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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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This is my personal summary of my notes regarding the December 6, 2023, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
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To date (12/6/2023), 180 survey responses have been collected! 128 (71%) from Newtown Township residents, 41 (23%) from Newtown Borough residents. Over eighty comments have been submitted to date. A summary of the ALL the results – including % approved vs. % opposed – is presented below.
A majority of respondents were “strongly [very much] in favor” of BOTH bridges! 60% were “very much in favor” of the Frost Lane bridge and 51% were “strongly in favor” of the Steeple bridge. Only 9% and 17%, respectively, were “very much opposed” to these bridges.
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Newtown Township has joined a growing list of municipalities in Pennsylvania banning certain single-use plastic.
In a 4 to 1 vote on Wednesday night, the Board of Supervisors adopted an ordinance that will ban restaurants and businesses in the township from providing single-use carry out plastic bags and Styrofoam food containers to their customers except when required for food safety. The ordinance would also prohibit restaurants and businesses from providing single-use plastic straws and utensils except by request from the customer. The ordinance is scheduled to take effect on April 9, 2024.
Snyder joined fellow Democrats on the board Dennis Fisher, John Mack and Phil Calabro in voting in favor of the motion. Republican Supervisor Kyle Davis voted against the motion.
“The waste reason is a good reason to be concerned," said Davis. "I just don’t like the government's interference in everyone’s lives. I don’t like government intrusion.”
His sentiments were echoed by several residents from Newtown Grant who attended the sparsely attended meeting. Both public commenters said the issue should be left to the business community and their customers.
“The environmental thing, it is a problem,” admitted resident John D’Aprile. “But let someone higher than Newtown Township take care of this. It’s kind of ridiculous to be doing this in a small township. In a large city, okay. If you look who’s doing this, it’s the Democrat cities. Stop pushing your agenda on little Newtown,” he told the supervisors.
Snyder disagreed with D’Aprile’s characterization of the ordinance as a single party effort.
“This is not a Democrat thing. This is a bi-partisan thing. If you go to every business in the township, no matter what affiliation they have, they are for helping the environment,” said Snyder. “Ninety-five percent of our businesses have done this already and the other five percent are willing to comply.
“This is not just little Newtown doing this. This is a grassroots effort that has been, by and large, successful,” said Snyder. “We’re doing the serious work to let our governor and our legislators know how serious we are about this.”
Listen to comments from residents: https://rebrand.ly/PlasticBagBan_Comments
Other Pennsylvania municipalities that have approved a single-use plastic ban include Solebury, Tredyffrin, West Goshen, Easttown, Lancaster Township, Montgomery Township, Upper Meeion, Whitemarsh, Haverford, Cheltenham, Radner, Springfield, Lower Merion, Upper Moreland, Doylestown Borough, among others.
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[Image: According to the SEPTA ROUTE CHANGES DOCUMENT [LINK: https://www.septabusrevolution.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/SEPTA-CHANGE-SHEETS-09-08.pdf] “Route 130 will be shortened and realigned.” Dashed lines represent proposed discontinued route section.]
Bucks County has a serious public transportation problem.
Not enough routes, inefficient schedules and failed attempts to serve a widespread and dispersed riding public has caused the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority to rethink the way it allocates its resources in Bucks County and throughout its network.
SEPTA is considering changes to routes 129 and 130.
Route 129would be streamlined in Philadelphia and in Bucks County to provide faster and more direct service between Frankford-Knights and Oxford Valley Mall in Middletown.
Route 130would be shortened to connect Neshaminy Mall and Bucks County Community College in a simple and direct way. Riders could use this service for local trips or to connect with other services.
Essentially, with regard to Newtown, the loop in the Business Commons will be eliminated as shown in the attached image captured from the above document.
I believe rte 130 was mentioned at least once at the NTPlanning Commission in discussions about the Business Commons Overlay plan. The original overlay did NOT include areas without direct access to the 130 SEPTA bus line (see May 25, 2022 BOS meeting notes). SEPTA's planned changes to the Rte may have been a main reason for the alteration of that plan to disregard aligning development with the 130 bus rte.
In any case, this is bad news for the Business Commons Overlay plan to attract businesses because any workers from Philadelphia and other areas along Rte 130 would have to walk from Lincoln Ave along Washington Avenue to get to Terry Dr and then further into the Commons to get to work. Good for the cardio, but not so good for business!
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The Newtown Borough Council has announced a new timeline for the approval of the Steeple View redevelopment project.
With an extension of time for the project set to expire by the end of December, revised preliminary as final land development plans are scheduled to go before the planning commission at its Dec. 4 meeting.
Following that review, the plan is tentatively scheduled to go before the borough council at its Dec. 6 work session. A final vote could happen as early as the Tuesday, Dec. 12 council meeting. The council's other option is to grant an extension of time for project approval.
The project, which has been years in the making, will be the largest redevelopment project in the town's history. It includes the redevelopment of nine acres of land extending from Centre Avenue behind the Starbucks south to the former Stockburger property off of South State Street.
Envisioned by developer Allan Smith as a mixed-use community, the project includes a combination of residential, retail and restaurant uses. Over the years, Smith has also redeveloped the Brick Hotel, the Stocking Works, and the White Hall Hotel among other projects in town.
His current plan proposes the construction of a new pedestrian bridge that would cross over Newtown Creek between Newtown Borough and Newtown Township at Carl Sedia Park.*
*The Newtown BOS already approved apply for a grant for the Frost Lane bridge (read more about that here). The Steeple View bridge is just a concept, but the developer has already asked in confidence for opinions from Newtown BOS members (read more about that here).
What’s Your Opinion?
In general, how much are you in favor of/opposed to these proposed bridges?
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There are currently TWO #NewtownPA Creek pedestrian bridges proposed - one at Frost Lane and Edgeboro Road in the Borough connected to North Sycamore Street in the Township and one at the other end of town connecting the proposed Steeple View development in the Borough to Carl Sedia Park in the Township.
The Newtown Board of Supervisors already approved the application for a grant to cover the cost of the Frost Lane bridge (read more about that here). The Steeple View bridge is just a concept, but the developer has already asked in confidence for opinions from Newtown BOS members (read more about that here).
What’s Your Opinion?
In general, how much are you in favor of/opposed to these proposed bridges?
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This is my personal summary of my notes regarding the November 21, 2023, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
* 2022 Audit Presentation
* Advertisement of Single-Use Plastics Ban Ordinance
* 2024 Budget Discussion
* Detailed Notes
* Official Video
* Video Transcript
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At the 21 November 2023 #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, supervisors approved by 4-1 vote (Kyle Davis voting nay) to advertise the proposed Single-Use Plastics Ban Ordinance (find it here).
The discussion focused on revisions from previous version regarding enforcement and exemptions. It also includes comments from residents and a discussion of recyclable paper bags answering the question "Why are businesses allowed to charge customers for recyclable paper bags?"
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Last week, Newtown Borough Council voted to advertise a proposed budget of roughly $4 million.
The proposed spending plan includes a one-mill tax increase, which will equal about $45 extra in the yearly tax bill.
The slight tax hike is proposed to put three-quarters of a mill for Newtown Fire Rescue, which covers the borough and township. A quarter of a mill will go to support the Newtown Ambulance Squad, which supports the borough and several nearby municipalities.
Council President Tara Grunde-McLaughlin said the budget is about $1 million higher than last year, but the increase is due to the borough’s hope that a grant for a pedestrian bridge to span the Newtown Creek* will be approved by the state. The grant request is for just under $1 million.
Council Member Kris Bauman said the 2024 budget would have no negative impact if the grant is not awarded in 2024, and the extra million dollars budgeted would not be spent.
*What's YOUR Opinion?
There are currently TWO #NewtownPA Creek pedestrian bridges proposed - one at Frost Lane and Edgeboro Road in the Borough connected to North Sycamore Street in the Township and one at the other end of town connecting the proposed Steeple View development in the Borough to Carl Sedia Park in the Township.
The Newtown BOS already approved apply for a grant for the Frost Lane bridge (read more about that here). The Steeple View bridge is just a concept, but the developer has already asked in confidence for opinions from Newtown BOS members (read more about that here).
In general, how much are you in favor of/opposed to these proposed bridges?
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Mack's #NewtownPA News of Interest:
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Several #NewtownPA Twp area residents attended this Zoom meeting, which focused on the proposed single-use plastics ban, Steeple View bridge - is it a bridge too far going nowhere?, more work needed to finish Lower Dolington Rd trail, is Capital Grille asking for too much signage?, Borscht Belt Deli asks for variance to allow neon sign in window, the 2024 preliminary budget available for viewing - are there enough funds for pedestrian safety and road repairs? the sale of Shady Brook Farm - is Newtown involved?
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The popular farm —known for its annual holiday light show among other events —will be reducing its size as the Fleming family prepares to turn over the property at 931 Stony Hill Rd. to a fifth generation.
The Fleming siblings who jointly own Shady Brook Farm plan to sell about 80 acres of the 130-acre property to a partnership including DeLuca Homes, the Bucks County Courier Times reported.
The property along the Newtown Bypass is near where DeLuca Homes is developing Prickett Preserve, which includes Bucks County's second Wegmans store.
I would say the farm is going to get a LOT smaller and traffic MUCH WORSE! Residents expressed similar concerns at my 13 November 2023 Meet Mack Monday (MMM) Zoom meeting. View the video: https://youtu.be/Ke7m-GSK7HQ
At that MMM meeting, it was noted that a portion of the farm is located in Newtown, which I was able to verify by examining the Bucks County Planning Commission Subdivision Map.
It is not known if the Newtown parcel is up for sale.
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this discussion took place during the November 13, 2023, Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting. Supervisor John Mack presented his questions regarding the utility of this bridge to Newtown Township and suggested it would benefit primarily Steeple View residents in the Borough.
Newtown Environmental Advisory Board member Jan Filios pointed out the environmental concerns, which may be insurmountable due to zoning ordinances that are in place regarding flood plains.
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What's YOUR Opinion?
There are currently TWO #NewtownPA Creek pedestrian bridges proposed - one at Frost Lane and Edgeboro Road in the Borough to North Sycamore Street in the Township and one at the other end of town connecting the proposed Steeple View development in the Borough to Carl Sedia Park in the Township.
The Newtown Board of Supervisors already approved the application for a grant to cover the cost of the Frost Lane bridge (read more about that here). The Steeple View bridge is just a concept, but the developer has already asked in confidence for opinions from Newtown BOS members (read more about that here).
In general, how much are you in favor of/opposed to these proposed bridges?
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[Image: Elaine McCarron, Vice Chair of the #NewtownPA Environmental Advisory Council, presented details of a proposed ban of single-use plastics at the November 8, 2023, Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting. VIDEO LINK: https://youtu.be/m1e--Erjkfc]
The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors is expected to vote at its Nov. 21 meeting to advertise a new ordinance that would ban certain single-use plastics in the township beginning in 2024.
If adopted, the ordinance would restrict restaurants and businesses in the township from using single-use carry out plastic bags and Styrofoam food containers except when required for food safety. It would also prohibited restaurants and businesses from providing single-use plastic straws and utensils except upon request by the customer.
The proposed ordinance would require businesses to post signage informing the public of the upcoming change, according to McCarron.
There will be exceptions, said McCarron. Plastic bag would be allowed to pack perishable items including fruits, vegetables, grains, candy, etc.
The EAC proposed the ordinance as a way to:
Related Content:
“US Congress to Consider "Break Free from Plastic" Pollution Act: Can #NewtownPA Wait For Its Enactment Before Passing Its Own Single-Use Plastics Ban?”; https://sco.lt/7SKifI
“Summary of 8 November 2023 BOS Meeting”: Proposed Single-Use Plastics Ban
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This is my personal summary of my notes regarding the November 8, 2023, meeting of the #NewtownPA 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, Discussions, Decisions, and More:
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Back in June, 2023, #NewtownPA Township Manager received a letter via email from attorney Timothy J. Duffy, representing Steeple View, L.P. which presently has pending before Newtown Borough Council a revised Preliminary and Final Land Development Plan.
The Steeple View plan includes seven new “mixed use” buildings being proposed on nearly nine acres of land along with a public greenway along the Newtown Creek. Also proposed is a footbridge connecting Newtown Borough to Newtown Township at Carl Sedia Park (see image). [Background: “Planners Begin Review Of Revised, Multi-Million Steeple View Project”]
In the letter to the township, Mr. Duffy asked: “...as we move toward final approval in the Borough, both my client and the Borough would like to determine whether the Township - on a non-binding basis, of course - is interested in the bridge or, to the contrary, has no interest.” Mr. Duffy asked that the Township Manager “...put the question to the Board for its comment.” Supervisors just recently received a copy of the letter. I am not sure how how other supervisors feel about this bridge, but I have some concerns.
Is this a Bridge Too Far?
Lest we forget, Newtown Twp supervisors just recently approved the application for a Statewide Local Share Assessment grant of $999,979.20 from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to be used for a different pedestrian bridge over the Newtown Creek at the other end of town, which link Edgeboro Road/Frost Lane in the borough to North Sycamore Street in the township (read “Newtown Creek Coalition Proposes a NEW Pedestrian Bridge to Supervisors”).
As a Newtown Supervisor, I have to weigh the benefits versus the costs to the township of these projects. While the Frost Lane bridge has some marginal benefit to businesses located on North Sycamore Street and the Newtown Village Shopping Center, the Steeple View bridge is too far from any township business and only seems to benefit Newtown Borough residents and, more specifically future Steeple View residents. The township should not have to pay a dime to help developers provide amenities to their clients.
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Quoting Julia: "When I first heard about a potential traditional neighborhood development in the center of Newtown Borough, which later became known as Steeple View, I was excited by the possibilities it offered to reinvigorate the business district and address the ongoing lack of parking in town. However, the current plan no longer provides many of the benefits originally touted, and will make the borough’s parking problem worse.
"In a 5–1 vote on Sept. 20, Newtown Borough Council granted conditional use approval for a controversial shared parking plan, permitting up to 40% of the required parking for the Steeple View development to be accommodated remotely at the Stocking Works, 1/4 mile south on State Street. By its own calculations, the developer intends to provide only a few parking spaces onsite at Steeple View beyond those required for the residential units planned.
"A major principle of conditional use approval is that a proposal be in the best interests of the borough, and be a benefit to the community and to the public welfare. Eliminating a popular, heavily used, convenient public parking facility is none of these things. State Street businesses will experience that loss quickly, according to the most recent plans.
"For almost 14 years, I had been one of this project’s strongest supporters. But within the past year and a half, I, along with many Newtown residents, have come to realize that, in its current form, and especially with the approved parking plan, Steeple View no longer offers the benefits to the public and business community promoted by the developer."
Julia was just elected to Newtown Borough Council.
The Newtown Borough Council has announced a new timeline for the approval of the Steeple View redevelopment project.
With an extension of time for the project set to expire by the end of December, revised preliminary as final land development plans are scheduled to go before the planning commission at its Dec. 4 meeting.
Following that review, the plan is tentatively scheduled to go before the borough council at its Dec. 6 work session. A final vote could happen as early as the Tuesday, Dec. 12 council meeting. The council's other option is to grant an extension of time for project approval.
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The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the advertisement of the proposed 2024 budget that included a proposed slight tax increase.
Its budgeted revenues are projected to be $14,291,936 million, an increase from the previous year, according to the proposed budget.
Meanwhile budgeted expenditures are projected to rise to $16,001,653 million. The budgeted general fund deficit is projected to decrease to $2,386,265.
The proposed spending plan includes a tax hike of two mills for the fire protection fund and an additional mill to reduce debt service costs.
Under this plan, the typical municipal tax bill would increase to $511 for properties with average assessment.
Deficit = $ 2,289,430; This is covered by $ 4,134,661 2023 balance.
Thus, Net Fund Balance = $ 1,845,232 (11 % of TOTAL EXPENDITURES; Good accounting practices recommend 17% to cover emergencies)
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[11/13/23 UPDATE: "The Borscht Belt Cuts The Ribbon On New St. Mary Medical Center Deli" (see image).]
The Borscht Belt Delicatessen, a popular New York-style Jewish deli in Newtown, will celebrate the opening of its second location inside the St. Mary Medical Center cafeteria on Monday, Nov. 13.
Through a partnership with Trinity Health Mid-Atlantic, the owners of the Borscht Belt will operate the deli inside the hospital's cafeteria Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. The deli will be available to patients, visitors and employees.
“We are thrilled to offer a variety of delicious new menu offerings from The Borscht Belt Delicatessen right here in the St. Mary Medical Center cafeteria,” said Suzette Cunicelli, vice president of Professional and Support Services at St. Mary Medical Center.
A ribbon-cutting will be held at the St. Mary cafeteria at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 13 to mark the opening of the Borscht Belt at St. Mary. Attendees will be treated to free samples of a variety of bagels and spreads from the Borscht Belt.
Bucks County native and celebrity chef Nick Liberato, co-founder and executive chef at the Borscht Belt, will be present at the grand opening event.
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Santander Bank on Thursday secured the variances it needed for signage at its future home at the Village at Newtown Shopping Center.
Bank officials appeared before the township’s Zoning Hearing Board on 2 November 2023 to request relief for five signs that will be comparable in size to other banks the shopping center.
The bank, now located at 3 Terry Drive will be relocating its Newtown branch from the Newtown Business Commons to the Village at Newtown Shopping Center on Eagle Road.
This is my goto bank - very easy to drive up to its window at the Terry Drive location and make a deposit or withdraw cash on my way to the Bypass and beyond. Now I will have to drive into the horrendous Village Shopping Center! I don't think it will even have a drive-thru cash machine, meaning I will have to park the car to get cash. I guess I will have to close my account and find another bank - there are plenty in Newtown that are NOT located in the crowded Village at Newtown shopping center!
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This is my personal summary of my notes regarding the October 25, 2023, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Planning Commission Report
Engineer’s Report/Topics
Budget Discussion
Other Items of Interest
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The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in two key cases about how public officials use social media.
The cases explore whether two school board members in California and a city manager in Michigan violated the First Amendment by blocking constituents posting criticism on their personal social media pages. The constituents in the cases believe these social media pages were actually operating as an extension of government work.
RUH-ROH!
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Oregon’s U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley has teamed up with California Rep. Jared Huffman to introduce the bicameral Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act.
The legislation is described as the most comprehensive plan ever introduced in Congress to address the plastic pollution crisis that is poisoning our air, water, and land, and disproportionately impacting communities of color and low-income Americans.
The bill would shift the burden of cleanup and waste management to where it belongs — on the corporations that produce this waste — by:
“We’re at a crisis point with plastic pollution and we need action. Plastic pollution harms our oceans, climate, communities, and wildlife," Oceana Campaign Director Christy Leavitt said. "The solution is to stop plastic pollution at the source by reducing the production and use of unnecessary single-use plastic and move to refillable and reusable systems. The Break Free from Plastic Pollution Act does just that. We applaud Senator Merkley, Congressman Huffman, and their colleagues for introducing this important bill. Cities and states have been leading the way on plastic reduction policies, and it’s time for federal action so we can turn the tide on plastic pollution before it’s too late."
Why Not Ban Single-Use Plastics at the State/Federal Level?
At the April 3, 2023, EAC meeting, Maryann Verdan, McCaffrey's Markets VP of Operations, suggested that Newtown Township wait for legislation at the state level before enacting its own version of a single-use plastics ban. She suggested the passage of such legislation might happen by the end of the year.
Ms. Verdan suggested that by enacting a single-use plastics ban in Newtown McCaffrey's would be at a "competitive disadvantage" to stores like Giant in Middletown, which does not have such a ban.
Listen to Ms. Verdan’s comments…
Other commenters suggested that action be taken at the federal level.
Faran Savitz, Zero Waste Advocate, Penn Environment, explained that without action by many local governments it is very unlikely that the state or federal governments will act quickly. It's all about politics and the influence of the fossil fuels industry.
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October 23: Shortly before 8 a.m., police were dispatched to a Wrightstown Township home for the report of a disturbance. As a result of the investigation, a woman was charged with ethnic intimidation and criminal mischief (damage to property).
Previously: A jeweler was robbed at gunpoint hours after he posted a $150,000 Patek Philippe watch for sale on Instagram.
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This is the video edition of the October 23, 2023, #NewtownPA News of Interest (NOI) e-newsletter.
The cover features Spooky Stop Sign Sawer! Just in time for Halloween! You can video the spooky story behind the #NewtownPA Stop Sign Sawer here: https://www.johnmacknewtown.info/blog...
Topics in the October 2023 issue of NOI include:
(1) 2024 Budget Highlights
(2) Capital Grille Signage Debate
(3) Neon Signage Showdown
(4) Sewage Treatment Plant
(5) Business Commons Rezoning
(6) More Paid Firefighters Needed
To receive the newsletter in via email, become a subscriber: https://www.johnmacknewtown.info/news...
You can unsubscribe at any time.
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