Reports of Committees, Boards, and Commissions

Meet Mack Monday – 3 November 2025

On November 3, 2025, John Mack hosted a Meet Mack Monday Zoom session to discuss key issues including the 2026 draft budget, road paving, fire services, and Fountain Farm Lane parking enforcement.

Watch the PowerPoint Presentation and listen to the Q&A Session.

Consent Agenda

Payment of Bills List – November 12, 2025

Total: $587,098.60 across all township funds (+ $1,507.66 in transfers) – View Bills List

Major Vendors and Expenses

• Barry Isett & Associates – $71,452.46 (inspection services)
• DVHIT Health Insurance – $125,353.49 (health coverage)
• Armour & Sons Electric – $12,745.07 (signal repairs)
• PECO Energy – $18,586.58 (electricity for buildings and lights)
• Foster Digital Media – $1,192.50 (BOS meeting video)
• Snap-On Industrial – $3,377.29 (tools for Public Works)
• Allen Portable Toilets – $1,146.00 (park restrooms)
• Foremost Promotions – $2,220.74 (community event giveaways)

Other Allocations

• Newtown EMS – $27,000 (final Rescue Squad Fund allocation)
• AXON Enterprise Inc. – $23,278.19 (Body Cameras contract)
• Britney O'Donnell Garden Design – $8,600 (Roberts Ridge Pollinator Garden)
• Witmer Public Safety Group – $6,413 (fire safety uniforms)

413 Durham Road – Planning Module Resolution

Briefing Document

Total Projected Flow: 2,904 GPD (12 EDUs × 242.1 GPD per EDU)

The Wastewater Challenge: Calculating the Flow

One of the first and most critical technical challenges in any land development project is calculating the amount of wastewater (or sewage) the new buildings will generate. This calculation determines how the project will impact public utilities and is the basis for the entire approval process.

GPD (Gallons Per Day) is the primary unit used to measure wastewater flow. For the 413 Durham Road project, the total projected flow is 2,904 GPD.

Insight: The Value of an EDU is Not Universal 

LSA Grant Application – $1,000,000 for Fire Apparatus

Reported by Chief Forsyth

Newtown Township seeks a $1 million LSA grant to purchase a 2028 Pierce Enforcer 107’ Ascendant Aerial Truck and a 2028 Pierce Enforcer Pumper (totaling nearly $3 million). The new equipment will enhance firefighter safety and operational reach.

Question: Will this new aerial truck’s height capacity lead to zoning changes allowing taller buildings (e.g., Proposed "Goodnoe Homestead" Development proposal)?

Solicitor’s Report

2026 Fire Services Agreement with Newtown Fire Association

Comparison of 2026 Agreement and 2020 Agreement via Google NoteBookLM AI shows:

• Operational Benchmarks Removed: 2020’s Section 6 (response times, staffing) omitted in 2026 version. QUESTION: Why? Lacks accountability?
• Workers’ Compensation: New clause obligates Township to cover if Borough drops coverage in 2026. COMMENT: The Borough already indicated that after [a date in 2026] it will no longer pay NFA workers’ compensation
• Funding: 2020 Agreement specified $160K; 2026 version leaves amount “to be approved annually.” QUESTION/COMMENT: Shouldn’t the payment for 2026 be specified AND included in the 2026 budget for approval (no such amount is in the current budget draft).

See full comparison: Fire Services 2026 vs 2020

Manager’s Report

October 2025 Police Report

Comment: The August report included speed board data, missing in October’s. Is the speed board now operational?

Other Business

Zoning Hearing Board Cases (December 4, 2025)

• NAC – Variance for oversized wall sign
• Mélange on Sycamore – Nine etched window tree signs
• Firstrust Bank – Extra freestanding sign in PennDOT ROW
• Vecchia Osteria – Expansion with parking relief (59 vs 82 spaces)
• Community Veterinary Partners – Special exception for clinic

2026 Budget Discussion

View Draft 2026 Budget | Read Summary Article

NOTE: The 2026 Preliminary Budget has been advertised in the October 26, 2025, issue of the Bucks County Courier Times (see ad on the left).

It must be advertised for 30 days before it can be approved, which means it CANNOT be approved at the November 12, 2025, BOS meeting.

If changes are necessary that are above the limits outlined in the Second Class Township Code (revenues or expenses are increased more than 10% in the aggregate, or more than 25% in any major category), the changes will need to be approved at the November 12th meeting, for readvertisement and adoption on December 11.

Resident Comments:

• Why decreases in RE & EIT revenues despite new development?
• Technology Director vs existing IT support — cost impact?
• Need list of all police cars and ages before approving 4 new cars ($340K).
• 4-mill tax increase (~30%) may be steep for one year.
• Questioning need for part-time HR Director; duties already covered by Finance.

2026 Roadwork Plan

Budget: $850K (Highway Aid + General Fund)

Target: Maintain 3.56 miles/year for 71.3 miles total (20-year cycle)

Planned: Only 1.85 miles (1.54 base + 0.31 alternate)

Detailed PDF Version

Embedded below is the full PDF version of these notes. You can also download the PDF version if you do not see the PDF embedded below.