12 November 2025 Newtown Township BOS Meeting Summary
Prepared by Supervisor John Mack
Quick Highlights
- Meet Mack Monday Recap: Budget, road paving, fire services, and Fountain Farm Lane parking were reviewed with residents.
- Consent Agenda: Bills list of $587,098.60 (plus $1,507.66 in transfers) approved 5–0.
- 413 Durham Road Sewage Planning Module: EDU/GPD calculation discrepancy flagged for clarification.
- Fire Apparatus Grant: Resolution to seek $1,000,000 LSA grant for new aerial truck and pumper.
- Fire Services Agreement: 2026 agreement with NFA approved 5–0; operational benchmarks removed.
- Borough Fire Services Payment: After resident input, BOS increased 2026 requested payment from $275,000 to $350,000 (3–2 vote).
- Police Report: Monthly stats for October 2025 presented; questions raised about missing speed board data.
- 2026 Budget: 4-mill tax increase, questions on revenues, HR position, police vehicles, and tech spending.
- Road Program: Only 1.85 miles of paving funded vs. ~3.56 miles needed annually.
Meet Mack Monday – 3 November 2025
I reported that on November 3, 2025, I hosted a Meet Mack Monday Zoom session to walk residents through key issues: the 2026 draft budget, the road paving program, the ongoing fire services non-agreement with Newtown Borough, public concerns about Fountain Farm Lane parking enforcement, and more.
▶️ View the video of the PowerPoint presentation
🎧 Listen to the Q&A session that followed
Consent Agenda
Payment of Bills List and Transfers (November 12, 2025)
The Board approved the bills list totaling $587,098.60 across all township funds, plus $1,507.66 in fund transfers.
📄 View the full November 12, 2025 Bills List
Major Vendors & Expenses
- Barry Isett & Associates – $71,452.46: Monthly inspection services (reissued + new invoices).
- DVHIT Health Insurance – $125,353.49: Township-wide health insurance.
- Armour & Sons Electric – $12,745.07: Street light and traffic signal repairs.
- PECO Energy – $18,586.58: Electricity for township buildings, streetlights, and traffic signals.
- Foster Digital Media – $1,192.50: BOS meeting video production (Aug–Sep).
- The Lerro Corporation – $1,962.98: New controller for AV room.
- Snap-On Industrial – $3,377.29: Mechanics tool storage & tools for Public Works.
- A&M Truck Service – $3,096.00: New tires for DPW Truck 19-3.
- Allen Portable Toilets – $1,146.00: Park restroom rentals (multiple sites).
- Foremost Promotions – $2,220.74: Giveaways for community events.
Other Significant Allocations
- Newtown EMS – $27,000.00 from the Rescue Squad Fund (2025 Final Tax Remittance).
- AXON Enterprise Inc. – $23,278.19 from Capital Projects Fund (contract payment 2 of 4 for body cameras).
- PECO Energy Company – $18,586.58 primarily for utilities; largest portion for streetlights ($12,631.27).
- Britney O'Donnell Garden Design – $8,600.00 from Recreation Capital Fund for the Roberts Ridge Park pollinator garden.
- Witmer Public Safety Group Inc. – $6,413.00 from Fire Protection Fund for fire safety uniforms and gear for ESD staff.
The BOS approved the Consent Agenda by a 5–0 vote.
413 Durham Road – Sewage Planning Module Resolution
📄 Briefing document: 413 Durham Road sewage planning module
The Wastewater Challenge
A critical technical step in any land development project is calculating the projected wastewater flow, measured in Gallons Per Day (GPD). For 413 Durham Road, the total projected flow is 2,904 GPD.
EDU Conversion Issue
The project engineer calculated 12 EDUs using the Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) standard of 242.1 GPD/EDU. However, the Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority (BCWSA) uses 250 GPD/EDU in its Connection Management Plan.
- NBCJMA: 242.1 GPD × 12 EDUs = 2,905.2 GPD (≈ project flow).
- BCWSA: 250 GPD × 12 EDUs = 3,000 GPD (above the 2,904 GPD projection).
QUESTION: Why are the two GPD values different, and why is it acceptable to rely on the lower NBCJMA (Newtown Sewer Authority) value when BCWSA’s (Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority) standard is higher? Using the wrong conversion factor could misstate the project’s impact and risk rejection by BCWSA.
This question will have to be answered at the 18 November 2025 NBCJMA Board meeting.
LSA Grant Application – Fire Apparatus Purchase
Background
In October 2024, the BOS voted to purchase:
- 2028 Pierce Enforcer 107’ Ascendant Aerial truck to replace the 2008 Pierce aerial truck.
- 2028 Pierce Enforcer pumper.
These units will be used by both township career firefighters and volunteers to ensure the community has modern, safer equipment.
Costs & Grant Request
- Aerial truck cost: $1,825,000.00
- Pumper cost: $1,132,000.00
- LSA grant request: $1,000,000.00 (maximum contribution; no township match required).
The resolution confirms the township’s commitment to the purchase and documents that the purchases have been made.
QUESTION: There is currently a 40-foot height limit on buildings due in part to existing fire apparatus limits. Will the new 107’ aerial truck enable access above 40 feet, and if so, will this open the door to taller buildings such as the proposed “Goodnoe Homestead” development, whose developers are seeking a height variance?
🔗 Learn more about the Goodnoe Homestead variance request
Solicitor’s Report
2026 Agreement with Newtown Fire Association (NFA)
I used Google NoteBookLM AI to compare the proposed 2026 Fire Services Agreement with the current 2020 agreement.
- 2020 agreement effective: 1 Jan 2021 – 31 Dec 2025, initial funding $160,000 for 2021.
- Proposed 2026 agreement effective: 1 Jan 2026 – 31 Dec 2030.
Both agreements define:
- Scope of services and operational standards.
- Command structure and mutual aid.
- Shared equipment responsibilities.
- Budget oversight and annual financial audit requirements.
The new agreement also formally recognizes NFA and the Newtown Emergency Services Department as operating jointly as “Newtown Fire Rescue”, and it grants the Township first right of refusal for disposal of equipment and apparatus.
Key Changes & Concerns
1. Removal of Operational Benchmarks
The 2020 agreement’s Section 6 – Fire Call On-scene Time Standards has been removed in the 2026 version. That section originally required:
- Apparatus on scene within 20 minutes for non-emergency (reduced speed) calls.
- Apparatus on scene within 18 minutes for emergency speed calls.
- A minimum of 4 firefighters on each apparatus responding to a call.
QUESTION: Why were these accountability metrics removed? Does this reduce transparency and performance accountability?
Fire Chief Glenn Forsyth explained that the benchmarks created significant liability because the department knows it cannot consistently meet those standards—or even the higher NFPA standards. He noted that this has been a known problem since at least 2019, when the fire association documented the service gap in a letter to the Township.
“...to put that in writing to a document that we’re going to sign, I feel as though it leaves us open to a certain liability, which I don’t think we should do when you folks know that we can’t do it. ... You all know it. And we’ve done nothing to take the proper steps to fix it. Nothing.”
This is an open admission of a long-standing public safety challenge: the Township has not provided the resources needed to meet its own former benchmarks, and the new agreement omits those benchmarks rather than formally addressing the gap.
2. Workers’ Compensation Backstop
The 2020 agreement noted that the Borough of Newtown provides workers’ compensation coverage for NFA members. The 2026 agreement adds a new clause: if required workers’ compensation coverage lapses or is not provided, the Township must seek coverage to maintain operations. The Borough has already indicated that sometime in 2027 it will no longer pay NFA workers’ compensation, making this clause especially important.
After my comments, this section was deleted from the draft agreement.
3. Financial Specifics Removed
The 2020 agreement specified a $160,000 payment to NFA for 2021. The 2026 agreement does not specify any dollar amount, stating only that the Township will provide “appropriate funding” approved annually by the BOS.
QUESTION: Shouldn’t the 2026 payment be specified in the agreement and included in the 2026 budget for public review? No such amount appears in the current draft budget.
Answer given: The funding amount will remain unspecified in the agreement and will be determined by the BOS in 2026.
📄 Read the proposed 2026 Fire Services Agreement
📄 Read the 2020 Fire Services Agreement
📊 Fire Services Agreement 2026 vs 2020 comparison
The BOS authorized the Solicitor to execute the 2026 agreement by a 5–0 vote.
Letter to Newtown Borough – Fire Services Payment
The Issue
Newtown Township provides fire services to Newtown Borough. The core dispute centers on how much the Borough should contribute in 2026. A majority of the BOS had previously supported charging the Borough $275,000. This was debated against the backdrop of a proposed 4-mill township tax increase that would impact all Newtown Township homeowners.
The Turning Point: Resident Testimony
During public comment, resident Eric Pomerance addressed the board and reframed the issue as one of fairness to Township taxpayers:
“How can you as our representatives raise our taxes at the same time you’re giving the Borough a freer, a cheap a cheaper bill? That makes very little sense to me economically...”
His comments made it difficult for several supervisors to continue supporting the lower number. On the floor, a new motion was introduced to set the Borough’s 2026 payment at $350,000, representing its calculated “fair share.”
Q: What does the Boarough get for agreeing to this payment?
A: Basically, the funds can be used as the township sees fit to fund its fire services. This would include capital purchases. In return, the Borough will receive full fire
services for its residents at the same level of service currently provided. This would include inspections and permit reviews,.
The revised amount of $350,000 passed by a 3–2 vote, dramatically changing the outcome in real time and illustrating how direct citizen engagement can alter fiscal policy.
Video and a 10-minute “Deep Dive” podcast:
Manager’s Report
Chief Hearn presented the October 2025 Newtown Township Police Department report.
📄 View the October 2025 NTPD Report
I noted that the August 2025 report included useful speed board data (average speeds on specific roads), but this data was missing from the October report. Previously, the speed board had reportedly been in for service. Since then, I observed it deployed on Durham Road in Wrightstown, and the Chief indicated that sign belongs to Wrightstown.
COMMENT/QUESTION: When will Newtown’s own speed board be back in service, and when will that speed data again be included in our monthly police reports?
Other Business
Codes Weekly Report (3–7 November 2025)
Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) – December 4, 2025 Cases
- Newtown Athletic Club (NAC): Variance for oversized wall sign installed in the wrong location.
- Mélange on Sycamore: Variance to allow nine etched window tree signs beyond permitted signage.
- Firstrust Bank, 11 Durham Rd (Goodnoe’s Corner): Additional freestanding sign in PennDOT right-of-way, exceeding size and height limits.
- Community Veterinary Partners, 228 N. Sycamore: Special exception to convert dwelling to E-20 Veterinary Clinic; requires parking relief and non-conforming use relief.
- 826–828 Newtown-Yardley LLC: Replacement freestanding complex ID signs exceeding size/location limits.
- Vecchia Osteria by Pasquale: Expansion of restaurant into adjacent space with parking relief (59 spaces proposed vs. 82 required).
2026 Budget Discussion
📄 View the draft 2026 Newtown Township budget
For a detailed discussion, see:
“What You May NOT Know About the Proposed #NewtownPA Township 2026 Budget”
Budget Process Note
- The 2026 Preliminary Budget was advertised in the October 26, 2025 Bucks County Courier Times.
- It must be advertised for 30 days before adoption, so it cannot be approved at the November 12 BOS meeting.
- If changes exceed Second Class Township Code limits (more than 10% aggregate increase in revenues/expenses, or more than 25% in any major category), those changes must be approved on November 12 for re-advertisement and final adoption on December 11.
Resident Budget Questions & Concerns
- Real Estate (RE) & Earned Income Tax (EIT) estimates:
2026 shows a decrease in budgeted RE and EIT revenues for the General Fund despite new development like the Toll project.
Question: What assumptions are driving these reduced revenue projections? - Technology Director position:
If the Township hires a Technology Director, will that reduce the cost of outside technology support (e.g., HPT or similar vendors)? - Police vehicle replacement:
The budget calls for 4 new police cars at an estimated cost of $340,000.
Request: The Police Department should provide the BOS with a list of all police vehicles, including year purchased, for insurance and planning purposes. This would clarify vehicle age and which units are used as ghost cars – and why. In the past, the BOS has not always approved every vehicle requested in the preliminary budget. - Part-time HR Director:
For at least 22 years, the Finance Director and accountants have reportedly handled most HR functions.
Question: Why is a part-time HR Director now necessary, and what specific duties justify the new cost?
A long-time resident with budget experience also expressed concern that the proposed 4-mill tax increase (over 30%) is unusually steep for a single year:
“The tax increase (4 mills) is over 30%. I think it’s rather steep for one year. I do know that Newtown Township’s RE tax is still rather low compared to other municipalities but it might hurt some people. I don’t think we ever had an increase that much in one year since I’ve lived here (34 years).”
2026 Roadwork Plan
The Plan
Paving Targets vs. Funding
- Total Township road mileage: 71.3 miles.
- Assumed road lifespan: 20 years.
- Required annual paving to maintain cycle: ~3.56 miles/year.
- 2026 proposed paving: 1.85 miles total (Base Bid: 1.54 miles; Alternate Bid: 0.31 miles).
- Budgeted amount: $850,000 (Highway Aid + General Fund).
This shortfall is not just a one-year blip; it suggests a structural under-investment in road maintenance. If the Township continues to pave significantly less than 3.5 miles per year, we will accumulate a long-term infrastructure deficit and face higher future costs as roads deteriorate faster than they are repaired.
Cost Benchmarks & Proposal
PennDOT District 6 (Bucks County) averages approximately $350,000–$600,000 per lane-mile for resurfacing. Using an average of $475,000 per mile:
- To reach the full 3.5-mile target, we would need an additional 1.6 miles of paving (~$760,000 more).
As a more realistic short-term goal, I proposed increasing the program to 2.5 miles of paving (similar to 2025), rather than 1.85 miles.
Reallocation Options Within the Budget
To free up funds for additional road work, I suggested:
- Approve only 2 new police cars instead of 4, freeing approximately $170,000.
- Remove a proposed new dump truck from the budget, saving another $205,000.
Combined, these adjustments would free up about $375,000 – enough to pave nearly 0.8 additional miles of road.
That would raise the total 2026 paving program to approximately 2.6 miles, moving us closer to the long-term maintenance target without further increasing taxes.
Feel free to contact me directly with questions or feedback.