The Melange Mess and Ghosting #NewtownPA's Zoning Rules

This issue of the Newtown News of Interest newsletter provides an overview of local government news and controversies in Newtown, Pennsylvania, primarily focusing on topics discussed at various Board of Supervisors meetings in late 2025.

Key issues detailed include a contentious showdown over the 2026 Fire Services Agreement between Newtown Township and the Borough, where officials disagreed on payment amounts for fire protection. Additionally, the text highlights zoning and land-use debates, such as objections to a proposed mini-storage facility and a request from the Newtown Athletic Club for a variance regarding an improperly placed sign.

Other important subjects cover the approval of an Intergovernmental Agreement for a new pedestrian bridge over Newtown Creek and ongoing safety and parking disputes along Fountain Farm Lane, which led to residents receiving tickets. Finally, the article mentions a request from the Council Rock Little League for township assistance in funding water access to make baseball fields safer for children..

 Read the issue...

Newtown Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Chief Evan Resnikoff has asked Newtown Borough Council to double the borough’s EMS tax millage from 0.5 to 1.0 mills to help cover rising costs and major capital expenses. The request comes as the squad faces the need to replace two ambulances ($600K total), five heart monitors ($50K each), and an aging HVAC system at its Eagle Road headquarters.

Resnikoff said operating costs have “grown exponentially,” with insurance premiums expected to reach $200,000 next year and reimbursement rates failing to cover actual expenses. The department staffs personnel 24/7 and serves Newtown Borough, Newtown Township, Upper Makefield, and parts of Solebury Township, covering 32 square miles with 55 employees and eight volunteers

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He emphasized that Newtown Borough enjoys some of the fastest EMS response times in Bucks County and highlighted national recognition for clinical excellence in heart and stroke care. Borough Council will discuss the tax request at its special budget meeting on Thursday, Oct. 23 at 5:30 p.m. at Borough Hall.

The Newtown Township Police Department Activity Summary for the week of October 10 through October 16, 2025, presents preliminary police data that is subject to revision.

The summary provides statistical metrics for the period, noting a total of 492 calls for service, including specific numbers for events like traffic crashes (14 total), thefts (02), and medical emergencies (30). Furthermore, the document includes an incident blotter detailing six specific incidents, such as a reported assault, two instances of narcotics discovered during traffic stops, and reports concerning credit card fraud and a scam attempt.

The report concludes with a caveat that these are highlighted incidents and do not constitute all weekly police activity.

Access the report,,,

The provided source for this "Deep Dive" podcast is the "Newtown Borough Fire Protection Study 2022," prepared by the Governor’s Center for Local Government Services in Pennsylvania to assess the fire service costs for Newtown Borough, Bucks County.

This analysis was requested by the municipality to evaluate the cost of fire protection, which is currently provided through a symbiotic relationship with Newtown Township.

The report examines the history and current structure of fire protection, noting that the service is delivered by a combination of the Newtown Fire Association and the Newtown Township Department of Emergency Services.

A major component of the study is the Fair Share Cost Analysis, which calculates various potential fee structures for the Borough's contribution to the Township's fire protection budget using methods like the ratio of calls, population, and assessed valuation. Ultimately, the document presents several fire protection options for the Borough, ranging from reaching a new long-term agreement with the Township to establishing its own municipal fire department.

At the October 13, 2025 work session, Newtown Township supervisors clashed over how much Newtown Borough should pay for fire protection. The Borough offered $267K–$275K over three years, while Supervisor Phil Calabro demanded $330K plus annual increases, arguing township taxpayers shouldn’t subsidize Borough services. Chair Elen Snyder, John Mack, and Dennis Fisher supported a one-year $275K deal and a new state cost study to determine a fair share. Fire Chief Glenn Forsyth warned of worsening volunteer shortages and after-hours response gaps. The board is expected to vote on the contract before year’s end.

Source: Transcript of the October 13, 2025 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors Work Session.

The sources for this "Deep Dive" podcast are excerpts from the October 8, 2025, Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting where members of the Newtown Gate Townhouse Association voiced strong complaints regarding traffic congestion, speeding, and a sudden, strict enforcement of parking regulations on Fountain Farm Lane.

Chet Zaremba, the association president, detailed the residents' anger over new ticketing after 35 years of unhindered parking and questioned the fairness, pointing out that a township-employed tow truck driver was previously allowed to park there with impunity despite safety concerns.

Another resident, John Lagomarsino, suggested modifying the road's classification and white fog lines based on his engineering research, proposing designated parking zones as a solution to both the parking shortage and traffic issues.

Supervisors acknowledged the problem, with Supervisor Fisher committing to walking the area to seek solutions and Supervisor Mack suggesting hiring traffic experts, while the Police Chief confirmed that ticketing would continue due to the public safety hazard of cars encroaching into oncoming traffic to bypass parked vehicles.

This sign was visible from my car parked in the Adventure Aquarian parking lot in Camden, NJ, yesterday. What an atrocity - little of which is taught in schools and now against federal policy.

This history will never be know by our grand children. Perhaps even hard to find signs like this one - just facing the parking lot. not the sidewalk and street - will be taken down just as statues and monuments of racists will be re-erected!

Land use and zoning dominated part of the 24 September 2025 Newtown supervisors meeting, as the township planning commission presented updates on multiple proposals. These included a residential subdivision and a controversial mini-storage facility.

This video was produced by Google's Gemini-powered AI research tool NotebookLM from a Variance Request submitted to the Newtown Township Zoning Hearing Board by the Newtown Racquetball Association, operating as the Newtown Athletic Club (NAC), for a sign installed at 120 Pheasant Run.

[NOTE: The Planning Commission will consider this application at its 21 October 2025 public meeting.]

This request seeks to modify a previous decision to allow an existing "NAC" wall sign that was inadvertently installed facing the Newtown Bypass instead of the Penns Trail side of the building, which was the location contemplated in a 2014 zoning decision.

The application specifically requests variances concerning the sign's location within 1,000 feet of the Bypass, the number of signs allowed on the property, and the maximum permitted size for a wall sign, proposing an increase to 31.389 square feet.

Exhibits confirm the existence of a previous zoning variance history for the property and include a zoning violation notice from April 2025 regarding the improperly placed sign.

Refer to the "NAC Sign Variance Briefing Document" for details.

This summary of the 8 October 2025 Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) Meeting was prepared by Google NotebookLM & John Mack:

Executive Summary

• Newtown Creek Pedestrian Bridge moves ahead via a Township–Borough Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA); ~$1M grant-backed.
• Newtown Gate parking enforcement triggers resident outcry; Police cite safety hazards.
• Crosswalk safety upgrades at Chandler Hall/Sycamore authorized for cost estimate.
• Fire services: two new career firefighters sworn in; Borough–Township agreement talks delayed.
• Budget ’26 underway; bills, transfers, and park repairs approved.

Read the summary here...

This "Deep Dive" podcast reviews the Newtown's Anti-Discrimination Ordinance, enacted in 2018, which broadly prohibits discrimination in areas like employment, housing, and public accommodations based on numerous characteristics, including race, color, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability.

More to the point with regard to recent news, the document explicitly prohibits "Conversion Therapy" for use with minors by mental health professionals.

Furthermore, the law established a local Human Relations Commission and details the procedures for filing complaints with the newly created Commission, including options for a fact-finding conference or expanded investigation procedures.

Finally, the ordinance ensures an aggrieved person has a private right of action to pursue remedies, such as emotional distress and exemplary damages, in court.

The Newtown Township Codes Department’s latest report offers a snapshot of active development and zoning matters heading to the Planning Commission, Board of Supervisors, and Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB). Several notable applications involve signage, additions, and a new mini-storage proposal on Upper Silver Lake Road.

Mediplex Property Group – 101 Pheasant Run

Mediplex, owner of the Rothman Orthopaedic Group building, seeks zoning relief to install an additional wall sign on the south elevation. The request would bring the total to three wall signs—one more than permitted. The applicant plans to amend and resubmit; the review timeline has been waived.

Newtown Athletic Club – 120 Pheasant Run

The NAC seeks several variances for a wall sign installed in 2019 on the Bypass side rather than the approved Penns Trail side. The sign exceeds both size and frontage limits and is within 1,000 ft of the Bypass. Reviews are set for Oct 21 (PC), Oct 22 (BOS), and Nov 6 (ZHB).

Firstrust Bank – 11 Durham Road (Goodnoe’s Corner)

Firstrust proposes a 6.8-ft-high, 22.9-sq-ft freestanding sign exceeding height, size, and frontage limits. Hearings are planned for late October and Nov 6 (ZHB); timeline waived.

1784 Holdings LLC – 98 Upper Silver Lake Road

The developer proposes a three-story, 36,604-sq-ft mini-storage facility and a 25 × 45 ft manager’s apartment on the former TD Bank site. Relief is needed for parking, loading, steep slopes, and other dimensional standards. The plan heads to Oct 21 (PC), Oct 22 (BOS), and Nov 6 (ZHB).

The report also notes continuing activity in building and use permit reviews, though project specifics were not listed. Most ZHB hearings are expected in late October and early November, with several applicants agreeing to timeline waivers to allow further staff and Planning Commission coordination.

Source: Newtown Township Codes Department Weekly Report, October 3, 2025.

The sources for this podcast comprise several emails between Newtown Township residents and officials regarding ongoing safety and parking issues along Fountain Farm Lane and surrounding streets.

The correspondence reveals that residents like Ed McCorry and Steve Bacher have repeatedly raised concerns about speeding, illegal parking that obstructs traffic, dangerous stop sign violations, and the lack of pedestrian crosswalks.

In response, an official relays that the police chief acknowledges the enforcement issue but notes that resources are limited, confirming that illegal parking on the fog line will result in ticketing.

Conversely, other residents, including Gary and Janice Malanowski and Vincent Luisi, express anger and surprise at the recent ticketing for parking on Fountain Farm Lane, arguing that this practice is new and asking for clarification on where residents and visitors should park, especially during the upcoming holiday season.

The source for this Deep Dive audio podcast is an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement between the Township of Newtown, the Borough of Newtown and the Newtown Creek Coalition. Only the township and borough, however, are the designated signatories to this agreement.

This "Deep Dive" podcast reviews the working draft for a Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance (JMZO) for the Newtown Area, specifically addressing Sign Definitions as of September 4, 2025.

This extensive list offers precise definitions for numerous types of signs, ranging from permanent and temporary displays like "MONUMENT SIGN" and "FEATHER FLAG SIGN" to signs categorized by location, such as "AWNING SIGN" and "ROOF SIGN."

The text also defines technical aspects of signage, including types of illumination ("HALO ILLUMINATION SIGN," "NEON SIGN") and movement ("ANIMATION," "MECHANICAL MOVEMENT SIGN"), alongside regulatory classifications like "ABANDONED SIGN" and "NONCONFORMING SIGN."

Furthermore, the draft includes legal and administrative references, such as the "BUILDING CODE" and existing definitions indicated with an asterisk, demonstrating its function as a comprehensive regulatory framework for signage within the joint zoning area (Newtown, Wrightstown, and Upper Makefield).

The provided text for this "Deep Dive" podcast contains excerpts from a Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) 24 Sept 2025 meeting transcript that focuses on a sketch plan review for a proposed three-story mini storage facility at 98 Upper Silver Lake Road.

The discussion involves Planning Commission representative Peggy Driscoll and BOS members, primarily addressing variances and waivers sought by the developer, 1784 Holdings.

A major point of contention is the plan to include one apartment for a caretaker manager, which is not permitted under the current LI (light industrial) zoning district when combined with an industrial use.

Supervisors expressed concern over setting a legal precedent by allowing the residential unit, while the Planning Commission generally favors the sketch plan and views the on-site presence as an enhancement to security.

Other key issues mentioned include the building's proposed height (42 feet), the large number of storage units (800), and the limited number of loading docks.

The Newtown Township Public Works Department has been busy over the past two weeks, focusing on road safety, park upkeep, and facility maintenance.

On the roads, crews completed crack sealing in the Brookside Development and performed boom mowing along major corridors including Twining Bridge Road, Wrights Road, and South State Street. Inlets and grates in flood-prone areas were cleared on September 25, and all traffic signal emergency generators were serviced in advance of expected heavy rains.

In the parks, seasonal mowing continues across Township properties. At Helen Randle Park, crews repaired and replaced hot water lines in the snack stand bathrooms to ensure facilities are ready for community use.

General maintenance was also a priority. Public Works took delivery of a new John Deere tractor with a boom-mower attachment, repaired stair treads and cleaned the sewer main at the Police Building, removed trash along Sycamore Street, and handled routine vehicle servicing. Utility markouts were performed throughout the Township, while scrap metal was recycled and small fixes—like replacing a broken paper towel dispenser in the community room—were also addressed.

Together, these efforts reflect the Department’s ongoing commitment to keeping Township facilities, roads, and parks safe and well-maintained for residents.

The source for this "Deep Dive" podcast is a transcript from the 24 September 2025 Newtown Board of Supervisors meeting, detailing several key discussions and resident concerns.

Public comments focus heavily on a parking enforcement issue at Newtown Gate, where a resident representative argues against recent ticketing on Fountain Farm Lane and alleges a double standard in enforcement. Another resident addresses traffic and pedestrian safety issues at the intersection of Summit and Newtown Gate, specifically requesting a right-turn lane and better crosswalk provisions.

The meeting includes a Planning Commission report discussing land development applications, including a proposed mini-storage facility that requires several variances, notably for a manager's apartment that is not a permitted use.

Finally, board members discuss an ongoing, contentious fire services agreement negotiation with Newtown Borough and provide updates on local infrastructure projects, such as sewer line replacements and the status of a proposed pedestrian bridge that the board ultimately voted against approving the current agreement for due to financial concerns.

On Wednesday afternoon (9/24/25), a Honda plowed through the front of Crumbl Cookies at the Village at Newtown Shopping Center, landing inside the store. Newtown Township Police, Fire Rescue, and the Newtown Ambulance Squad rushed to the scene.

👉 Thankfully, no one inside the store, outside in the shopping center, or in the vehicle was injured.

⚠️ This is the third storefront crash at the busy shopping center since 2024:

• Nov 2024 (Black Friday): Car jumped the curb and hit the Body20 store.

• Feb 2024: SUV smashed through Ulta Beauty’s front window.

• Sept 2025: Now Crumbl Cookies.

#NewtownPA #VillageAtNewtown #CrumblCookies #TrafficSafety #CommunityNews

The source for this "Deep Dive" podcast is a transcript excerpt from a Newtown Board of Supervisors meeting on September 24, 2025, specifically focusing on a public comment and subsequent discussion regarding zoning enforcement and code violations.

A resident, Charlie Feuer (pronounced Foy·er), raised concerns about the status of a cease and desist order issued to a restaurant named Melange Louisiana on North Sycamore Street for unauthorized construction, emphasizing the importance of preserving the historic nature of the area. Mr. Feuer also noted that the restaurant's representatives failed to appear at a subsequent zoning hearing.

The Board and its solicitor clarified that the restaurant cannot open without a certificate of occupancy and compliance with zoning regulations, even if internal refurbishment continues. The discussion broadened to a general concern about inconsistent zoning enforcement across the township, particularly regarding sign ordinances, with supervisors asserting that due process and the zoning officer's role must be followed to address violations through fines or court action to prevent non-compliance from becoming widespread.

This "Deep Dive" podcast summarizes a stand-up comedy routine delivered by John Mack, who is a Newtown supervisor and a retiree. Mack uses his time on stage to joke about his experience as an elected official, highlighting the often trivial nature of local political complaints in his community, which he compares to "Pleasantville" issues.

The would-be comedian jokes about the extraordinary number of chicken restaurants in Newtown and recites in the "Bubba Gump" mode the many varieties of chicken available.

Even the dead have complaints says Mack who related how "people" at the local cemetery opposed a propose sidewalk abutting the cemetery on a busy road.

He concludes by sharing that despite the low pay he receives for his supervisor role, he decided to become a comedian after a resident called him a "clown," assuring his audience that he is happy to serve both the living and dead residents of Newtown.

This "Deep Dive" podcast offers a synopsis of a Newtown Township Planning Commission meeting details discussions and recommendations for two land development proposals.

The first proposal concerns subdividing a 5.11-acre parcel on Upper Silver Lake Road into three residential lots, with the Commission recommending approval contingent upon the requirement of sidewalks, crosswalks, and handicapped ramps.

The second discussion centered on a sketch plan for a three-story mini-storage facility at 98 Upper Silver Lake Road, replacing a former bank. A significant point of contention was the proposed inclusion of a manager’s apartment, which is not permitted under current Light Industrial zoning.

Despite the zoning conflict, the Commission ultimately voted to support the sketch plan, though there was division regarding the proposed dwelling unit variance, with supporters citing enhanced site security as a benefit.