A judge has given the Newtown, Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority permission to list and sell a 17.5-acre property on Lower Silver Lake Road, originally proposed for a future sewer treatment plant.
The authority’s solicitor made the announcement at its May meeting, noting that the authority had already received an offer for the property.
During public comment at the May sewer authority meeting, former supervisor John Mack asked the authority if it would be required to accept the highest bid and whether the proceeds from any sale would be used to reduce a rate increase imposed on the authority’s ratepayers.
“Twenty-six percent out of the 46 percent rate increase was used exclusively to cover the loan,” said Mack. “If the land is sold, is there any rescinding of the rate increase depending upon what the authority is able to get for the land?”
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At previous meetings, Mack said he'd like to see the land remain as open space and be donated to the township.
"Rather than selling the land to developers, the Authority should donate the property to the township so it can be preserved permanently as open space," he said. He suggested the authority donate the land to the township for $1 with the stipulation that it never be developed.
Others, however, have asked the authority to sell the land and to use the proceeds to reduce rates accordingly.