Developers challenge #NewtownPA zoning laws: e.g., "Upscale" apartment complexes; Crosswalk safety delay? How should remaining COVID relief funds be spent? LDR trail update, more...

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I'm sure there will be a long line of requests for these funds and Newtown Supervisors will have to weigh all the options. Most importantly, in my opinion, are the opinions of township residents.

CONTENTS

• About the American Rescue Plan
• According to Residents, What SHOULD the Money Be Used For?
• Residents' Comments
• My Comments on Proposed ARPA Capital Spending
• How Have the Funds Been Spent So Far?

The Bucks County Commissioners on Wednesday gave the county's struggling rescue squads a financial shot in the arm, voting unanimously to allocate $5.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money to 13 county squads.

The funding, which will be provided over a three year period, will be used to support emergency medical services, to provide education and to offer recruitment and retention incentives.

Evan Resnikoff, the president of the Bucks County EMS Chiefs Association, expressed gratitude to the county for the financial support.

"This is going to do amazing things for emergency medical services. It's unprecedented support for EMS in Bucks County and we cannot be more thankful," he said.

"I can tell you personally from experience we just successfully won a referendum in Newtown Township to increase our tax revenue," said Resnikoff.

In November, voters in the township approved increasing the millage for EMS from .5 mills to one mill [approx. $700,000 per year], which Resnikoff said will keep the squad operating and will save the township in the long run.

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Newtown EMS Inc., Newtown, (Newtown Ambulance Squad) $245,574.97 (funding to support EMS); $30,696.87 (recruitment and retention incentives); and $30,696.87 (education support).

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“Between the ARPA funding and the new tax revenue next year we're going to be a very strong organization and help to support area organizations around us."

The ARPA funding, he said, will provide squads with more time to approach local municipal governments and ask for similar referendums and millage increases in support of emergency medical services.

Welcome to Meet Mack Monday (MMM).

I am John Mack, your host and a Newtown Township Supervisor.

Each month I host a Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting to inform residents of items that are of interest to them and to get feedback and comments from them. This helps me keep better informed of residents’ concerns when voting on important issues at supervisor meetings.

This video was presented at the October 17, 2022, MMM meeting via Zoom. It included the following discussion Topics:

* 2023 Budget Highlights
* Newtown/Wrightstown Police Services Agreement
* NO TURN ON RED - Pedestrian Safety
* Old Business: Wawa Update, Toll Bros Update

CONTENT:

• Newtown Has Already Decided How It Will Spend Nearly Half of Its $2 Million ARPA Funds
• Newtown Township PD Incident Report: Reckless Driving Without Front Tire on Durham Road
• Newtown Supervisors Approve Chick-fil-A Settlement Agreement: Traffic Improvements On the Way!
• Solstice Is Second Restaurant In The Village At Newtown Shopping Center To Close Its Doors This Year
• Wawa Versus Newtown Township Timeline: 2017 through 2022
• Bucks County Residents Hold "Stop Wawa" Protest

Access the complete issue...

Joint Zoning Council meeting report (Comprehensive Plan, Wood-Burning Outdoor Furnaces, Billboards, etc.), Lower Dolington Rd Trail Update, Bird Town Resolution, Newtown Township/Borough Fires Services Agreement, 5G Wireless Ordinance Update, May 2022 Police report, June 3, 2022, Public Works Report, More…

Agenda Items

• Joint Zoning Council Meeting Report
• Lower Dolington Road Trail Payment
• Liquid Fuels Roadwork Change Order
• "Bird Town" Resolution
• Fire Services Agreement with Newtown Borough
• Consideration to approve of 5G Wireless JMZO Ordinance
• American Rescue Plan Fund Summary
• May 2022 Police Report
• Public Works Report(s)
• Video Highlights

Read the summary for details...

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Some possible items for discussion include:

FINAL Fire Services Agreement: The delayed agreement has been finalized and will be on the June 8 BOS agenda. Under the terms of the three-year contract, the borough will begin paying the township an annual base fee plus an incremental five percent increase a year over the course of the agreement. I will discuss the details of this agreement. which has been in the works since early 2021. Read more...

Wawa Land Development Update: Recall that Provco/Wawa at the last minute canceled its meeting with the BOS on May 11, 2022 (read “Newtown Wawa Developers Just Stood Up Supervisors at a Big Meeting”). No reason was given, but Wawa will have to come before the BOS before August 15, 2022. I requested that this be scheduled for a June BOS meeting and not in July and August when people are on vacation.

5G Wireless Ordinance Update: At the May 25, 2022, BOS meeting there was a lively debate regarding whether or not to send the 5G wireless JMZO amendment back to the Joint Zoning Council (JZC) with the changes, corrections, additions suggested by the CKS, the Township Planner. There was a disagreement as to whether and WHEN other changes such as those suggested by Mr. Andrew Campanelli, ESQ. should be passed on to the JZC. In the end, the supervisors agreed by a 4-1 vote to table the motion until further discussion about other changes can be had. Jerry Schenkman, JZC Solicitor, agreed to work with supervisors to hammer out suggested changes to bring before the BOS at its next public meeting. I will review some of the changes that are likely to be voted on at the June 8, 2022, BOS meeting.

ARPA Purchases Update: The Township has received $2,049,842 pursuant to the American Rescue Plan/Act (ARP/ARPA). The BOS approved using ARPA funds to purchase an additional 3 new police cars for $211,497.15 and one new dump truck for $188,524.00. The following chart summarizes approved uses of ARPA funds to date. What else is on the township’s “wish list” for these funds? What would you like to see this money used for?

Whatever else id on you mind...

Register to attend

Legalization of Cannabis, LOVE is LOVE, EV Charging Stations, Blue Point Grille: Transfer of Liquor License, 2022 Road Program, Sycamore Street Improvements, Divestiture of Russian Stock, Live Stream Video of BOS meetings, Fire Services Agreement with Newtown Borough, First Phase of ARP Spending, More...

This is my personal summary of the March 9, 2022, meeting of Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.

More details...

Find out what American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds can cover (and what they cannot) under the Lost Revenue category.

The final rule now offers a “standard” allowance option of up to $10 million of ARP funds as revenue lost due to the public health emergency. While many government services are included in this allowance, there are still restrictions on how to spend ARP funding.

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 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.