Mack, a Newtown Supervisor, of your opinions. The opinions expressed here are solely those of John Mack and do not represent the opinions of any other person or entity.

It’s no secret that attracting and retaining volunteer firefighters is a growing problem not only in Newtown, but also in Bucks County, Pennsylvania and the United States in general.

Newtown Fire Chief Glenn Forsyth recently appeared before the Newtown Borough Council to report that Newtown has “a very active recruitment drive right now, and we're trying everything we can to recruit new members…[but]…the volunteer fire service is dwindling quickly” (read “Newtown Volunteer Fire Service 'Dwindling Quickly', Chief Says”; https://sco.lt/7jqxRA).

The Chief also appeared before the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) at the October 18, 2021, Newtown Township 2022 Budget Presentation meeting [LINK: https://johnmacknewtown.info/2022budgtmtg.html]. He answered my question about how the $330,000 donation to the Newtown Fire Association (NFA) in the Township Manager’s recommended 2022 budget will be used.

To pay for this and other fire expenses - mostly for the cost of hiring a new Deputy Fire Chief - the Township Manager recommended a new 1.5 mil tax increase to be added to the Fire Protection Fund. However, the revised Preliminary Budget eliminates this tax and instead transfers money from the General Fund to the Fire Protection Fund. As a result the reserve for emergencies would drop to 8.6% of expenditures, which is lower than the preferred 10%.

I wanted to get more details so I met with Warren Dallas, Chair of the NFA who went over the numbers with me. Here is the plan, which is an attempt to increase volunteer firefighter responses to fire calls and add some staffing reliability, especially for low turnout times.

Plan details...

[Image:Japanese barberry is taking over areas of Pennsylvania’s forests and woodlands.]

UPDATE: At the November 10, 2021, Board of Supervisors meeting, the members unanimously approved enactment of the amended ordinance.

At the October 27, 2021, Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) public meeting, there was a lively debate regarding the proposed amendment to the township's Vegetation (i.e., "Weed") Ordinance.

The amendment was recommended to the BOS the SALDO Ad Hoc Group, which included members of the Newtown Township Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), Planning Commission, and Parks and Recreation Board.

“Of special note, in Appendix A, the list of Noxious Weeds, is the inclusion of Japanese Barberry as a prohibited plant,” said the EAC. The EAC considers the addition of Japanese Barberry to be a significant addition because of its association with Lyme disease vectors.

For more details including video of comments, read Newtown Township Moves Forward to Ban "Noxious Weeds" in the Patch.