In 2026 I began using AI (e.g., Gemini) to analyze #NewtownPA Township's biweekly bills list. Part of that analysis was the creation of infographics to summarize where the mony went. You can find many of my AI-generated infographics regarding township finances here... 

I decided to feed all the 2026 Bills List Infographics to Gemini and ask it to create a short video overview. The current 7-minute video was the result. Enjoy!

This video is a segment from the 12 November 2025 Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) vote on the township sending a letter to the borough specifying the financial terms of the former providing the latter with paid fire services.

The issue is whether or not the previous consensus of a 1-year contract with a $275,000 fee was a fair agreement considering that township residents would be paying a lot more per household than the Borough. The alternative of $350,000 was suggested and ultimately voted on. passing by a 3-2 vote.

Featured: Public comments by resident Eric Pomerantz swayed the final vote despite opposition from BOS Chair Elen Snyder.

[Listen to this 10-minute "Deep Dive" podcast: “#NewtownPA Township Taxpayers Force Fire Fee Increase for Services to Borough”]

The source for this "Deep Dive" podcast is the transcript of the 12 November 2025 contentious Newtown Board of Supervisors meeting concerning a proposed fee for borough fire services.

The central conflict revolves around the borough's contribution for fire protection, with many township residents, including speaker Eric Pomerantz, arguing that the suggested payment of $275,000 is unfairly low and forces the township to raise their own taxes via a millage increase.

The residents and several supervisors maintain that the borough should pay at least $350,000, a figure apparently supported by a Harrisburg calculation, to ensure an equal share of the burden.

Ultimately, a motion was made by Supervisor John Mack and passed by a three-to-two vote to send a letter demanding the higher $350,000 fee for the year 2026. The discussion also included strong criticism toward certain supervisors accused of advocating for the borough's interests over those of their own township constituents.

[View the video: "#NewtownPA Resident's Comments at BOS Meeting Swayed the Vote on the Township/Borough Fire Services Agreement"]

UPDATE (10/10/25): Fire Agreement between Newtown Township and Newtown Borough will be discussed on 13 October 2025 at a BOS Work Session at 100 Municipal Drive beginning at 7 PM. This session is not live streamed on Youtube, nor on Cable TV. The public must be allowed to attend, record, and observe. The Pennsylvania Sunshine Act requires that a reasonable opportunity for the public to comment be provided at advertised meetings, and work sessions are often included. Some townships may limit comments to the beginning or end of the meeting, or only on specific topics. 

Newtown Borough and Newtown Township are negotiating a new fire protection agreement, but remain far apart on costs. The Township wants the Borough to pay $275,000 annually starting in 2026, while the Borough proposes a three-year phase-in: $227,164 in 2026, $250,419 in 2027, and $275,484 in 2028.

Borough Council President Emily Heinz said the plan would raise Borough taxes by about two mills over three years, with some funds still needed from the general fund. The Borough argues its phased approach balances revenue realities and manageable tax increases for residents.

Talks continue, with the Township emphasizing the need for the Borough to share costs of transitioning from volunteer to full-time firefighters and covering capital purchases like trucks and equipment

Why did Newtown Township residents Al Dufault & Charles Feuer cross Newtown-Yardley Road? They wanted to show the need for a new sidewalk along Newtown-Yardley Road leading from the crosswalk at Tara Boulevard to Elm Street in Newtown Borough.

At the October 23, 2024, Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, Mr. Feuer got a commitment from the Township Engineer - and consensus of the BOS - to see if it possible to modify the Newtown Commons Sidewalk Project to include this stretch to connect the township with the borough as part of the Newtown Trail. View/listen to the discussion: https://youtu.be/tYc-UlUP8DU

Find the current plan for the Business Commons sidewalk project here: https://www.johnmacknewtown.info/UserFiles/image/Sidewalk_Project_Plan.jpg

UPDATE (6 Sep 2024): The Joint Zoning Council approved this "use by right" amendment to the JMZO.

At the 14 August 2024 Newtown Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Mack had a few questions about the OL-I/LI Overlay Zoning plan developed by the Bucks County Planning Commission. Specifically:

* Residential Density
* Inconsistency with Comprehensive Plan

Lisa Wolf and Jeremy Stoff of the BCPC were there and answered my questions, although NOT to my satisfaction.

In the end, the BOS approved 3-1 (Mack voting nay) sending the amendment – with “use by right” language, which bypasses approval by the BOS, for mixed use apartment buildings to the Jointure. Following that, the BOS voted 4-0 to approve sending the revised amendment – with “conditional use” language, requiring BOS approval – to the Jointure for approval. This means that the first version will be in effect while the revised version works its way through the Jointure for approval. How long that will take is debatable as Wrightstown and Upper Makefield Planning Commissions must review the revision and make recommendations to their Boards who will then vote on it and send to the Jointure for approval. This could take several months during which time developers can come in and propose projects under the “use by right” provisions.

This is my personal summary of the May 22, 2024, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.

• Petition Opposing Chick-fil-A Plan
• Adoption of Updated Comprehensive Plan
• Wildflower Garden Plan

More...

Discover the Latest #NewtownPA information about Roadwork, Fate of the Washington Crossing Bridge, Planning for Future Housing Projects, and More…

Read the online version: https://www.johnmacknewtown.info/noiapr24.html

Welcome to “#NewtownPA Year 2023 in Images.” There were many unique and interesting issues that I and other Newtown Township supervisors confronted in 2023.

This is a selection of images that document what I consider the most interesting news items and issues.

Many of these were highlighted in my News of Interest to Newtown Area Residents email newsletter, Twitter account, Facebook page, or website.

This is my personal summary of my notes regarding the December 6, 2023, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.

Agenda Items, Discussions, Decisions, and More

• 2024 Budget Approval
  • Tax Rate for 2024
  • Exempt Personnel Pay
• Reports of Committees, Boards and Commissions
  • Planning Commission – dog grooming home business
• Engineer’s Report
  • 2023 Liquid Fuels Road Program – Payment Certificate No. 3 Final
  • N. Sycamore Street and Silo Drive Crosswalk Improvements (PBNTT039)
• Solicitor’s Report
  • Single-Use Plastics Ban Ordinance Vote
• November 2023 NTPD Report
• Old Business
  • Audio Visual Update
• Other Items of Interest
  • Detailed Notes
  • Official Video
  • Video Transcript

This is the video edition of the September 23, 2023, #NewtownPA News of Interest e-newsletter. Topics include:

(1) Plans for pedestrian- activated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons at two locations;
(2) Supervisor Mack "refuses to recuse" himself from Kushner RE hearing and goes on to challenge the developer's key so-called "expert" witness;
(3) Planning Commission Chair thinks developers' proposals are "Ridiculous" - hear what she has to say;
(4) Supervisor Mack discusses issues with residents at September 11, 2023, Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting;
(5) Newtown Emergency Services Department gets FEMA grant that will allow 24/7 fire coverage in Newtown Twp and Boro.

To receive the newsletter in via email, become a subscriber: https://www.johnmacknewtown.info/news.html

You can unsubscribe at any time.