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Doylestown Borough Council voted to pass a ban on disposable plastic bags at its final meeting of the year last week.
The ban has a six-month grace period to give businesses and shoppers time to change their habits. The rule says that in six months, or late June, borough business will no longer be able to offer shoppers a reusable plastic bag.
Businesses will be able, however, to offer two other types of bags: paper bags that contain at least 40% recycled content and reusable bags.
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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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New legislation has been introduced in Pennsylvania that would nearly eliminate the cancerous forever chemicals, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from the state's drinking water supply.
The bill's newly proposed regulation would cut the amount of the chemical down to 10 parts per trillion. It's significantly stricter than the current federal guideline of 70 ppt, and stricter than the 14 ppt first proposed a year ago by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
"Every Pennsylvanian has a constitutional right to clean drinking water and should not fear that something so basic and necessary to their life is slowly poisoning them," State Rep. MaryLouise Isaacson (D-Philadelphia) wrote in a co-sponsorship memorandum.
President Joe Biden's administration proposed the even stricter standard of 4 ppt this month (read “U.S. EPA Proposes New LOWER PFAS Levels for National Primary Drinking Water Regulation”), but there's no guarantee it will be approved.
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[Image shows proposed sidewalk project.]
Newtown Township has been awarded $534K in state funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Local Share Account Statewide Program.
The grant was announced by State Senator Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Perry Warren.
The township will use the funds to construct ADA curb ramps and improve its current stormwater management system throughout the business commons area. This will be done in conjunction with an ongoing sidewalk project, ultimately improving pedestrian safety and the walkability of the business commons.
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A rainbow crosswalk serves as a symbol of safety — as well as pride, support and inclusivity — for the LGBTQ+ community.
This was the message Monday night, as Doylestown Borough council members voted unanimously in favor of adding a decorative rainbow crosswalk on Printer’s Alley at East State Street, but not before hearing from more than two dozen members of the public speaking out in support of and against the proposal.
Council member Ben Bell said the Doylestown Pride Festival requested the crosswalk in the area of its annual block party on East State Street. It will be installed before the festival.
The rainbow crosswalk, which will be installed permanently on Printer’s Alley between Evolution Candy and the former Zen Den building, will be the first of its kind in Bucks County, according to the Doylestown Pride Festival.
“We’re beyond proud to celebrate the many diverse identities within our community and as we enter our fourth year, we hope this will serve as a wonderful year-round reminder that Doylestown embraces and uplifts the LGBTQ+ community from across the region,” said Kris Boger, president of Discover Doylestown and chair of the festival.
Marlene Pray, a member of the festival and director of The Rainbow Room, called the crosswalk "a symbol of welcome and safety and support," which sends a message to kids "they are loved, that they matter, that they are valued and that they will be supported.”
Opponents to the proposal expressed concerns, including pedestrian safety, religious beliefs and aesthetics.
Pray called out those who spoke against the crosswalk, questioning their reasons.
“It is amazing all of the excuses some people will use to hide their bigotry and hide their intolerance, and I don’t mean just in this room, but in our community and in our country,” she said.
But for everyone who dissented, there were just as many voicing support for the crosswalk, as a means for embracing the LGBTQ+ community.
Installation and ongoing maintenance costs will be covered by the Doylestown Pride Festival.
I think this might be a good idea for Newtown Township - perhaps on Lower Dolington Road along the new multi-use trail after it completed.
I would help raise awareness of the Newtown Township Human Relations Commission (NTHRC) (LINK: https://newtownpa.gov/newtown-township-human-relations-commission/). and the Township’s Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, which ensures equal employment, housing, use of public accommodations, and access to post secondary educational institutions regardless of actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
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Arcadia/Mayfield Contract Violations, Single-use Plastics Ban Plans, Bid Awarded for 2023 Road Paving Program, Consortium vs Sale of Public Sewer System, NESD Report, more…
This is my personal summary of the March 22, 2023, meeting of Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Access the 2023 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2023 BOS meetings plus the BOS voting record (UNOFFICIAL) for 2023.
Agenda Items
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You are cordially invited to a meeting of the Newtown Township Environmental Advisory Council on Monday, April 3, 2023, at 7 pm, Public Meeting Room, 100 Municipal Dr, to hear about a proposal to ban certain single-use plastics at retail and restaurant establishments. During the meeting, there will be a presentation by Faran Savitz of Penn Environment followed by a question-and-answer period. While the details of the proposal will be discussed at the meeting, and any decisions are pending your input, some items under consideration are as follows:
We anticipate that there will be a follow up meeting in May at a date that has not yet been set.
Background
The waterways in Bucks County are all contaminated with microplastics that are harmful to our local environment. Plastic bags and litter tossed in the street are washed away via the storm drains into our rivers and streams. On March 3J 2021, PennEnvironment released a report "Microplastics in Pennsylvania, a Survey of Waterways", which highlighted that all 53 waterways tested across Pennsylvania had microplastic pollution. In April 2022, the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors passed a voluntary resolution to encourage businesses and residents to reduce their use of single use plastics. While this action increased awareness of the issue, unfortunately this has not led to practical changes. Newtown Township is now following the lead of 15 municipalities in Pennsylvania, including Solebury Township and Doylestown Borough in Bucks County, which have passed a ban on certain types of single-use plastics.
We encourage you to send a representative to this meeting so that you may learn more about the proposal and share any concerns that you may have regarding the impact on your business.
Nothing we use for a short period of time should pollute our environment for centuries with toxic chemicals, contaminating us, our land and marine life.
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The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a proposed National Primary Drinking Water Regulation to protect public health from PFAS pollution. Polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are human-made chemicals that do not occur naturally in the environment and can cause adverse developmental and immune system effects.
The proposed EPA regulation would establish legally enforceable levels, called maximum contaminant levels (MCLs), along with health-based, non-enforceable maximum contaminant-level goals (MCLGs) for six PFAS in drinking water:
The proposed rule notably establishes limits for more compounds and has more stringent levels than those adopted by the Pennsylvania Environmental Quality Board earlier this year. The commonwealth set MCLGs for PFOA at 8 ng/L and PFOS at 14 ng/L and MCLs for PFOA at 14 ng/L and PFOS at 18 ng/L. These levels were adopted to protect the health of commonwealth residents while the U.S. EPA continues to address rulemaking.
[The new US EPA "enforceable" limits for PFOA and PFOS is 4.0 parts per trillion. Practically EVERY Newtown Artesian Water Company well has levels ABOVE these amounts. See chart.]
More details: "Proposed PFAS National Primary Drinking Water Regulation"
Related Content:
“New Proposed PA Legislation aims To Nearly Eliminate Cancerous Forever Chemicals (PFAS) In Drinking Water”; https://sco.lt/7tVL7Y
“EPA PFAS Fact Sheet”; https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2022-06/drinking-water-ha-pfas-factsheet-water-system.pdf
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On Wednesday, March 29th, 6-8 PM, the Rainbow Room in Doylestown (along with PFLAG Bucks County & Eastern PA Trans Equity Project) will host a special event: “Trans Day of Visibility: A Conversation About Trans Care, Equity & Access.”
This event/discussion is open to the community!! Join us for a special Trans Day of Visibility program on Wed March 29th, 6-8pm at the Rainbow Room in Doylestown. LINK: https://facebook.com/events/s/trans-day-of-visibility-a-conv/201817669111052/
Topics for discussion include…
*Regarding Trans Rights, the Newtown Township Human Relations Commission (LINK: https://newtownpa.gov/newtown-township-human-relations-commission/) is charged to enforce Newtown Township’s Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, in order to ensure equal employment, housing, use of public accommodations, and access to post secondary educational institutions regardless of actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression.
Newtown Township Bucks County HRC Inquiry Form: http://bit.ly/NTHRCform
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A proposed five-story, 75,338 square-foot luxury apartment building has generated some concerns among Newtown Township officials.
The developer KRE Group has filed a sketch plan and related documents with the township outlining the proposal for a vacant 17-acre parcel at 42 University Drive [just down the road from a proposed Wawa].
The sketch plan and other documents were filed Oct. 31 of last year and an initial review by the Newtown Township Planning Commission on Dec. 20 listed several issues [read “20 December 2022 Newtown Planning Commission Meeting Summary”]. The next step is likely up to the developer, township Manager Micah Lewis wrote in an email on Friday.
According to a written synopsis of the planning commission’s review contained in the file, the property had been previously approved for a 200,000 square-foot office building but that the jointure does not permit the proposed residential use in any of its zoning districts. The jointure is a multi-municipal body composed of officials from Newtown, Upper Makefield and Wrightstown townships that governs zoning in the three municipalities.
Ed Murphy, the local attorney representing KRE Group in the matter, indicated that the plan would require a zoning amendment, the synopsis added. The developer prefers that option rather than seeking seven zoning variances, including a use variance, that would be needed for the project to be constructed in the office research zoning district where the property is located.
“The commission members had many concerns about the size and intensity of the project and had many questions about traffic, economic impact and preservation of wetlands and woodlands,” the planning commission’s written synopsis read. “We discussed the impact of such a large building on the (Council Rock) school district."
The document added: “We were generally hesitant to support such a complete change in existing zoning. However, we are willing to continue to work with the applicant and learn more about their plans and their successes in other municipalities.”
Developers have NO RESPECT for our zoning ordinances and will do everything within their power - including bringing lawsuit after lawsuit - to change the zoning to suit their SPECIFIC needs regardless of the impact on the township.
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During his nearly 18 years on the board of supervisors, Calabro said he has served in the minority - as well as the majority - and has learned to work with both sides in order to accomplish goals.
In the area of safety and quality of life, Calabro has lobbied for the expansion of the annual road program from roughly one to three miles of road improvements each year. For 2023, Newtown Township plans to pave 10 roads,
Calabro has also been an advocate for collaboration with the township's municipal neighbors, pushing for joint fire agreement with Newtown Borough. He also assisted Wrightstown in providing round-the-clock police protection.
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The March 2023 Issue of Mack’s #NewtownPA News of Interest
CONTENTS:
Full issue: https://www.johnmacknewtown.info/noimar2023.html
Not yet a subscriber to my monthly newsletter? SUBSCRIBE NOW! You can unsubscribe at any time with a single click!
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Mixed use housing, new apartment building JMZO code, Ardana Food & Drink, single-use plastics ban, Lower Dolington Trail additional costs, new street sweeper approved, more…
This is my personal summary of the March 8, 2023, meeting of Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary. Note that I did not attend this meeting.
Access the 2023 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2023 BOS meetings plus the BOS voting record (UNOFFICIAL) for 2023.
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An ordinance that would regulate the use of single use plastics is moving forward in the township.
At Wednesday night’s meeting of the board of supervisors, Supervisor Elen Snyder announced that the EAC will be holding a special public meeting on April 3 beginning at 7 p.m. to introduce a sample ordinance.
“We are inviting all businesses in the township to educate owners and managers about single use plastics,” said Snyder. “There will be a question and answer session where members of the EAC will field questions.”
Single-use plastics, or disposable plastics, are used one time before they are thrown away. They include things like plastic grocery-type bags, plastic straws, stirrers, utensils, and plates; and polystyrene (Styrofoam) cups.
During the meeting, the EAC will be distributing a sample ordinance that would regulate the use of single use plastics in the township and will be looking for feedback from the business community.
“We hope to get all on board with this,” said Snyder.
A representative from Penn Environment will also be attending the meeting to discuss the impact single use plastics is having on the environment.
According to Snyder, for the past two years the EAC has conducted extensive research on single use plastics and alternatives in an effort “to take the temperature of the township” on the issue.
Ordinances have been passed in cities and towns across the nation, said Snyder, “and we hope to follow in their footsteps.”
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The battle to bring a Wawa to the township is back before the zoning hearing board where Provco Pinegood LLC is challenging the validity of sections of the township’s E30 use ordinance.
In its latest appeal, Provco, which has been fighting to build a Wawa convenience store and gas station on Lower Silver Lake Road and the Newtown Bypass for the past five years, is challenging the ordinance’s limit on the number of gas pumps allowed, the definition of an Electronic Message Center (EMC) sign and the ordinance’s restriction on signage along the Newtown Bypass.
During its second appearance before the zoning hearing board on Monday night, Matthew Hammond, a licensed civil engineer specializing in traffic planning, and Michael Tantala, a civil engineer, specializing in signage, testified on behalf of Provco.
Hammond testified that if Provco is not allowed to put a monument sign on the bypass alerting motorists of the store and gas station, it could create a dangerous condition on the bypass with motorists making split second decisions to make the turn onto Silver Lake Road after realizing there’s a Wawa there.
Under the E30 ordinance, signs are prohibited along the limited access Newtown Bypass.
Hammond testified that visible signage is important, especially for impulse customers who need enough advance warning to move to the proper turning lane.
“These signs are designed with the appropriate size, height and location necessary to provide a safe and efficient flow of traffic along these roads,” Hammond told the zoning board.
Regarding the use of signs for safety, zoning board chair Paul Cohen wanted to know if that only applied for certain uses. “Do you believe going from an office use to a retail use increases the need for signage?”
“I do,” said Hammond. “Retail use is what I’ll classify as an impulse use. Obviously there are people who want to traverse to that specific use. That signage is important. If it was an office it may not be as important because you’re not normally passing by an office building and saying, ‘Oh, I should probably try to turn in there.’”
This is definitely a "Catch 22" situation. Without Wawa at this intersection there is no "dangerous condition." The real solution, of course, is not huge signage - it is NO WAWA in the first place. No matter what kind of signage is put there, this intersection will be significantly more more dangerous.
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Our state and local governments exist to serve our communities. We pay our taxes each year, and in return, we the taxpayers have a right to know what our government is doing, how it’s spending our money and whether we’re getting the services we deserve.
But there are fewer and fewer journalists on the front lines, keeping the government honest — and when officials don’t face questions or requests for public records on a regular basis, they increasingly lean toward the side of secrecy over transparency.
Making matters worse, state and local governments have vastly more resources than members of the public, allowing them to fight requests for information in court (using taxpayer dollars!) knowing full well that most requesters can’t afford to fight back.
We know all too well what can happen when governments are left to their own devices. And that’s why Spotlight PA and many of our partner newsrooms are forging creative solutions to shift the balance of power back in favor of you, the taxpayer.
This week is Sunshine Week, a nationwide effort each year to call attention to the importance of government transparency and access to public records. Those are two principles that are core to the mission of Spotlight PA, the statewide newsroom I lead.
If you’re not familiar with our work, Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom covering the state Capitol in Harrisburg and urgent statewide issues. We share all of our journalism at no cost with more than 90 news outlets across the state.
And we work to bring our partners together to fight for transparency.
If you want more sunshine regarding transparency in #NewtownPA government, then join my Improve Newtown Communications for Better Government Facebook Group:
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This is my personal summary of the February 22, 2023, meeting of Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Access the 2023 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2023 BOS meetings plus the BOS voting record (UNOFFICIAL) for 2023.
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I attended the 2nd Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Dream Builders Award Ceremony at Bucks Community Collage.
There were a few other elected officials present including PA State Senator Steve Santarsiero (at left in top panel of collage), U.S. Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (at right) - I did not see them exchange pleasantries - Bucks County Commissioner Bob Harvie, and fellow Newtown Supervisor Dennis Fisher.
This year’s honorees are:
All had very inspiring stories to tell.
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J. Mcguigan, who resides on High Street in the Newtown Crossing development, informed the #NewtownPA Board of Supervisors that the Mayfield (formerly Arcadia) development project is violating several terms of the 10 February 2022 pre-construction agreement.
The Newtown BOS approved a settlement in 2021 for the developer to build 60 single family detached homes in the $700,000* price range behind the Newtown Reformed Church at Route 532 and the Newtown Bypass. *Now more like $1,000,000!
Specifically, Mr. Mcguigan said that work was being done on Sundays and after 8:00 PM, both of which are prohibited by the agreement. Although work is permitted on Saturday from 7 AM to 8 PM with the PRIOR APPROVAL OF THE MUNICIPALITY, Mr. Mcquigan hoped that some agreement could be reached to start work later in the day on Saturday.
Mr. Mcquigan also contended that the buildings were over 35 feet high in violation of township code.
The Supervisors had no immediate response to Mr. Mcquigan's questions, but agreed to submit them to the Township Manager for answers.
NOTE: The Newtown BOS approved a settlement with Arcadia in 2021 for the developer to build 60 single family detached homes in the $700,000* price range behind the Newtown Reformed Church at Route 532 and the Newtown Bypass. Read
“Newtown Township Approves Arcadia Green's Plan to Build 60 $700,000-plus Homes”; https://sco.lt/9G8W6y
[*Now more like $1,000,000!]
A 3-story house less than 100 feet from Mr. Mcguigan's property is one of the buildings that he said was over 35 feet high in violation of township code regarding building heights; i.e., the vertical distance measured from the average level of the finished grade along all the exterior walls of a building to the mean height between the eaves and the ridge, in the case of a pitched roof.
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[Image: From left are Supervisors John Mack and Kyle Davis, Fire Chief Glenn Forsyth, Deputy Fire Chief Nicholas Weaver, Judge Mick Petrucci, Supervisors Phil Calabro and Elen Snyder, Township Manager Micah Lewis and Assistant Manager Katherine McGovern.]
Newtown native Nicholas Weaver was sworn in on February 22, 2023, as the new assistant chief of the Newtown Fire and Emergency Services.
A large contingent of firefighters filled the meeting room inside the Newtown Township building as District Judge Mick Petrucci administered the oath of office to the township’s newest employee.
“It’s great to be coming back and seeing so many familiar faces,” said Weaver. “I’m looking forward to giving back to the place that has given me so much. They helped me get to where I am today in both my career and in life.”
After graduating from Council Rock High School in 2007, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in fire science and public safety from Holy Family College in 2012 and a Master’s degree in public safety administration from St. Joseph’s University in 2013.
Weaver was hired by Lower Southampton Township as a fire inspector. He later joined the Bensalem Fire Department as a career firefighter. He then took a job as the fire marshal and emergency management coordinator in White Marsh Township before accepting his new position with Newtown.
Later that same night, the Newtown supervisors approved the Fire Chief's request to re-apply (for the fourth time) a SAFER grant to hire more firefighters (4 this time) to allow for 7-day coverage by paid firefighters. Read “#NewtownPA Township Will Reapply For Federal SAFER Grant To Fund New Firefighters. Will 4th Time Be The Charm?”; https://sco.lt/6zrgVk
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The fire that killed a 76-year Newtown Township resident remains under investigation, but her death has been ruled accidental. [But was it avoidable? See insights...]
Bucks County Coroner Meredith Buck identified the victim of the fire as Nancy Smollar. She was found to have died from smoke inhalation.
Newtown Emergency Services Department Chief Glenn Forsyth said this week that the report on the cause of the fire will be done in the coming weeks.
During recent briefings to Newtown Borough and Newtown Township officials, Forsyth said the there was only one smoke detector located in the residence.
The fire chief said his crews often find aging old smoke detectors in homes in Newtown borough and township. He urged residents to keep up to date on their detectors and replace them when needed.
The National Fire Protection Association recommends that smoke detector be replaced every 10 years. Note that Middletown Township is offering residents free smoke detectors.
I THINK NEWTOWN TWP SHOULD DO THE SAME!
There is much talk about adding more firefighters, but when someone dies from smoke inhalation in the early morning hours as was the case here, they were probably asleep and the smoke detector wasn't working properly or there were not enough detectors - especially close enough to the bedroom.
By the NT Fire Chief's own admission, many smoke detectors in Newtown are too old and thus may not be working properly.
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Elaine McCarron, Co-Chair of the Newtown Township PA Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) gave the Supervisors an update of EAC's recent activities at the 22 February 2023 BOS meeting.
Her report included plans for celebrating Earth Day and how local businesses feel about a ban of single-use plastics, which the EAC hopes the township will enact after its research is done and recommendations made.
Ms. McCarron also mentioned that the EAC plans to recommend that the township use solar energy to supply the electricity needs of its municipal complex.
It should be noted that at the same meeting, just minutes after Ms. McCarron's remarks, the supervisors approved OK a 5-year $7,210,982.45 electricity supply contract with Freepoint Energy Solutions LLC at $0.05916/kWh.
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Zoës Kitchen closed its Newtown location abruptly this week leaving only a hand written note on the door of the Goodnoe Corner eatery.
The note read simply, “Closed Permanently.”
Zoës Kitchen, a fast casual restaurant chain specializing in Mediterranean-inspired food, opened in 2013 at Goodnoe Corner. It replaced Cosi, which had relocated to the Newtown Business Commons.
Coincidently (?), the Newtown Planning Commission (NTPC) recommended that the Newtown Board of Supervisors approve approve the conditional us application of Ardana, another "Mediterranean-style" restaurant in the Newtown Village shopping center. Here's the report that NTPC Chair Peggy Driscoll made to the Supervisors at the Board's February 22, 2023, meeting. The consensus of the BOS was not to oppose the application.
Conditional Use, Ardana, 2948 S. Eagle Road: The applicant is seeking conditional use approval for uses E-5 and E-6, eating place and eating place/take out in the same location as the former Solstice Restaurant. The plan is very similar to Solstice. The ratio of restaurants to retail at the shopping center remains the same. The Commission recommended that the Board approve this application subject to compliance with the review letter of CKS engineering dated February 13, 2023. We also recommended that the owners encourage their employees to park in the sections of the shopping center that are less busy at night.
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At its Feb. 22 meeting, the board of supervisors voted unanimously to direct fire chief Glenn Forsyth to resubmit its SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) grant application for consideration.
If successful, the grant, totaling over $1 million, would fund the salaries and benefits of four additional full-time career firefighters for three years.
Since its last application, [BOS Chair Dennis] Fisher said changes have been made by the township for the good that further demonstrates the township's long term commitment to building a career fire service. “We hired a deputy assistant fire chief. We have a new agreement with Newtown Borough to help pay for emergency services.”
Supervisor John Mack asked Fire Chief Glenn Forsyth whether he felt that would be enough to demonstrate to FEMA the township's commitment to maintaining the additional career firefighters once the grant runs its course.
"With the additional millage - that's an additional $325,000 - and the additional money from the borough - that's $156,000 - that's almost a half a million dollar increase," said Forsyth. "For a $50 application fee, I think we should try it and see what the outcome is."
Earlier that night a new Deputy Fire Chief was sworn in. Read “Newtown Native Sworn In As #NewtownPA Township's First Deputy Fire Chief”; https://sco.lt/7mK9wG
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Welcome to Meet Mack Monday for February 20, 2023. This short, 15-minute presentation covers recent issues of interest and decisions by township supervisors, including:
* 2023 Road Repaving Program: How Are Roads Selected?
* Earned Income Tax: 2022 Data, Future Concerns
* Reduced Speed Limits: What’s Next for Newtown-Yardley Road and Sycamore Street?
* 2022 Speeding Citations: Which Roads Saw The Most Citations? Which Saw None?
* Newtown Shopping Center Traffic Study
* Environmental Advisory Council Update: Earth Day Celebration, Single-Use Plastics Ban, and Solar Power
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[Image: Tyler State Park Manager Phil Schmidt stands by part of a solar array going up on the Newtown Township side of the park.]
A large ground-mounted solar array going up near the park headquarters building on the Newtown Township side will fairly soon provide most of the electricity needed at the 1,700-acre park that stretches over Newtown Township, Northampton Township and a small part of Wrightstown Township, Park Manager Phil Schmidt said.
And it will be a big money saver, he added. Once completed and connected to the PECO grid, the solar array will reduce yearly electric costs at the park from about $17,500 a year down to $1,500, Schmidt estimated.
The solar project at Tyler consists of 270 solar panels about three by six feet each, attached together to make six large rectangular pieces, with three of 50 panels and three of 40 panels.
In addition to the savings, there will be environmental benefits as well, he continued.
“With climate change, we’re just going to have to work on getting away from fossil fuels as much as possible,” Schmidt said. “Since state parks are run by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, we should be spearheading some initiatives. It’s something we should be doing, and I’m glad we are.”
The $377,000 cost of the Tyler array is part of a larger contract awarded to Spotts Brothers to install solar at Nockamixon State Park – which like Tyler is in Bucks County – Evansburg State Park and the Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center in Nazareth. All are in the DCNR’s Southeast Region. Money for the installations is coming from Pennsylvania’s Growing Greener grant program, Schmidt noted.
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Elaine McCarron, member of the Newtown Environmental Advisory Council, noted "It only includes single -use plastic bags, 2 six month extensions for existing inventory, no [paper] bag fee because the businesses objected to it."
The purposes of this Ordinance include:
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