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Scooped by
johnmacknewtown
onto Newtown News of Interest May 25, 2018 11:01 AM
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I outline at least six steps I have taken to achieve this goal here.
The most visible, however, is the END OF PIXELATION of web streaming video of Newtown Board of Supervisors meetings!
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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
Today, 6:31 AM
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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”]
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johnmacknewtown
November 13, 1:48 PM
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The source records a 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"]
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johnmacknewtown
November 12, 10:11 AM
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The 2026 Budget spending focuses on hiring unneeded additional Newtown Twp staff, purchasing multiple police cars, a dump truck, and other things... but NOT on roadwork! Taxes are up 30% while new road paving miles are down 25%!
This isn't just a one-year shortfall; it points to a structural problem. When a town consistently paves fewer miles than required for basic upkeep, it creates a long-term infrastructure deficit. Roads will likely degrade faster than they can be repaired, leading to more significant and costly problems down the line.
MY PROPOSAL
PennDOT District 6 (Bucks County): averages $350K–$600K per lane mile for resurfacing under state contracts. To get to 3.5 miles of paved roads, an additional 1.6 miles of road need to be paved requiring about $760K more funding would be needed (using an average of $475K per mile base on PennDOT numbers). For a more realistic goal, I proposed finding additional fund to pave a total of 2.5 miles of roads (same as in 2025).
If ONLY 2 new police cars were approved, $170K would be available for road repair. Add to that a savings of $205K by removing a new dump truck from the budget, you would have $375 available – enough to add nearly 0.8 miles to the total. That would then be enough to pave 2.6 miles of road!
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johnmacknewtown
November 12, 9:58 AM
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The differences between the 2026 Fire Services Agreement and the 2020 Fire Services Agreement touch upon the duration of the agreement, organizational structure, funding specifics, operational requirements, and reporting details.
To summarize the operational shift: the 2026 agreement reflects a more integrated and formalized structure ("Newtown Fire Rescue") that relies heavily on a unified "Operations Manual," while eliminating specific performance metrics (like response times and specific initial funding) and detailed internal procedures found in the 2020 document, moving those details into the new manual or generalized language. It also introduces the Township's right of refusal on equipment.
This agreement between Newtown Township and the volunteer Newtown Fire Association will come up for approval by the Newtown Board of Supervisors at its November 12, 2025, public meeting.
Listen to this "Deep Dive" podcast...
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johnmacknewtown
November 11, 6:51 AM
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What You Need to Know
Newtown Supervisors meet Nov 12 to review major township issues — including a $587K bills list, Township Fire Services Agreement with NFA, and a $1M grant application for new fire trucks.
The 2026 budget and road paving shortfall are under scrutiny, with residents raising concerns over a steep 4-mill tax hike, police car purchases, and the need for an HR Director.
Also discussed: zoning variances, EMS and police funding, and questions about missing speed board data.
To prepare for this meeting, I prepared detailed notes that I know you will find informative. The notes include summaries of and links to the official documents that the supervisors will vote on. Also included are comments from residents and questions I plan to ask at the meeting. Hopefully, by reading these notes you will also have comments and questions to ask at the meeting.
Public comment will also be taken via e-mail during the course of the meeting. All public comment must contain the commenter's name and confirmation that the commenter is a Township resident or taxpayer, and should be as succinct as possible. Emailed comments will be read aloud. Address comments to: Comments@newtownpa.gov
Taxes are up 30% while roadwork is done 25%! That says it all!
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johnmacknewtown
November 5, 1:33 PM
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When a headline announces a local tax increase, it’s easy to feel a familiar sense of resignation. But what if the numbers on the page are only a fraction of the story? A recent "Meet Mack Monday" community meeting, hosted by Supervisor John Mack, pulled back the curtain on Newtown's 2026 draft budget. Beyond the expected figures, the discussion and subsequent Q&A revealed several surprising and impactful truths about how the township operates, where our tax dollars really go, and the quiet challenges shaping our community's future.
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johnmacknewtown
November 5, 1:25 PM
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Welcome to the November 3, 2025, Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting presentation!
John Mack, Newtown Twp Supervisor, hosted this meeting.
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 Supervisor Mack keep better informed of residents’ concerns when I vote on the issues at Board of Supervisors meetings.
Agenda:
Listen to the Q&A Session that followed: https://rebrand.ly/MMM-3Nov25-QandA
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johnmacknewtown
November 2, 7:11 AM
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Residents of Newtown Gate voiced frustration at an October 2025 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting after police began issuing parking tickets along Fountain Farm Lane, a street where parking had been allowed for decades.
Resident Maria Porambo, speaking for the Quarters at Newtown Gate HOA, said there was no prior notice or communication from township officials and that residents were blindsided by enforcement “from someone higher than the chief.” She rejected the idea of using private lots for overflow parking.
Supervisors Dennis Fisher and John Mack proposed potential solutions, including designating one-side parking, creating overflow areas, and holding a Zoom meeting with the three homeowners associations. The meeting ended with agreement to continue dialogue toward balancing parking access and safety on Fountain Farm Lane.
The Zoom meeting that I suggested was held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. Several Newtown Gate residents participated.
The conversation centers on seeking a moratorium on ticketing and implementing permanent solutions, such as petitioning to reclassify the road to non-arterial status to allow parking, increasing traffic calming measures like stop signs and speed limit enforcement, and securing a traffic engineer study to address both parking needs and overall public safety concerns, including dangerous speeding and the lack of safe crosswalks.
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johnmacknewtown
October 28, 12:30 PM
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The financial statements of Newtown Township for the year ended December 31, 2024, were audited by the firm Maillie LLP. The findings and context of this audit are crucial for understanding the reliability of the financial data.
The audit process identified risks of management override and improper revenue recognition for planning purposes and noted a material weakness in a separate communication to the Board of Supervisors. Specifically, the auditors noted that Newtown Township did not consistently record revenues in the proper accounting period. Specifically, certain revenues related to intergovernmental grants and charges for services were recorded in the incorrect fiscal year.
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johnmacknewtown
October 28, 7:40 AM
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Key themes: 2026 budget & millage changes, paving plan, Newtown Gate parking enforcement, and sewer plant project update.
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johnmacknewtown
October 25, 7:34 AM
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This issue of the Newtown News of Interest newsletter provides an overview of local government news and controversies in Newtown, Pennsylvania, primarily focusing on topics discussed at various Board of Supervisors meetings in late 2025.
Key issues detailed include a contentious showdown over the 2026 Fire Services Agreement between Newtown Township and the Borough, where officials disagreed on payment amounts for fire protection. Additionally, the text highlights zoning and land-use debates, such as objections to a proposed mini-storage facility and a request from the Newtown Athletic Club for a variance regarding an improperly placed sign.
Other important subjects cover the approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement for a new pedestrian bridge over Newtown Creek and ongoing safety and parking disputes along Fountain Farm Lane, which led to residents receiving tickets. Finally, the article mentions a request from the Council Rock Little League for township assistance in funding water access to make baseball fields safer for children..
UPDATE (10/28/25): Despite the fact that the Planning Commission recommended the BOS take no action regarding the zoning variances requested by the storage facility applicant (see above), the BOS instructed the Solicitor to send a letter to the ZHB opposing the apartment and reminding the ZHB about the building height restrictions. The BOS was subsequently notified that the applicant is withdrawing its request for a variance to allow a manager’s apartment on the self-storage site. The client was reminded hat the Board of Supervisors also wishes to ensure that the proposed building does not exceed the maximum height requirement in the LI Zoning District.
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johnmacknewtown
October 23, 8:27 AM
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Newtown Township’s 2026 Proposed Budget outlines a balanced yet cautious financial plan — addressing rising costs and public safety needs while keeping taxes regionally competitive. The $16.9M budget uses part of the Township’s fund balance to offset a $3.2M deficit, maintaining reserves above policy limits.
A 4-mill real estate tax increase—3 mills for fire protection and 1 for the rescue squad—will strengthen emergency services and prepare for future staffing needs. Even with this adjustment, Newtown’s tax burden remains among the lowest in Bucks County, reflecting a fiscally responsible path forward.
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johnmacknewtown
October 21, 8:00 AM
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Newtown Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Chief Evan Resnikoff has asked Newtown Borough Council to double the borough’s EMS tax millage from 0.5 to 1.0 mills to help cover rising costs and major capital expenses. The request comes as the squad faces the need to replace two ambulances ($600K total), five heart monitors ($50K each), and an aging HVAC system at its Eagle Road headquarters.
Resnikoff said operating costs have “grown exponentially,” with insurance premiums expected to reach $200,000 next year and reimbursement rates failing to cover actual expenses. The department staffs personnel 24/7 and serves Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Upper Makefield, and parts of Solebury Township, covering 32 square miles with 55 employees and eight volunteers
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He emphasized that Newtown Borough enjoys some of the fastest EMS response times in Bucks County and highlighted national recognition for clinical excellence in heart and stroke care. Borough Council will discuss the tax request at its special budget meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Borough Hall.
Meanwhile, Chief Resnikoff has requested that the township raise its EMS millage by 1 mill. Currently, the township EMS millage is 1 mill. Thus, granting this request would double the current EMS millage rate.
[1 mill real estate tax in Newtown Township raises about $330,000.This equates to about $40 per year for the average township homeowner. A 0.5 mill increase in Borough millage, on the other hand would cost the average homeowner about $20 per year.]
This will be discussed at the 22 October 2025 Board of Supervisors meeting when the 2026 draft budget will be on the agenda.
Related Content:
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johnmacknewtown
October 20, 9:13 AM
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The Newtown Township Police Department Activity Summary for the week of October 10 through October 16, 2025, presents preliminary police data that is subject to revision.
The summary provides statistical metrics for the period, noting a total of 492 calls for service, including specific numbers for events like traffic crashes (14 total), thefts (02), and medical emergencies (30). Furthermore, the document includes an incident blotter detailing six specific incidents, such as a reported assault, two instances of narcotics discovered during traffic stops, and reports concerning credit card fraud and a scam attempt.
The report concludes with a caveat that these are highlighted incidents and do not constitute all weekly police activity.
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johnmacknewtown
October 17, 9:57 AM
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The provided source for this "Deep Dive" podcast is the "Newtown Borough Fire Protection Study 2022," prepared by the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services in Pennsylvania to assess the fire service costs for Newtown Borough, Bucks County.
This analysis was requested by the municipality to evaluate the cost of fire protection, which is currently provided through a symbiotic relationship with Newtown Township.
The report examines the history and current structure of fire protection, noting that the service is delivered by a combination of the Newtown Fire Association and the Newtown Township Department of Emergency Services.
A major component of the study is the Fair Share Cost Analysis, which calculates various potential fee structures for the Borough's contribution to the Township's fire protection budget using methods like the ratio of calls, population, and assessed valuation. Ultimately, the document presents several fire protection options for the Borough, ranging from reaching a new long-term agreement with the Township to establishing its own municipal fire department.
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johnmacknewtown
October 14, 8:56 AM
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At the October 13, 2025 work session, Newtown Township supervisors clashed over how much Newtown Borough should pay for fire protection. The Borough offered $267K–$275K over three years, while Supervisor Phil Calabro demanded $330K plus annual increases, arguing township taxpayers shouldn’t subsidize Borough services. Chair Elen Snyder, John Mack, and Dennis Fisher supported a one-year $275K deal and a new state cost study to determine a fair share. Fire Chief Glenn Forsyth warned of worsening volunteer shortages and after-hours response gaps. The board is expected to vote on the contract before year’s end.
Source: Transcript of the October 13, 2025 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors Work Session.
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johnmacknewtown
October 13, 2:29 PM
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The Hidden Complexity Behind Your Local Fire Services
When you see a fire truck responding to a call, you see a vital public service in action. What most residents don't see is the complex web of negotiations, contracts, and financial pressures that make that service possible. The discussions over fire services between Newtown Borough and Newtown Township provide a perfect case study, revealing the hidden machinery that keeps a community safe. This video - prepared by NotebookLM from official documents and news reports - distills the most impactful takeaways from their intricate 2025 agreement and the high-stakes negotiation for a new deal for 2026 and beyond.
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johnmacknewtown
October 13, 7:51 AM
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The sources for this "Deep Dive" podcast are excerpts from the October 8, 2025, Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting where members of the Newtown Gate Townhouse Association voiced strong complaints regarding traffic congestion, speeding, and a sudden, strict enforcement of parking regulations on Fountain Farm Lane.
Chet Zaremba, the association president, detailed the residents' anger over new ticketing after 35 years of unhindered parking and questioned the fairness, pointing out that a township-employed tow truck driver was previously allowed to park there with impunity despite safety concerns.
Another resident, John Lagomarsino, suggested modifying the road's classification and white fog lines based on his engineering research, proposing designated parking zones as a solution to both the parking shortage and traffic issues.
Supervisors acknowledged the problem, with Supervisor Fisher committing to walking the area to seek solutions and Supervisor Mack suggesting hiring traffic experts, while the Police Chief confirmed that ticketing would continue due to the public safety hazard of cars encroaching into oncoming traffic to bypass parked vehicles.
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johnmacknewtown
October 13, 6:12 AM
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This sign was visible from my car parked in the Adventure Aquarian parking lot in Camden, NJ, yesterday. What an atrocity - little of which is taught in schools and now against federal policy.
This history will never be know by our grand children. Perhaps even hard to find signs like this one - just facing the parking lot. not the sidewalk and street - will be taken down just as statues and monuments of racists will be re-erected!
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johnmacknewtown
October 11, 7:08 AM
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Land use and zoning dominated part of the 24 September 2025 Newtown supervisors meeting, as the township planning commission presented updates on multiple proposals. These included a residential subdivision and a controversial mini-storage facility.
The most debated project was a sketch plan for a mini-storage facility at 98 Upper Silver Lake Road, the site of a former TD Bank. The plan called for demolition of the bank and construction of a three-story building with up to 800 units, plus a manager’s apartment.
While storage use is permitted, the residential unit triggered objections. “A residential use combined with an industrial use is not permitted in the township according to our ordinance,” Driscoll reminded the board.
Some supervisors worried about precedent. “We set precedents and then somebody else wants to do the same thing and all of a sudden we’re just allowing everything,” said Supervisor John Mack.
He also questioned safety and the necessity of the project. “It seems like a dangerous situation. I wouldn’t want to live there in a single apartment in that building,” Mack said.
Mack also noted that fire access concerns limited building heights to 40 feet, which this project exceeds.
In a letter dated 2 October 2025, Newtown resident Ann M. Casey urged the Planning Commission to reject the proposed three-story self-storage facility at the former TD Bank site, calling it an “eyesore” unsuited to the area and noting that multiple storage units already exist nearby.
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johnmacknewtown
October 10, 2:44 PM
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This video was produced by Google's Gemini-powered AI research tool NotebookLM from a Variance Request submitted to the Newtown Township Zoning Hearing Board by the Newtown Racquetball Association, operating as the Newtown Athletic Club (NAC), for a sign installed at 120 Pheasant Run.
[NOTE: The Planning Commission will consider this application at its 21 October 2025 public meeting.]
This request seeks to modify a previous decision to allow an existing "NAC" wall sign that was inadvertently installed facing the Newtown Bypass instead of the Penns Trail side of the building, which was the location contemplated in a 2014 zoning decision.
The application specifically requests variances concerning the sign's location within 1,000 feet of the Bypass, the number of signs allowed on the property, and the maximum permitted size for a wall sign, proposing an increase to 31.389 square feet.
Exhibits confirm the existence of a previous zoning variance history for the property and include a zoning violation notice from April 2025 regarding the improperly placed sign.
Refer to the "NAC Sign Variance Briefing Document" for details.
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johnmacknewtown
October 9, 8:09 AM
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This summary of the 8 October 2025 Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) Meeting was prepared by Google NotebookLM & John Mack:
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johnmacknewtown
October 8, 8:27 AM
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This "Deep Dive" podcast reviews the Newtown's Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, enacted in 2018, which broadly prohibits discrimination in areas like employment, housing, and public accommodations based on numerous characteristics, including race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability.
More to the point with regard to recent news, the document explicitly prohibits "Conversion Therapy" for use with minors by mental health professionals.
Furthermore, the law established a local Human Relations Commission and details the procedures for filing complaints with the newly created Commission, including options for a fact-finding conference or expanded investigation procedures.
Finally, the ordinance ensures an aggrieved person has a private right of action to pursue remedies, such as emotional distress and exemplary damages, in court.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court’s conservative majority prepared to rule against conversion therapy.
This CNN article reports on a significant Supreme Court case, Chiles v. Salazar, where the conservative majority signaled it is likely to rule against Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy for minors.
The core conflict hinges on whether state regulations of "talk therapy" for licensed professionals violate the First Amendment rights of the counselor challenging the law. Much of the debate centered on whether this therapy should be treated as regulated medical conduct or as protected speech, with conservative justices emphasizing that professional speech should still maintain constitutional protections.
The potential outcome could have sweeping implications for similar bans across nearly half of US states, raising questions about the role of judicial review versus medical consensus in regulating therapeutic practices.
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In addition to the article cited above, the following documents were used as sources for this "Deep Dive" podcast:
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johnmacknewtown
October 6, 12:32 PM
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The Newtown Township Codes Department’s latest report offers a snapshot of active development and zoning matters heading to the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, and Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB). Several notable applications involve signage, additions, and a new mini-storage proposal on Upper Silver Lake Road.
Mediplex, owner of the Rothman Orthopaedic Group building, seeks zoning relief to install an additional wall sign on the south elevation. The request would bring the total to three wall signs—one more than permitted. The applicant plans to amend and resubmit; the review timeline has been waived.
The NAC seeks several variances for a wall sign installed in 2019 on the Bypass side rather than the approved Penns Trail side. The sign exceeds both size and frontage limits and is within 1,000 ft of the Bypass. Reviews are set for Oct 21 (PC), Oct 22 (BOS), and Nov 6 (ZHB).
Firstrust proposes a 6.8-ft-high, 22.9-sq-ft freestanding sign exceeding height, size, and frontage limits. Hearings are planned for late October and Nov 6 (ZHB); timeline waived.
The developer proposes a three-story, 36,604-sq-ft mini-storage facility and a 25 × 45 ft manager’s apartment on the former TD Bank site. Relief is needed for parking, loading, steep slopes, and other dimensional standards. The plan heads to Oct 21 (PC), Oct 22 (BOS), and Nov 6 (ZHB).
The report also notes continuing activity in building and use permit reviews, though project specifics were not listed. Most ZHB hearings are expected in late October and early November, with several applicants agreeing to timeline waivers to allow further staff and Planning Commission coordination.
Source: Newtown Township Codes Department Weekly Report, October 3, 2025.
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johnmacknewtown
October 2, 9:28 AM
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The sources for this podcast comprise several emails between Newtown Township residents and officials regarding ongoing safety and parking issues along Fountain Farm Lane and surrounding streets.
The correspondence reveals that residents like Ed McCorry and Steve Bacher have repeatedly raised concerns about speeding, illegal parking that obstructs traffic, dangerous stop sign violations, and the lack of pedestrian crosswalks.
In response, an official relays that the police chief acknowledges the enforcement issue but notes that resources are limited, confirming that illegal parking on the fog line will result in ticketing.
Conversely, other residents, including Gary and Janice Malanowski and Vincent Luisi, express anger and surprise at the recent ticketing for parking on Fountain Farm Lane, arguing that this practice is new and asking for clarification on where residents and visitors should park, especially during the upcoming holiday season.
“Proposal for Newtown Gate Parking Issues”
John Lagomarsino, a board member of the Newtown Gate Townhouse Owner’s Association, sent an email to the Newtown Township Supervisors on October 5, 2025, regarding widespread parking citations on Fountain Farm Lane. He suggested an interesting short-term "stop-gap" solution to the supervisors.
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