#NewtownPA Township Looking for a New Bank

 Each year in March, news media organizations across the country take this time to highlight the importance of transparency in our government, and we underscore the vital work our journalists do to fight for access to records that shed light on government activity.

One thing I have learned from being involved in local government is that here are forces that work to weaken public access to the nooks and crannies of government operations. For example, when a resident recently asked to see a pedestrian study done by Newtown Twp, which she requested and which was paid for by Newtown residents, she was told to submit an official Right-to-Know request. Sure, that's just a minor hurdle, but why is it needed? It just delays access and even may be denied! BTW, you find that report here.

Don’t miss these Sunshine Week training opportunities:

• Monday, March 17 @ 11 a.m. – Sunshine Week: Getting to Know PA’s Transparency Law – PA State Archives Building, Harrisburg or virtual
• Wednesday, March 19 @ noon – The Sunshine Act: Pennsylvania’s Open Meetings Law – virtual

If you want more sunshine regarding transparency in #NewtownPA government, then join my Improve Newtown Communications for Better Government Facebook Group:

After pledging allegiance to the U.S. flag, I turned and focused on the Ukrainian Army logo T-shirt that I wore at the Newtown 12 March 2025 Board of Supervisors (BOS) in support of Ukraine. The pin above the logo is a combined U.S. and Ukrainian flag reminiscent of the time that the U.S. officially supported Ukraine.

In my comments later (view on Youtube), I reminded the audience that on April 13, 2022, the Newtown BOS unanimously voted to divest Twp pension funds of Aberdeen (ABEMX) holdings, which includes Russian & Chinese securities, in protest against the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the apparent war crimes being committed by Russia in Ukraine. My survey at the time revealed that 78% of Newtown Residents approved this decision.

As reported in the NewtownPA Now, "The Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority Board of Directors voted Tuesday, 11 March 2025, to halt work on a proposed wastewater treatment plant in Newtown Township.

The 3-2 decision does not cancel the project, but stops planning for the Newtown Township facility at a 17.5-acre site off Lower Silver Lake Road and University Drive near the Newtown Bypass, which is close to the Middletown Township border.

Board Member Elen Snyder, who is also a Newtown Township Supervisor, introduced the motion, which was supported by Board Chairperson Jerry Schenkman and Board Member Linda Bobrin. Board members Christopher Gusty and Robert Walker voted against it.

[Before the decision was made I suggested that the Sewer Authority - after voting to "abandon" the project - look for a way to donate the land to Newtown to preserve it as open space. Ms. Snyder's motion actually included this suggestion.}

Snyder, when pressed by Newtown Township Supervisor John Mack, who was in the audience, said the motion to “stop” work means, in her view, ending the authority’s effort to develop at the site.

The Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority Board of Directors voted Tuesday, 11 March 2025, to halt work on a proposed wastewater treatment plant in Newtown Township.

The 3-2 decision does not cancel the project, but stops planning for the Newtown Township facility at a 17.5-acre site off Lower Silver Lake Road and University Drive near the Newtown Bypass, which is close to the Middletown Township border.

[View/Listen to the decision on Youtube: https://youtu.be/Kv3yHUkLKCw]

Board Member Elen Snyder, who is also a Newtown Township Supervisor, introduced the motion, which was supported by Board Chairperson Jerry Schenkman and Board Member Linda Bobrin. Board members Christopher Gusty and Robert Walker voted against it.

Snyder, when pressed by Newtown Township Supervisor John Mack, who was in the audience, said the motion to “stop” work means, in her view, ending the authority’s effort to develop at the site.

More...

Middletown and Newtown Township residents are rallying to stop the construction of a 2.5 million-gallon-per-day water treatment plant in Bucks County.

In September 2024, the Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority proposed its own wastewater treatment plant to alleviate costs to taxpayers* from mounting rate increases by the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority, which currently manages wastewater treatment. To construct the plant, the authority acquired 17.5 acres on Lower Silver Lake Road, near the township’s border with Middletown Township.

Middletown and Newtown Township residents who live close to the site formed a steering committee in November 2024 to oppose the plan.

*[This was the rationale for proposing the plant in Newtown. However, analysis by outside experts have suggested that this. Read "Flushed Finances: Why Newtown’s Sewer Plant Could Cost You More." Also, read what Elen Snyder has to say below about the REAL reason.]

It's About More Construction & Development

[Elen Snyder,  chair of the Newtown Board of Supervisors and board member of the joint municipal authority] said part of the reasoning for building the wastewater treatment facility was to allow more construction in Newtown. Right now, she said, the water and sewer authority does not allow for more buildings to be connected to the existing sewer system because of overflow concerns and fear of overburdening the Neshaminy Interceptor, which transports sewage from Bucks County to Philadelphia.

"In areas like the Business Commons part of town," Snyder said, "that is impacting the township’s ability to attract new businesses and developments to stimulate economic growth. We can’t allow anybody to build in that part of town, because there is no access to the sanitary sewer."

More...

This is my personal summary of the February 26, 2025, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.

AGENDA

• Reports of Committees
  • Planning Commission Synopsis
• Solicitor’s Report
  • Zoning Hearing Board Appeals
• Engineer’s Report
  • Crosswalk Safety Improvements
• Public Comment
  • Delancey Court Has Traffic Concerns
• Other Items of Interest
  • Appointment to the Joint Historic Commission
  • Appointment to the Environmental Advisory Council
  • Official Video

An in depth webinar on what is causing the surge in electricity prices and what can be done about it.

Natural Resources Defense Council's (NRDC's) Robert Routh: explains the basics of what PJM is, how the markets operate on a basic level. Note: PJM stands for Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Maryland Interconnection, a regional transmission organization  that coordinates the flow of electricity in a 13-state region, including parts of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Ohio, and others. 

PennFuture's Pat McDonnell: what has happened in PJM in the last few years, creating an imperfect storm of things that are impacting things negatively such as human health and climate what the electricity grid looks like- showing graph, being aware of what is currently driving prices up, Resource reliability vs rates, and the differences between what can be built in 5 years vs immediately (solar is available today).

Energy Efficiency Alliance's Jeaneen Zappa: here’s what the Energy Efficiency Alliance can bring to the table now - energy efficiency programs, virtual power plants, etc.

Black Appalachian Coalition's Bishop Marcia Dinkins: the need to humanize this experience, allow folks to tell their story, while touching on advocacy: BLAC storymap / LTE workshops / Action Alert.

Webinar Main Sponsors: PennFuture and CVPA
Co-Sponsors: BLAC, Energy Efficiency Alliance, PA IPL, Breathe Project, Sierra Club PA, 412 Justice, Hip Hop Caucus, PennEnvironment, NRDC, Clean Air Council

View the video on Youtube...

[From Bucks County Courier Times; March 6, 2025]

Some Upper Makefield residents wonder if the catastrophic floods that inundated parts of the township in 2023 affected flow of jet fuel into their wells after a leak was recently discovered from a Sunoco pipeline in a neighborhood off of Mt. Eyre Road.

The leak from a 2.5-inch crack in a petroleum pipeline under a Glenwood Drive property, described as a 'slow drip' by pipeline company officials, was discovered in January, but nearby residents reported smelling and tasting gas in their water as early as September 2023 — two months after a torrential flash flood brought six inches of rain to the area in two hours.

Severe flooding can affect pipelines, according to federal regulators. Residents at a public meeting in late February questioned whether the flood could’ve led to the jet fuel entering their private wells.

Rain also affects how far a liquid can spread through the soil, said Karen Ogden, a watershed specialist for the Bucks County Conservation District. While dry conditions may leave the jet fuel to pool around the leak, wet weather allows the petroleum to travel farther [as far as the Newtown Artesian Water wells as shown in image?}.

See map of the spill...

Delancey Court residents asking the township to consider traffic calming measures to mitigate backups on Route 413/Durham Rd.

On February 26, Steven Kieley, representing the Delancey Court Homeowners Association, expressed concerns before the board of supervisors over future traffic that will be generated by the development.

Durham Investments is currently seeking land development approvals for a 10,000 square foot daycare center and a 6,000 square foot medical office building across Route 413 from Delancey Court on a slightly less than five-acre parcel just north of the township building on Durham Road.

Listen to Mr. Kieley's comments at the 26 Feb 2025 BOS meeting...

t the 26 February 2025 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) public meeting, Elen Snyder, chairperson of the BOS, commended local firefighters for their response and life-saving efforts during a recent house fire in Lower Makefield Township.

An older couple who lived in the home was rescued and needed to be hospitalized due to fire-related injuries, according to reports.

“We couldn’t be prouder,” Snyder added. “It wasn’t even in our township, and they were the first ones there, so kudos to them.”

At public comment, resident Valerie Mihalek echoed the sentiment and recognized the two firefighters by name for their actions.

“I would like to echo the words of Supervisor Snyder in recognizing firefighter Michael Bradshaw and firefighter Quinnten Jones for their incredibly heroic efforts in going back in to save the woman who went back inside to save her pet,” Mihalek said.

Mihalek noted the assistance provided by passing trash haulers who spotted the blaze.

“The trash haulers who were driving by and went in and helped the one gentleman who was in a chairlift to get down the stairs,” she said.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) has approved a joint settlement that reduces the rate increase requested by the Newtown Artesian Water Company by nearly 19%, while enabling critical infrastructure upgrades for customers in Bucks County.

The unanimous 5-0 vote adopted the Joint Petition for Complete Settlement, which was recommended by PUC Administrative Law Judge Eranda Vero and supported by Newtown Artesian, the PUC’s Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E), the Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA), and the Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA).

Under the terms of the settlement, Newtown Artesian will raise its annual operating revenues by approximately $750,000, an 11.5% increase. This is significantly lower than the company’s original request for a $922,418 revenue increase, which represented a 14.1% hike.

The new rates, which scale back customer charges and usage rates across all rate classes, are set to go into effect on April 18, 2025. This rollout will coincide with Newtown Artesian’s ongoing shift from quarterly to monthly billing for all customers.

Newtown Artesian plans to press ahead with key infrastructure improvements, including the construction of a new treatment plant designed to address “forever chemicals” in the water supply.

The Agenda

• BOS Tells NBCJMA to “ABANDON” Plans for a Sewer Treatment Plant in Newtown Township
• Residents Demand Sunoco Jet Fuel Pipeline Be Shut Down
• Pedestrian Safety – PennDOT Approves Use of Grant Money for Newtown-Yardley Rd Sidewalk
• Newtown Township Seeking New Service Providers
• Recent Past & Upcoming Township Meeting News
• 2025 Municipal Elections: There Will Be Two New Newtown BOS Members. Who are the Candidate?? What Are the Issues?
• Privilege of the Floor – Whatever else is on your mind

Date & Time: February 25, 2025, starting at 7:00 PM

Login info: https://rebrand.ly/25Feb25_MMT_Reminder 

It is my hope that the 17.5-acre plot of land is donated to the township to preserve as open space.

What are the options should the Authority actually “abandon” its plans as suggest by the Newton BOS? One option that I mentioned at the BOS meeting was for the Authority to sell or donate the land to the township so it can be preserved for open space. 

“Maybe the township could purchase that track of land and then designate it as open space so nothing could ever be built there,” I said to applause. 

Several residents thought the Authority should refund its recent 47% rate hike to which I replied “its seems to me this is like saying that egg prices will come down after this summer and I don't think they ever will come down.” Since the taxpayers already paid for the land, I think the Sewer Authority should donate it to the township. I cited the example of Silver Lake Park, which was donated by Bucks County to the township for $1 under the condition that it never be developed.

More...

A pipeline leak in the township tainted water in six wells. A preliminary federal investigation found it was undetected for at least 16 months.

Upper Makefield Township residents affected by a pipeline leak that tainted the water of six wells with jet fuel continued to question pipeline operator Sunoco and its parent company Energy Transfer at a meeting Thursday (Feb 13, 2025) night.

According to Sunoco, as of Thursday, the third-party water testing company they hired has performed 127 water tests and received results for 92. Six of the 92 results contained hydrocarbons, a toxic chemical, above statewide standards. An additional 102 tests are scheduled or in the process of being scheduled.

Local and state elected officials sided with residents demanding the pipeline be shut down until an investigation into the leak is complete.

More...

SCOPE OF SERVICES

Newtown Township seeks a video production fi rm that is experienced and equipped to provide the following services, including but not limited to:

• Advise the Board and Manager or his/her designee on all matters pertaining to broadcasting information on cable television and YouTube feeds to the public for information purposes.
• Prepare broadcasting equipment prior to each meeting in conjunction with agenda items.
• Attendance at Board of Supervisor meetings (generally, 2 nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, starting at 7pm)
• Produce a visual and audio production using the Township owned audio visual equipment. [This may be a tough hurdle. There has been repeated problems with the equipment - even the new equipment - and in some cases the wrong equipment has been ordered. Applicants should request a list of the equipment. Still, it's a difficult hurdle for a new AV company to work with equipment ordered by the current AV company (Video Gold), which, IMHO, is very inept and unqualified..]
• Ability to work with Township Staff to achieve a high quality end product.
• Ability to recommend upgrades and improvements to the Township owned AV equipment. [See above.]
• Ability to troubleshoot and manage technical difficulties with Township owned AV equipment, and to resolve issues in a timely , satisfactory, manner. [See above.]

ALL PROPOSALS MUST BE RECEIVED BEFORE 4:00 PM ON MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025. 

Newtown Township Bucks County
100 Municipal Drive Newtown, PA 18940
Proposal Submittal: Proposals must be submitted to Newtown Township, Attn: Township Manager, per the Submittal Instructions Section of this RFQ.

#NewtownPA is putting out “Requests for Qualifications” (RFQ’s) seeking to perhaps hire a new engineering firm (especially Traffic Engineer) to replace RVE, and a new Audio/Visual company. In addition, a traditional Request for Proposal (RFP) has been issued for Various Banking Services (due by 4:00 PM, February 17, 2025) to replace TD Bank – a foreign-owned (Canadian) bank.

A RFQ is a document that asks potential vendors or suppliers to provide information about their skills and experience. It's often used as a preliminary step in the procurement process for products or services. 

Three RFQ’s have been posted to the township's website:

1. Municipal Engineering Consulting RFQ (due date: 4:00PM ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2025)
2. Traffic Engineering Services RFQ (due date: 4:00PM ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2025)
3. Video Productions RFQ (due date: 4:00 PM ON MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2025)

“The‬‭ Township‬‭ will‬‭ review‬‭ the‬‭ responses‬‭ to‬‭ the‬‭ RFQ‬‭ and‬‭ decide‬‭ as‬‭ to‬‭ the‬‭ most‬‭ responsive,‬‭ best‬‭ suited,‬ ‭ and‬‭ most‬‭ qualified‬‭ to‬‭ provide‬‭ the‬‭ services‬‭ requested.‬‭ A‬‭ limited‬‭ number‬‭ of‬‭ candidates‬‭ may‬‭ be‬‭ selected‬ for‬‭ interviews‬‭ with‬‭ the‬‭ Township’s‬‭ Board‬‭ of‬‭ Supervisors‬‭ and‬‭ Manager,‬‭ after‬‭ which‬‭ the‬‭ consultant‬‭ will‬‭ be‬ appointed by the Board of Supervisors.‬”

Residents have recently received a letter from Rock Work Inc. Drilling & Blasting notifying them that the company has been retained by Toll Bros to provide drilling and blasting services to "facilitate trench and bulk rock excavations at the Lyondale Meadows Project located off Twining Bridge Rd in Newtown Township.

"The blasting will be seismically monitored to confirm the blast induced ground vibration levels are within regulatory limits, and therefore, not capable of having an adverse effect on any neighboring structures," claims Rock Work.."The sounding of horn will precede the detonation of every blast in accordance with PADEP regulations to Warn those directly in the vicinity of the blast area(s). It is anticipated the blasting will start on or after February 24th, 2025."

So, don't be concerned if you hear explosions in the area at the end of February.