Summary of the 9 June 2026 NBCJMA Board Meeting

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Executive Summary

The Newtown, Bucks County, Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) Board of Directors met on June 9, 2026, to address critical financial transfers, infrastructure project milestones, and ongoing legal challenges regarding property dedication.

A primary point of public concern involved the 26% sewer fee increase previously levied to fund land for a now-abandoned wastewater treatment plant. The Board indicated a zero-percent probability of a full rollback but acknowledged potential for a partial reduction.

Operationally, the Authority celebrated the completion of the Penns Commons Sewer Replacement project and the submission of Inflow and Infiltration (INI) updates to the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Legally, the Authority is navigating a complication with the Wawa (Provco) property, where a title transfer to new entities has stalled a previously authorized deed of dedication.

Public Commentary and Rate Adjustments

Sewer Fee Increase Inquiry

John Mack, publisher of the News of Interest to Newtown Area Residents e-newsletter, presented a query on behalf of a resident known as “Dante” regarding the 47% total fee increase implemented at the start of the year.

Specific Concern: 26% of the increase was designated for a mortgage on land intended for a wastewater treatment plant. Since the project was abandoned and the land is for sale, residents are seeking a rollback of this specific portion of the recent 47% rate increase.
For more, read: “Newtown Sewer Authority Rates to Increase 47%!”
Resident Comments: “Dante,” a Newtown resident and subscriber to Newtown News of Interest, had this to say:
“The Sewer Authority made two bone headed decisions with regard to the property mortgage they took out for their development plans: (1) taking out a mortgage in the first place without reading the room so-to-speak with regard to the overall community's support of such a purchase and the development plan, and (2) when the plan imploded, they pivoted and passed along their additional OOP costs onto the community instead of looking for other ways to mitigate their expenses, i.e., mortgage refinance or outright sale of the property ... etc.”
Dante also asked:
“I realize I most likely will not get back any of the 26% increase I have paid out for the last 3 quarters, but I would like your input on the chances all of us in the community have to get the quarterly sewer fee rolled back to where it should be without any 26% additional attachments.”
Mack’s response:
“I'd say there would be a zero percent probability of a complete rollback, although perhaps there may be some possibility of getting a partial rollback since my understanding is that some of the increase would be used to help pay for other expenses. I'd like to know more about the need for that since 21% of the rate increase is already earmarked for that!”
Mack asked if the NBCJMA Board had any response to that and all he heard was crickets.
More Comments: Another resident, who could not attend the meeting, sent Mack this comment:
“I hope the Board directs the Authority to reduce the rate back to where it was. They should consider legal action to make that happen so they will proceed faster. If there is no consequence, they will not learn a lesson.”
Land Status: Meanwhile, the land is currently for sale, though the potential profit from this sale has not been finalized.

Financial and Administrative Actions

Major Disbursements and Transfers

The Board authorized several significant financial movements to cover operating expenses and project costs:

Action	Amount	Purpose
Current Transfer	$649,510.84	Transfer from the trust account to the operating account to handle May 2026 expenses.
Doli Payment Application	$384,017.55	Payment to Doli Construction Corporation, the primary underground utility contractor selected by the NBCJMA to execute the Colonial Commons / Penns Commons Sanitary Sewer Replacement Project.

Delinquent Accounts

Delinquent Status: Out of approximately 9,000 accounts, only 22 are currently delinquent, a figure the Manager described as consistent with seasonal trends.

Infrastructure and Engineering Updates

Project Milestones

Project	Status	Details
Penns Commons Sewer Replacement	Completed	Construction finished as of the morning of June 9, 2026. One final payout is remaining.
Mainline Test and Seal Program	Nearing Budget Limit	Reported “huge success” in sealing terracotta pipes, particularly in the Walk Headly neighborhood. Next year’s focus will remain on the borough.
Colonial Commons Pump Station	Pre-Construction	Pre-construction meetings finished; equipment is ordered with an estimated eight-week lead time.
Linton Hill Road Extension	In Progress	A 1,000-foot main extension for the “Flores properties” commenced drilling; completion expected in 1–2 weeks.

Legal and Real Estate Matters

The Wawa (Provco) Property Dispute

A significant legal “wrinkle” was reported regarding the Wawa property dedication:

The Issue: Last month, the Board authorized a deed of dedication for the property. However, the county flagged the document because Wawa (Provco) no longer owns the property.
Title Transfer: Title was transferred to three new LLCs, reportedly owned by the same individual.
Current Status: The new owner has been unreceptive to signing the Deed of Dedication. Wawa’s general counsel is discussing a “bill of sale” for the piping under the property as a potential “soft landing,” but the Authority's solicitor maintains that the original sewer service agreement is binding on successors and assigns.

A Deed of Dedication is a formal, legally binding document used to transfer ownership of newly constructed infrastructure from a private entity, such as a commercial or residential developer, to a public entity. When applied to the NBCJMA, it explicitly outlines how privately built sewer systems become public utility assets.

How It Works: The Transition from Private to Public

When a developer builds a new residential neighborhood, a commercial complex, or an extension such as a new Wawa, a project specifically noted on the NBCJMA May 2026 Board Agenda, they are responsible for laying down the initial infrastructure. This includes digging the trenches, laying the mainlines, and connecting individual laterals.

Once the work is completed, the developer does not want to maintain the main sewer system forever, and the municipality wants to ensure it is integrated into the public grid.

The “Dedication”: The developer signs a Deed of Dedication, effectively “gifting” or transferring the underground utility assets and rights-of-way directly to the NBCJMA.
The “Acceptance”: The NBCJMA Board votes to legally accept the deed. Once accepted, the infrastructure officially becomes public property.

Litigation and Liens

Lower Silver Lake Road: A memorandum of law regarding a motion to quash has been filed. A judgment master has 90 days to rule. Read: “Newtown Sewer Authority v. 42 University LLC”

New Development and Business

Item	Summary
575 Linton Hill Road	The Board approved a Sewer Service Agreement for this property following the verification of the letter of credit and necessary funds.
Rite Aid Building	The Authority Manager is in discussions with a group interested in converting the vacant Rite Aid building into a daycare facility.
Indemnification Agreement	An item regarding an indemnification agreement was moved to the Executive Session for further discussion. This may apply to Doli Construction, hired by NBCJMA to replace sewer lines. The contractor must sign an indemnification agreement that specifies if the contractor accidentally cracks a gas main or causes a cave-in that damages a resident's home, the contractor’s insurance must pay for it. The municipality is protected from being financially liable for the contractor’s mistakes.