John Mack - Newtown Supervisor

Getting Newtown Businesses Open Again

The Newtown Supervisors have made some progress in helping local businesses get open and thrive during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some initiatives are summarized below.

Outdoor Sales & Dining Resolution

At the June 15, 2020, Newtown Board of Supervisors Work Session via Zoom, a draft of an Outdoor Sales & Dining Resolution was discussed. It's goal was to establish guidelines and policy for outdoor sales of merchandise and/or outdoor dining for existing businesses in Newtown Township during the COVID-19 pandemic. This resolution as based on one passed by another PA township. A major point of the discussion concerned how far must outdoor dining table be from passersby on the sidewalk. Unfortunately, no vote was taken as the resolution needed a minor edit. This 44 minute podcast features a recording of that discussion. You can view the entire Zoom meeting here.

Task Force

During the May 13, 2020, Newtown Board of Supervisors meeting via Zoom, Supervisor John Mack made a case for the Township to start thinking how it can help local businesses to re-open safely during the current and the next phases of COVID-19 restrictions. Several ideas were put forward such as rethinking the Finance Committee's purview, putting together an ad hoc business Task Force, etc. This 45 minute podcast features a recording of that discussion. You can view the entire Zoom meeting here.

A Committee is Reconstituted

At a May 18, 2020, "Work Session" via Zoom, the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) decided to reconstitute the Economic Development Committee (EDC) to assist the BOS in connection with economic development in Newtown Township and community and assist in the preparation and direction of the reopening of businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Committee shall consist of not more than 9 members, appointed by the Board of Supervisors, with the understanding that not more than three members may serve on the Committee who are not residents or own property within Newtown Township.

The three persons who are not Newtown Township residents or property owners must be employed and/or working in Newtown Township to be qualified. Of the nine members, one member shall be a member of the Newtown Business Association and one member of the Newtown Business Commons Association.

To date (June 17, 2020) the EDC has 7 members and will meet for the first time on June 18, 2020.

Here are some links to related information: