Summary of 21 November 2023 BOS Meeting
This is my personal summary of my notes regarding the November 21, 2023, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Access the 2023 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2023 BOS meetings plus the BOS voting record (UNOFFICIAL) for 2023.
Agenda Items, Discussions, Decisions, and More
- 2022 Audit Presentation
- Reports of Committees, Boards and Commissions
- Advertisement of Single-Use Plastics Ban Ordinance
- Memorandum from Solicitor and discussion
- Old Business
- Other Items of Interest
2022 Audit Presentation
“General Fund revenues were 15.9% more than budgeted revenues. Earned income tax receipts were 19.3% above budgeted projections and real estate transfer taxes and local service taxes combined were 22.1 % higher than projections. Actual expenditures came in 5.4% below budgeted expenditures.”
EIT Income Trend
- 2018: $4,621,142
- 2019: $4,619,216 (-0.04%)
- 2020: $4,741,449 (+2.6%)
- 2021: $5,242,122 (+10.6%)
- 2022: $5,746,600 (+9.6%)
As shown above, Earned Income Tax (EIT) is increasing although management is predicting that “overall revenues” will “flatten.” At the meeting, I noted that there are several projects proposed to build multistory apartment buildings in Newtown, which – if they are approved – can significantly increase future EIT receipts, which is expected to account for 72% of tax revenue in 2023.
Meet Mack Monday Meeting Report
I reported on the 13 November 2023 Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting.
Several #NewtownPA Twp area residents attended this Zoom meeting, which focused on the proposed single-use plastics ban, Steeple View bridge - is it a bridge too far going nowhere?, more work needed to finish Lower Dolington Rd trail, is Capital Grille asking for too much signage?, Borscht Belt Deli asks for variance to allow neon sign in window, the 2024 preliminary budget available for viewing - are there enough funds for pedestrian safety and road repairs? the sale of Shady Brook Farm - is Newtown involved?
Plastics Ban Ordinance Memorandum and Discussion
Township Solicitor David Sander read a 16 November 2023 memorandum outlining changes made to the Single-Use Plastics Ban ordinance, specifically regarding granting exemptions and enforcement:
“Supervisors - the purpose of the proposed ordinance is to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags, expanded polystyrene food service products, single-use plastic straws, and single-use plastic utensils by retail establishments within the Township. The prohibitions against using single-use plastics go into effect 120 days after the enactment of the ordinance. On the recommendation of the EAC, the Township Manager, or his or her designee (most likely the Code Enforcement Officer) may grant up to a 1-year temporary exemption to allow a particular business that has an inventory of single-use plastics to exhaust or has no reasonable alternative to using single-use plastics. The hierarchy of enforcement of the ordinance is as follows: A written warning for a first offense with a 30-day grace period before issuing a second offense; a civil penalty of $50.00 for a second offense; a civil penalty of $100.00 for a third offense; and a civil penalty of $200 for a fourth or any subsequent offense.”
Discussion
A discussion followed, which focused on revisions from previous version regarding enforcement and exemptions and includes comments from residents. It also addressed the question "Why are businesses allowed to charge customers for recyclable paper bags?" Listen below:
2024 Budget Discussion
The BOS authorized the advertising of the preliminary 2024 budget at the November 8, 2023, meeting. The ad appeared in the Sunday, November 12, 2023, issue of the Bucks County Courier Times.
Detailed Meeting Notes
I prepare detailed notes before attending BOS meetings. These notes include links to background information and other details related to the items on the agenda. See the meeting notes for this meeting embedded below or download the PDF file here.
Official Video
Transcript
Download the unedited time-stamped transcript of this meeting prepared by Youtube from the video: download PDF file.
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