9 September 2026 Bills List Analysis

Executive Summary

This briefing document provides a detailed synthesis of the financial activities for Newtown Township, as recorded in the Bills List dated September 9, 2026. The total expenditure for this period across all funds is $1,921,548.57.

The township’s financial focus during this period is characterized by significant inter-fund transfers for capital reserves, heavy investment in public safety infrastructure—specifically police vehicle procurement and upfitting—and the fulfillment of substantial administrative and legal obligations, including a $167,240.04 opioid settlement payment.

Additionally, the list reflects ongoing seasonal operations for parks and recreation, encompassing summer camp logistics and facility maintenance.

Financial Overview by Fund

The total expenditure is distributed across eight distinct funds. The General Fund and Fire Protection Fund represent the largest portions of vendor payments and operational transfers.

Total Fund Expenditures

Key Financial Themes and Operations

1. Strategic Fund Transfers

A significant portion of the total expenditure ($1,295,139.80) involves the movement of capital to specialized funds, largely as budgeted transfers for 2026.

• Fire Capital Reserve: $660,000.00 transferred from the Fire Protection Fund.
• Recreation Capital Fund: $450,000.00 transferred from the General Fund.
• Capital Projects Fund: $132,959.67 transferred from the General Fund.
• Payroll & Benefits: $20,000.00 to the 27th Payroll Fund and $29,560.56 for HRA and payroll-related benefits.

2. Public Safety and Emergency Services

Public safety accounts for a substantial portion of the vendor payments, covering personnel health, equipment, and capital assets.

Police Department

• Capital Assets: Procurement of two 2026 Ford Explorers from Chapman Ford of Horsham ($92,778.00) and specialized “upfitting” services including camera mounts from Havis Inc. ($19,173.20). NOTE: The 2026 Budget includes 4 police vehicles for $340,000. Meanwhile, the budget only included minimal 1.9 miles of road repaving (whereas at least 3.5 miles must be repaved each year JUST TO KEEP UP):

• Operations & Equipment: Purchase of a patrol rifle and accessories ($1,553.19), fleet maintenance via Fred Beans Parts ($1,918.37), and online investigation programs through TransUnion Risk & Alternative.
• Training: Bi-annual CPR/First Aid/AED training via the American Red Cross ($1,638.00) and attendance at specialized conferences, including CODY and Suicide Prevention.

Fire and Emergency Services (ESD)

• Operational Support: A second 2026 payment of $95,000.00 to the Newtown Fire Association. At the 25 March 2026 Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, resident Eric Pomerantz thanked Supervisors' efforts to negotiate a fire services agreement between Newtown Township and Newtown Borough.

• Hydrants: Monthly hydrant service fees totaling $23,362.07 paid to Newtown Artesian Water Company.
• Personnel Development: Training for International Mechanical Code and EFO program textbooks for staff.

3. Personnel and Benefit Administration

Expenditures for health insurance and pension management remain a primary administrative cost.

• Health Insurance (DVHIT): Total payments exceeded $154,000 across the General and Fire Protection funds.
  • Police Department: $83,189.95
  • Public Works: $19,070.03
  • Fire Protection (ESD): $25,748.33
• Pension Management: Actuarial services for the third quarter of 2026 were paid to Acrisure East Insurance Services for Police ($1,150.00), Firefighters ($1,281.25), and Non-Uniformed ($1,380.00) plans.

4. Infrastructure and Facilities Maintenance

The Township continues to invest in the upkeep of municipal buildings and infrastructure.

• Facility Repairs: A major repair of the Police Building generator master controller board cost $21,008.47. Elevator door and alarm issues at the Police Building, caused by a power surge during generator work, required specialized service calls ($475.00).
• Public Works & Road Maintenance: Expenditures included asphalt for paving restoration at curb replacements ($300.80), various traffic signal repairs, and communication radio repairs for the DPW fleet ($2,376.00).
• Janitorial Services: Monthly services for township buildings and parks provided by Schlupp’s Maintenance ($3,150.00) and BCS Facilities Group ($1,250.00).

5. Parks and Recreation

Seasonal activity is reflected in the high volume of recreation-related vendor payments.

• Programming: Payments for Chess Camp ($3,094.00), Mat Pilates and Vinyasa Yoga ($647.50), and Jujitsu classes ($616.00).
• Camp Logistics: Significant expenditures for “Camp Newtown,” including movie snack packs ($1,008.00), Chuck E. Cheese pizza ($173.71), and various camp supplies.
• Equipment: Maintenance of grounds equipment, including replacement tires and stabilizing bars for zero-turn mowers ($1,595.97).

6. Legal, Professional, and Administrative Costs

• Opioid Settlement: A major payment of $167,240.04 made to the County of Bucks. Newtown Township faced a tight 18-month deadline to obligate approximately $133,000 in opioid settlement funds (which grew to the final $167,240.04 disbursement in September 2026). Ultimately, the Board of Supervisors voted on June 24, 2026, to approve a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to transfer these funds to Bucks County, because the township lacked the healthcare infrastructure to run drug rehabilitation and treatment programs locally. In exchange, the county committed to supporting the continuation of its co-responder program, which embeds social workers within the local police force to handle emergency substance abuse and mental health calls.

• Auditing: Progress billing on the 2025 Audit from Maillie ($3,612.00).
• Media and Outreach: Legal advertising for Board of Supervisors and Zoning Hearing Board meetings in USA Today Media and 21st Century Media.
• IT and Communications: Website hosting, Zoom account fees, and annual LogMeIn fees ($954.99).

Notable Vendors and High-Value Payments