Once Again, Newtown Township Holds The Line on Real Estate Tax. Bucks County? Not So Much!

At the 9 October 2024 #NewtownPA Board of Supervisors meeting, Norm Seeger - a resident of Village of Newtown - commented upon the danger to pedestrians along Upper Silver Lake Road where speeding is an issue.

He had three suggestions:

1. create marked pedestrian crosswalks,
2. install solar-powered speed signs warning drivers that they are going faster than the speed limit, and
3. if not either of the above, then perhaps install stop signs as has been done on Lower Dolington Road.

Crickets were heard in response.

If you are a resident of Newtown Township or Newtown Borough, you probably received a NOTICE via email [LINK: ] from the Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority, aka Newtown Sewer Authority, which states “The Newtown, Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (Authority) is actively pursuing construction of our own wastewater treatment facility.”

[The REAL shocker, however, is the RATE INCREASE – see below.]

Back in August, 2022, Warren Gormley, the Authority Director,  informed Newtown Supervisors that a proposed sale of the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority  (BCWSA)to a private company would not be “a good thing for the rate payers...it will increase rates dramatically." View the video of his remarks: https://youtu.be/IJUiUVpZU6I?t=1542 He urged us to oppose the deal, which ultimately failed.

Not long after that deal fell through the Authority raised rates by 21% from $68 per quarter to $82 per quarter in response to a 16.6% BCWSA rate increase charged to the Authority (read “Your Sewer Rates Are Going Up; Director Of #NewtownPA Sewer Authority Explains Why”; https://sco.lt/9MnDFo

Now, in its email, the Authority informed customers “rates will increase in January from $82 to $120.54 per quarter for the 10,000 gallon minimum.” Thus, our rates will increase by 77% from $68 to $120.54 per quarter! The Authority says “equates to a less than 43 cents per day increase.” It’s like the frog in the slowly heated water pot – just a few degrees per day!

Here’s how the Authority justifies its rate increases and reason for building its own sewage treatment plant...

To meet the increasing financial needs of fire and ambulance services, on 11 July 2024 the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed Regular Session 2023-2024 House Bill 2310, which authorized increased millage rates for annual taxes levied by Townships of the Second Class for Fire Protection and Emergency Services from 3 mills to 10 mills (read "Millage Rate Limits Raised for Dedicated Fire & EMS Taxes").

The Newtown Board of Supervisors can enact an ordinance authorizing the levy of up to 10 mills of fire tax annually and up to 5 mills of emergency services tax annually without specifying the actual tax rate. The actual tax rate, however, for each given year would be decided by the Board during its year-end budgeting process.

NOTE: For the average Newtown Township homeowner, a 1 mill yearly real estate tax amounts to about $40.00.

What do you think? Should Newtown Township authorize this new limit in Fire and EMS Services Tax? And if it does, should it actually increase these taxes? 

TAKE MY SURVEY: https://rebrand.ly/FireEms_Tax_Survey

Newtown Township recently received contractor bids for two projects: (1) Silo Dr/N Sycamore St and Tara Blvd/Newtown-Yardley Rd crosswalk safety upgrades and (2) Business Commons sidewalks. One received HIGH bids above budget and the other received LOW bids under budget.

Can you guess which is which? Find out here...

27 September 2024: Bids for for two pedestrian crosswalks safety upgrades were accessed and read aloud at the offices of Remington and Vernick Engineers at 1010 Stony Hill Road, Suite 175, Yardley, PA 19067. For more about these projects, see the Tara Blvd Crosswalk Improvement Timeline and the North Sycamore Street Pedestrian Safety Timeline.

The township received a total of two (2) bids as follows:

• T. Schiefer Contractors, Inc.
  • Base Bid - $391,915
  • Alternate Bid No. 1 (decorative poles) - $117,000
  • TOTAL: $508,915
• Armour & Sons Electric, Inc.
  • Base Bid - $437,445
  • Alternate Bid No. 1 (decorative poles) - $103,125
  • TOTAL: $540,570

The Township engineers have started to review all the submitted documentation and will have a recommendation for award as soon as possible. The bids do need to be submitted to Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) Funding for their review and approval as part of the grant contract. Note that the township received an ARLE Grant of $326,931 for these projects. An additional $50,000 is available from another grant.

To meet the increasing financial needs of fire and ambulance services, on July 11th, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed Regular Session 2023-2024 House Bill 2310, which authorized increased millage rates for annual taxes levied by Townships of the Second Class for Fire Protection and Emergency Services from 3 mills to 10 mills.

For the average Newtown Township homeowner, a 1 mill yearly real estate tax amounts to about $44.00.

Although this allows for a substantial tax increase, it is still up to the Board of Supervisors to approve any tax increase.

Read the details here...

The Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) informed the Board of Supervisors that it has purchased 17 acres on 42 University Dr in Newtown. Settlement was August 8, 2024. Initial discussions have started to possibly purchase 4.837 acres connecting to the 17-acre parcel. Note that this property was owned by KRE Realty, which had plans to build an apartment complex on the site (read “Developer Challenges Validity Of Zoning Ordinance In #NewtownPA Township”).

This is my personal summary of the September 25, 2024, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.

HARB OK with Revive Hive Signage, Need for Protection of Historic Structures, PennDOT Has Issues with Upgrade Plans for Silo Dr/N Sycamore St Intersection, Fire Services Agreement with Newtown Borough To Be Drafted, Impervious Surface Increases Must Be Mitigated!, more…

Prior to approving the traffic signal permit at N. Sycamore St. & Silo Drive, The township was notified in August, 2024, that PennDOT is seeking additional information regarding the ADA "compliant" curb ramps.

Note that the current ADA ramps at this intersection are “diagonal ramps,” which allow access to 2 crosswalks. Although diagonal ramps eliminate the need for two separate ramps, this design actually requires two actions for the user: (1) step out onto the street at a forward diagonal angle, and then (2) change directions to actually cross in the direction they need to go. For wheelchair users and someone pushing a baby stroller, increased danger exists since they must extend into moving traffic much farther than a standing person.

How did the township respond to PennDOT's comments? Read more...

This Zoom meeting focused on Wawa delay, sewage treatment plant Moves, fire services agreement with Borough, LI/O-LI Overlay “By Right” Zoning, 2025 budget preview, more...

Includes:

• Opening Presentation
• Discussion
• Links to More Information
• Detailed Meeting Notes

At the 25 September 2024 Board of Supervisors meeting, supervisor John Mack asked Dominic Cundari - the Township Engineering Firm representative - to clarify what PennDOT is looking for with regard to the design of ADA ramps at the Silo Drive/North Sycamore Street intersection.

According to a recent email from the Township Manager to supervisors, PennDOT is requiring RVE to submit additional supplemental information that is “above & beyond the requirements for a Signal Permit.” This involves the diagonal ADA ramps at this intersection. Mr. Cundari – Township Engineer – said “PennDOT is seeking additional information regarding the ADA compliant curb ramps. They are now seeking Technically Infeasible Forms (TIF) due to the existing diagonal ramps to provide reasoning why they are necessary.”

Newtown Township is taking steps to protect its historic structures that lie outside designated historic districts.

The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors discussed potential measures during its Wednesday evening meeting.

The issue was raised during reports from the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) and Planning Commission. Both bodies expressed concern about the lack of protection for historic structures not already part of the historic district or designated historic villages.

“We have no way to protect our historic structures that are not already part of the historic district or in one of the designated historic villages,” said Peggy Driscoll, a Newtown Township Planning Commission member. “It is our understanding that Newtown Borough and Upper Makefield have also been researching this.”

The board discussed creating an inventory of historic properties throughout the township as a first step. Supervisor John Mack suggested inviting an expert who recently presented to Newtown Borough to speak to the Planning Commission.

[See presentation by Megan McNish, Eastern Region Community Preservation Coordinator for the Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO): “Preservation and Regulatory Strategies to Maintain Community Character”; LINK: https://rebrand.ly/McNish_Preso]

The Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office is responsible for evaluating potential structures for inclusion on their historic preservation list.

Chairperson Dennis Fisher suggested the Planning Commission, along with HARB, research potential preservation strategies and make recommendations to the supervisors.

“My thought would be maybe the Planning Commission, along with HARB or whomever else, would take the time to research what it is and make a recommendation back to the Board of Supervisors,” Fisher said.

Welcome to the September 23, 2024, Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting presentation!

The goal of Meet Mack Monday meetings is to inform residents of township issues that impact them and to get feedback and comments from residents about such issues.

Recently, I received a complaint from a resident claiming that Roundup is being used in township parks and playgrounds: "One concern of mine,” said resident Gabriel Gall on my Facebook page, “is that the parks department uses Roundup, which is known to cause environmental impacts and cancer, around trees and the playground where my kids play.

At the 12 June 2024 Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, supervisor Elen Snyder asked the Board to approve a plan for a “pollinator” garden in Roberts Ridge Park. The original plan was to use Roundup to kill the grass turf in preparation for planting the flowers but there was some "pushback" from residents and BOS members. Consequently, it was decided to use vinegar instead of Roundup.

It turns out that vinegar is effective alternative to Roundup for killing turf grass! Read more about this...

Also, see "Insights" belowfor another alternative.

This is my personal summary of the September 11, 2024, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors.

Residents Get No Response from Zoning Office, Supervisor Mack Welcomes Blue Dawgs, Proposed Mural Ordinance, Business Signage Ordinance, Pedestrian Crossings Bids Update, August 2024 Police Report, more…

The plan was outlined in the PennDOT “Flashing Warning Device Permit” for this pedestrian crossing upgrade.

More details on how the RRFBs will operate...

Newtown township's population is currently declining at a rate of -0.23% annually and its population has decreased by -1.11% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 19,875 in 2020.

The average household income in Newtown township is $180,890 with a poverty rate of 3.73%. The median age in Newtown township is 45.3 years: 42.3 years for males, and 47.7 years for females.

Newtown township Demographics

According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Newtown township was:

• White: 78.16%
• Asian: 10.23%
• Two or more races: 7.59%
• Black or African American: 2.44%
• Other race: 1.55%
• Native American: 0.04%
• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0%

The race most likely to be in poverty in Newtown township is Black, with 7.1% below the poverty level.

Much more data here...

On 27 September 2024, Bids for the Silo Dr and Tara Blvd crosswalk safety upgrades were received. For more information about these projects, see Tara Blvd Crosswalk Improvement Timeline and North Sycamore Street Pedestrian Safety Timeline.]

On 27 September 2024, bids for for two pedestrian crosswalks safety upgrades were and read aloud at the offices of Remington and Vernick Engineers at 1010 Stony Hill Road, Suite 175, Yardley, PA 19067. For more about these projects, see the Tara Blvd Crosswalk Improvement Timeline and the North Sycamore Street Pedestrian Safety Timeline.

The township received a total of two (2) bids as follows:

• T. Schiefer Contractors, Inc.
  • Base Bid - $391,915.00
  • Alternate Bid No. 1 (decorative poles) - $117,000
• Armour & Sons Electric, Inc.
  • Base Bid - $437,445.00
  • Alternate Bid No. 1 (decorative poles) - $103,125

The Township engineers have started to review all the submitted documentation and will have a recommendation for award as soon as possible. The bids do need to be submitted to Automated Red Light Enforcement (ARLE) Funding for their review and approval as part of the grant contract. Note that the township received an ARLE Grant of $326,931 for these projects. An additional $50,000 is available from another grant.

This is my personal summery of the 14 August 2024 BOS meeting.

LI/O-LI Overlay sent to Jointure with “Use-by-Right” language – may be modified to "conditional use" later, Business Commons sidewalk project delayed, Silo Dr vs Tara Blvd crosswalk project bid procedure, July 2024 Police Report, more…

Local governments of all sizes require committed leaders and staff to keep their communities running smoothly, but problems can arise when they don’t have the right people to do the job.

When city, township, or borough elected officials cannot effectively serve, residents are left with few options.

Spotlight PA Local Accountability Reporter Min Xian spoke with a panel of experts about the challenges local governments face in finding and retaining dedicated elected officials and the impacts those people have on residents’ lives.

Pennsylvania’s more than 2,500 municipalities require about 12,000 elected officials. A 2021 survey of nearly 900 of them found that about half ran unopposed in both the primary and general elections. It is also common for officials to vacate their positions before the end of their terms.

Laws addressing higher pay for municipal officials were enacted this year... This will allow public servants to be better paid for the time commitment required of their positions. More people from different backgrounds might be better able to participate in local office because of this change.

More...

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) voted to suspend and investigate a proposed rate increase by Newtown Artesian Water Company for water service.

According to the PUC: “Investigation and analysis of this proposed tariff supplement and the supporting data indicates that the proposed changes in rates, rules, and regulations may be unlawful, unjust, unreasonable, and contrary to public interest. It also appears that consideration should be given to the reasonableness of Newtown’s existing rates, rules, and regulations.”

The Commission voted 5-0 to investigate Newtown Artesian’s proposal to increase its annual revenues by $922,419 (14.1%).  Under the company’s proposal, a typical metered residential customer water bill would increase from $106.45 to $121.23 (13.9%).  Additionally, Newtown Artesian proposes an increase in the fixed customer charge for residential customers from $22.71 to $26.90 per quarter (18.5%).

The rate increase request is now suspended and will be assigned to the PUC’s Office of Administrative Law Judge for investigation and a recommended decision.

May 2024 #NewtownPA Area Jointure Comprehensive Plan Released. It took about 5 years for the 3 members of the "Jointure" (Newtown, Wrightstown, and Upper Makefield) to finish with the help of the Bucks County Planning Commission... Now the final Plan (with resolutions included) has been released for publication.

Find it here...

On August 22, 2024, I and several other students of an Unscripted Productions stand-up comedy class held a "graduation" session at the Comedy Club above Poco's restaurant in Doylestown PA.

This is a video of my act. You can also see the Youtube version of my skit here: https://youtu.be/KA2piKnWRIc