12 August 2026 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors Meeting Insights

Executive Summary

The August 12, 2026, meeting of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) highlighted several critical points of tension between municipal development, infrastructure planning, and resident safety. The most significant developments include the controversial $11.5 million land sale by the Newtown Sewer Authority (NBCJMA) for residential development, the enactment of a "baseline" data center ordinance despite resident calls for more stringent protections, and the Board’s decision to formally oppose the Apple Montessori School conditional use application.

Additionally, residents voiced urgent concerns regarding pedestrian safety at key intersections, citing high traffic volumes and frequent near-misses.

Public Discourse vs. Private Email

• A resident's inquiry about meeting procedures was met with a suggestion from the chairman to "send an email" and start a private discourse. Neighbors for Open Government & Accountability (NOGA) characterize this as a tactic to avoid public accountability and on-the-record answers.

Board Member Resigns as EAC Liaison

The Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) is currently non-functional due to a lack of a quorum following multiple resignations (Mark Haber, Amy Easterly, and the current chairperson, Lee Gordon).

BOS member Elen Snyder announced that she has “resigned” as Liaison to the EAC. “I no longer am the liaison to the EAC,” said Snyder, “and also there is no longer a quorum in the EAC. They are missing a lot of people.”

“So, if, anybody wants to be a Liaison to the EAC, which is probably one of the most difficult Liaisons to be a party to because it involves, you know, physical work,” claimed Ms. Snyder. “But if anybody, any supervisor wants to, I'd certainly bring them up to speed.”

Unfortunately, no Board member volunteered for the job. There is speculation the BOS removed her to facilitate a "rebuild" of the council. “There's a lot of problems with the whole process going on over there,” Snyder claimed without elaborating on what those problems were. No member of the EAC was present to counter that claim or identify exactly who or what was the “problem.” Obviously, the main problem right now is a lack of a quorum (only 3 members remain).

Land Development and Zoning Controversies

NBCJMA Land Sale (Lower Silver Lake Road)

The Newtown Sewer Authority (NBCJMA) has entered into a Real Property Purchase Agreement with DeLuca Newtown LLC to sell approximately 17.87 acres on Lower Silver Lake Road for $11,500,000.00.

• Background: The property was originally acquired via eminent domain for a sewage treatment plant, a plan later abandoned due to community opposition.
• Proposed Use: The buyer intends to develop a townhouse community, which would require a zoning variance as the use is not permitted in the OR District.

• Public Opposition: Residents expressed strong opposition to rezoning this land for residential use, noting that a similar proposal from KRE/42 University LLC was rejected by the township in 2023. Critics argue that "nothing has changed" since that rejection and that multi-family housing would negatively impact traffic and the character of the surrounding "country road."
• Financial Concerns: Despite the $11.5 million sale price, which matches the original purchase cost, a 26.1% sewer rate hike remains in effect. The Authority expects to use the proceeds to satisfy loans, closing costs, and legal fees before considering if they can "lighten the load" for customers.

For more details regarding this, read #NewtownPA Sewer Authority Land Sale Agreement .

Apple Montessori School Proposal (1 Ice Cream Alley)

Apple Montessori Schools presented a sketch plan to renovate the vacant Right Aide pharmacy building into a childcare facility for 142 children.

• Key Features: The plan includes seven classrooms, outdoor play areas, and a small instructional salt-water swimming pool.
  • Resident and Board Concerns:
  • Traffic and Parking: The shopping center parking lot is described as "notoriously congested" and dangerous for adults, let alone 142 children. Montessori offered the following plan to show that deliveries and familu arrivals could be separated,
  
  
   
  • Swimming Pool: Residents and some board members expressed concern over the safety of a pool in a high-traffic shopping center, though the applicant argued it is for instructional use only with certified lifeguards.
  • Zoning Fit: Supervisors questioned why the applicant chose this "difficult spot" rather than the township's dedicated overlay district designed for such uses.

Board Action: The BOS voted to authorize the engagement of outside counsel and witnesses to oppose the Conditional Use application. 

“This was placed on the agenda based on concerns that arose from the recent Planning Commission meeting,” said Solicitor Dave Sander. “The Conditional Use hearing is now scheduled for September ninth. If the township wishes to take a position on the conditional use application,” said Sander, “it must hire outside counsel and necessarily the applicable witnesses to support the township's argument.”

The lawyer for Montessori School objected.

“We've just given you the first informal presentation,” he said. “We've committed to going back and working with the Planning Commission to attempt to address those comments and working with township staff. I submit to you it's premature to move forward and engage counsel until you give us an opportunity to further work with your Planning Commission and your staff on the comments to incorporate those into the plans and the proposal here for the site.”

In the end the Board approved to authorize the engagement of counsel and witnesses to oppose Apple Montessori School’s Conditional Use application.

Infrastructure and Utility Management

Data Center Ordinance

The Board considered and moved toward enacting an ordinance amending the Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance (JMZO) to provide for data centers, limited to Wrightstown Township.

• The "Model T" Strategy: BOS Chair Ed Merriman defended the ordinance as a necessary "baseline of protection," comparing it to moving from a "Model T with no seatbelt" to a "Civic" with plans to eventually build a "Volvo." He argued that having some regulation is better than none.

John Mack had a different car analogy in mind when he made this comment: "This ordinance was written by a lawyer who knows absolutely nothing about data centers... You’re gonna be stuck with a Model T instead of a Mercedes."

• Criticism of the Ordinance:
  • Inadequacy: Residents and local experts argued the ordinance is "not stringent enough" and "applicant-driven."
  • Specific Gaps: Critics highlighted the lack of requirements for non-potable water use, 24-hour noise mitigation, and sufficient setbacks (residents suggested a 0.5-mile minimum, whereas the ordinance currently requires 1,000 feet).
  • Infrastructure Burdens: Concerns were raised that data centers—which can use up to 1 million gallons of water daily—could strain the local grid and sewer system, potentially leading to further rate hikes for residents.

Amazon Fiber Optic Cable Update

LightPath has abandoned plans to run fiber optic lines through Newtown Borough's historic center following public opposition. The new route will bypass the Borough and move primarily through Newtown Township.

• Route: Starting at South State Street & the Bypass, turning onto Barclay Street, then South and North Sycamore Street, and potentially onto Durham Road/413.

• Impact: The project will likely disrupt sidewalks and businesses along Sycamore Street but is expected to avoid residential properties. The Sewer Authority expressed concern regarding potential damage to 4-inch residential laterals during the 3–5 foot drilling process.

Public Safety and Community Welfare

Pedestrian and Traffic Safety

Numerous residents from Newtown Grant and surrounding areas pleaded for improved safety measures at specific crosswalks.

• Jonquil Dr and Marigold Dr: Resident Nicole Ketterer requested Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) at the north crosswalk at Eagle Rd. Data presented suggests RRFBs have a 90-95% yielding success rate compared to 45% for standard entry signs.
• Eagle Road: A resident reported frequent accidents and near-misses involving strollers, stating, "We are overpopulating [the area]... do we need a dead body [before we do something]?"
• Township Response: The BOS authorized the purchase of two portable speed signs for $10,052.00. Board members agreed that a traffic study and potential RRFBs are needed for these roads.

Law Enforcement and Fraud Prevention

Police Chief Hearn reported 1,996 calls for service in July 2026, including 11 arrests and 194 citations. He issued a stern warning regarding a surge in sophisticated scams:

• Scam Types: Utility scams, sheriff’s office arrest threats, gift card payment requests, and "check washing" from mailboxes.
• Business Fraud: "Forged emails" targeting business treasurers to change routing numbers for payments.
• Chief's Advice: "No one from CVS or Walgreens will buy gift cards to pay off debts... they're all scams."

Financial Overview

The Board approved several expenditures and financial transfers during the meeting:

The single largest category of spending in this cycle is dedicated to the "2026 Road Program." Infrastructure maintenance is a primary responsibility of local government, and the August bills reflect a massive, calculated seasonal push to complete major roadwork before the temperature drops.

The township utilized three different funds to pay its primary paving vendor, Harris Blacktopping Inc., for a single progress certificate. By synthesizing these payments, we see the true scale of the project:

• Highway Aid Fund: $314,436.83
• Capital Projects Fund: $53,194.77
• General Fund: $38,392.83

The exact total for this single vendor—$406,024.43—represents nearly 40% of the entire monthly expenditure. This highlights the sheer financial gravity of maintaining township roads and the logistical effort required to coordinate such a significant investment.

Line Item of Interest: HARRIS BLACKTOPPING INC.: 2026 Road Program Pymt Cert #2 — $314,436.83 (Highway Aid Fund)

Modernizing Public Safety: High-Tech First Responders

Public safety in 2026 is an increasingly digital endeavor. The bills list shows a concerted effort to modernize the Police and Emergency Services (ESD) departments. However, the costs aren't just in software—they are in the hardware required to put a modern "mobile office" on the street.

The township spent 27,181.20 was paid to Havis Inc. to supply and install the specialized equipment necessary to turn that SUV into a functional emergency vehicle. Totaling over $77,000, this single vehicle represents the high cost of modern public safety readiness.

Other tech investments include:

• The Drone Project: Micro SD cards purchased via Amazon for data storage and aerial operations.
• Mobile Computing: While the township spent $8,976.03 with Dell Marketing L.P., the "analyst's view" shows a split: $6,762.57 went toward three laptops for police patrol vehicles, while $2,213.46 provided a specialized rugged tablet for Public Works field operations.
• ESD Connectivity: Specialized iPads equipped with heavy-duty mounting mechanisms for vehicle dashboards.

Line Item of Interest: AMAZON: Micro SD Cards (Drone Project) — $168.48 (Capital Projects Fund)

Insurance and Audits

The largest "hidden" cost of running a township isn't the trucks or the asphalt—it’s the people. The August ledger underscores that a community is powered by human capital, and protecting that capital is expensive.

A major portion of the General Fund and Fire Protection Fund is dedicated to DVHIT (Delaware Valley Health Insurance Trust). The payment of $128,370.90 isn't for a single department; it covers health insurance for employees across the entire organization, including Police, Public Works, Administration, Finance, Technology, Codes, and Recreation.

Furthermore, the township invested $23,500.00 in professional services for a progress billing on the 2025 audit by Maillie. These figures serve as a reminder that transparency and professional oversight are essential, though costly, requirements of legal and ethical municipal governance.

Key Perspectives and Quotes

• On Development Oversight:

  "I hope that you respect the answer that you gave three years ago, and say no again... Nothing has changed in the situation except the name of the body on the deed."

  — Kurt Wrisley, Resident, on the Sewer Authority land sale.

• On Pedestrian Safety:

  "What do we need? Do we need somebody else to die? ... Why does it have to come down to somebody dying before we do something?"

  — Vanessa Lopez-Lozano, Resident.

• On the Apple Montessori Proposal:

  "This is a dangerous parking lot for adults... I just think this is a danger... We don't want a little kid to drown in the swimming pool."

  — BOS Member Calabro.