Summary of the 11 June 2025 BOS Meeting
This is my personal summary of the June 11, 2025, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary. See 2025 BOS Chronicle for details.
Reports of Board Members
- John Mack – Attended Juneteenth Celebration
- John Mack – Celebrates “LOVE is LOVE” Month n Newtown!
Consent Agenda
- Consider payment of the June 22, 2025 bills list in the amount of $936,047.79 and transfers in the amount of $693,654.67. BOS approved the Consent Agenda 5-0. Refer to the 2025 BOS Chronicle for details.
Manager’s Report
Other Business
Other Agenda Items and Details
Reports of Board Members
Mack Attended Juneteenth Celebration
On Saturday June 7, 2025, I attended the third annual Juneteenth Celebration honoring the contributions of Black soldiers during the American Revolution and Civil War. The event offered a powerful, personal glimpse into the lives of people of color who shaped American history, focusing on the vital contributions of Black soldiers and civilians during the American Revolution and Civil War particularly in the Bucks County region.
Interpreters were dressed in authentic period uniforms as shown in the photo on the right…
I also learned that the newly renovated African American Museum of Bucks County (AAMBC) is expected to reopen this fall. The site is located down the road from St. Mary’s Hospital at Boone Farm and the surrounding 32 acres in Middletown Township. The barn, which has been empty for over 50 years, is being renovated to house the AAMBC.
Mack Celebrates LOVE is LOVE in Newtown
February is Pride Month. A "Love is Love" resolution was passed by unanimous bipartisan 5-0 vote at the March 11, 2020, Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting. Also, Newtown Township was the first Township in Bucks County PA to pass an Anti-Discrimination Ordinance that created a Human Relations Commission to protect the rights of all citizens in the Commonwealth regardless of sexual orientation or perceived gender.
Juneteenth (short for “June Nineteenth”) marks the day when federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1865 to take control of the state and ensure that all enslaved people be freed. The troops’ arrival came a full two and a half years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States and is considered the longest-running African American holiday. On June 17, 2021, it officially became a federal holiday. Unfortunately, racist President Trump refused to celebrate this Juneteenth, calling it one of “too many non-working hoildays.”
Manager’s Report
Howell Engineering has begun work on the engineering plans for the pedestrian bridge between the Township and the Borough (read “#NewtownPA Creek Bridge Engineering Contract Awarded”. A public input meeting will be held at the Township Building on June 26, 2025 at 7:00 PM. The purpose of the meeting will be to gather public input on the design of the project
LINK: https://rebrand.ly/NTPD_May2025rpt
See 2025 BOS Chronicle for details.
NFA Volunteer Firefighter Program
As previously mentioned at the last meeting, Chief Forsyth and Asst. Chief Weaver have been investigating several options to enhance recruitment and retention of volunteer firefighters. They have prepared a comprehensive memorandum.
This memorandum outlines three proposed options to expand Township support of the volunteer firefighter program. The Township currently provides Newtown Fire Rescue annual financial support of $250,000 in funds generated through tax revenue as well as Pennsylvania Firemen’s Relief Association Aid as allocated by the state.
It is the recommendation of Newtown Fire Rescue to pursue Option 3: The Township allocates an additional $25,000 funding to Newtown Fire Association.
Other Business
After township member Linda Bobrin resigned from the Board in April 2025 there are only 2 township representatives remaining on the NBCJMA Board. Consequently, at the 28 May 2025 #NewtownPA BOS meeting I urged the township to appoint a new member ASAP to replace Ms. Bobrin. This vote was on the agenda of this meeting. However, the motion was tabled by a 4-1 votes (Ms. Snyder voted nay) and no decision was made.
Meanwhile, I hosted a survey prior to the meeting. The survey asked “Which Candidate Do You Suggest I Vote For?” 3 Applicants: Marc Bjorkman, Craig Deutsch, Keith Terry (withdrew 12 June)/ 117 Responses (78% Newtown Township Residents, 18% Middletown).
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