Summary of the 13 August 2025 BOS Meeting
This is my personal summary of the August 13, 2025, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary. See 2025 BOS Chronicle for details.
Public Comments
Reports of Committees, Boards and Commissions
- Planning Commission: Mélange, Newtown Bagel, JMZO amendments
- John Mack: Newtown Sewer Authority Meeting, HARB Meeting, HOA Issues
Consent Agenda
- Payment of “Interim” Bills List and transfers of July 8, 2025. Payment of bills: $244,324.81. Fund transfers in the amount of $1,944.92.
- Payment of Bills List and transfers of August 13, 2025. Payment of bills: $407,217.12. Fund transfers in the amount of $95,522.13.
- BOS approved the Consent Agenda 2-1 (Mr. Calabro voted Nay). Refer to the 2025 BOS Chronicle for details.
Reports of Officials
- Manager's Report: July 2025 Police Report
- Solicitor's Report
Public Comment
Chandler Hall Crosswalk Concern
Residents raised safety concerns about the midblock crosswalk at Chandler Hall.
- Charlie Feuer (Newtown Walk) thanked the township for recent pedestrian safety improvements but relayed concerns from Chandler Hall residents about near-misses involving pedestrians and a food delivery wagon crossing the road. He suggested adding flashing beacons at that crosswalk.
- Todd McGonagal (Newtown Township) supported the request, noting that Chandler Hall also houses a daycare where children cross the street for activities like swim lessons. He stressed the danger to children and urged attention to the issue.
➡️ In short: Residents are urging the BOS to enhance safety at the Chandler Hall crosswalk, citing risks to seniors, daycare children, and staff.
Running Water for Baseball Fields
Council Rock Newtown Baseball board member DJ Pascone urged supervisors to partner with the league to bring running water to Veterans Park baseball fields.
The group, which invests over $30K annually in field maintenance and upgrades, warned that dry conditions make the fields unsafe and shorten their lifespan. The league offered to fund $15K in water lines if the township covers a $10K water meter connection, stressing the need to protect both community investment and the safety of 500+ children who play there each season.
“We desperately need your help,” said Pascone. ChatGPT Summary of Mr. Pascone's Comments. View the video:
Reports of Committees, Boards and Commissions
Mélange Restaurant (Sycamore Street)
- Seeks approval for six etched-glass window signs, but replaced historic windows without permits.
- Violations discussed; enforcement actions and possible fines underway.
- Strong calls to tighten ordinance enforcement in the Historic District.
- View video of the discussion initiated by Craig Deutsch, member of the Planning Commision and the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB):
Newtown Bagel (Swamp Road)
- Expansion into adjacent space with more seating and employees recommended for approval. For more details, see the 2025 BOS Chronicle.
Zoning Ordinance Amendments
- Recommended adoption of off-premise advertising sign amendment.
- Wireless communication amendments tabled pending clarity.
- For more details, see the 2025 BOS Chronicle.
Newtown Sewer Authority 12 August 2025 Meeting
Highlights
- EDU Allocation Question: Inquiry into sewer capacity granted to a daycare and medical office on Route 413 (BOS approval April 2025).
- NBCJMA Clarification: EDU administration is handled by the township and borough, not the sewer authority. The “miscellaneous EDU bucket” was eliminated in May 2024.
- New Process: Requests proceed via a NICMP form → township submission → township engineer review → county engineer → Bucks County Water & Sewer; approvals now case‑by‑case, often for failing septic replacements.
- Capacity Concerns: Questions on when the Neshaminy Interceptor will be upgraded to handle increased flows, and whether previously granted EDUs should be reconsidered until upgrades occur.
Resources
I also raised concerns raised about HOA issues (speeding shortcuts, sidewalk installation quality, lack of communication with HOAs). For more details, see the 2025 BOS Chronicle.
Reports of Officials
LINK: https://rebrand.ly/NTPD_Jul2025rpt
Highlights
- 2,309 Total Incidents (versus 2024 monthly average of 2,475)
- 11 AUTO V. DEER incidents (75 YTD versus 162 in 2024)
- 183 Traffic Citations, 9 DUI arrests, 8 reportable traffic crashes
- 19 Fraud incidents (103 YTD versus 183 total in 2024 and 162 in 2023)
- 4 Retail Theft (29 YTD versus 53 in 2024); e.g., At approximately 1:45 pm police responded to Lululemon on South Eagle Road for the report of a retail theft that occurred earlier that day. The total value of loss was $476.
- 4 Narcotics Possession (32 YTD versus 49 in 2024)
- 1 Non-Fatal Overdose (6 YTD versus 6 in 2024)
- 127 School Checks (1,659 YTD versus 2,618 total for 2024)
- Supplemental Appropriations Approved: $170,000 allocated for two new firefighters (rest of 2025).
- Grant Ratification: BOS ratified filing for a DCED multimodal transportation grant for Newtown-Yardley Road sidewalk.
- Mélange Zoning Application: BOS directed solicitor to advise zoning board that approval must be conditioned on compliance with HARB and historic ordinances.
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