How Prosperous Is Your Pennsylvania ZIP Code? New Data Reveals Wealth Gap

On August 16, 2022, Governor Tom Wolf signed Executive Order 2022-2 to protect Pennsylvanians from conversion therapy.

“Conversion therapy is a traumatic practice based on junk science that actively harms the people it supposedly seeks to treat,” said Gov. Wolf. “This discriminatory practice is widely rejected by medical and scientific professionals and has been proven to lead to worse mental health outcomes for LGBTQIA+ youth subjected to it. This is about keeping our children safe from bullying and extreme practices that harm them.”

The Executive Order directs commonwealth agencies to discourage conversion therapy in the commonwealth. It directs commonwealth agencies to take steps to actively promote evidence-based best practices for LGBTQIA+ individuals that is actually supported by the scientific and medical communities. It directs agencies to make updates to policies and procedures to better support LGBTQIA+ employees and the Pennsylvanians we serve. It also directs the Department of Human Services, the Insurance Department and Department of State and other appropriate agencies to explore and implement all options to ensure state funds, programs, contracts, and other resources are not used for the purposes of providing, authorizing, endorsing, reimbursing for, or referring for conversion therapy, to the extent permitted by law.

The Supervisors authorized the award of the 2022 road program to Harris Blacktopping in an amount not to exceed $811,794.50 (see twp engineer's recommendation). This was enough to pave 3.4 miles of roads.

Not included, however, was $3,895.00 for Newtown Bypass Intersection Pavement Markings* and $25,570.00 for crosswalk safety markings.

The Bucks County commissioners want to know more about the proposed $1.1 billion sale of the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority’s sewer system to the private company Aqua Pennsylvania (background: “BCWSA & Aqua Host Meeting With Municipal Partners”)

The commissioners attached a list of approximately 50 questions that they, county staff members and residents would like answered by Aug. 29. [See the list of questions.]

While the commissioners wait for a response, several municipalities in Bucks and Montgomery counties have already made up their minds that the deal is not a good one for ratepayers and they’ve passed resolutions putting their opposition in writing (read “#NewtownPA Supervisors Approve Letter Opposing Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority Sewer Sale”). Now some are joining a consortium to fight the proposal legally, if need be.

In their letter, the county commissioners questioned how much debt the authority has. They also questioned whether the authority is bound to give the leftover funds to the county, or would that be up to the discretion of the BCWSA Board of Directors.

The commissioners also wanted to know what the BCWSA rates have been for the past five year and how much rates would rise in 5 and 10 year increments if the system stayed with the BCWSA and if it is sold to Aqua.

And they questioned how the authority would continue its water operations, that are valued at approximately $300 million, going forward once its larger sewer system would be sold. "Will water rates need to increase to allow the authority to function successfully?"

They also wanted to know about the BCWSA's maintenance needs, estimated at $245 million, not including repairs needed to sewer laterals to private homes.

Piccolo Trattoria will be expanding its 4,146 square foot Italian sit down and takeout restaurant at the Newtown Shopping Center on West Road.

The restaurant, located a few doors down from the ACME, received conditional use and land development approvals from the township [at the August 10, 2022, BOS meeting] to expand into the former Dogs and Cats Rule space next door. The expansion will allow the restaurant to enlarge its kitchen and dining area.

As part of the expansion, the eatery will also construct a 2,212 square foot covered outdoor dining area with 112 seats at the far western end of the shopping center. A knee high wall will surround the patio area to protect diners from the parking area and access road.

Two trees (located at the rear of the new outdoor dining site) will be removed and replaced with other native trees as part of the project. A third tree at the front of the area will remain.

In order to remain viable in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, restaurant owner Fahmi Elabed told the supervisors at an earlier meeting that restaurants now require an outdoor seating component/option for its customers.

A variance was … granted to permit the shopping center to continue to maintain 953 parking spaces, of which 169 are "held in reserve" whereas the patio addition would have required the construction of an additional 15 parking spaces.

The board did not think that parking would be an issue on that side of the Newtown Shopping Center parking lot.*

The News of Interest (NOI) e-newsletter features content curated from articles published in local newspapers and other sources.

The August 2022 issue of NOI topics include: No Gun Shows at NAC, Yes or No to EMS Tax Referendum? Pedestrian Safety, No Sewer Sale? Abortion Rights Resolution, More…

Access the complete issue...

At the August 10, 2022, Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, the controversial issue of abortion rights was discussed. In the end, supervisors voted 3-1 (Mr. Mack was absent) to authorize the Township Solicitor to draft an abortion rights resolution to be voted on at the September 14, 2022, BOS meeting.

Supervisor Kyle Davis opposed the action saying "I'm not unsympathetic to your thoughts on on the issue ... I just wanted to make this statement: it's not in our purview and it's a very controversial issue and ... I don't want to bring controversial issues from state and federal level down to Newtown Township."

Other members respected that opinion but noted that there is a need to prevent the state government from altering the constitution taking away women's right to choose.

Supervisor Snyder said "What we're doing is supporting our elected officials as they fight for women's rights and to keep them in the constitution as they already exist... so we're just telling them to please fight for women."

One resident commented on the respectful manner in which the BOS expressed their opinions: "What drew me to this lectern, said Terry Christensen, "was the respectful way that you communicated with one another . You set a fine example. There was an understanding an exchange of ideas. It didn't turn into personal attacks. You set a fine example. I wish some of our members of Congress could see how it works - maybe they should come to our meetings more often."

On August 10, 2022, the #NewtownPA Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved a resolution to add a referendum to the November ballot, which, if it passes, would raise the EMS tax by 0.5 mill.

This would benefit the Newtown Ambulance Squad (NAS) as explained by NAS Chief Evan Resnikoff at a previous BOS meeting (see graphic).

I was on vacation and did not cast a vote at the August BOS meeting, but I support this referendum. Find details in the resolution: https://bit.ly/NASreferendum

Will you vote "YES" or "NO"? Take my survey: https://forms.gle/EADhiuBbAW8NAU4M8

Gun shows are officially off the table at the [NAC] Sports Training Center at 116 Pheasant Run and 209 Penns Trail in Newtown Township.

Under a zoning enforcement settlement agreement reached between the board of supervisors and the Newtown Athletic Club which operates the center, the Sports Training Center will be allowed to host event-style shows at the venue, just not gun shows.

The details of the settlement were announced by Newtown Township Solicitor Dave Sander at the August 10 board of supervisors meeting. Download the settlement agreement...

The issue surfaced in January when township officials learned that a gun show was being planned at the venue and took exception. They argued that a gun show was not a permitted use at the center under its certificate of occupancy.

There is one exception, said Sander. The Sports Training Center would be allowed to hold an event like an outdoor or camping show once a year that may have the presence of guns, but not as the main attraction.

"No guns, firearms, rifles, shotguns or the like shall be shown, sold or exchanged at the property except for once per calendar year and any such showings, sales or exchange shall not be the primary purpose of the event or the event-style show or sale," the agreement reads.

The 4 supervisors in attendance (Fisher, Davis, Snyder, Calabro) voted unanimously to approve the settlement agreement.

[Image: Warren Gormley, Authority Manager at Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority, addresses NT Board of Supervisors on August 10, 2022.]

Warren Gormley tells supervisors: "It's just not a good thing for the rate payers...it will increase rates dramatically." View the video of his remarks.

The letter states, in part: 

This correspondence is being sent on behalf of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors.

As elected Township officials, we share the common goal of providing valued and cost-effective services to our constituents.  

BCWSA has recently announced that it is considering an offer from Aqua America to purchase its assets for $1.1 billion dollars. Aqua has a history of increasing its sewer rates substantially.

The Board of Supervisors believes it is inadvisable for BCWSA to sell its assets to Aqua. As former Township officials yourselves, we are certain you are cognizant of the uncertainty such a potential sale causes ratepayers, particularly in this time of high inflation. 

We respectfully solicit the County Commissioners to take any and all reasonable steps to compel BCWSA to abandon its negotiations with Aqua and for BCWSA to continue operating as an independent, non-profit agency, as intended when it was created in 1962 by the Bucks County Commissioners.

Read the entire letter...

On Wednesday night, the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors gave conditional use approval for the family-owned [Princeton-based Blue Point Grill aka BPG] to open at 3 West Road next to the TD Bank at the Newtown Shopping Center.

[BPG will also have a bar and serve alcohol; read “Newtown Planning Commission is OK with Blue Point Grill's Conditional Use Application. Liquor Will Be Served!”; https://sco.lt/82MA0e ]

"We're not going to be a bar to drink. We're going to be a restaurant to eat," said Jack Morrison, the owner of BPG. "If you're coming for a cocktail at 10 p.m. that's not who we are."

Morrison is projecting that 75 percent of BPG's sales would be food with alcohol sales making up about 25 percent. "Our sales of alcoholic beverages will be to complement our food sales," said Morrison.

While the supervisors approved hours of operation of between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m., Morrison said the restaurant will be open from 4 to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday and initially from 4 to 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday with the possibility of lunchtime service in the future.

In addressing concerns over parking, Morrison's land development lawyer Mike Meginniss noted that the seafood house would be a complementary use to the neighboring TD Bank, which shares the 52 space parking lot.

"We believe this is a good synergistic use with the peak hours of the bank during the day and BPG being a dinner operation," said Meginniss.

Meginniss also noted that employees will be directed to park in the ACME parking lot across the street to keep the parking lot open to BPG customers.

"We also believe this will be a less intense use from a traffic standpoint than the Corner Bakery because the average customer will stay for about one and a half hours," said McGinnis.

Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA) recently announced that it is considering an offer from Aqua PA - a private company - to purchase its sewer (but not water) assets for $1.1 billion dollars (read "Bucks County Moves Ahead on $1.1 Billion Offer to Sell Sewer System to Aqua Pa.").

This sale - if it happens - can double the sewer fees paid by Newtown Township and Newtown Borough residents who are currently customers of Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) even though NBCJMA is not part of the proposed sale. Why? 

Read the newsletter to find out why...

The township asked for and received an extension of time from Provco Pinegood Ltd. until September 30, according to manager Micah Lewis. [See the letter from Provco Atty John VanLuvanee agreeing to extend the deadline for BOS to vote on the plan: https://bit.ly/WawaExtensionLtr]

A review of land development plans for a proposed Wawa on the Newtown Bypass has been postponed until September.

The township asked for and received an extension of time from Provco Pinegood Ltd. until September 30, according to township manager Micah Lewis.

The plan had originally been scheduled to expire on August 15 and Provco had been planning to appear before the supervisors at its August 10 meeting seeking final land development approvals.

At the board's last meeting in early July, the supervisors said they would ask Provco for an extension to September to avoid the summer vacation season when many residents are away.

"August 10th is a particular high point in the vacation season," said Supervisor John Mack. "I'd like to see this meeting happen when more of the public can be present."

Chairman Dennis Fisher agreed. "I would like to see this go into September so that people can be informed and not have to worry about being on vacation."

[View a video snippet of the discussion: https://sco.lt/5blXrk]

If no further extension is granted, Provco would need to secure approvals from the township prior to its plan expiration date of September 30.

The five member board of supervisors was poised to vote in May on preliminary as final plans for a Wawa convenience store and gas station at Lower Silver Lake Road when the agenda item was pulled from consideration by Provco (read “Newtown Wawa Developers Just Stood Up Supervisors at a Big Meeting. What Does This Mean for the Project?”)

In April, the township's planning commission had recommended denial of the preliminary as final land development plans for the 5,585 square foot convenience store and gas station (view video "

“Planning Commission Members Driscoll & Christensen Chastise Wawa”; https://youtu.be/2nqvEhkL3WQ).

anti single-useThe applicant is seeking conditional use approval to open a seafood restaurant (Blue Point Grill aka BPG) at 3 West Road in the Newtown Shopping Center. This is the former location of the Corner Bakery, which is no longer in business at that location. The hours of operation will be 4 PM to 11 PM on weekdays and 11 AM to 10 PM on Saturday and Sunday.

Jack Morrison, the owner of BPG, confirmed that he is seeking approval for 145 indoor seats. Also, there are an additional 36 seats in an existing outdoor seating area, which will be used on a seasonal basis. Some PC members were concerned about the parking and traffic problems this number of seats would cause. 

There was also crosswalk safety concerns as many patrons would have to cross West Road to get to and from their cars parked in Gap/ACME lot. It was agreed that these crossings would be made safer by repainting the bars to make the crossings more visible to motorists.

Liquor License

The floor plan includes an “Raw Bar” that seats 6 people and a regular "Bar" that seats 9 people. Recall that the Board of Supervisors (BOS) denied BPG’s application to transfer a liquor license from an East Rockhill Township tavern primarily because supervisors felt the Newtown was already over quota for liquor licenses (read “Blue Point Grill's Liquor License Transfer Not Approved”). Mr. Morrison informed the NTPC that BPG signed a contract to obtain a Newtown liquor license from Dolce Carini (Friends Bar & Grill), which has gone out of business.

Potential Environmental Impact

Recall that Newtown recently passed an anti-single use plastics resolution that urges the business community and residents to consider alternatives to single-use plastics (read “Newtown Township Anti Single-Use Plastic Resolution Makes Local News”). I asked in Mr. Morrison if BPG would comply with that resolution when packaging “doggie bags” for patrons to take home. He said he would have no problem with that.

Although some members were concerned about parking, the PC agreed that it will advise the NT Board of Supervisors to approve this conditional use application.

More details...

Newtown Borough Councilor Amy Lustig said: “I feel that the more people realize that pedestrian safety is of great importance to all parts of the Newtown community – residents, businesses, law enforcement, government – the more attention will be paid to others on the street. and for safe walking, cycling and driving.”

Lustig’s comment was in reference to the Borough’s new outreach campaign, which is part of Walk Friendly Newtown, the Borough’s newest committee created in response to the city’s increase in pedestrian accidents.

“The goal of the outreach project is to get everyone who lives, works and moves around the area to become active participants in making the community safe for pedestrians,” said Lustig, who is also a liaison to the Walk Friendly Newtown Committee.

Pedestrian safety stickers were distributed throughout the State Street business district that read, “Newtown Loves Pedestrians. Please use crosswalks.”

Free car magnets are also given away. Borough residents are offered free Slow Your Roll car magnets (available at Borough Hall, 23 N. State St.).

Opioid manufacturer Teva has preliminarily agreed to pay $4.2 billion to Pennsylvania and a coalition of other states and municipalities after what officials called deceptive marketing practices that drastically downplayed the risk of addiction.

More insidiously, Teva broadly encouraged the notion that signs of addiction in patients were really "pseudo-addiction," Shapiro's office said, a condition which they claimed should be treated by taking even opioids.

Pennsylvania Attorney Josh Shapiro, who led a coalition of states in the settlement, said that Teva also overstated the benefits of their drugs to doctors, and that their actions played a major role in the opioid epidemic.

"Today's settlement ensures Teva will pay for its irresponsible actions, with funds going directly to communities in Pennsylvania most impacted by the opioid epidemic," Shapiro said.

In addition to paying $4.2 billion in cash to states over the next 13 years, Teva will also provide $1.2 billion in naloxone, the overdose reversal drug, over the next 10 years. States have the option of selecting cash instead of naloxone.

The settlement is not yet final, as Teva must comply with transparency requirements and changes to its business practices first.

Bristol Borough will hold its first ever annual National Night Out on the grounds of Snyder-Girotti Elementary School on Tuesday, Aug. 2, 2022.

“What I’m trying to achieve is good community relations with the citizens of Bristol Borough and a positive interaction with the children of the borough,” Moors said.

The event will feature members of local law enforcement, emergency vehicles, health and resource information, a bounce house, games, face painting, DJ, give-a-ways and a chance to meet the new police chief.

National Night Out is a community-building event that works to promote and strengthen relationships between local neighborhoods and police departments, with the events typically occurring on the first Tuesday in August.

This year, Bensalem, Middletown, Quakertown, Richland, Buckingham, Solebury, Morrisville, Bristol Borough, Falls,Bristol Township and Doylestown Township will host events.*

BCWSA and Aqua are now hosting a series of private and public meetings to answer questions from municipalities and the general public. As a "municipal partner" local elected officials – including Newtown Township supervisors – were invited to a special meeting on July 25, 2022, at the Bucks County Community College (BCCT).

Listen to a 12-minute audio clip from that meeting, which ran on for more than 2 hours, focuses on concerns relevant to Newtown Township. Speakers include John Cordisco, BCWSA Board Chair and Benjamin Jones, BCWSA CEO.

Note: Newtown's sewer facilities will not be sold as part of the plan. 

The popular fast casual burger joint is scheduled to open its doors on Wednesday, July 27 at 11 a.m. at the Village At Newtown Shopping Center. It will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

A sign on the door reads, "We thank you for your patience. Our team and contractors are doing everything they can to make sure this is a perfect store opening for the community."

* My personal opinion

[Back in August 2021] the Ready for 100 team in Bucks County met outside West Rockhill’s municipal building, to see and learn about West Rockhill’s municipal solar project — the first in Pennsylvania to provide 100% of a municipality’s electricity. 

The 70.12 kW system is comprised of 180 panels, 2 ground mounted racks, and 6 inverters. The township spent $169,000 from their general fund reserves, proud that they didn’t need to finance this; that they’ve paid no interest. The electricity generated will power the municipal building, the park, the traffic signals, the street lights and the wells for this town of 5200 people. They expect an 11 year payback period, with all savings going back into the general fund’s reserve account. 

Read more...

Subscribe to my #YouTube channel: "Your #NewtownPA Voice" to keep up with issues before the township Board of Supervisors and more... bit.ly/Mack-on-Youtube

As some states move to restrict or ban abortion following last month’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf is looking to protect out-of-state individuals seeking the procedure in the commonwealth.

Wolf — a Democrat and former Planned Parenthood volunteer — signed an executive order on Tuesday ensuring that non-Pennsylvania residents may come to the commonwealth for an abortion and other reproductive health care services without fear of being arrested or detained at the request of another state. The order also ensures that those who helped facilitate travel or assisted with the procedure may not face prosecution unless their actions violate state law, which legalizes abortion up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.

“Here in Pennsylvania, I will not stand for this attack on women and pregnant people,” Wolf said in a statement. “By signing this executive order, I am affirming that individuals seeking and providing reproductive health services are safe in the commonwealth from discipline and prosecution.”

The Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA) serves about 100,000 households in 31 towns in Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester Counties. The authority announced Wednesday, July 13, 2022, it is considering a formal offer of $1.1 billion from Aqua Pennsylvania to buy its sewer system, which makes up about three-quarters of BCWSA’s customer base. If the sale is approved, the remaining BCWSA entity would serve only drinking water customers.

The privatization would generate a huge windfall for Bucks County government at the expense of 75,000 sewer customers who would pay higher rates under private owners.

The board got an earful on Wednesday as about 30 spectators crowded the BCWSA’s tiny meeting room in Doylestown Township to denounce the board’s move, which was not advertised in advance and appeared on a hastily amended agenda (see photo). “It’s a disgrace what’s happening here,” said Len Hughes Jr., a union shop steward with the AFSCME local that represents the authority’s supervisors.

Under Aqua’s proposal, current sewer rates would be frozen for a year. But in the coming years, rates would eventually increase to match Aqua’s rates, which are now about $88 compared with BCWSA’s average monthly rate of $48.

Though BCWSA’s fees are now much lower than those charged by Aqua, a projection conducted for the authority projected that its rates under continued public ownership would increase at a quicker pace than Aqua’s in the next 10 years to pay for anticipated upgrades to its aging sewer mains and treatment plants to resolve sewage overflow issues, said Jones. In about a decade, the $40 difference in bills between BCWSA and Aqua would shrink to about $20, he said.

Still, by that math, about 10 years from now customers would be paying $20 more a month under Aqua compared with BCWSA.

The News of Interest (NOI) e-newsletter features content curated from articles published in local newspapers and other sources. 

The July 2022 issue of NOI topics include: Tax Increase Referendum Approved for NAS, Further Delays for LDR Trail! CRSD Raises Tax, 5G Ordinance Moves Forward, More…

Access the complete issue...

Tax Increase Referendum Approved for NAS, Further Delays for LDR Trail! CRSD Raises Tax, 5G Ordinance Moves Forward, More… 

This is my personal summary of the July 13, 2022, meeting of Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.

Agenda Items

• Request by Newtown Ambulance Squad to Raise EMS Tax
• Joint Zoning Council Meeting Report by John Mack
• Lower Dolington Road Multi-Use Trail Update
• Sycamore Street Pedestrian Safety
• Brixmor Traffic Study
• A/V System Upgrade
• June 2022 Police Report
• Snyder Proposes Pro Abortion Resolution
• Official Video
• Detailed Notes

Access the complete summary...

At the request of Supervisor Elen Snyder, the Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) agreed at its July 13, 2022, public meeting to vote on a resolution calling on the state legislature to retain abortion rights in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The four supervisors in attendance at the meeting, including Snyder, agreed to the addition to the next agenda. The board's only Republican, Kyle Davis, was absent from the meeting.

As reported in the Newtown Patch: "Last month the far right Supreme Court overturned Roe versus Wade demonstrating its willingness to throw away long held precedent and directly ignore the will of the people who overwhelmingly who back that ruling," said Snyder.

"Just think about that," she continued. "A minority of people pushing their will onto the majority of us and telling one half of the population what we can or cannot do with our very own bodies. It's pretty unimaginable to us here in Pennsylvania and here in Newtown Township as well.

"We are largely lucky where poverty almost doesn't exist in this fairly affluent community. Most women here will be able to deal with an unwanted pregnancy and not have birth forced upon them in cases of rape, incest, fetal abnormality or maternal health. We must protect all women and all circumstances.

"In Pennsylvania we have the right to abortion and we must keep it that way," said Snyder. "Tonight I'm asking my fellow supervisors for a consensus that at our next meeting this matter be put on the agenda to authorize our solicitor to draft an appropriate resolution to be considered for adoption stating that we urge our Pennsylvania lawmakers to retain these rights as they now exist."