Summary of 11 December 2024 BOS Meeting
This is my personal summary of the December 11, 2024, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Access the 2024 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2024 BOS meetings to date. Also, access the (UNOFFICIAL) 2024 BOS Voting Record.
Agenda Items, Discussions, Decisions, and More
- 2025 Budget Adoption
- Public Comment
- NBCJMA Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) Presentation
- Electric Vehicle Charging Station JMZO Amendment
- November 2024 Police Report
- Other Items of Interest
2025 Budget Adoption
The BOS voted 5-0 to approve the amended 2025 Budget. There will be no tax increase – the millage tax rate remains at 13.225 mills. The Exempt Personnel Pay, however, increases by 9.0% over 2024. For Management, the increase is 13.1% with the highest increase being 19.2% (see table below):
At the meeting, I noted that the average increase 2025 v 2024 is 9%, which I was happy the township could afford to pay its staff but I wish that the Social Security cost of living adjustment for 2025 was more than 2,5%! Just Sayin’
Public Comment
Delancey Court Residents Vs. 413 Durham Rd Project
Delancey Court residents Steven Kieley and Frank McCarron expressed concern about the possible unsafe traffic conditions that could result from the volume of traffic from ingress and egress by users and employees of the future medical arts/daycare and office buildings (Durham Investments, LP, 413 Durham Road) across the street from their community. They suggested that the developer is amendable to building 21 townhomes, which was previously rejected by the BOS. They asked that the BOS not oppose that plan as opposed to the current plan, which would result in unsafe traffic on Durham Rd at multiple times during the day.
NBCJMA Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) Presentation
Why is the Authority Pursuing a New WWTP?
Life Cycles Cost Comparison – BCWSA vs New WWTP
Residents Comment on Proposed Sewage Treatment Plant
Several knowledgeable Newtown and Middletown residents made comments regarding NBCJMA's (aka Newtown Sewer Authority) proposal to build a state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant on Lower Silver Lake Road. Newtown resident Frank McCarron had concerns about the cost estimates and especially regarding the projected rate increases.
“When I see a hockey stick projection seeing costs going up like this [for BCWSA] but we're [WWTP] going to be flat or neutral, I normally don't buy it,” said Mr. McCarron who is a retired CFO.
Middletown residents - including Gary Sondermeyer and Peter Jordan - were concerned about the odor and were skeptical that there would not be any odor. Mr. Sondermeyer is an expert in these matters. He prepared the following chart showing businesses and residents within 1.5 miles of the plant. His point was that any odor escaping from the plant can be detected by the human nose as far as 1.5 miles from the plant.
“Mr. supervisor,” said Mr. Sondermeyer who spent 30 years at the NJ DEP as an environmental professional, “you mentioned going down to the Jersey Shore and passing by the Ewing-Lawrence Sewerage Authority (ELSA) and I drove through there today and the stench truly was unbelievable and it went for about 1.5 miles - so it's not a localized issue.” (see the video below).
Video of resident comments...
My Detailed Notes
See pages 109-114 of the 2024 BOS Chronicle (PDF) for more detailed notes regarding this meeting.
Official Video
Transcript
Download the time-stamped transcript of this meeting prepared by Youtube from the video: download PDF document.
Connect With Us