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onto Newtown News of Interest July 10, 7:50 AM
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On July 8, 2026, Sunoco Pipeline LP (SPLP), an Energy Transfer partnership, held a public meeting to present its Remedial Action Plan (RAP) concerning a jet fuel leak in the Mt. Eyre Manor neighborhood of Upper Makefield Township, Pennsylvania. The leak, discovered in February 2025 from the Twin Oaks-Newark 14-inch diameter pipeline, resulted in an estimated release of 6,500 gallons of jet fuel into the local soil and fractured bedrock.
Listen to this informative podcast summary...
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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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Today, 9:17 AM
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This blog post details an ongoing effort by community members in Newtown Township to secure critical safety improvements for a crosswalk on South Sycamore Street.
Local residents and staff from Chandler Hall Health Services are advocating for the installation of flashing beacons and pedestrian-activated signals to protect those navigating the busy campus.
While the Board of Supervisors initially authorized design estimates nearly a year ago, project progress has been hampered by regulatory complexities and specific requirements from PennDOT.
Officials noted that state involvement may necessitate moving the crosswalk to a nearby intersection, which complicates both the engineering scope and the timeline for securing multimodal grants.
My analysis of the April 2026 Treasurer’s Report [read the analysis] may shed some light on another reason for a delay. Township spending is purposely kept under budget despite overruns by cutting back services provided by other departments such as engineering—for example, traffic studies and surveys undertaken in preparation for approved projects. As discussed in that article, some members of the public have questioned why the township has been so slow in beginning preliminary work on approved pedestrian safety projects. Now they know why!
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July 31, 1:25 PM
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The April 2026 Newtown Township Treasurer's Report documents that the township has significantly exceeded its budget just a third of the way into the year, such as Public Works Overtime (which is currently at 538% of its budget), Snow & Ice Removal Contracted Services (156% of its budget), and General Administration Credit Card Fees (103% of its budget).
Nevertheless, total spending is still under budget because these overruns are offset by cutting back services provided by other departments such as engineering. Some members of the public have questioned why the township has been so slow in beginning preliminary work on approved pedestrian safety projects. Now they know why!
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July 31, 9:43 AM
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The municipalities of Newtown Township, Upper Makefield Township, and Wrightstown Township are proposing a joint amendment to the Newtown Area Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance (JMZO). The amendment seeks to create a new land use category, G-17 Data Center, and permit it as a conditional use within the QA-A Quarry/Agricultural Zoning District.
Recognizing data centers as an emerging land use, the Joint Municipal Zoning Council aims to proactively regulate these large-scale facilities to ensure they remain compatible with local infrastructure and community character. The ordinance establishes rigorous standards for dimensional requirements, utility consumption, noise mitigation, and lighting, while mandating comprehensive decommissioning protocols backed by financial security. Public hearings for the adoption of this ordinance are scheduled for August 2026 across the three participating townships.
The Newtown Board of Supervisors at its 22 July 2026 meeting moved to advance a revised data center ordinance to the Jointure, the multi-township zoning agreement with Wrightstown and Upper Makefield, despite vocal pushback from residents like Kim Caputo, who labeled the draft “weak” compared to national standards.
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July 30, 12:01 PM
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The Newtown Creek Pedestrian Bridge project is currently facing a significant financial crisis as construction bids have repeatedly exceeded the available grant funding. Although the township secured nearly one million dollars for the work, a substantial portion has already been consumed by administrative and legal fees, leaving only $836,025 for actual building costs. Despite efforts to reduce expenses through simplified design specifications, the most recent contractor proposals still far outpace this remaining budget. This persistent gap has led to sharp criticism regarding the engineering firm’s ability to align the project’s scope with its economic reality. Consequently, local leaders must now decide whether to seek a third round of bids, replace their current consultants, or cancel the bridge project entirely.
Is a “Three-Peat” Needed?
I believe the same fate awaits the ReBID – rejection of all bids. The question then will be SHOULD A NEW ReBID process be launched – i.e., a “Three-Peat”? Does the bridge need a redesign? Is Howell Engineering up to task? Should Newtown disengage with Howell Engineering and demand a refund for failed execution, which can be used to hire a new engineering company for a complete redesign?
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July 29, 12:22 PM
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Residents are asking for a sewer rate refund because the authority previously raised sewer rates to purchase land for a sewer project that has now been canceled.
The Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) originally borrowed money to purchase a property for $11.5 million, which caused residents' rates to increase. Now that the authority is abandoning the project and selling the land to DeLuca's Newtown LLC for the same price of $11.5 million, residents believe they should get their money back or see a rate reduction.
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July 29, 10:41 AM
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On July 28, 2026, the Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority, also known as the Newtown Sewer Authority, voted unanimously to approve an agreement of sale for its Lower Silver Lake Road property to DeLuca Newtown LLC for $11.5 million.
DeLuca Newtown LLC is believed to be affiliated with DeLuca Homes or DeLuca Design Build, a Bucks County homebuilder with operations in the Newtown area. The company has used single-purpose limited liability companies for individual property acquisitions and development projects.
The 6-0 vote marks a major step away from the Authority’s abandoned plan to construct a wastewater treatment facility on the property. The proposed sale price matches the amount the Authority originally paid for the land.
Listen to this audio podcast...The Sewer Authority Land Sale Charade
However, questions remain about whether the transaction will lead to lower sewer rates or refunds for customers who have been paying higher bills while the project was under consideration.
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July 27, 8:46 AM
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*Matt is referring to the 203 N Sycamore St property - formerly Guru's Indian restaurant - that is being gutted and remade into an upscale restaurant. Many residents have told me that the design does not fit within the Newtown historic district despite the fact that HARB has endorsed the project.
Coincidently (?), the developer Adam Baratta has indicated that he wants to make a film documenting the history of the site.
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July 27, 7:51 AM
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The authority acquired the land by eminent domain for $11.5 million in 2024 with plans to build a wastewater treatment plant at the site.
The Newtown, Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority will meet in special session this week to consider selling a 17.5-acre property on Lower Silver Lake Road, originally proposed for a future sewer treatment plant.
At its July meeting, the authority tabled action on the proposed sale and later scheduled a special meeting for July 28 beginning at 2 p.m. to consider a motion to sell the property or to consider a letter of intent to sell
The former owners subsequently filed for damages totaling $690,000, a motion that was quashed by a judge at the request of the authority.
After acquiring the land, the authority raised rates by 47 percent, 26 percent of which was to fund the acquisition of the property.
The board, which is made up of appointed representatives from Newtown Borough and Newtown Township, has made no decisions on what it would do with the proceeds from a sale of the property.
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July 26, 7:46 AM
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While local government proceedings often look like a sea of mundane motions on paper, the July 22nd 2026 meeting of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) proved that the “fine print” of these sessions carries the weight of the town’s future.
From the regional zoning of high-tech infrastructure to the potential dismantling of iconic community institutions, the evening revealed a township in the midst of a profound—and often tense—transition.
With the data center ordinance heading toward a critical public hearing in late August or September, and the Attorney General weighing the fate of Chandler Hall, Newtown finds itself at a crossroads.
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July 23, 12:50 PM
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At the 22 July 2026 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting, several residents spoke out against duplicate billing, Chandler Hall sale and data centers and in support of safer crosswalks.
Regarding the "duplicate" “boiler replacemenT” billing: I obtained the two invoices via a RTK this AM. The first for $25,000 was actually a deposit to purchase the equipment/boiler, NOT the actual "replacement" of the boiler as indicated in the Bills List. The second invoice for $33,500 was for the work done to actually replace the boiler. I don't know why the Assistant Manager did not explain this at the public meeting where I made my comments.
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July 20, 7:53 AM
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Chandler Hall—a long-standing nonprofit, Quaker-affiliated senior care and hospice community—is in the process of being sold to CIG/99 Barclay Propco LLC.
CIG/99 Barclay Propco LLC is a private, for-profit real estate holding entity structured to acquire and hold physical real estate assets, not senior care communities. It is likely, therefore, that the sale would result in the Chandler Hall property being converted into a for-profit senior living housing complex.
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, or OAG, must review this transaction to ensure that it does not adversely affect the health needs of the community.
There is still time to voice your concern. Submit a comment opposing this sale to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. That is exactly what I intend to do. Read more to find out how...
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July 19, 9:24 AM
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In Falls Township, Pennsylvania, an $800 million Amazon data center project is creating a new kind of friction in local communities. Occupying the site of a former industrial titan, this data center campus—part of a broader $20 billion investment in the state—is testing the limits of local infrastructure, environmental policy, and community patience.
This “Deep Dive” podcast debates the pros and cons of this project based on a news report of the growing tension between Amazon and the residents of Falls Township, Pennsylvania. While Amazon highlights the promise of job creation and tax revenue, local activists and neighbors remain skeptical, fearing that the facility will strain the electrical grid and degrade their quality of life.
Ultimately, this account illustrates the complex regulatory debate in Bucks County as local municipalities and state lawmakers struggle to balance the rapid expansion of AI digital infrastructure with the protection of public resources and residential peace.
As mentioned by a follower on FB: "The jobs are construction and they bring their own crews, often foreign, into the community . These crews have huge amounts of money to spend and therefore the greedy people of the community jack the prices up so locals can no longer afford to live there! Check out Abilene, Texas! Hotel room that went for $110 a couple of years ago are now $300-$700 per night! Rent and housing is unbelievable! The locals pay dearly for these water consuming, noise making things!"
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July 17, 8:17 AM
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Key Financial Takeaway: In 2024, Chandler Hall reported approximately $20.1 million in revenue, $21.4 million in expenses, and a $1.27 million operating deficit.
Back on 28 April, 2026, Chandler Hall issued a disclosure statement that provides an overview of Chandler Hall Health Services, Inc., a non-profit continuing care retirement community located in Newtown, Pennsylvania.
Recall that a for-profit LLC is currently in the process of purchasing Chandler Hall. For more on that, read my Newtown Patch article: "Chandler Hall Sale Q&A Town Hall".
The report serves as a formal regulatory filing under state law, ensuring transparency regarding the organization’s management, affiliations, and reserve funding.
To complete the financial analysis, I accessed For 990 tax filing data from 2021 through 2024 provided by Propublica (here). These data were not fully or accurately presented at the June 3, 2026 "Town Hall" mentioned above.
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July 14, 9:21 AM
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The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors recently held a technical session to refine a proposed zoning ordinance regulating the development of data centers.
To address concerns regarding environmental impact and resource consumption, officials are considering stricter mandates for closed-loop cooling systems, noise mitigation, and the use of the public electrical grid.
The draft also includes rigorous procedural oversight, such as requiring financial bonds for future decommissioning and shifting safety reviews to the Fire Marshal.
Local leaders aim to balance industrial growth with community protections by establishing significant setback requirements and height limits based on emergency response capabilities.
Ultimately, the Board seeks to finalize a legally robust framework that prevents excessive strain on public utilities and protects the quality of life for nearby residents.
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July 14, 8:23 AM
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This news report details a cleanup strategy proposed by Energy Transfer and Sunoco following a massive jet fuel leak that contaminated residential wells in Upper Makefield.
The companies plan to implement a 30-day trial of a multi-phase extraction system designed to remove hazardous vapors and pollutants from the local soil and groundwater.
During a public meeting, community members and local officials expressed significant anxiety regarding the ongoing safety of their drinking water and the logistical impact of the remediation machinery.
While residents advocated for a permanent connection to public water, the current proposal focuses on mechanical recovery and hauling away toxic fluids. State environmental regulators must still review and approve the effectiveness of this plan before it can be fully authorized.
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July 13, 9:14 AM
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[Enlarged infographic]
A developer in Upper Hanover Township successfully avoided strict new regulations by filing a data center application just hours before a legislative vote. Because the proposal was submitted on the same day the Board of Supervisors adopted a zoning amendment, the project is exempt from rigorous standards regarding noise, water usage, and clean energy. This "race to file" highlights a legal loophole that a pending state bill seeks to close by allowing municipalities to pause applications once an item is on the public agenda. While the proposed facility is smaller than others in the region, local residents remain concerned about environmental impacts and property values. Currently, the township is exploring ways to strengthen local laws while the developer's legal team challenges whether the existing zoning was originally valid.
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July 12, 8:24 AM
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[Source: Bucks County Herald, July 10, 2026]
Residents and officials in Upper Makefield recently confronted representatives from Energy Transfer and Sunoco regarding a Remedial Action Plan for a massive jet fuel leak.
Image: Kim Brunnquell came to the podium with a tube covered in plastic. When she unwrapped the canister-shaped filter, she said it had been white when installed at her home three months ago. It was supposed to last a year but the contaminants it was filtering out of her well water had already stained it almost black.
While the companies proposed a multiphase extraction project to remove thousands of gallons of contaminants, local leaders criticized the report for failing to provide a permanent alternative water supply for those with polluted wells.
Community members expressed deep frustration over the slow pace of recovery and the continued reliance on temporary filtration systems that are quickly overwhelmed by fuel. In response to the crisis, state and federal legislators are advocating for stricter pipeline safety laws and increased independent oversight of the environmental cleanup.
State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-10, and Newtown Township resident John Mack asked if Sunoco was checking for other potential leaks along the 105-mile long, 70-year-old pipeline. The pipe carries jet fuel from Sunoco refineries in Delaware County through the Philadelphia suburbs, across the river and on to Newark, N.J.
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July 10, 2:17 PM
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This "Deep Dive" podcast recaps the July 8, 2026, Newtown Township Board of Supervisors session.
At the very beginning a public comments by a resident regarding pedestrian safety and request for updates on progress regarding safe crosswalks is met with complete silence. Crickets were heard is how to best describe this,
During the meeting, local officials discussed several infrastructure and safety updates, including pedestrian crosswalk improvements and road maintenance payments. A significant portion of the session was dedicated to reviewing a proposed data center ordinance and specific zoning variances for residential fencing and property additions.
The Police Chief also delivered a monthly report detailing local crime statistics, recent traffic enforcement efforts, and the department's involvement in regional events.
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July 10, 1:25 PM
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This July 2026 newsletter provides a comprehensive update on civic and financial matters affecting the Newtown, Pennsylvania area. It highlights the midyear budget analysis, revealing how tax dollars.
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July 10, 7:50 AM
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On July 8, 2026, Sunoco Pipeline LP (SPLP), an Energy Transfer partnership, held a public meeting to present its Remedial Action Plan (RAP) concerning a jet fuel leak in the Mt. Eyre Manor neighborhood of Upper Makefield Township, Pennsylvania. The leak, discovered in February 2025 from the Twin Oaks-Newark 14-inch diameter pipeline, resulted in an estimated release of 6,500 gallons of jet fuel into the local soil and fractured bedrock.
Listen to this informative podcast summary...
The leak was from a 2.5-inch crack in the pipeline under a Glenwood Drive property, described as a 'slow drip' by pipeline company officials.
At the meeting, Newtown Township resident John Mack expressed concern regarding the 70-year-old pipeline’s proximity to Newtown and the potential for the MPE drawdown to pull contamination toward the Artesian water supply.
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July 10, 7:44 AM
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The July 8, 2026, meeting of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors addressed critical updates regarding regional land use, infrastructure maintenance, and public safety. The meeting was attended by four supervisors, with Kyle Davis noted as absent.
https://sco.lt/57JvrUA significant portion of the session was dedicated to the Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance (JMZO) amendment regarding data centers, which has undergone eight substantive and procedural revisions proposed by Wrightstown Township.
Another ver short (40 minute), sparsely attended, BOS meeting! In dact, Mr. Feuer was the only resident in attendanxe.
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July 7, 1:00 PM
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This briefing document provides a comprehensive synthesis of Newtown Township Police Department (NTPD) traffic enforcement activity and citation data for the period of January 1, 2026, through May 31, 2026. The analysis is based on recorded incidents across Newtown Township and Wrightstown.
Listen to this informative podcast summary...
The traffic citation data from the first five months of 2026 reveals a consistent pattern of enforcement, primarily focused on vehicle compliance and administrative regulations. The Newtown Bypass serves as the most frequent site for traffic stops, accounting for a significant majority of all citations issued.
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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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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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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!
The leak was from a 2.5-inch crack in the pipeline under a Glenwood Drive property, described as a 'slow drip' by pipeline company officials.
At the meeting, Newtown Township resident John Mack expressed concern regarding the 70-year-old pipeline’s proximity to Newtown and the potential for the MPE drawdown to pull contamination toward the Artesian water supply.