4 Surprising Things We Learned at the November 18, 2025 #NewtownPA Planning Commission Meeting

[Source of original article: The Economist]

Leaf blowers have emerged as a surprising source of political and cultural conflict, as municipalities across the U.S. move to restrict or ban gas-powered models due to noise, air pollution, and quality-of-life concerns. More than 160 cities now have some form of restriction. In Lower Merion Township (PA), the township commission adopted an ordinance on November 19, 2025, following nearly three hours of public comment from more than 50 residents. Supporters described gas leaf blowers as excessively loud and toxic, while opponents—particularly landscaping business owners—warned the ban would hurt small businesses operating on thin margins.

The issue has taken on clear political overtones, with bans more common in left-leaning communities and pushback framed around property rights and local control. As suburban communities continue to wrestle with environmental regulation, neighborhood harmony, and economic impacts, the humble leaf blower has become an unexpected symbol of America’s deepening civic divides.

As the bans spread, and Democrats and Republicans compete harder for the votes of residents of leafy suburbs, rancour will surely grow. At last year's Democratic convention Barack Obama compared Donald Trump to "the neighbour who keeps running his leaf blower outside your window every minute of every day". Mr Trump's supporters say: sure, your neighbour might suck, but that's his right. Leaf him alone

A Powerpoint presentation via Zoom on Tuesday, 9 December 2025. Topics include: 2026 Budget Concerns & What I Propose, Sewer Plant Plan Scrapped. What’s Next for the Land? How Should We Spend Opioid Settlement Funds? Fire Services Agreement with Borough Update, Fountain Farm Lane Parking Problem Update, Zoning Hearing Board Report: Signage issues, more...

At the 20 December 2025 BOS public meeting, Newtown Supervisors approved the 2026 Budget and a 30% tax increase, raising the total millage to 17.115 mills. The budget projects a $3.23M structural deficit and drastically reduces road paving funding by 25%, even as spending increases for police vehicles, a dump truck, and new administrative positions. Supervisor John Mack proposed reallocations that would restore nearly one extra mile of paving, but the majority did not adopt the changes.

The meeting also featured Supervisor Mack’s farewell remarks after eight years of service, emphasizing transparency, public access to documents, and resident engagement.

A major portion of the meeting focused on concerns about selective enforcement in zoning, following a contentious ZHB hearing where the Chair questioned the Township’s inconsistent stance on sign ordinances.

Other updates included:

• Neighbors for Open Government preparing to launch in early 2026
• WWTP land: NBCJMA confirmed the property has been formally offered back to original owners
• Approval of $1.08M in bills, including $444k for road projects
• November Police Report: 2,215 incidents, +167% DUI arrests, 534 property checks

When we think of police work, our minds often jump to the drama of television shows—non-stop action, high-stakes investigations, and dramatic arrests. This narrative shapes our perception of what a police officer does on a daily basis. But what does a typical month really look like for a local police department, away from the Hollywood script?

By diving into the November 2025 activity report from the Newtown Township Police Department in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, we can look at the raw data. The numbers and incident logs tell a story that is far more nuanced and service-oriented than fiction. This analysis will reveal how data dismantles the myth of TV police work and illustrates a department's true, multifaceted role in its community.

Newtown Township supervisors approved a $16.86M budget for 2026, raising municipal taxes by 4 mills — about $160 more per average household. The increase funds mounting fire and EMS costs, including the transition to more paid firefighters, new ambulances, and critical equipment replacements.

Supervisor John Mack, in his final meeting, voted no, urging cuts to items like a dump truck, police vehicles, and new staff to redirect funds toward paving more township roads (currently only 1.9 miles budgeted vs. 3.5 miles needed annually). Residents voiced concern about the shrinking general fund, warning that Newtown could follow neighboring towns facing steep tax jumps if spending isn’t reined in.

The budget also adds funding for an IT Director, HR position, a $450K transfer to support the Rec Fund, and $900K for 1.85 miles of road repaving.

The provided sources for this "Deep Dive" podcast - agenda and audio recording - document the Newtown, Bucks County, Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) board meeting held on December 9, 2025.

Key actions include motions to approve the minutes, review expenditures and receipts, and formally approve the payment of bills and a $920,035.94 transfer from the Trust to the Operating account.

Discussions centered on the Penns Commons Sewer Lining and Replacement project, including the approval of a significant payment application to Doli Construction and an engineer's report detailing an unforeseen storm sewer conflict and project progress.

The board addressed an inquiry by John Mack regarding the status of the WWTP land site and the Authority's offer' to sell the land back to the original owners. The offer was send at the end of November 2025 and the original owners have 90 days to respond.

Finally, the board reviewed the delinquent accounts list, and performed the annual board reorganization for 2026, electing new officers - same as the "old" ones!

With the controversial wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) officially abandoned, the question is “What to do with the Lower Silver Lake Road parcel originally slated for the facility?”

Resident Todd McGonigal urged supervisors to act quickly, stressing both the market realities and the financial stakes: “There are already so many vacant office spaces available in Newtown… It’s only a 90-day window we have to make this happen.” He encouraged the township to work with the original developer to return the land and help ratepayers recoup losses from the failed project.

Supervisor John Mack, however, pushed in a different direction. Comparing the parcel to Silver Lake Park, he argued against any future construction: “If you want to know my opinion, we don’t want any kind of development there. I think the land should remain undeveloped with the provision that it never be developed.”

NOTE: At the 9 December 2025 Sewer Authority meeting, Mack was informed that the Authority sent the buy back offer to the original owners in the last week of November. The owners have 90 days from receipt of the offer to respond.  The township now awaits responses from both the authority and the developer, leaving the fate of the land—and its role in shaping Newtown’s future—still unresolved.

[The following is a summary of an article that appeared in the 9 December 2025 issue of the Bucks County Courier Times.]

Middletown Township is proposing a major overall tax increase for 2026, combining a 6-mill property tax hike with a doubling of the Earned Income Tax. Together, these changes would raise the average homeowner’s annual municipal tax bill from $882 to $1,384—a nearly 60% jump.

Township officials say the revenue is needed to close a $2.8 million structural deficit, replenish savings depleted after years of using fund balance to maintain services, and address a $60 million backlog in infrastructure projects. The plan also boosts staffing in police, fire, public works, and engineering, arguing that without new taxes the township would face deep service cuts affecting up to 20% of staff.

The Board of Supervisors will vote on the final budget on December 15.

At the 4 December 2025 Newtown Zoning Hearing Board meeting, the Newtown Athletic Club (NAC) sought relief to allow a wall sign, installed in 2019, to remain in its current location facing the Newtown Bypass, violating size restrictions and the distance requirements stipulated in the municipal code.

According to the briefing document, the NAC claimed the placement was due to an "inadvertent installation error" that contradicted a previous 2014 decision, which led to a zoning violation notice issued in 2025.

During the hearing where the application was ultimately denied, the board chair expressed concern on the record about the Township's unusual silence on the matter, suggesting a potential issue with selective enforcement of sign ordinances.

The source for this podcast - a Newtown Patch article plus comments - details an escalating contractual dispute between Newtown Borough and Newtown Township over the price of fire services for the upcoming year of 2026.

While the Borough is insisting the Township honor a previously negotiated "good faith" offer of $275,000, the Township's Board of Supervisors has officially countered by demanding a higher fee of $350,000. This higher demand was approved by a 3-2 vote, overriding the recommendations of the Township's own negotiating team who supported the lower number.

The majority of the Supervisors and concerned residents argue that accepting the Borough’s lower offer would force Township taxpayers to subsidize the service, especially since some evidence from a state analysis suggests the actual rational cost is closer to $375,000.

In response, the Borough council has directed its legal counsel to formally reject the $350,000 proposal and resubmit the original $250,000 figure, maintaining that the higher rate is unreasonable.

The Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) officially ended its plans to construct a controversial $128 million wastewater treatment plant after facing months of significant grassroots opposition and threats of litigation from residents across multiple surrounding townships.

The Authority, which currently sends its wastewater to Philadelphia, had acquired the necessary 17.5-acre site near the Newtown Bypass via eminent domain but acknowledged that it failed to adequately educate the public about the proposed facility.

Following the project's termination, the authority has begun the process of offering the land back to its original owners within a 90-day window, or it must petition the court for permission to sell the property publicly. While the site was previously slated for a large apartment complex, local supervisors have expressed a strong preference that the land ultimately remain undeveloped for the benefit of the community.

A 29 November 2025 NewtownNow.com article outlines the controversial and abrupt closure of Rocco’s at the Brick, an upscale restaurant located inside The Brick Hotel, stemming from escalating conflict between the operating tenants and the hotel owner, Verindar Kaur.

The immediate point of failure was an alleged threat by Kaur to revoke the essential liquor license, which the restaurant’s management claims necessitated their immediate shutdown after Saturday service. However, Kaur publicly denied issuing this threat, stating she was surprised by the closure and that the restaurant was free to vacate the premises.

Beyond the licensing dispute, Rocco's management - Dana Gray, the secretary for restaurateur Marc Gelman, the operator of Rocco’s at the Brick - cited long-term issues related to the leased space, including concerns over water damage, mold, and a broken boiler, while Kaur maintained the building was in good repair. Following the closure, police were called to oversee the tense removal of restaurant equipment, and

Rocco's management announced they are now seeking a new location for the concept on Sycamore Street - most likely Guru's Indian Restaurant, which was recently put on the market. More on that here... sco.lt/5Oc4Xo

The 25 November 2025 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting centered on local safety and infrastructure, authorizing the Township Engineer to study Fountain Farm Lane traffic in response to resident requests for parking relief and speed control.

A significant portion of the session was dedicated to reviewing Zoning Hearing Board applications, resulting in the BOS voting to send the Solicitor to oppose sign variances sought by FirstTrust Bank and Melange on Sycamore.

Discussions concerning the 2026 draft budget highlighted friction among supervisors over fiscal priorities, specifically the necessity of reallocating funds from police vehicle purchases to address severe deficits in road paving maintenance.

Procedurally, the meeting was tense, marked by the removal of the contentious Drug Education Vehicle purchase from the agenda and disagreements over why the Township Engineer was instructed not to attend the public session.

The meeting also addressed the termination of the proposed Newtown Sewer Authority plant and formally approved the adoption of the 2021 International Fire Code ordinance.

More details...

The November 25, 2025, Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting centered on local safety and infrastructure, authorizing the Township Engineer to study Fountain Farm Lane traffic in response to resident requests for parking relief and speed control.

A significant portion of the session was dedicated to reviewing Zoning Hearing Board applications, resulting in the BOS voting to send the Solicitor to oppose sign variances sought by First Trust Bank and Melange on Sycamore.

Discussions concerning the 2026 draft budget highlighted friction among supervisors over fiscal priorities, specifically the necessity of reallocating funds from police vehicle purchases to address severe deficits in road paving maintenance.

Procedurally, the meeting was tense, marked by the removal of the contentious Drug Education Vehicle purchase from the agenda and disagreements over why the Township Engineer was instructed not to attend the public session.

The meeting also addressed the termination of the proposed Newtown Sewer Authority plant and formally approved the adoption of the 2021 International Fire Code ordinance.

At the 25 November 2025 Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) public meeting, local officials will discuss using opioid settlement funds to help pay for a police “surveillance truck.” Some residents questioned whether this use aligns with the funds’ intended purpose—prevention, treatment, and recovery. Concerns included transparency, whether the purchase actually addresses opioid harm, and the need to prioritize community-based services. Supporters argued the vehicle could help investigate drug-related activity, while critics said it diverts money away from direct public-health needs.

To many people, a local planning commission meeting sounds like the definition of tedium—a dry, procedural exercise in zoning ordinances and setback requirements. The common perception is that these gatherings are best left to municipal officials and directly affected property owners, offering little of interest to the wider business community.

In reality, these meetings are often fascinating, real-time case studies in the friction between community rules, business needs, and the pressures of modern life. They offer a tactical roadmap for how businesses can successfully navigate local bureaucracy—or fail spectacularly. By observing the Newtown Township Planning Commission's November 18, 2025 meeting, I uncovered several surprising and counter-intuitive lessons for any business owner.

Read more...

A recent Newtown supervisors meeting turned emotional as residents of a retirement community near the Newtown Bypass described what they view as a daily hazard — the crosswalk on South Sycamore Street that divides the Chandler Hall campus.

As a result, Newtown Township supervisors unanimously voted to authorize township engineers to prepare a cost estimate and design options for crosswalk safety upgrades near Chandler Hall on South Sycamore Street.

Read the story for more details...

The sources provided for this podcast focus on the Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) board meeting held on 18 November 2025, detailing the proceedings, agenda items, and public discourse.

The agenda confirms routine matters like approving minutes, reviewing finances, and receiving various reports (Engineer’s, Solicitor’s, Manager’s, and Field), while also highlighting the motion to terminate the authority's controversial plan to construct a wastewater treatment plant.

Public comments and an associated document reveal specific concerns, including a complex technical question regarding the discrepancy in Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) calculation standards between NBCJMA and the Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority (BCWSA).

Furthermore, the meeting addressed the significant consequences of terminating the proposed waste water treatment plant plan, particularly the process for offering the condemned land back to the original owners and the potential impact on resident sewer rates that had been raised to finance the land acquisition. The board ultimately voted to terminate the plan and discussed the legal process regarding the future of the land.

Quick Highlights

• Meet Mack Monday Recap: Budget, road paving, fire services, and Fountain Farm Lane parking were reviewed with residents.
• Consent Agenda: Bills list of $587,098.60 (plus $1,507.66 in transfers) approved 5–0.
• 413 Durham Road Sewage Planning Module: EDU/GPD calculation discrepancy flagged for clarification.
• Fire Apparatus Grant: Resolution to seek $1,000,000 LSA grant for new aerial truck and pumper.
• Fire Services Agreement: 2026 agreement with NFA approved 5–0; operational benchmarks removed.
• Borough Fire Services Payment: After resident input, BOS increased 2026 requested payment from $275,000 to $350,000 (3–2 vote).
• Police Report: Monthly stats for October 2025 presented; questions raised about missing speed board data.
• 2026 Budget: 4-mill tax increase, questions on revenues, HR position, police vehicles, and tech spending.
• Road Program: Only 1.85 miles of paving funded vs. ~3.56 miles needed annually.

More...

This video is a segment from the 12 November 2025 Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) vote on the township sending a letter to the borough specifying the financial terms of the former providing the latter with paid fire services.

The issue is whether or not the previous consensus of a 1-year contract with a $275,000 fee was a fair agreement considering that township residents would be paying a lot more per household than the Borough. The alternative of $350,000 was suggested and ultimately voted on. passing by a 3-2 vote.

Featured: Public comments by resident Eric Pomerantz swayed the final vote despite opposition from BOS Chair Elen Snyder.

[Listen to this 10-minute "Deep Dive" podcast: “#NewtownPA Township Taxpayers Force Fire Fee Increase for Services to Borough”]

The source for this "Deep Dive" podcast is the transcript of the 12 November 2025 contentious Newtown Board of Supervisors meeting concerning a proposed fee for borough fire services.

The central conflict revolves around the borough's contribution for fire protection, with many township residents, including speaker Eric Pomerantz, arguing that the suggested payment of $275,000 is unfairly low and forces the township to raise their own taxes via a millage increase.

The residents and several supervisors maintain that the borough should pay at least $350,000, a figure apparently supported by a Harrisburg calculation, to ensure an equal share of the burden.

Ultimately, a motion was made by Supervisor John Mack and passed by a three-to-two vote to send a letter demanding the higher $350,000 fee for the year 2026. The discussion also included strong criticism toward certain supervisors accused of advocating for the borough's interests over those of their own township constituents.

[View the video: "#NewtownPA Resident's Comments at BOS Meeting Swayed the Vote on the Township/Borough Fire Services Agreement"]

The 2026 Budget spending focuses on hiring unneeded additional Newtown Twp staff, purchasing multiple police cars, a dump truck, and other things... but NOT on roadwork! Taxes are up 30% while new road paving miles are down 25%!

This isn't just a one-year shortfall; it points to a structural problem. When a town consistently paves fewer miles than required for basic upkeep, it creates a long-term infrastructure deficit. Roads will likely degrade faster than they can be repaired, leading to more significant and costly problems down the line.

MY PROPOSAL

PennDOT District 6 (Bucks County): averages $350K–$600K per lane mile for resurfacing under state contracts. To get to 3.5 miles of paved roads, an additional 1.6 miles of road need to be paved requiring about $760K more funding would be needed (using an average of $475K per mile base on PennDOT numbers). For a more realistic goal, I proposed finding additional fund to pave a total of 2.5 miles of roads (same as in 2025).

If ONLY 2 new police cars were approved, $170K would be available for road repair. Add to that a savings of $205K by removing a new dump truck from the budget, you would have $375 available – enough to add nearly 0.8 miles to the total. That would then be enough to pave 2.6 miles of road!

The differences between the 2026 Fire Services Agreement and the 2020 Fire Services Agreement touch upon the duration of the agreement, organizational structure, funding specifics, operational requirements, and reporting details.

To summarize the operational shift: the 2026 agreement reflects a more integrated and formalized structure ("Newtown Fire Rescue") that relies heavily on a unified "Operations Manual," while eliminating specific performance metrics (like response times and specific initial funding) and detailed internal procedures found in the 2020 document, moving those details into the new manual or generalized language. It also introduces the Township's right of refusal on equipment.

This agreement between Newtown Township and the volunteer Newtown Fire Association will come up for approval by the Newtown Board of Supervisors at its November 12, 2025, public meeting.

Listen to this "Deep Dive" podcast...

What You Need to Know

WEDNESDAY, November 12, 2025, starting at 7 PM

Newtown Supervisors meet Nov 12 to review major township issues — including a $587K bills list, Township Fire Services Agreement with NFA, and a $1M grant application for new fire trucks. 

The 2026 budget and road paving shortfall are under scrutiny, with residents raising concerns over a steep 4-mill tax hike, police car purchases, and the need for an HR Director. 

Also discussed: zoning variances, EMS and police funding, and questions about missing speed board data.

To prepare for this meeting, I prepared detailed notes that I know you will find informative. The notes include summaries of and links to the official documents that the supervisors will vote on. Also included are comments from residents and questions I plan to ask at the meeting. Hopefully, by reading these notes you will also have comments and questions to ask at the meeting.

 👉 Read full pre-meeting notes

Public comment will also be taken via e-mail during the course of the meeting. All public comment must contain the commenter's name and confirmation that the commenter is a Township resident or taxpayer, and should be as succinct as possible. Emailed comments will be read aloud. Address comments to: Comments@newtownpa.gov

When a headline announces a local tax increase, it’s easy to feel a familiar sense of resignation. But what if the numbers on the page are only a fraction of the story? A recent "Meet Mack Monday" community meeting, hosted by Supervisor John Mack, pulled back the curtain on Newtown's 2026 draft budget. Beyond the expected figures, the discussion and subsequent Q&A revealed several surprising and impactful truths about how the township operates, where our tax dollars really go, and the quiet challenges shaping our community's future.