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johnmacknewtown
onto Newtown News of Interest June 20, 7:17 AM
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The Newtown Creek Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge & Trail project, detailed in Addendum #2 of the May 1, 2026, rebid specifications, involves the construction of a 170-linear foot timber and steel girder bridge and a 493-linear foot asphalt trail in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
The project uses a “Base Bid” and “Add Alternate” structure to give the Newtown Creek Coalition and associated municipalities flexibility in award selection based on available funding and project priorities.
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Newtown News of Interest
These Scoops are excerpts from articles published in local newspapers and other sources that may be of interest to Newtown area residents. Please click on the "From" link to access the full original article. Any opinions and "insights" appended to these article summaries are solely those of John Mack and do not represent the opinions of any other person or entity. Curated by johnmacknewtown |
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johnmacknewtown
July 6, 8:38 AM
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5 Surprising Truths About How PA Zoning Hearing Boards Really Operate
While citizens often expect total, unvarnished transparency from any government entity, the PA Sunshine Act and established case law provide ZHBs with a unique set of rules. These rules allow—and sometimes even mandate—privacy in ways that might shock the average resident.
As a civic journalist, I’ve seen how these "hidden" rules can frustrate the public, but understanding them is your first step toward real accountability.
Although boards may hold private executive sessions for legal counsel or quasi-judicial deliberations, they are strictly prohibited from taking final official actions behind closed doors. Furthermore, while the specifics of private discussions remain confidential, the board must publicly announce the reason for the session and record its occurrence in the official minutes.
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johnmacknewtown
July 6, 7:01 AM
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Scoop.It says John Mack is "A watchdog file for Newtown civic life Newtown News of Interest reads like a standing civic file on one Pennsylvania township and its neighbors. The emphasis is not on soft community coverage, but on the machinery of local decision-making: Board of Supervisors meetings, financial reports, and more."
With 1,793 analysed posts and more than 243,000 views across the account, johnmacknewtown Scoop.It is more than an occasional bulletin. It has become a sustained civic record for Newtown-area readers.
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johnmacknewtown
July 3, 8:12 AM
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In 2026 I began using AI (e.g., Gemini) to analyze #NewtownPA Township's biweekly bills list. Part of that analysis was the creation of infographics to summarize where the mony went. You can find many of my AI-generated infographics regarding township finances here...
I decided to feed all the 2026 Bills List Infographics to Gemini and ask it to create a short video overview. The current 7-minute video was the result. Enjoy!
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johnmacknewtown
July 2, 8:09 AM
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Explore a hand-picked collection of Pins about #NewtownPA Infographics on Pinterest.
This is a collection of Infographics created byAI - moslly Gemini and Google Notebook - that relate to Newtown Township PA stories that I publish via my "News of interest" e-newsletter.
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johnmacknewtown
June 30, 6:36 AM
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In a climate where local government proceedings have become increasingly opaque to the average taxpayer, a new force for civic engagement has emerged to dismantle the wall of silence in Newtown Township.
The initiative is spearheaded by a trio of veteran community voices: former Township Supervisor John Mack, advocate Charlie Feuer, and Al Dufault, an independent resident specializing in fiscal oversight. This leadership—specifically Mack’s pivot from the Board of Supervisors (BOS) to an external watchdog role—represents a strategic shift toward a “bottom-up” citizen advocacy model. By operating outside the constraints of the dais, NOG aims to bridge the widening gap between elected officials and the taxpayers they serve, ensuring that community concerns are proactively addressed rather than buried in the minutes.
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June 27, 1:42 PM
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In response to bidder inquiries and budgetary requirements, the project has categorized various components into Base Bid and Add/Alternate items. Howell Engineering has answered several questions from potential bidders. I summarize a few important ones with my concerns below (see Responses to Bidder Questions #2 (REBID)...).
I have several concerns regarding the cheaper structural features such as wood piling foundations vs re-inforced concrete and wood post wire mesh railings vs aluminum railings with Steel mesh panels.
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johnmacknewtown
June 25, 10:03 AM
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The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting held on June 24, 2026, centered on critical zoning legislative changes, regional infrastructure safety, and strategic financial allocations. The most significant legislative action involved the advancement of a data center ordinance, which sparked debate over minimum lot sizing and industrial encroachment protections.
Key administrative outcomes included the approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to obligate opioid settlement funds to Bucks County in exchange for municipal resource officers. Additionally, the Board addressed urgent public safety concerns regarding a 70-year-old Sunoco jet fuel pipeline and its potential impact on the local aquifer.
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June 23, 9:37 AM
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PECO is investing in Newtown Borough and a small portion of Newtown Township as part of the company’s proactive efforts to upgrade the local natural gas distribution system.
This project involves replacing existing natural gas main and service lines with new plastic pipe, which enhances safety, is more durable, improves service, and reduces methane emissions.
The natural gas main and service replacement projects in Newtown Borough and Newtown Township were originally scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. While the majority of planned main installations and service replacements were completed in 2025, the projects could not be fully finished due to permitting delays related to the SEPTA railroad crossing.
SEPTA approval for the railroad crossing work has now been secured, allowing the project to move forward. PECO will complete the remaining natural gas main installation and replace the remaining natural gas service on S. State Street in both Newtown Borough and Newtown Township.
To safely perform this work, temporary road closures will be required with clearly marked detours to support adjusted traffic patterns. Impacts will occur Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Access to all businesses will be maintained for the entirety of the project. Emergency access, mail and package delivery, trash collection, and school bus transportation will remain uninterrupted.
PECO expects the remaining replacement work to be completed in June 2026. Immediately following completion, restoration work will begin and is expected to take approximately two to three weeks. All affected streets will be restored to their pre-construction condition.
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June 22, 2:41 PM
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This "Deep Dive" podcast analyzes the Newtown Township Treasurer’s Report for the period ending March 31, 2026.
This comprehensive financial summary details the allocation of over $11 million in combined cash across various municipal accounts, including the General Fund, Fire Protection, and Capital Projects. The reports include detailed balance sheets that list local assets and liabilities alongside budgetary comparisons for both revenues and expenditures.
Key data points highlight the township's primary income sources, such as real estate and enabling act taxes, while tracking operational costs for public safety, public works, and administrative services. Ultimately, these records offer a transparent view of the township’s fiscal health and spending efficiency through the first quarter of the 2026 fiscal year.
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June 23, 7:42 AM
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Local officials in Newtown Borough recently announced that LightPath has abandoned plans to install fiber optic lines through the town's historic center. This decision follows significant public opposition from residents concerned about potential environmental damage to local trees and threats to historic properties.
During a June meeting, Council President Emily Heinz confirmed that the company is currently evaluating two alternate routes that would bypass the municipality entirely.
This shift should ensure that upcoming infrastructure work will not disrupt the borough, allowing scheduled road repaving projects to proceed without interference.
A final decision on the new path depends on securing private easements and necessary permits by the end of the month.
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June 22, 12:50 PM
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[From johnmacknewtown.info, 22 June 2026]
Transparency is the lifeblood of civic health, and every three months, the Newtown Township Treasurer’s Report offers residents a rare chance to look under the municipal hood. While the spreadsheets might be dry, the story they tell is anything but. These documents represent the most honest narrative of a community's priorities, showing exactly where tax dollars are flowing versus where they were intended to go.
The most recent report, covering the period ending March 31, 2026, marks the completion of the first quarter. With exactly 25% of the fiscal year elapsed, we can now evaluate the Township’s financial performance. In several key areas, the first 90 days of the year have already pushed the 2026 budget to its breaking point.
Speaking of "Transparency," I am happy that the township has taken the advice of Neighbors for Open Government, which have commented on the missing financial reports at previous community meetings.
Meanwhile, still missing are the reports for April and May 2026!
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June 22, 9:25 AM
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Several Pennsylvania legislators are currently advancing multiple bills designed to regulate and restrict the rapid growth of massive data centers across the state.
These legislative efforts aim to provide local municipalities with the legal authority to pause developments for up to 180 days, allowing them to update zoning laws without the pressure of immediate applications.
Other proposed measures seek to increase transparency by requiring developers to disclose environmental impacts on water and electricity before receiving tax incentives. Furthermore, some lawmakers are calling for a three-year statewide moratorium on these "hyper-scale" facilities to protect natural resources and community interests from corporate expansion.
These actions reflect growing public concern regarding the industrial noise, high energy demands, and significant water consumption associated with these large-scale computing hubs. Collectively, the bills represent a push to prioritize public accountability and constitutional rights to clean air and water over unchecked technological development.
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June 21, 10:54 AM
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For too long, the history of the African American experience in our region was a narrative in transit—a story told in fragments, carried in the hearts of descendants, and shared through a "traveling collection" that lacked a fixed horizon. But history, like people, yearns for a place to rest. "Home" is more than a mere destination; it is a sanctuary where stories are anchored and memories are shielded from the erosion of time.
On June 20, the African American Museum of Bucks County (AAMBC) began a profound new chapter as it opens its doors to its first permanent home. This is more than a grand opening; it is a long-awaited homecoming for the voices that have shaped our local landscape for centuries.
After operating as a mobile exhibit since 2014, the organization will now occupy a 300-year-old stone farmhouse that has significant ties to the Underground Railroad.
The restoration project, overseen by county officials, involved over five years of complex renovations to preserve the integrity of the pre-Revolutionary structure.
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johnmacknewtown
June 20, 9:51 AM
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Here is a comparison of two data center ordinances: a local draft ordinance and a model ordinance prepared by PennFuture, a non-profit environmental advocacy and watchdog organization. While both aim to regulate large-scale data storage and processing facilities, they approach the task differently: the local "G-17 Ordinance" is a specific draft for a multi-municipality jointure in Pennsylvania (Newtown, Wrightstown, and Upper Makefield Townships), whereas the "PennFuture" document is a customizable model ordinance intended for general municipal use.
“I appreciate the speed and wanting to get ahead,” said a Newtiown resident at a recent Planning Commission meeting that recommended the local G-17 ordinance “and I absolutely think that site that you referred to out on the bypass absolutely could not now, maybe not in five years, but in ten years, a knock will come at the door. And I just think Newtown Township and the Jointure should all be prepared. [the PennFuture model] is a great model that I've I've identified for you. It really covers everything.”
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johnmacknewtown
June 20, 9:48 AM
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If you’ve walked the intersection of Sycamore and Jefferson streets recently, you’ve likely felt the stagnant energy radiating from the corner once occupied by Guru’s Indian Cuisine. What was once a vibrant node in our community’s fabric has slumped into a state of visible fatigue—weather-worn siding and a general air of neglect that marks it more as a “problem site” than a landmark.
But for those of us who view Newtown’s architectural heritage as the soul of the township, there is a pulse of renewal on the horizon. Developer Adam Baratta isn't just looking to flip a property; he’s proposing a transformation that promises to turn this prominent eyesore back into a premier attraction.
The project recently achieved a major milestone, earning a unanimous recommendation of support from the township’s planning commission. This rare alignment of a private developer, the HARB, and local planners speaks volumes about the quality of the proposal.
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johnmacknewtown
June 20, 8:04 AM
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[Source: "The $133,000 Opioid Settlement Dilemma"]
This “Deep Dive” podcast documents a Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting where officials debated the allocation of $133,000 in opioid settlement funds.
The township solicitor proposed a Memorandum of Understanding to transfer these funds to Bucks County, arguing that the township lacks the necessary infrastructure to manage permitted drug treatment programs.
While some board members supported the move to ensure the continuation of a county-funded co-responder program, others expressed concerns that the township would lose local control over the money.
Facing a fast-approaching deadline to obligate the funds, the board ultimately voted to table the motion to allow for further research into regional options.
Comments:
Public comment suggested keeping the funds local to support drug education within the Council Rock School District, highlighting a perceived lack of transparency regarding eligible uses. Opponents of the transfer argued that the township might be marginalized by the county due to its affluence and questioned why local alternatives hadn't been fully explored.
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johnmacknewtown
June 20, 7:55 AM
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[Source: "Newtown Township 10 June 2026 Bills List Analysis"]
The Newtown Township Bills List for June 10, 2026, details a total expenditure of $1,045,306.36 across various municipal funds. The most significant financial obligation during this period is debt service, which accounts for over 59% of the total spend. Other major areas of expenditure include public safety police and fire protection, health insurance premiums, and preparations for summer recreational programming.
A “reMarkable Paper Pro Bundle” was purchased for the IT Director $779.00. While the tablet works independently for local note-taking, it seamlessly connects to official desktop and mobile apps to sync files via the cloud. It also offers direct integration with Google Drive, Microsoft OneDrive, and Dropbox.
My vision of how the NEW IT Director (whoever he/she may be) should be using the “reMarkable Paper” is to remind him/her of the township’s website problems.
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johnmacknewtown
June 20, 7:23 AM
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[Source: "Summary of the 9 June 2026 NBCJMA Board Meeting"]
The Newtown, Bucks County, Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) Board of Directors met on June 9, 2026, to address critical financial transfers, infrastructure project milestones, and ongoing legal challenges regarding property dedication.
A primary point of public concern involved the 26% sewer fee increase previously levied to fund land for a now-abandoned wastewater treatment plant. The Board indicated a zero-percent probability of a full rollback but acknowledged potential for a partial reduction.
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June 20, 7:17 AM
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The Newtown Creek Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge & Trail project, detailed in Addendum #2 of the May 1, 2026, rebid specifications, involves the construction of a 170-linear foot timber and steel girder bridge and a 493-linear foot asphalt trail in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
The project uses a “Base Bid” and “Add Alternate” structure to give the Newtown Creek Coalition and associated municipalities flexibility in award selection based on available funding and project priorities.
Originally estimated at $750,000 the project was intended to be fully funded by a $999,979 Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Local Share Account (LSA) grant. However, the reality of the bids has left the township with a massive problem: the lowest bid came in at $1.1 million, with the high end reaching $1.5 million.
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johnmacknewtown
June 20, 7:01 AM
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[From: The Reporter]
Officials in Montgomery Township are currently developing a formal ordinance to regulate the construction and operation of data centers within their borders.
Because existing local laws do not address this specific industry, the township is working to establish zoning restrictions that confine these facilities to limited industrial areas. The proposed legislation includes environmental protections regarding noise, water usage, and heat, while also adjusting setback requirements to ensure the rules are not legally indefensible.
By proactively drafting these guidelines, the municipality aims to maintain regulatory control and protect residents before any developers submit official applications.
Under this plan, the planning commissions will review the draft before it moves toward final approval and public feedback.
During the discussion, township officials recommended reducing a proposed residential setback requirement from 1,000 feet to 450 feet after determining the larger setback would effectively prohibit data centers anywhere in the township.
The proposed Newtown Jointure G-17 Ordinance also includes a 1,000 foot residential setback, which leads me to wonder if it would also prohibit data centers in the specified location within Wrightstown.
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johnmacknewtown
June 7, 12:13 PM
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The Newtown Township Bills List for June 10, 2026, details a total expenditure of $1,045,306.36 across various municipal funds. The most significant financial obligation during this period is debt service, which accounts for over 59% of the total spend. Other major areas of expenditure include public safety police and fire protection, health insurance premiums, and preparations for summer recreational programming.
The document reflects a high volume of seasonal activity, specifically regarding Summer Camp and Adventure Camp logistics, as well as routine infrastructure maintenance and professional inspection services. Notable individual payments include a $545,000 principal payment for a building loan and a $46,788 monthly inspection fee.
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johnmacknewtown
June 7, 8:40 AM
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[Reported by Brett Duffey, Friday, June 5, 2026, in the Bucks County Herald.]
Newtown Township residents are raising concerns about development decisions, transparency and public participation in local government.
The proposed Lafayette One development project, a proposal for several single family homes where Lafayette Street currently dead-ends just beyond Sterling Street, figures in the discussion.
Longtime resident Neil Messina said nearby residents had submitted letters expressing concerns about the proposal and hoped the board would carefully review them before any future decisions are made.
“I just hope that you've had the opportunity or will have the opportunity to review the concerns of the residents,” Messina told the board.
The strongest criticism came from Newtown Grant resident Bradley Cooper, who accused township officials of consistently siding with developers over residents.
“Applicants get almost whatever they want,” Cooper said. “They never get stopped. They never get questioned. They never get challenged. They never get told 'no.'”
Cooper referenced several developments, including Toll Brothers projects, commercial developments, and a proposed daycare center, arguing that residents repeatedly voiced objections but saw projects approved anyway.
“The residents are always the second-class citizens in this township,” Cooper said. “We're always looked at, no matter how many people are up here, that we don't matter.”
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johnmacknewtown
June 5, 11:46 AM
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June 5, 10:19 AM
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The Newtown Area Joint Zoning Council convened on June 4, 2026, primarily to focus on expediting a new zoning ordinance (JMZO 2026-03) to regulate data center development. Prioritizing speed to avoid a "regulatory vacuum," the Council aims to establish an immediate legal framework to prevent developers from filing applications under existing, less specific zoning categories. The goal is to get a foundational ordinance on the books quickly, with the understanding that technical revisions and refinements will be made shortly after adoption.
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June 4, 7:48 AM
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A June 3, 2026, “town hall” meeting addressed the pending sale of Chandler Hall, a long-standing Quaker-affiliated senior living community, to a private for-profit investor. Answering questions from the audience were Sherrin Johnson, Chair of the Chandler Hall Board and representatives of SilverWave, LLC, an investment firm acquiring and improving underperforming senior housing communities including Chandler Hall.
The session served as an initial introduction to the new SilverWave management and an attempt to “mitigate” community concerns regarding the transition from non-profit to for-profit status.
For background, read "The Future of Chandler Hall."
Originally estimated at $750,000 the project was intended to be fully funded by a $999,979 Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Local Share Account (LSA) grant. However, the reality of the bids has left the township with a massive problem: the lowest bid came in at $1.1 million, with the high end reaching $1.5 million.