In response to growing public opposition [read "Opposition Builds to Proposed Local Sewage Treatment Plant"], the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors on Wednesday [12 Feb 2025] said it will ask the Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority [NBCJMA] to cancel its plans for a wastewater treatment plant in the township.
In an unexpected announcement at the start of the meeting that brought the audience to its feet, Chairwoman Elen Snyder called on the authority to suspend any plans for a new plant.
“I have heard you loudly and clearly. We all have. We heard you say that you aren’t for it. You’ve been heard,” said Snyder of growing opposition to the plant, especially from Middletown Township residents living near the proposed plant's site on Lower Silver Lake Road [a few hundred feet from the Wawa site that is currently under construction].
Later in the meeting, after residents pressed the supervisors to take their opposition a step further, the board agreed to direct township manager Micah Lewis to send a letter to the authority asking it to cancel plans for the plant, which brought more applause from the audience.
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This is the last paragraph of a draft of the letter to be sent to the Authority by the township;
"Please be advised that the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors is vehemently opposed to the continued exploration, planning, and construction of a sewage treatment facility in Newtown Township. The Board recognizes the concerns of the citizens that it represents, and will make every effort to thwart the success of the project, including potential intervention through litigation, if the authority does not agree to cease the continued work on the planning of this project. The Township strongly recommends that the NBCJMA immediately abandon any and all work associated with the creation of a new treatment facility, and continue discussions with the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority to pursue release of additional capacity and connection to the Neshaminy Interceptor."
Under other business, Supervisor Phil Calabro said the township should pursue acquiring the 17.5 acres of land on Lower Silver Lake Road as township open space, an idea backed by Supervisor John Mack. Listen to comments made at the 11 Feb 2025 Sewer Authority Advisory Board meeting: https://rebrand.ly/11Feb2025_NBCJMA