Demystifying the November 18, 2025 NBCJMA Board Meeting
Introduction: Making Local Government Clear
This post summarizes and explains the November 18, 2025 meeting of the Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA).
It focuses on the board’s major decision to terminate the proposed wastewater treatment plant project and clarifies several technical terms that affect development and sewer planning in our community.
Listen to this informative 14-minute “Deep Dive” podcast overview of the meeting:
Question: What’s an “EDU” and Why Does It Matter?
The public comment portion of the meeting began with a question from resident John Mack about how “EDUs” are calculated and why there is a difference between local and county standards.
The Core of the Question
Mr. Mack noted that the Newtown authority (NBCJMA) uses a different gallons-per-day value for an Equivalent Dwelling Unit (EDU) than the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority (BCWSA). He asked why this discrepancy exists and which standard should be used for local projects such as the 413 Durham Rd Sewage Planning Module that was discussed at the 12 November 2025 BOS meeting.
Decoding the Answer
Board members explained that an EDU is a standard unit for wastewater flow, representing the typical discharge from a single-family home. Because sewer systems differ from place to place, authorities use engineering studies to set EDU values that fit their own systems. Rural systems, larger homes, and other local conditions can all affect the gallons-per-day number that defines one EDU.
At a Glance: Comparing EDU Standards
| Authority | Gallons Per Day (GPD) per EDU |
|---|---|
| Newtown (NBCJMA) | 242.1 GPD |
| Bucks County (BCWSA) | 250 GPD |
The Takeaway for Newtown
For development projects within NBCJMA’s service area, the local standard (242.1 GPD per EDU) is the one that applies. This ensures that sewer planning is based on the specific engineering and usage patterns of Newtown’s system.
The Main Event: Wastewater Treatment Plant Project Terminated
The most consequential action at the meeting was the formal vote to terminate the planned construction of a new wastewater treatment plant.
Why Was This Decision Made?
- No Path Forward: The project could not proceed without an amendment to the Township’s official Act 537 plan. Supervisors had previously stated that they would not approve such an amendment, effectively blocking the project. Fore more on that, read #NewtownPA Supervisors to NBCJMA: "Abandon Plans for Sewer Plant!".
- Poor Public Communication: Board members acknowledged that the authority did a “poor job” of educating the public. Many residents believed that acquiring the land meant the plant was inevitable, even though the project was “nowhere near shovel ready.” One member said that, in hindsight, they would have preferred to let the 9,000 ratepayers vote on the plant after they had the facts.
- Respecting Public Opposition: The board recognized broad and intense community opposition to the plant. The vote to terminate the project reflects both the legal reality and that public sentiment.
Understanding the Legal Terms
Eminent Domain: The power of a government entity to take private property for a public use, with compensation to the owner. NBCJMA used eminent domain to acquire land for the proposed plant.
Board of View: A legal proceeding in eminent domain cases used to determine the fair market value of the condemned property. The conclusion of this process helped clear the way for a final decision on the project’s fate.
What Happens Next? Land Disposition & Sewer Rates
The Plan for the Land
After voting to end the project, the board discussed what to do with the land acquired for the plant. The chairman outlined the next legal steps:
- Offer Back to Original Owners: NBCJMA’s attorneys have been instructed to offer the land back to the two original property owners – KRE Upper Macungie Associates, LP (includes Jim Worthington) – from whom it was taken through eminent domain.
- 90-Day Response Window: The original owners have 90 days to decide whether they want to repurchase the property.
- Open-Market Sale if Declined: If the owners decline, the authority plans to petition the court for permission to sell the land on the open market, rather than holding it for up to 20 years as some laws might otherwise require.
The Question of the 47% Rate Increase
Residents also asked about the 47% sewer rate increase, which was primarily adopted to finance the land purchase. The board chairman said it is too early to make any final decisions until the outcome of the land sale is known. He did, however, express a personal hope that, depending on the numbers, some money could be returned to the public.
Other Key Updates from the Meeting
- Mainline Test and Seal Program: The Manager reported that this sewer maintenance program is moving forward and is under budget. Crews are inspecting pipes from the inside, injecting grout into cracks and faulty joints to stop clean groundwater from leaking into the system (known as Infiltration and Inflow, or “I&I”). Board members emphasized that repairing leaks does not automatically translate into more EDUs from the county; there is “no formula” that trades repairs directly for new development capacity.
- New Board Member: John Dugan was welcomed as the newest member of the board, representing Newtown Borough.
- Increased Transparency: For the first time, the authority recorded its meeting and will post it online. Residents will be able to find a link to the NBCJMA YouTube channel on the authority ’s official website, making it easier to follow meetings.
Three Key Takeaways for Residents
- Plant Project Cancelled: NBCJMA has officially ended plans to build a new wastewater treatment plant.
- Land Offered Back: The eminent-domain property will first be offered back to the original owners, with a 90-day response period, before any possible open-market sale.
- Meetings Now Online: Authority meetings are being recorded and will be available on YouTube, improving transparency and public access.
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