Bucks County Planning Commission Surveys Business Owners as Many Face Hiring Woes

A change in the speed limit from 35 to 25 mph on the Yardley-Newtown Road from Washington Avenue to Lower Dolington Road isn’t sitting well with some drivers. [Read "Speed Limit Reduced on Newtown-Yardley Road. North Sycamore Street Is Next."]

In a social media post, motorists slammed the change, which was made by the township's board of supervisors in January at the request of the residents of Newtown Walk.

The residents of Newtown Walk had lobbied to improve pedestrian safety at a mid-block crosswalk at Tara Boulevard with a lower speed limit and pulsating beacon lights.

“Who’s bright idea was it to lower the speed from 35 to 25 mph?” asked one driver in a Facebook post, which drew more than 50 responses.

Some speculated that the township made the change to boost revenue from speeding tickets. Others quickly dispelled that thought explaining that the local municipality actually gets very little from a speeding ticket, with much of the money going to the state.

Several also brought politics into the debate despite the fact that it was a nonpartisan, unanimous vote of the supervisors.

“Man some folks are babies on this post,” one driver concluded. “How much time will going 25 mph add to your drive? It’s about public safety and careless drivers that prompt changes like this. Jeez.”

642 Newtown Yardley Road, part of the corporate campus of Newtown Commons West, on the edge of Newtown Business Commons. 642 is a brick & steel building, approximately 15 years old, 3-stories and elevator-served. 15,000+ SF on each floor.

For lease is Suite 205 is 5,397 SF on the second floor. Some custom fitout* possible. 

Plenty of parking. $23/SF annual rental rate. The only additional costs are $2/SF for electric and the tenant's own in-suite janitorial.

At a special session of the Newtown Township Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) on January 30, 2023, Provco/Wawa appealed the ZHB's 2021 denial of all signage and fuel dispenser variances to the JMZO E30 zoning ordinance (read “Wawa's Request for Zoning Variances Denied!”).

Wawa is challenging Section 803.E.30.3, Section 1103.CA, and Section 1101.A of the ordinance, as "arbitrary, unreasonable, and not substantially related to the purposes of the Pennsylvania Municipalities Planning Code (MPC), or the public health, safety, or welfare of Newtown Township that the JMZO purports to serve" (refer to the “Amended ZHB #1104-19 Provco Pinegood Newtown LLC Substantive Challenge”).

Specifically, Wawa wants to have 8 fueling dispensers (16 pumps) whereas the E30 ordinance allows only 6 and it wants signage facing or visible to the Bypass, which is also prohibited by Newtown zoning codes.

John Van Luvanee, attorney for Provco/Wawa presented two expert witnesses to testify at the ZHB hearing. This audio snippet features the testimony and cross-examination by Newtown Township's Solicitor (Dave Sander) of expert witnesses Jason Korczak, P.E., Bohler Engineering and Mike Redel, a Real Estate Project Engineer employed by Wawa.

Peter Nelson, an attorney representing Upper Makefield Township was a party to the case and also cross-examined Provco's witnesses at the hearing

Listen to the testimony and cross-examination...

Newtown Township residents Andrea Ahern and Debbie Verwoerd have announced their intention to run for Newtown Township supervisor this year. They will be seeking the Republican nomination for two seats up for election in November.

The two women said they heard the concerns of their neighbors loud and clear while campaigning for candidates last year "The residents of Newtown Township want a return to basics at the township level, namely, better stewardship of taxpayer money, improved communication with residents, smart growth that is directed by township leaders and not developers, and a move away from the partisan politicking that has no place in local government," they said.

Ahern is a resident of Eagle Ridge where she chairs the Homeowners Association's finance committee. She has also been an active voice in fighting against over-development in the township.

A lifelong Newtown resident, Ahern is also a former candidate for Newtown Township Supervisor, having run in 2021 with incumbent supervisor, Kyle Davis.

Verwoerd has called Newtown home for nearly a decade and is a resident of Eagle Glenn. A marketing vice president at a global Fortune 500 company, she said she knows what it takes to run a successful business.

Kyle Davis, a current member of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors, voiced his enthusiastic support for the candidacy of both Ahern and Verwoerd.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled at the prospect of having two such strong and successful business women on the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors.” said Davis. He further added, “These two potential candidates will bring much needed, real world corporate experience, talent and strong female voices to the board of supervisors and I would love to have them on the board with me.”

At the January 26, 2023, meeting of the Bucks County Tax Collection Committee (TCC), Joseph W. Lazzaro, Vice President & General Counsel, KEYSTONE collections group, gave an update on Earned Income Tax collected in 2022.

“Earned Income Tax (EIT) generation [for Bucks County] is again up by 7.6% in 2022 over 2021,” reported Mr. Lazzaro.

An analysis of the 2022 vs 2021 Newtown EIT reports, shows that resident EIT also increased? How much did it increase? What about the all-important non-resident EIT? Find out...

[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.

Agenda Items

• NTPC "Off-the-Record" Discussion: Should Newtown Pull Out of the Jointure?
• Engineer's Report
  • Lower Dolington Road Trail Update
• Solicitor's Report
  • Speed Limit Lowered to 25 MPH on Newtown-Yardley Road
• Official Video
• Transcript

See the details...

Beginning in 2020, I began preparing detailed notes before attending Board of Supervisors (BOS) meetings. These notes (1) remind me about the issues and questions I might ask during the meeting, and (2) provide links to background information. After the meetings I update the notes to indicate how the BOS voted and to include answers to my questions.

I upload my notes to my website as part of my periodic posting of summaries of BOS meetings. I recognize, however, that not everyone who visits my website can find these summaries or put them in chronological order to see the discussions on the same issue from one meeting to another.

Hence, the "Newtown Township BOS Chronicles," which I hope solves that problem by putting all this information - including the BOS voting record for the year, a glossary of terms, an index, and links to documents and data - all in ONE document.

A dozen people (mostly Newtown Twp residents) attended this Zoom meeting, which focused on the following topics (view the presentation):

• Change Zoning to Allow Apartment Complex? [Background: “20 December 2022 Newtown Planning Commission Meeting Summary”]
• Should Newtown Pull Out of the Jointure? [This was discussed at the 17 January 2023 Planning Commission meeting. Listen to the discussion...]
• Sewer Rate Increase: Why? Will It Be the Last? [Background: “#NewtownPA Sewer Authority Manager Warren Gormley Explains Rate Increase”]
• “Historic” Site on Toll Bros Site: Should It Be Preserved? [Background: “A ‘Major Historic’ Resource Re-Discovered!”]
• Updates
  • Newtown-Yardley Rd & N Sycamore St Pedestrian Safety: Flashing Beacons, Lower Speed Limits
  • Wawa’s Substantive Validity Challenge: What’s Next?
  • Lower Dolington Road Trail
  • LED Streetlight Procurement Program
• Privilege of the Floor – Q&A Session covering the following:
  1. Trucks Parked on Lower Dolington Road – Quite an Eyesore!
  2. Spot Zoning in OR District!
  3. No Turn on Red – More Dangerous for Pedestrians?
• Detailed Meeting Notes

[In an attempt to maintain vital transportation funding that is being lost as gas tax revenues go away, Oregon has a program for a mileage-based fee to be paid on electric vehicles in lieu of a gas tax to fund infrastructure repairs. Currently the fee is less than 2 cents per mile. Pennsylvania is considering a similar proposal which will be important to townships for help in funding road repairs.]

For Oregonians who drive, chances are that the vehicle they use to get around is much more fuel efficient than models from just a few decades ago — particularly if it's a hybrid or electric vehicle.

That's a net positive for drivers and for the environment, but not for the Oregon Department of Transportation. The agency relies heavily on revenue from gas taxes, and the money pays for upkeep on roads, bridges and other transportation projects.

In Oregon, the state part of the gas tax is 38 cents a gallon. For Washington drivers, it's 49 cents a gallon. Both state transportation agencies are feeling the fuel efficiency squeeze.

As more people go hybrid or electric, there's a looming eventuality that gas tax revenue will fall off a cliff.

More...

[Image: Truck parked on Lower Dolington Road in Newtown Twp is a concern of residents.]

Across America, Cristos and other truckers are in high demand, yet these drivers are often cash-strapped and have few places to legally stop for a spell. Laws require truckers to stop at specific times. If too far from a legal parking space, you'll find them parked outside a shopping center, a residential street, or highway off-ramp.

Located at the confluence of the Pennsylvania Turnpike and U.S. Route 1, Bensalem is also trying to keep hundreds of truckers off local roads, which aren't designed for such heavy loads, DiGirolamo said.

Nearly every day someone is calling about a massive truck parked outside a home on an otherwise quiet residential street, the mayor said.*

January 16, 2023

Police were dispatched to a Newtown Township business around 7:45 a.m. for the report of catalytic converter thefts that occurred over the weekend. Four catalytic converters were taken, and the investigation is ongoing at this time.

Police were dispatched to a Newtown Township business around 3:15 p.m. for the report of catalytic converter thefts that occurred over the weekend. Three catalytic converters were taken, and the investigation is ongoing at this time.

See NTPD Incident Blotter: January 13-19, 2023

[This topic will be discussed at the January 26, 2023, Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting at 7 PM. Register to attend and share your comments with supervisor Mack and your neighbors: https://forms.gle/zajnSU6GEhda1nFB7]

Rates for most Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority customers will increase about 10% and the rates for wholesale customers will go up 16% as the authority begins a major project to repair or replace leaky pipes and other infrastructure components.

An announcement about the rate increases was made in September and retail customers received notices in their January bills, said Brian Dries, spokesman for the authority.

The residential monthly average will increase from $48 to about $53 over the next three years. Rate increases for residents served by BCWSA’s wholesale customers would be at the discretion of the individual municipalities since they are responsible for approving and maintaining the rates for (their) customers," Dries said.

The authority has about 75,000 retail customers who pay their bills directly to the BCWSA and another 12 wholesale municipal customers [such as the Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA)] who serve some 450,000 people in their municipalities.

Customers of the Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) will be paying 20 percent more this year to flush their toilets.

In addressing the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors, executive director Warren Gormley said the authority is passing along to its customers a 16.6 percent rate increase by Bucks County Water & Sewer (BCWSA) to pay for an upgrade to its Neshaminy Interceptor, the main trunk line that carries flows from Bucks to the treatment center in Philadelphia.

That increase is the first of a planned three phase rate increase being passed along by BCWSA to the 13 municipalities that use the interceptor.

Supervisor John Mack asked Gormley, “We opposed the sale of Bucks County to Aqua because you told us the rates would increase significantly. Did we make a mistake in doing that?”

Gormley said there would have been an increase either way, but projections were that the increase would have been much greater if Aqua had purchased the system.

Listen to Mr. Gormley’s comments regarding the rate increase… https://sco.lt/5ZvGNc 

[Image: Composite from test data provided by the Newtown Artesian Water Company.]

The Environmental Quality Board (EQB) published notice in the January 14, 2023, edition of the PA Bulletin of an amendment to Title 25, Chapter 109 of the PA Code relating to safe drinking water. This amendment sets maximum contaminant level goals and maximum contaminant levels for perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in drinking water.  

Perfluorooctanoic Acid (PFOA) and Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) are members of the chemical group called PFAS. These are human-made chemicals that do not occur naturally in the environment. These chemicals are often known for use in surface protection products (including cookware treatments), food packaging materials, and some foam firefighting materials.  

The new maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFOA and PFOS are 14 ng/L (ppt) and 18 ng/L (ppt), respectively, considerably lower than the current 2016 EPA health advisory level of 70 ng/L (ppt). 

While EPA has begun the process of setting more stringent standards for PFOA and PFOS in drinking water, the federal rulemaking is expected to take years to complete.  

Until then, these new levels will apply to all water systems in the commonwealth. Initial compliance monitoring for community water systems serving more than 350 persons will begin January 1, 2024; initial monitoring for community water systems serving less than or equal to 350 persons will begin January 1, 2025.  

Welcome to 2023! Here are a few items that I plan to address with residents at this Zoom meeting, which begins at 7:00 PM. Agenda includes:

• Lower Dolington Road: Review progress for completing the trail; discuss options for limiting parking, especially big trucks. The issues are (1) obstruction of line of sight for making turns onto LDR, (2) unsightly especially along the trail. We will discuss options for solving these problems such as prohibiting parking on LDR. What do you think?
• Development Along the Bypass: Recently representatives of Kushner RE Group appeared before the NT Planning Commission to present a “sketch” plan for a multi-story residential building containing 225 luxury apartments along the Bypass in the Office/Research District. Listen to the Kushner lawyer who wants to change zoning to allow this project in the OR District. What do you think?
• Sewer Rate Increase: At the January 10, 2023, Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) Board meeting, Mr. Warren Gormley - Authority Manager - responding to an inquiry from Newtown Supervisor John Mack, said that the Authority is raising rates by 20% from $68 per quarter for 10,000 gallons usage to $82 per quarter. Excess over 10,000 gallons is now $12 per 1,000 gallons per unit versus $10 previously. At the January 11, 2023, Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, Mr. Gormley explained why the increase was necessary.
• Wawa vs ZHB: Speaking of development along the Bypass, the township will defend its E30 ordinance, which allows a combination gas station and convenience store, against Provco Pinegood Newtown, LLC 's [Wawa’s] Substantive Validity Challenge (SVC) to the joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance (JMZO). For background, read Wawa Resurrects Its “Substantive Validity Challenge” to Newtown’s Zoning.
• “Historic” Site on Toll Bros Site: In December, members of the Newtown Historic Commission visited an old farmhouse located on land along Twining Bridge Rd intended to be donated to the township by Toll Bros (read “A ‘Major’ Historic Resource Re-Discovered!”). The Commission will meet on December 23 and determine if efforts should be made to get this site listed as historic so that it can be preserved. What do you think?
• North Sycamore Street Pedestrian Safety: Update on implementing new safety measures including overhead pedestrian-activated Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon and reduction of speed limit to 25 MPH. Refer to the North Sycamore Street Pedestrian Safety Timeline.
• Newtown Creek Bridge: Supervisors authorized the Township Engineer to work with the Newtown Creek Coalition to explore the requirements for such a project, including available funding sources. Mike Sellers, president of the Coalition, said the proposed bridge would connect the current ends of the Newtown Trail System, and provide a vital link for the regional trail system. However, the Newtown Trail ends at Andrew Drive and Frost Lane. It is impossible for pedestrians and even bicyclists to walk or cycle safely on Frost Lane from that point to the proposed bridge entrance at Edgeboro Road.

Sewer Rate Increase, LED Streetlights, Pedestrian Safety, Pedestrian Bridge, More…

This is my personal summary of the January 11, 2023, meeting of Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.

Agenda Items

• Sewer Authority Manager Explains Rate Increase
• Engineer's Report: DVRPC Regional LED Streetlight Procurement Program
• N. Sycamore Street Pedestrian Safety
• Newtown Creek Pedestrian Bridge
• Solicitor's Report: Lowering Speed Limit to 25 MPH on Newtown-Yardley Road
• Official Video
• Transcript

Details...

It’s been over a year since Scott Spitznas was struck by a car while in the crosswalk at Silo Drive and North Sycamore Street in Newtown Township on December 22, 2021. One month later, the Newtown traffic engineer recommended several pedestrian safety measures. Only some of these recommendations were approved for  immediate implementation at the time (view Youtube video: “Newtown Supervisors Act To Improve Pedestrian Safety”).

Since other recommended safety measures are yet to be implemented, I thought it was a good time to review the history of pedestrian safety on North Sycamore Street. Hence this timeline, which includes links to more information that I have published. I plan to update the timeline as needed.

View the timeline...

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:

• Planning Commission Report: Kushner Real Estate (KRE) Silverlake Development Sketch Plan
• Pedestrian Crosswalk Improvements at Newtown Walk
• N. Sycamore Street Pedestrian Safety
• Lower Dolington Road Trail Update
• Resolution Establishing the Tax Rate for 2023
• Resolution Establishing Exempt Personnel Pay for 2023 (includes salaries)
• Official Video

Details...

At the January 11, 2023, Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA, aka Authority) Manager Mr. Warren Gormley explained why the Authority is raising the rates it charges Newtown Township and Borough customers.

Mr. Gormley said that the Authority is raising rates for residential customers by 20% from $68 per quarter for 10,000 gallons usage to $82 per quarter. Excess over 10,000 gallons is now $12.00 per 1,000 gallons per unit versus $10 previously. It is also increasing the rates for Commercial, Industrial, Schools, Public and all other customers.

In short, Mr. Gormley cited the 16.6% increase that Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority (BCWSA) charges NBCJMA for transmitting sewage to Philadelphia. Previously, Mr. Gormley appeared before the NT BOS to advocate that BCWSA reject its sale to Aqua PA - a private company - because rates for Newtown residents would "increase dramatically".

State and federal grants totaling $2.5 million will help fund the second phase of construction of the Newtown Rail Trail as it stretches into Northampton Township.

At its January 4 meeting, the Bucks County Commissioners approved receipt of the grants – one from the state Department of Transportation for $1.5 million and another for $1 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Plans for the new leg of the trail add about one and a half miles to the existing path, linking Tamanend Park in Upper Southampton Township and the Churchville Nature Center.

In the coming years, developers plan to extend the rail trail to Newtown Borough.

At the January 10, 2023, Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) Board meeting, Mr. Warren Gormley - Authority Manager - responding to an inquiry from Newtown Supervisor John Mack, said that the Authority is raising rates by 20% from $68 per quarter for 10,000 gallons usage to $82 per quarter. Excess over 10,000 gallons is now $12 per 1,000 gallons per unit versus $10 previously.

Some people  have already received invoices with the rate increase. 

The increase was implemented in anticipation of increased rates that the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA) charges NBCJMA for  "conveyance fees." These fees are for conveying Newtown’s sanitary sewer waste water to treatment plants in Philadelphia.

Mr. Gormley indicated that he will attend the January 11. 2023, Newtown Supervisors meeting to make a statement about the increase and answer questions.

UPDATE:

#NewtownPA Sewer Authority Manager Warren Gormley Explains Rate Increase

The Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority (BCWSA) has launched a capital improvement campaign that will invest $155 million for significant upgrades and repairs across its aging sewer system.

The initial investment is part of an ongoing infrastructure improvement initiative that BCWSA will continue to fund over the next several years.

The authority recently sold bonds to fund the first phase of the campaign, which includes $60 million for major upgrades to the Neshaminy Interceptor, a large diameter pipe that carries wastewater from Lower Bucks County to a treatment plant in Philadelphia. The project will bypass and replace 12 miles of aging pipe infrastructure to mitigate inflow and infiltration for both economic and environmental improvements.

The project impacts Bensalem, Falls, Bristol Township, Newtown Township*, Newtown Borough, Northampton, Middletown, Langhorne Borough, Penndel Borough, Hulmeville Borough and Langhorne Manor Borough.

Newtown Environmental Advisory Council

Monday, January 9, 2023, 7:00 PM

Newtown Township Public Meeting Room

100 Municipal Drive

Likely on AGENDA: Single-Use Plastics Ban. For background, read "#NewtownPA Businesses: Are You Ready to Finally Give Up Single Use Plastics?"

See Solebury Ordinance as a sample ordinance considered as a model...

*******

Newtown Sewer Authority Board

Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 3:30 PM

15 S Congress St, Newtown, PA 18940, USA

Have your rates gone up? A resident emailed me indicating his quarterly sewer bill rose by 20%.  

I note that the agenda for the Dec 2022 meeting included under Old Business: "Rate Increase BCW&SA & Approval of Amended Budget 2022-2023". I heard that the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCSWA) may be raising rates to cover a bond to make infrastructure improvements (see https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/story/news/2022/12/20/bucks-county-water-and-sewer-authority-to-issue-a-bonds-for-repairs/69739737007/). 

*******

Newtown Board of Supervisors

Wednesday, January 11, 2023, 7:00 PM

Newtown Township Public Meeting Room

100 Municipal Drive

Also live via Cable TV: Channel 22 (Comcast), Channel 40 (Verizon). Live streaming via Youtube: https://bit.ly/3xeFpiL 

Emailed comments sent to Comments@newtownpa.gov during the meeting will be read aloud at the meeting. Please keep your comments as brief and to the point as possible. All public comment must contain the commenter’s name and address. You may also make comments if you attend in person.

Learn more about the Board of Supervisors.

On Agenda:

Pedestrian Bridge Over #NewtownPA Creek

Resolution to lower speed limit on Newtown-Yardley Rd between Elm St and Lower Dolington Rd - see https://www.johnmacknewtown.info/blog/?viewDetailed=202301020154

*******

Newtown Joint Historic Commission

Monday, January 23, 2023, 7:30 PM

23 N. State Street. Newtown Borough Hall

The Joint Historic Commission's primary responsibility is the protection and preservation of historically and/or architecturally significant structures in Newtown Borough and Newtown Township.

On the Agenda: "Historic" farmhouse on Toll Bros site

Before Toll can demolish the building(s) it must file an application with the Joint Historic Commission, which will examine the property and determine if it qualifies by their standards as an historic site. If so, they will make a recommendation that it NOT be demolished. “Understanding the Buck county Comp plan is working on ‘identifying’ Historic Resources... Well we just discovered a major one. :),” said Mr. Deutsch in an email. More...https://johnmacknewtown.info/blog/?viewDetailed=202212161011

The latest edition of NOI, which is a monthly collection of summaries of articles curated from various news and
other sources focused on a range of topics of interest to local residents.

Contents include:

• Developer Wants to Change Zoning to Allow Apt Complex on Bypass!
• Reduce Speed Limit for NT-Yardley Rd?
• "Major" Historic Resource Found?
• Looking Back at 2022! 

More...