Summary of 11 September 2024 BOS Meeting
This is my personal summary of the September 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
- Public Comment
- Reports of Board Members
- Public Hearing
- Engineer’s Report
- Manager's Report
- Other Items of Interest
Residents Get No Response from Zoning Office
Ann and Mark Friend commented on the fact that their correspondence with the Zoning Office goes unanswered. They had specific complaints about work being done on a neighbor's property, specifically whether or not the work was what the Zoning Hearing Board approved.
Their case is of concern to me because it seems they have been getting the runaround and/or not getting the correct information about who they should contact regarding their complaint. Officials have been mistakenly advised Mr. and Ms. Friend that they need to speak with the Zoning Officer, but when they do they get no response. I believe they should at least get some response from the Zoning Officer even if that person is not the right one to deal with the complaint. More follow up...
On 21 August 2024, my wife and I joined scores of Newtown residents at Chandler Field to give a huge welcome home to the Blue Dawgs – the Newtown/Council Rock Little World Series Team. While these young ballplayers came up short in the quest for the Little League World Series trophy, they came home big winners in the eyes of the Newtown community. More details...
After posting this on FB, I learned that the 2005 team was awarded plaques by the township (see image). I suggested that we do the same for this team and I am happy to say that the township is working to make this happen.
I attended the Joint Zoning Council on 6 September 2024 where I presented an Ithaca, NY “Art Murals” ordinance in the hope that the Council would consider working on a similar ordinance for the Jointure. The ordinance was summarized in a blog post entitled “Legislation Recognizes The Benefits of Street Art & Murals” by General Code, which hosts the JMZO documents.
“Street art and murals are more than just creative expressions,” said Genera Code, “they are powerful tools for enhancing the livability and sustainability of a community.” Recognizing the various benefits of street art, many local governments are updating their ordinances to support and regulate public art projects. These updated ordinances often include provisions for the creation, maintenance, and preservation of murals. Cooperation between local governments, artists, and community organizations is becoming increasingly common.
Back in early 2024, Barbara Simmons – former Executive Director of the Peace Center – and I discussed my idea of initiating a “Love is Love” mural project in Newtown (see Meet Mack Monday 26 February 2024). Ms. Simmons worked with several communities and police departments in Bucks County such as Quakertown, Morrisville, Falls Township, Bristol Township to bring police and community members together to gain understanding and improve relationships through mural arts projects.
When I asked if Barbara was still interested in a mural project in the Newtown area she said: “The short answer is ABSOLUTELY!! I want to involve George School, CRN, BCCC students as well as 3 different police departments. I now have a local mural artist.”
I urge the BOS to consider supporting such an ordinance at the JZC. It is my hope that by developing such an ordinance the public will become more aware of the benefits of a mural project in Newtown.
Golden Girl Fitness Business Signage
COMMENTS/QUESTIONS REGARDING SIGNAGE
I recently learned that a business located in the Newtown Shopping Center – where the Farmer’s Market is located – was denied a request for a small (2ft x 3ft) LED sign in its window that identified services offered (see image).
The application was denied because – according to Ana Gindhart, Newtown’s Zoning Officer – it violated Section 1106(H)(4)(A) of the JMZO, which states "No more than one sign shall be erected for any establishment unless such establishment has a facade and/or an entrance on more than one street, common parking area, or pedestrian way, in which event, one sign may be erected on each street, common parking area or pedestrian way upon which the individual establishment has a facade and/or an entrance."
MY QUESTION: Aside from a sign identifying your business located below the roof line above the entrance, do you intend to have any other signs in the windows/door of your establishment such as a sign that identifies the services you offer or any sign that is NOT a Public Service Sign, which is defined as "The message of such sign shall be limited to direction, hours of operation, building identification, or similar purpose"?
ANSWER: They are “well aware” of the ordinance and have no plans for additional signage.
Supervisors approved this Conditional Use by 3-0 vote.
Bids for the Newtown Township Pedestrian Upgrades
The BOS approved the advertisement for bids related to this project at the August 14, 2024, BOS meeting. See page 78 of the 2024 Newtown BOS Chronicle. The Project was advertised for bid on 9/6/24 (see “Notice to Bidders: Newtown Township Pedestrian Upgrades”).
In the video clip below, the Newtown Engineer Dominic Cundari specifically noted that PennDOT had not yet issued a permit for the Tara Blvd/Newtown-Yardly Rd crosswalk despite a timely response by the engineers to a previous PennDOT comment. Nevertheless, a bid for construction of the projects was published anticipating that PennDOT would have no further comments and would issue the permit.
It should be noted that the ARLE Grant covering the costs of these projects specifically states that “Construction activities shall not begin until PennDOT approves the Final Plans and gives the Sponsor written authorization to proceed."
Highlights from the August 2024 Newtown Township Police Department Report:
• 2,520 Total Incidents (versus 2023 monthly average: 1,938 and 1,718 in 2022)
• Average of 81 incidents per day (versus 64 incidents per day in 2023 and 56 in 2022)
• 0 Auto vs Pedestrian incidents (2 YTD versus 4 total in 2023, 7 in 2022, 5 in 2021)
• 182 Traffic Citations, 3 DUI arrests, 16 reportable traffic crashes (120 YTD, 206 total in 2023 and 45 for all of 2022), 4 hit and run incidents (43 YTD versus 48 in 2023)
• 20 Fraud incidents (125 YTD versus 162 total in 2023 and 212 in 2022)
• 3 DUI Arrests (35 YTD versus 44 total in 2023)
• 4 Retail Theft (38 YTD versus 23 in 2023); e.g., July 12, 2024: retail theft at Lululemon -These incidents seem to be increasing, mostly involving Ulta Beauty and Lululemon
• 2 Narcotics Possession (30 YTD versus 22 in 2023)
• 0 Non-Fatal Overdose (6 YTD versus 8 in 2023)
• 0 Safe 2 Say (29 YTD)
• 120 School Checks (1,605 YTD versus 1,572 total for 2023 and 1,360 in 2022
My Detailed Notes
See pages 82-85 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.
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