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Scooped by
johnmacknewtown
onto Newtown News of Interest January 12, 2024 9:30 AM
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Scoop.it!
Welcome to the VIDEO EDITION of the January 2024 News of Interest e-newsletter. This version includes updates to some of the stories covered in the 8 January 2024 email version.
You can subscribe to my newsletter and receive it each month via email. You can easily opt-out at any time. Just go to my website www.johnmacknewtown.info (or dot com) and hit the SUBSCRIBE button!
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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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johnmacknewtown
April 25, 7:22 AM
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The Newtown Creek Coalition has reviewed the proposals received in response to the RFP for the engineering contract for the Newtown Creek pedestrian bridge design.
The Coalition recommended awarding a contract for professional services to HOWELL ENGINEERING in the amount of $114,750.00.
At its 23 April 2025 meeting, the Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved award ingthe contract to Howell and approved all easements/documents associated with the design of the bridge.
In 2019, when Mike Sellers, a member of the Newtown Creek Coalition, first presented this project to the BOS, he noted that PennDOT has a warehouse full of old disassembled bridges that can be purchased for as little as $1. At the BOS meeting Mr. Sellers said there were no suitable bridges available.
Realizing that the design process has not yet started, I must say the that HOWELL concept (Figure 1) lacks the idyllic “bucolic ambience” we have come to expect in Newtown Borough and in the Township. The location is unique by virtue of its history as part of the route of the Bucks County Interurban Railway, which operated a trolley line between Bristol and Doylestown until it was terminated in 1923.
JUST SAYIN’
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johnmacknewtown
April 24, 10:25 AM
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At the 23 April 2025 BOS meeting, Newtown supervisors awarded the 2025 road contract to James Morrissey, Inc. who came in with the low bid of $842,132.85 to repave 2.51 miles of roads.
The roads to be repaved include Poppy Court & Snowdrop Place, Wexley Drive, Cliveden Drive (from 15 Cliveden Dr. to 105 Cliveden Dr), Meridian Circle, High Street, Willow Court, North Drive (entire length), Bucks Meadows Lane, South State Street (from Newtown Bypass to House #668).
*Available funds include:
TOTAL Budget 2025 Road Program: $845,000.
Roads require repaving approximately every 20 years. Thus, Newtown must repave about 4 miles of its approximately 80 miles of roads each year just to maintain current conditions. For the period of 2019 through 2025, on average, only 2.9 miles of roads have been repaved per year!
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johnmacknewtown
April 19, 8:12 AM
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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.
Also see the 2021 BOS Chronicle, the 2022 BOS Chronicle, the 2023 BOS Chronicle, and the 2024 BOS Chronicle.
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johnmacknewtown
April 16, 11:14 AM
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At the April 9, 2025, Newtown BOS meeting, Newtown Walk resident Charles Feuer reported that he had a conversation with Richard Tomlinson president of the New Town Cemetery Association regarding the proposed sidewalk project adjacent to the cemetery on Newtown-Yardley Rd.
Recall that this was proposed to replace the asphalt Newtown Trail that leads into the Borough (read “The Case for a Sidewalk Along Newtown-Yardley Road in #NewtownPA”).
At a previous BOS meeting, this proposed sidewalk was scuttled because one Board member claimed that the cemetery did not want a sidewalk or curb and that the cemetery actually owned the land on which the trail was located.
According to Mr. Feuer, Mr. Tomlinson said “I don't know who they talked to but that's no true. I am wholeheartedly in favor of that.” Listen to Mr. Feuer’s comments on Yiutube...
Furthermore, my research indicates that the cemetery does NOT own the land on which the trail is located (see image above).
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johnmacknewtown
April 14, 12:48 PM
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At its 9 April 2025 meeting, the Newtown BOS approved Foster Digital Media Productions as its new AV vendor 3-2 (Davis and Calabro voting “Nay”). I voted “YEA” TWICE because the township has had poor quality of service from its current AV vendor Video Gold – or, as I Iike to call them, Video FOOL’s GOLD!
FDM specializes in providing high-quality AV content management and operates across multiple municipal facilities, including:
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johnmacknewtown
April 14, 11:12 AM
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This is my personal summary of the April 9, 2025, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
AGENDA included: Consider payment of the April 9, 2025 bills list in the amount of $379,682.15 and transfers in the amount of $579,351.90 (see 9 April 2025 Bills List); Land Development: Durham Investment, LP, 413 Durham Road – Preliminary/Final Land Development (read “Planned Day Care & Medical Buildings on Durham Road in #NewtownPA Raises Traffic Concerns”); Solicitor Report: Consider authorizing Solicitor to sign Real Estate Tax Assessment Appeal Settlement Stipulations for Pembroke Brandywine, LLC, MCD 3, LLC, and 5 settlements for Newtown Vlg Plz Assoc. LP (BRIXMOR SHOPPING CENTER; refer to the 28 March 2025 Settlement MEMO); March 2025 Police Report (highlights presented by Chief Hearn); Appointment of Foster Digital for AV production services (read “#NewtownPA Posts Request For Qualifications (RFQ) for Video Production Services”).
The BOS requested that the Solicitor investigate a class-action law suit filed by Upper Makefield residents regarding the leaking Sunoco pipeline. Specifically, supervisors asked the solicitor to determine if Upper Makefield was a party to the case and, if so, advise Newtown Townshipif it too can be a party to the case.
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johnmacknewtown
April 12, 12:05 PM
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Peter Jordan - the leader of the Stop the Plant Technical Advisory Committee - commented at the 8 April 2025 Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipality Authority (NBCJMA, aka Sewer Authority) Board meeting.
Mr Jordan asked the Sewer Authority Board to formally respond to the following three related questions.
1. How could a plant with a design capacity of 2.5 MGD be built when the flow rates were above the proposed design capacity approximately 23% of the time between 2016 and 2024, and the average monthly flow rates ni January, March, and April 2024 were 3 MGD?
2. How can you claim that Newtown's rainwater and groundwater inflow/infiltration (I/I) has been taken care of when the flow data indicates that there was no reduction in rainwater and groundwater inflow/infiltration (I/I) between 2018 and 2024?
3. Can you provide any concrete examples that Newtown has been denied EDU permits by BCWSA due to lack of capacity in the Neshaminy Interceptor since the moratorium was lifted?
Mr. Jordan said he looks forward to seeing your responses in the April 2025 Board Meeting Minutes.
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johnmacknewtown
April 11, 12:06 PM
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UPDATE (4/22/25): I noticed a speed sign on a trailer located on Davis Lane in the Country Bend neighborhood. I also heard that it was also on Yorshire Dr in the Woods of Saxony neighborhood. I assume it's the same sign moving from location to location. Thanks Chief!
At the 9 April 2025 Newtown Board of Supervisors meeting, supervisor Mack asked Police Chief Hearn about installing speed indicator signs in the Woods of Saxony (WOS) and Country Bend (CB) Neighborhoods.
Yorkshire Dr and Davis Ln, respectively, in these neighborhoods, are used as shortcuts from Lower Dolington Rd to Washington Crossing Rd and Linton Hill Rd, respectively. And to be effective as shortcuts, cars must speed through these neighborhoods. Pole-mounted speed indicator signs - such as the ones used in the Borough - would help especially since decoy police cars and the trailer-mounted speed sign cannot be deployed for long periods on these roads.
In comments to me about this issue via email, Chief Hearn said:
"The old signs that monitor speed that are owned by Newtown are between 10-15 years old and "battery" operated. They last only a couple of days at best, and we do not deploy them in the winter months because the battery life is dramatically less with the cold climate, and they fail to work. As the weather breaks, the signs are placed at problem areas by our own staff in the early morning hours, attached to an already mounted street sign, and removed again when charging needs to take place, usually in a couple to a few days at most.
"The one you mention in the borough (pic attached) is a newer fixture which includes a solar mounted panel, the speed sign, a new dedicated pole mounted to the sidewalk which is located on Washington Avenue as you enter the borough from Newtown-Yardley Road. I would have to obtain a quote from our vendors but I suppose based on previous inquiries the entire system (for 1 unit) would be nearly $10k each or more depending on who installs the pole, and the features we would desire within the monitor.
"I do think a "prosperous" town like Newtown should have the capability to afford these types of new technologies and equipment, but this is not my wheelhouse."
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johnmacknewtown
April 11, 7:47 AM
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Durham Investment, LP on Wednesday, 9 April 2025, received final plan approval to build a daycare center and a medical office on Route 413 just to the north of the township complex.
[The votes was 4-1 with John Mack voting NO - see below for the reasons.]
At the meeting, I asked the atty representing the developer" You just mentioned sewer capacity/ Is that what we refer to as EDUs? i thought there were no EDUs available for further development in New Town is that true?
Yes it is true was the answer/ Consequently, it might be a while before the 10,000-square-foot daycare center and the 6,000-square-foot medical/general office building are built on the slightly less than five-acre parcel located just to the north of the township building on Durham Road.
The project will have to wait until the developer is able to secure sewer capacity from the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority.
I opposed this [lan because of traffic concerns expressed by residents of Delancey Court located across the road from the site. Listen to their comments at the 11 December 2024 BOS meeting in this Youtube video...
Related Content:
“19 March 2024 #NewtownPA Planning Commission Meeting Summary”; https://sco.lt/4xmXBI
“#NewtownPA Supervisors Defend Zoning, Oppose Variance For New Daycare, Medical Office”; https://sco.lt/7h2s1Q
“Delancey Court Residents Request BOS Rescind Its Approval of Day Care/Medical Building Conditional Use Application”; https://www.johnmacknewtown.info/8may24bos.html#Comment1
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johnmacknewtown
April 10, 9:10 AM
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Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) is a public utility entity established by Newtown Township and Newtown Borough, Pennsylvania, under the Municipal Authorities Act. NBCJMA is responsible for the construction, maintenance, and operation of critical water and sewer infrastructure, including water supply, wastewater treatment, and disposal facilities.
The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors is currently accepting letters of interest/resumes for an opening on the Joint Municipal Sewer Authority Board of Directors.
The Board consists of three members appointed by Newtown Township and three by Newtown Borough. Board members serve staggered five-year terms, ensuring stable leadership and balanced representation of community interests.
The Municipal Authority meetings are the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 3:00 P.M. at the Authority office, located onS. Congress St.Interested applicants can send a letter of interest and resume to Olivia Kivenko at:Oliviak@newtownpa.gov
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johnmacknewtown
April 8, 9:04 AM
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A grassroots protest in Newtown drew large numbers Saturday, April 4, 2025, despite the rain and pressure to cancel the event.
Protesters gathered outside Fitzpatrick's office beside the Newtown Bypass. People of all ages joined the event, including many seniors.
Top concerns included recent cuts at the U.S. Social Security Administration and fears of a constitutional crisis.
The organizers of the "Hands Off!" protests, a series of demonstrations held April 5 against the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump, created an online platform where anyone could sign up to host a protest as part of the nationwide event. The effort was endorsed by more than 150 groups and co-led by Indivisible Project, a progressive organizing group.
Recently, a group of prominent Republicans and members of the first Trump Administration signed an open letter comparing the President to a “royal despot.” The insult, however, may not have landed with Trump, who, on February 19th, posted “LONG LIVE THE KING,” referring to himself.
At the protest in Newtown, I wore my “Make America’s Constitution King” hat and several signs declared “NO KINGS!” For more about my hat, read “Politicians & Diapers”; https://sco.lt/6neZLk
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johnmacknewtown
April 4, 1:08 PM
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Public Works is anticipating marking out the area for restoration next week, and placing a PA one-call to mark underground utilities.
L. Dolington Road will need to be temporarily closed between Frost Ln and Stamford Dr. intersection during work, and reopened when finished. It is anticipated that the repairs will take about 3-4 days (may not be consecutive days).
Restoration will involve digging out the damaged shoulder, saw cutting the existing asphalt, adding subgrade stone, then placement & compaction of asphalt base material, followed by the asphalt wearing course.
It is anticipated that this work beginning mid-late April depending on weather and availability of staffing and materials.
Sounds Kosher to me!
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johnmacknewtown
April 4, 12:09 PM
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Highlights from the March 2025 Newtown Township Police Department Report:
Glad to see that there were no "Auto vs Pedestrian Incidents in March. Hopefully, that trend continues. As you may know, I am very concerned about pedestrian safety.
Regarding that see the following:
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johnmacknewtown
April 3, 10:27 AM
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At the 26 March 2025 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, supervisors authorized the 2025 Road Program BID to be advertised. As I noted in my 25 March 2025 Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting, the approved BID included 1.67 miles of roads to be repaved as part of the BASE BID and 3.48 miles of roads as part of the ALTERNATE BID.
The BID was posted to the PennBID website on 2 April 2025. The posted BID is slightly different than the one approved by the BOS, specifically with regard to the BASE BID and number of roads in the ALTERNATE BID list
With a budget of $845,000, we can expect only about 1.9 miles to be repaved in 2025, which is about the same as 2024. The end result is that the overall condition of township roads is deteriorating, not improving!
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johnmacknewtown
April 2, 9:40 AM
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[IMAGE TOP: Signage as of 4/2/25; IMAGE BOTTOM: "Welcome to Newtown" version as specified in agreement with Newtown Twp]
Construction Continues On Newtown Wawa Store And Gas Station - Newtown, PA - A signature red and white sign has sprouted from the site letting the thousands of cars traveling along the bypass know what's coming soon.
This past fall, the new American Customer Satisfaction Index crowned Wawa as the nation's leading convenience store chain.
However, if you are a PA resident, you know there's a Wawa versus Sheetz debate. In fact, Sheetz was a contender in Newtown BEFORE Wawa came on the scene as I mentioned in my "Are You Shitting Me" comedy sketch: https://youtu.be/pmOAiHmRFpg
And Yes! In exchange for that "Welcome to Newtown" signage and solar panels, a majority - NOT ALL - Newtown supervisors caved in to Wawa's demands and changed the zoning in the OR district to allow a convenience store/gas station to be built at this site! I guess you can tell I was not in favor. Many residents felt the same way...
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johnmacknewtown
April 1, 7:55 AM
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Upper Makefield residents are suing the pipeline operators after an undetected crack leaked jet fuel into their private wells, contaminating at least 12.
The complaint, which was filed March 27, accuses pipeline operator Sunoco LP and its parent company, Energy Transfer, of negligence. Plaintiffs alleged that the companies failed to properly maintain the 70-year-old pipeline, identify leaks and investigate potential damage.
Following the leak in the Mount Eyre Road neighborhood, which the companies apparently did not detect for at least 16 months, 12 homes have tested positive for chemicals related to jet fuel, including benzene.
Although residents of the Mount Eyre Road neighborhood reported an unusual odor in their water as early as September 2023, the pipeline operators failed to detect a leak, and additional residents reported water taste and smell changes in 2024.
In 2023, the pipeline companies dug just yards away from where the leak was ultimately discovered*, but they didn't find the leak until January 2025 after consulting service records and digging at the location of a 1990s dent repair.
The complaint seeks to allow most residents within a 1-mile radius of the leak to join the suit, extending from around Hough's Creek in Upper Makefield to Woodside Road in Lower Makefield.
*The company tested a couple of isolated areas in Newtown Twp and did not find any leak. However, who knows if there is a leak "just yards away" from where they tested just as in UM!
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johnmacknewtown
March 29, 9:26 AM
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This is the video recording of the 3/25/25 Meet Make Tuesday Zoom meeting. It includes the Powerpoint presentation and the following Q&A and comments from the attendees.
Topics included Newtown Sewer Treatment Plant Decision, UM Sunoco Pipeline Fuel Leak, Meadow Conversion Project, Pedestrian Safety Updates, 2025 Liquid Fuels Road Repaving Program, Why Are Our Electricity (and Gas) Bills So High?, Update on Plan for a Public Mural, more…
Download the PPT notes with more details and links to background and related information: https://rebrand.ly/25Mar2025_MMT_PPT
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johnmacknewtown
March 28, 1:18 PM
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This is my personal summary of the March 26, 2025, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS).
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johnmacknewtown
March 28, 7:52 AM
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On 27 March 2025, Newtown Supervisor John Mack, appeared at the famed Comedy Cabaret in Doylestown PA. His routine focused on local Newtown Township politics.
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johnmacknewtown
March 26, 10:14 AM
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Some time ago I met a resident who wore an interesting T-shirt with a message that rings more true today than ever. The message simply read:
POLITICIANS
& DIAPERS
NEED TO BE
CHANGED OFTEN
FOR THE
SAME REASON
That is a sentiment I agree with NOW MORE THAN EVER! It resonates with my new MACK hat, which I revealed at the 26 March 2025 Newtown Board of Supervisors meeting:
MAKE AMERICA’S CONSTITUTION KING!
My "Make America's Constitution King" hat emphasizes my belief in the importance of the rule of law, where everyone, including those in power, is subject to the law and suggests prioritizing the Constitution as the supreme law and guiding principle of the nation, ensuring that it is the ultimate authority and not subject to the whims of individuals or factions.
If you want your own MACK hat, send a request to 1660 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500. Also comes in red.
And you thought my "MACK" logo and paraphernalia was all about me!
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johnmacknewtown
March 25, 7:51 AM
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Democrats Melissa Merk and Edward Merriman have announced their candidacy for two open seats on the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors.
If elected, the longtime township residents said they will incorporate their keen listening, team management, and conflict resolution skills into their roles as members of the board of supervisors.
Merk, a lawyer of 22 years, has lived in the township or “Newtown adjacent” her entire life. She has worked for Kline & Specter as a trial lawyer, representing individual clients on product liability - such as Roundup - cases since 2022. For the previous 20 years, Merk worked in litigation defending pharmaceutical and medical device companies.
Merriman, a software developer of nearly 30 years, has led teams that supported military and aerospace initiatives and helped companies incorporate the latest technologies. The Minneapolis native has lived in the township for 10 years with his wife, Abby Leafe.
Merriman and Merk, who have the support of the Newtown Democrats, are seeking to maintain the 4-1 Democrat majority on the board. If elected, the candidates will fill six-year seats currently held by Dennis Fisher and John Mack, who are not seeking re-election.
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johnmacknewtown
March 25, 7:37 AM
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A Tesla Cybertruck was vandalized while the owner ate inside a nearby restaurant on Sunday in Bucks County. The vehicle's own recording system captured the vandalism occurring around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday in a Newtown Township shopping center. The alleged vandals appear to be juveniles.
After one makes a crude gesture to the Cybertruck, another drags something along the side of the vehicle leaving behind a mark. The act of vandalism caught on camera began making the rounds.
Investigators don't know the motive behind this particular act of vandalism.
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johnmacknewtown
March 22, 12:59 PM
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`The NBCJMA recently posted this notice to its website:
"The Newtown, Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (Authority) has decided to halt all work on the proposed wastewater treatment facility. [Listen to the decision here...]
"The Authority had been actively pursuing construction of a brand-new state-of-the-art wastewater treatment facility on a 17.5-acre parcel between the Newtown Bypass and Lower Silver Lake Road. Gaining control of spiraling sewer rate hikes was the impetus for the Authority’s pursuit of this project.
"However, the Authority, during its Tuesday, March 11 board meeting, voted to stop all work on the proposed project. The vote came on the heels of opposition from community members, as well as the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors. [Read the what the BOS demanded...]
"At this juncture, the Authority has no plans to advance this project. In the interim, the Authority retains ownership of the land where the plant had been proposed and will keep the public apprised of any next steps or updates in that regard as they become available. The Authority thanks the public, as well as our customers, for their interest and feedback as it relates to this project."
***********
[As reported 3/25/25 in BCCT]:
A group of locals from the nearby Swan Point neighborhood have been protesting the project for months, speaking at public meetings and imploring local officials to intervene.
While the most recent decision is 'progress,' according to Bill Everett, one of the group's leaders, they haven't crossed the finish line yet.
'We're basically still full steam ahead,' Everett said.
Group members will be readjusting their strategy to focus on securing an official, ironclad cancellation of the project, Everett said.
Once complete, he added, they'll keep an eye on any future development proposals on the land.
'It's all about getting it officially canceled and then we can all go back to our regular lives,' Everett said.
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johnmacknewtown
March 21, 7:41 AM
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Why your electricity bill is so high, Sewer plant plan scrapped but rate hike remains, Will jet fuel pipeline leak reach Newtown Artesian wells?, Firefighters to be honored, Why I support Ukraine, more…
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johnmacknewtown
March 17, 3:22 PM
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TD Bank Closing Dozens Of Locations, Including 3 In PA - Across Pennsylvania, PA - These locations will be closed as of early June as the company seeks to re-evaluate its network of branches.
This announcement also comes after the bank pleaded guilty in a federal money laundering scheme and agreed to a $3 billion fine back in October — making it the first national bank to do so.
Meanwhile, at the 12 March 2025 BOS meeting, the supervisors voted 5-0 to switch Newtown's banking provider to Penn Community Bank.
For a long time, Supervisor Phil Calabro has voted against paying the township bills because it uses a “foreign” bank – i.e., TD Bank (aka Toronto Dominion Bank) – for its checking account, credit cards, and other banking services. At the 14 February 2024 BOS meeting, Mr. Calabro gave his reasons: "We have a lot of local banks in the area but we're doing business with Toronto Dominion Bank which if anyone searches Google for Toronto Dominion Bank they will see an abundance of scandals that that bank has been involved in from Ponzi schemes to pay for play. So, I don't know why we're doing business with this bank."
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