John Mack Newtown

11 March 2026 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary

1. Meeting Overview and Administrative Actions

The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) convened for a regular public session on March 11, 2026. The meeting addressed critical infrastructure liabilities, public safety coordination with federal authorities, and time-sensitive land use decisions. Four supervisors were present, with Supervisor Murk noted as absent.

Administrative and Financial Approvals

The Board approved the meeting minutes from February 25, 2026, with a 3-0-1 vote (one abstention). Financial authorizations were executed as follows:

Action Description Amount
Bills List Approval Disbursement for the March 11, 2026, cycle $378,678.51
Fund Transfers Authorized inter-fund movements $31,958.94

Policy Note: During the review of the Bills List, the Board demonstrated fiduciary oversight regarding a $260 charge for "tarot reading." It was clarified that this was an expense related to a Parks and Recreation department class.

Perhaps this detailed scrutiny of a municipal expenditure is a result of my criticism of including approval for bills in the “consent agenda” without any discussion of details. For more on that, read “Former #NewtownPA Supervisor Mack Questions Newtown Township Spending, Transparency.”

2. Featured Public Comments: John Mack

Resident John Mack presented testimony regarding a governance vacuum within the Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC) and a critical proposal for land preservation.

2.1 Environmental Advisory Commission (EAC) Governance Vacuum

Mr. Mack reported the failure of the EAC meeting scheduled for March 9, 2026. Despite an official agenda being posted, the meeting could not proceed because the building was locked and only one member arrived.

  • Current Vacancies: The EAC has been reduced to three members following the resignation of Chair Amy Easterly. Peter Gillies currently serves as Acting Chair.
  • Quorum Constraint: Under the current seven-member structure, a quorum of four is legally required. With only three members remaining, the body is effectively paralyzed and cannot vote or take official action.
  • Reconstitution Proposal: Mack proposed that the BOS immediately reconstitute the EAC as a five-member council.
  • Legal Rationale: Per Township Code, the council must consist of no fewer than five and no more than seven members. A five-member structure reduces the quorum requirement to three, allowing the current members to resume operations immediately.

2.2 Newtown Sewer Authority Land Sale

Mr. Mack addressed the status of the $11.5 million parcel originally acquired for a now-abandoned Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

  • Timeline: A 90-day buy-back offer was issued to the original owners on November 24, 2025. This window expired yesterday, March 10, 2026 (Day 106), with no response.
  • Status: The Authority solicitor confirmed they are now seeking court permission for an open market sale. Mack expressed concern that a market sale will not result in a reversal of the municipal utility rate hikes implemented to service the land acquisition loan.

Proposal: To prevent high-density residential development, the Authority should donate the land or sell it to the Township for $1 for permanent preservation.

Policy Precedent: Mack cited Silver Lake Park on the Bypass as the primary model. In that instance, Bucks County transferred the land to the Township for $1 under strict non-development stipulations. He urged the Board to act before a court-ordered market sale commences.

Mack's Newtown Voice · John Mack Comments on Sewer Authority Land Sale

3. Public Hearing Results and Conditional Approvals

3.1 PJW Restaurant Group (P.J. Whelihan’s) Conditional Use

The Board granted conditional use approval for an "E5 Eating Place" at 2920 S. Eagle Road, subject to 16 conditions as outlined in the ARO Consulting review letter dated February 5, 2026. Key operational constraints include:

  • Hours of Operation: Sunday–Thursday (11:00 AM – 11:00 PM); Friday–Saturday (11:00 AM – 1:00 AM).
  • Operational Limits: Maximum of 29 employees per shift. Deliveries restricted to two semi-tractor trailers per week (6:00 AM – 10:00 AM) and one box truck per day.
  • Environmental & Buffer Compliance: Prohibitions on outdoor speakers/intercoms. A sound-buffering trigger was included: if the use negatively impacts nearby residents, the applicant must install sound mitigation to the Township’s satisfaction.
  • Industrial Zoning Safeguard: The "G1 Manufacturing Use" (beer production) must remain strictly accessory. This policy ensures the site cannot transition into a standalone industrial brewery, maintaining the character of the retail village.

3.2 SALDO Amendment: Native vs. Invasive Species

The Board enacted an amendment to the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance (SALDO). This legislative update, prioritized by the Township Planner, mandates the use of native species in development projects and prohibits invasive species to protect the local ecosystem.

4. Police and Official Reports

4.1 Municipal Safety and Performance Metrics

Chief Hearn presented the February 2026 report, highlighting Newtown’s status as a premier safe community.

  • Safewise Study: Newtown Township was officially ranked as the 7th safest place to live in the Commonwealth.
  • Operational Resilience: The department successfully managed a significant weather event on February 26 (14+ inches of snow) with no major public safety incidents.
  • Monthly Statistics: 2,290 calls for service; 10 arrests (including burglary and child endangerment); and a notable $185,000 romance fraud case currently under investigation.
  • Public Safety Warnings: Residents are urged to be vigilant regarding AI impersonation scams and "grandchild in custody" fraud.

4.2 Federal Coordination: NYC Terrorist Attack Investigation

Newtown Township Police provided critical local support to the FBI following a terrorist attack in New York City involving a resident.

  • Climber Street Search: Officers coordinated a search warrant on Climber Street (off Snoopville). While no arrests were made at that location, the FBI Evidence Response Team confiscated several items.
  • Explosive Device Detonations: Simultaneously, authorities located explosive devices at a storage center in Middletown Township; three items were detonated for safety.
  • Vehicle Recovery: A secondary vehicle linked to the suspect was located at the Anchor Shopping Center (Route 413 and 232). After a K9 unit gave a positive hit, the Philadelphia Bomb Squad cleared the vehicle, allowing the parking lot to reopen after an overnight closure.

5. Liability and Infrastructure Concerns

Residents raised significant concerns regarding municipal liability and enforcement of land development agreements.

  • Larry Grant (Autumn Drive): Reported that Cripplewood Creek Office Park (owned by Metropolitan Commercial Development) removed a required buffer fence without a replacement plan. This constitutes a potential violation of the 2005 land development approvals. Grant requested the Board enforce the original buffer requirements to maintain residential safety and separation.
  • Dmitri Stan (Woods of Saxony HOA): Raised significant liability concerns regarding municipal infrastructure failure.
    1. Speed Mitigation: Requested solar-powered speed signs on Yorkshire Drive to address "cut-through" traffic.
    2. Infrastructure Failure: Reported recurring sinkholes at Yorkshire and Saxony Drives. A resident's family member suffered a broken leg due to a sinkhole in 2024. Policy Conflict: Stan highlighted that while the Public Works Director found no issues, an independent engineering report (January 2026) commissioned by the HOA concludes the municipal storm sewer pipes are severely damaged and are the direct cause of the instability. This creates a direct legal and liability risk for the Township.
  • John de April: Reported safety hazards on the bypass involving high-speed right turns from cross-streets and requested formal coordination with PennDOT.

6. Consent Agenda and Future Business

The Board approved the purchase of a 2026 International CV Dump truck ($181,581) via the Highway Aid Fund and a water line installation at Veterans Park ($10,910) for baseball field irrigation.