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Newtown News of Interest
These Scoops are excerpts from articles published in local newspapers and other sources that may be of interest to Newtown area residents. Please click on the "From" link to access the full original article. Any opinions and "insights" appended to these article summaries are solely those of John Mack and do not represent the opinions of any other person or entity. Curated by johnmacknewtown |
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Scooped by
johnmacknewtown
December 28, 2023 9:55 AM
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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.
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johnmacknewtown
November 14, 2023 8:21 AM
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This is my personal summary of my notes regarding the November 8, 2023, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Access the 2023 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2023 BOS meetings plus the BOS voting record (UNOFFICIAL) for 2023.
Agenda Items, Discussions, Decisions, and More:
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johnmacknewtown
November 2, 2023 12:35 PM
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Scoop.it!
This is my personal summary of my notes regarding the October 25, 2023, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Planning Commission Report
Engineer’s Report/Topics
Budget Discussion
Other Items of Interest
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johnmacknewtown
October 2, 2023 10:40 AM
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During my morning walk on September 27, 2023, I noticed that a new bench was installed along Newtown Trail bordering Roberts Ridge Park along Lower Dolington Road. The new bench replaced one that was destroyed by a car plowing into it several days before (see left side of image).
The only problem was the ugly old bench next to it! Seriously? It looked terrible. Several residents on FB agreed.
So, I complained to the township and suggested that a new companion bench replace the old ugly one. Within a matter of a day or two the new bench appeared and now we have a “Perfect Pair [of benches] in the Park!”
Thanks Newtown for the quick response. I'm sure residents are very pleased with the result.
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johnmacknewtown
September 18, 2023 8:41 AM
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Revised LI/OLI Zoning District Ordinance, Sycamore St/Silo Drive RRFB Plan, Corners at Newtown Text Amendment, August 2023 Police Report, more…
This is my personal summary of my notes regarding the September 13, 2023, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Agenda and Items of Interest:
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johnmacknewtown
September 14, 2023 9:18 AM
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Scoop.it!
This is an edited recording of the discussion I had with residents who attended the 11 September 2023 Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting.
Among the topics discussed were;
(1) Lower Dolington Road Trail problems identified by residents and by the township engineering firm, and
(2) The proposed plan to amend the zoning to allow the development of a 120-unit "Garage Core" apartment complex off of South Sycamore Street, behind the 711.
Related Content:
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johnmacknewtown
September 14, 2023 6:32 AM
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Welcome to the September 11, 2023, Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting presentation by your host John Mack, #NewtownPA Supervisor!
The goal of Meet Mack Monday Zoom meetings is to inform residents of township issues that impact them and to get feedback and comments from residents about such issues. This helps me keep better informed of residents’ concerns when I vote on the issues at Board of Supervisors meetings.
TOPICS INCLUDE:
Find the detailed presentation notes here: https://bit.ly/11Sep23_MMM_PresoNotes
Related Content:
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johnmacknewtown
August 31, 2023 10:43 AM
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There are TWO Lower Dolington Road Trail (LDRT) Punch Lists:
On August 29, 2023, the township released a LDR Trail project “FINAL PUNCHLIST” based on the Township Engineer's field inspection conducted on August 23, 2023. Find the official list here: https://bit.ly/Final_LDRT_Punchlist
Contractor Has Until Sept 8, 2023, to Fix 33 Lower Dolington Rd Trail Problems Identified in #NewtownPA Punch List
According to the instructions given the contractor by the Township Engineer: “All (33) items shall be performed at the expense of Associated Paving Contractors, Inc. unless otherwise noted. Work must be completed by Friday, September 8, 2023. Failure to meet this deadline may result in the assessment of Engineering and Inspection fees and/or liquidated damages as outlined in the contract documents. Our firm [RVE] will schedule a close-out inspection after the list has been completed. The Township, and its representing agencies, also reserve the right to review the project site prior to the close-out inspection regarding completion of current items and the documenting of additional items.”
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johnmacknewtown
August 27, 2023 7:56 AM
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On 16 August 2023 I sent an email to #NewtownPA township officials -- including the Township Manager, Engineer, Solicitor, and Supervisors -- about a standing water problem at one of the newly-constructed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) ramps on Lower Dolington Road (LDR).
The email states: "The newly-constructed Lower Dolington Road (LDR) Trail included construction of ADA ramps to connect to crosswalks across LDR allowing access to the trail. At the south east corner of Stanford Dr and LDR, there is standing water that in the winter will [when this will be ice, not liquid water] present a hazard to anyone crossing at that location. The elderly and people with disabilities will be the most susceptible to slipping and falling.
"It would be a shame if the township was sued."
I hope that that this is on the "punch list" of items to be addressed before the township signs off on the construction of the trail.
UPDATE (8/29/23): The township released a LDR Trail project "Final Punchlist" based on the Township Engineer's field inspection conducted on August 23, 2023. Find the punchlist here...
I noticed a couple of things that may be confusing, including the repair of the ponding problem illustrated in this video:
Item #32: Stanford Drive SW Corner: Remove & Replace concrete sidewalk where water is ponding. [I would have said "SE corner of the intersection of LDR and Stanford Drive/Place"). I see some markings where the ponding is, so my guess is that the contractor knows which ADA ramp needs fixing.
According to the instructions given the contractor: "All (33) items shall be performed at the expense of Associated Paving Contractors, Inc. unless otherwise noted. Work must be completed by Friday, September 8, 2023. Failure to meet this deadline may result in the assessment of Engineering and Inspection fees and/or liquidated damages as outlined in the contract documents. Our firm [Remington-Vernick Engineering] will schedule a close-out inspection after the list has been completed. The Township, and its representing agencies, also reserve the right to review the project site prior to the close-out inspection regarding completion of current items and the documenting of additional items."
I hope to attend the close-out inspection.
Related Content:
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johnmacknewtown
August 12, 2023 7:42 AM
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Revised LI/OLI Zoning District Ordinance, Newtown Creek Coalition Bridge, Billboard Ordinance, LDR Trail Site Visit, July 2023 Police Report, Police Building Study, more…
This is my personal summary of the August 9, 2023, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Access the 2023 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2023 BOS meetings plus the BOS voting record (UNOFFICIAL) for 2023.
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johnmacknewtown
August 6, 2023 9:44 AM
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Welcome to the VIDEO EDITION of my News of Interest (NOI) e-newsletter.
It’s been a hot summer so far and many residents are away. Sometimes things happen in the summer without very much public attention. But things HAVE been happening this summer in Newtown Township that Newtown area residents should be aware of. This August 2023 issue of my News of Interest (NOI) e-newsletter includes a few of these community news items that I will be reviewing in the following slides.
In case you are not yet an online subscriber to this newsletter, which features summaries of local news stories and township actions, you can easily subscribe and opt-out at any time. LINK: https://www.johnmacknewtown.info/news.html
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johnmacknewtown
July 28, 2023 7:43 AM
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As of July 20, 2023 – almost 3 years after contracts were signed – most of the work on the million-dollar plus Lower Dolington Road Multi-Use Trail (LDRT) has been completed.
The last item were the guardrails were installed at two locations: (1) 200 L.F. stretch just north of Stanford Place/Road (see image) and (2) 400 L.F. stretch just north of Everett Drive.
Some residents were surprised that wooden guardrails were not used as opposed to metal ones, which seem more appropriate for major highways where cars travel much faster than the 35 MPH limit of LDR. There was also the issue that the metal guardrails were not in keeping with the country/rustic appeal of the area.
These concerns of residents got me to do some research on how it was decided to use metal guardrails versus wooden ones. I did not recall any discussion about the type of guardrails to be installed and just thought that for pedestrian safety reasons it was a good idea to include guardrails. I never once gave much though to the type of guardrail to be used.
My research revealed that the estimated cost of the metal guardrails – according to a recent payment document – is $93,100. Meanwhile, a 2020 “Preliminary Cost Estimate,” which I believe was distributed to the Board of Supervisors (BOS), included wooden guardrails for an estimated cost of $24,000!
Why the Change? Is the Increased Cost Justified?
Related Content:
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johnmacknewtown
July 16, 2023 11:52 AM
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KRE Zoning Challenge, Wireless (5G) Communications Ordinance, LDR Trail update, Tara Blvd crosswalk safety, tractor trailer parking on LDR, more…
This is my personal summary of the July 12, 2023, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Access the 2023 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2023 BOS meetings plus the BOS voting record (UNOFFICIAL) for 2023.
Agenda Items
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johnmacknewtown
June 29, 2023 12:56 PM
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It’s been several weeks since work re-commenced on the Lower Dolington Road (LDR) Trail after a year’s delay due to a underground “cable issue.” I thought it would be a good time to show the progress made as of June 25, 2023. I did a walking tour and took photos that I review in this presentation.
Related Content:
Work Begins Anew on #NewtownPA Lower Dolington Road Trail (VIDEO); https://sco.lt/7pMUWO
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johnmacknewtown
June 8, 2023 10:15 AM
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6 June 2023 Newsletter: BOS to Vote on Wawa Settlement, Another Zoning Validity Challenge!, More Restaurants/More Parking Headaches, Talking Trash, More...
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johnmacknewtown
May 24, 2023 11:11 AM
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Nine Newtown Twp residents attended this Zoom meeting, which focused on the following topics (view the presentation below...):
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johnmacknewtown
May 18, 2023 1:40 PM
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On May 18, 2023, workers were seen on Lower Dolington Road installing underground rain water drain pipes and basins as part of the rainwater management system associated with the trail. This work was halted back in March 2022 dues to underground cables that had to be relocated.
This video shows the section of the project beginning at Frost Lane (Roberts Ridge Park) and ending at Everett Drive.
The work stopped in March 22, 2023, due to conflicts with underground utility cables that had to be moved.
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johnmacknewtown
May 15, 2023 12:56 PM
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At the May 10, 2023, #NewtownPA Board of Supervisors meeting, Township Engineer Leanna Colubriale tried her best to assure Supervisors Elen Snyder and John Mack that she will pursue the Lower Dolington (LDR) Rd trail contractor to update the timeline for completion of the project, which has been on hold since March 2022; i.e. DELAYED OVER ONE YEAR!
I refer to this as the "Lower Dolington Road Trail Fiasco!"
Ms. Colubriale said that initial discussions with the contractor set mid May 2023 for work to recommence.
As of May 15, 2023 - crickets!
It sounded like Ms. Colubriale's company - Remington-Vernick Engineers - would hold the contractor's feet to the fire, but that was also promised back in July 2022!
See the Lower Dolington Trail Project Timeline.
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johnmacknewtown
May 13, 2023 8:23 AM
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This is my personal summary of the May 10, 2023, meeting of Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Access the 2023 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2023 BOS meetings plus the BOS voting record (UNOFFICIAL) for 2023.
Agenda Items
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johnmacknewtown
April 25, 2023 7:51 AM
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Welcome to the April 24, 2023, Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting! I am John Mack, your host and a Newtown 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 short 14-minute presentation focuses on the following topics:
* Single-Use Plastics Ban – What McCaffery’s Market had to say about it at April 3, 2023 EAC meeting. Some survey results will be presented.
* Business Commons Overlay – Specifications for “Mixed” Residential/Business use presented to Newtown Planning Commission by Bucks County Planning Commission
* PFAS In Our Drinking Water: EPA is proposing drastically lower safe limits. How do these limits compare with measured amounts in our water?
* Lower Dolington Road Trail Fiasco: Residents are disappointed in the progress or lack thereof.
* LED Streetlights Feasibility Study
* New Plan to Fix Villas of Newtown Detention Basin – Another project that has been plagued by delays. Bids accepted for new solution. Will It Work?
* Tractor Trailer Trucks Parked on Lower Dolington Road Are An Eyesore & Hazard – What Can Be Down About It?
* Deluca Construction of 2 single-family houses at 70 Twining Bridge Rd - Seeking relief in connection with a proposed subdivision of a 3.08-acre parcel into 2 lots where the lots will not comply with the dimensional regulations of the CM district. Another potential “historic resource” threatened?
* Wawa Update – Decision by ZHB regarding Amended Challenge to Validity of the JMZO put off to May 4, 2023. Why?
* Blue Point Grill Patio Expansion – The owners are seeking relief to install a 976 sq.ft. patio which will exceed the max. allowable impervious limitation for Newtown Shopping Center. More seating, less accessible parking space?
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johnmacknewtown
April 16, 2023 8:01 AM
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Plastics Ban Special Meeting Overview, Villas of Newtown Basin Project Awarded, Lower Dolington Road Trail Delay, $75K for Newtown Fire Association, March 2023 Police Report, more…
This is my personal summary of the April 12, 2023, meeting of Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Access the 2023 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2023 BOS meetings plus the BOS voting record (UNOFFICIAL) for 2023.
Agenda Items
Related Content:
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johnmacknewtown
April 14, 2023 7:24 AM
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At the April 12, 2023, #NewtownPA Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, Terry Christensen - a resident, member of the Planning Commission, and Chair of the Friends Home and Village Board of Directors - questioned the delay in finishing the Lower Dolington Road (LDR) Trail.
“One of the things we discovered,” said Mr. Christensen, “is that there are studies upon studies upon studies that indicate in that social isolation for anybody is bad but it's really harmful for people in senior living facilities” like the Friends Village located on Lower Dolington Road.
“It's been more than two years since I was able to report to the residents [living at the LDR] campus that soon we would have a trail along Lower Dolington Road that would enable them to get to Robert's Ridge Park.
"Progress has been very uneven … we see spurts of activity and then long long periods of inactivity. I'm very disappointed about that.”
I think we ALL are "disappointed" by the repeated delays.
According to an email sent to supervisors by Township Engineer Leanna Colubriale on 4/10/23, “Lumens completed their relocation work last week. Our survey crew is assisting the Township Contractor APCON with their survey layout, which is occurring today and tomorrow. Our crew and APCON will be on-site together this week.
“It is my understanding that shortly after, APCON will start up construction again. I am still working on finalizing their schedule with them now, and as soon as we have it we will share.”
Related Content:
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johnmacknewtown
January 28, 2023 10:17 AM
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[Image: Plan for updating signs on Newtown-Yardley Rd to enforce reduced 25 MPH speed limit.]
Planning Commission Report, Lower Dolington Rd Trail Update, Newtown-Yardley Rd Speed Limit Reduction, More…
This is my personal summary of the January 25, 2023, meeting of Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Access the 2023 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2023 BOS meetings plus the BOS voting record (UNOFFICIAL) for 2023.
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johnmacknewtown
January 26, 2023 8:18 AM
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A dozen people (mostly Newtown Twp residents) attended this Zoom meeting, which focused on the following topics (view the presentation):
UPDATE (1/25/2023): #NewtownPA supervisors unanimously APPROVED reduced 25 MPH speed limit for section of Newtown-Yardley Rd between Lower Dolington Rd & Boro border (Elm Ave). https://youtu.be/WvnIagJ7bhs?t=2351
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johnmacknewtown
January 14, 2023 7:17 AM
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Kushner RE Sketch Plan, Pedestrian Safety, LDR Trail Update, Exempt Personnel Salaries, More…
This is my personal summary of the December 21, 2022, meeting of Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Access the 2022 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2022 BOS meetings plus the BOS voting record (UNOFFICIAL) for 2022.
Agenda Items:
Related Content: