John Mack - Newtown Supervisor

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Events and Meetings

Upcoming Meetings | Selected Past Meetings | 2021-2025 BOS Chronicales

The following calendar includes Newtown Township public meetings as well as other events of interest to Newtown Township residents. Click on the event to see the time, location, agenda as well as other details including links to related information about items on the agenda.

Selected Upcoming Meetings

Newtown Sewer Authority

Tuesday, 18 November 2025, 3:00 PM * 15 S. Congress St., Newtown, PA

Likely Topic of Interest: Sewer Plant Project Transparency & Status

At the October 22, 2025, BOS meeting, multiple residents expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Newtown Joint Municipal Authority's handling of a proposed sewer plant project, citing a severe lack of transparency and significant financial repercussions.

Central Issue of Transparency: At the October 22, 2025, BOS meeting, multiple residents expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Newtown Joint Municipal Authority's handling of a proposed sewer plant project, citing a severe lack of transparency and significant financial repercussions. 

Financial Impact: Residents directly linked a 47% increase in their sewer rates to the authority's decision to purchase land for the project. The initial land cost of $9.5 million was later increased to $11.5 million by a court-appointed board of view. Learn more about that at this meeting.

Project Status Discrepancy: A notable point of contention emerged between the board's position and residents' perceptions. The Board Chair stated definitively that the project is "dead" and "will never be built." However, residents countered that the sewer authority has only voted to "stop work" and has not formally "canceled" the project, leaving its future ambiguous. Read “Sewer Authority at a ‘Juncture.’ Which Road Will It Take in the Future?”

Attend this meeting to get some answers regarding this issue from the NBCJMA Board.

Planning Commission

Tuesday, 18 November 2025, 7:00 PM * 100 Municipal Dr, Newtown, PA

The agenda lists several items, including the approval of minutes and reports from various township committees, but specifically mentions five Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) matters, including one for Community Veterinary Partners at 228 N. Sycamore Street and another for Vecchia Osteria at 20A Richboro Road:

  • First Trust Bank, 11 Durham Road
  • Melange on Sycamore, 255 N. Sycamore Street (window variance)
  • 826-828 Newtown-Yardley Road LLC (signage variance)
  • Community Veterinary Partners, 228 N. Sycamore Street
  • Vecchia Osteria, 20A Richboro Road (parking variance)

The extensive documentation for Community Veterinary Partners reveals the applicant is seeking a special exception and multiple variances to convert a vacant residential dwelling into an expansion of the existing, nonconforming veterinary hospital, which would increase the floor space of the use by over 61% and requires relief for parking requirements. Historical documents included in the application show the veterinary clinic's nonconforming status was originally approved by the ZHB in a 1978 Opinion and Order allowing for a change of use and a variance for lot size and coverage.

The owner of 826-828 Newtown-Yardley Rd seeks a variance to install two double-sided free standing, internally illuminated signs to replace existing nonconforming free standing signs. The brief excerpt for the Vecchia Osteria application merely indicates relevant dates, suggesting its review will also occur around the time of the Planning Commission meeting.

Mack's Newtown Voice · Signs, Windows, & Parking: Zoning Variances Requested

 

Board of Supervisors

Tuesday, 25 November 2025, 7:00 PM * 100 Municipal Dr, Newtown, PA

You LAST CHANCE to comment on the 2026 Budget! This meeting is the first opportunity for the supervisors to vote on approving the budget, so it is likely to be on the agenda.

Also likely on the agenda is reopening the fire services contract between the Township and Borough. Read more about that here... It appears that some supervisors made promises to the Borough WITHOUT prior approval of the Supervisors. That’s just not how negotiations work!

Public comment will be taken via e-mail during the course of the meeting. All public comment must contain the commenter’s name and confirmation that the commenter is a Township resident or taxpayer, and should be as succinct as possible. Emailed comments will be read aloud. Comments may be addressed to: Comments@newtownpa.gov

If you cannot send email comments during the meeting, you may still email supervisor ANY TIME prior to the meeting to let them know your opinion. Here’s MY OPINION: “Taxes are UP 30% New Road Paving Miles are DOWN 25%!” What’s YOUR OPINION? Tell it to the supervisors:

Board of Supervisors Email List

Selected Recent Past Meetings

See the Site Index for a list of ALL past meetings…

Board of Supervisors 12 November 2025

Quick Highlights

  • Meet Mack Monday recap: Budget, road paving, fire services, and Fountain Farm Lane parking were reviewed with residents.
  • Consent Agenda: Bills list of $587,098.60 (plus $1,507.66 in transfers) approved 5–0.
  • 413 Durham Road Sewage Planning Module: EDU/GPD calculation discrepancy flagged for clarification.
  • Fire Apparatus Grant: Resolution to seek $1,000,000 LSA grant for new aerial truck and pumper.
  • Fire Services Agreement: 2026 agreement with NFA approved 5–0; operational benchmarks removed.
  • Borough Fire Services Payment: After resident input, BOS increased 2026 requested payment from $275,000 to $350,000 (3–2 vote).
  • Police Report: Monthly stats for October 2025 presented; questions raised about missing speed board data.
  • 2026 Budget: 4-mill tax increase, questions on revenues, HR position, police vehicles, and tech spending.
  • Road Program: Only 1.85 miles of paving funded vs. ~3.56 miles needed annually.

Mack's Newtown Voice · Highlights of the 12 November 2025 Newtown BOS Meeting

Related Content:

3 November 2025 Meet Mack Monday Zoom Meeting

On November 3, 2025, I hosted a Meet Mack Monday Zoom session to walk residents through some of the biggest issues facing Newtown Township: the 2026 draft budget, the road paving program, the ongoing fire services non-agreement with the Borough, public concerns about Fountain Farm Lane parking enforcement, and more.

View the video of the Powerpoint Presentation and Listen to the Q&A Session that followed. More details...

Board of Supervisors 22 October 2025

The central topic of this meeting was the 2026 Budget Presentation, which included proposals for tax increases for the fire protection and rescue squad funds, while addressing a structural deficit in the general fund without proposing a general tax increase at that time.
Other significant discussions involved a controversial local sewer plant project, which the board confirmed was permanently abandoned, and resident complaints about new parking restrictions and ticketing on Fountain Farm Lane in the New Town Gate development. The board also addressed various zoning hearing applications and agreed to advertise the preliminary budget for public review. More details...

21 October 2025 Planning Commission

The Planning Commission addressed several major issues at its October 21, 2025 meeting, including a revised native plants ordinance, four Zoning Hearing Board applications, and a three-lot subdivision plan for 473 Lower Dolington Road. More details…

Listen to this “Deep Dive” Podcast for a quick informative summary of the meeting:

Mack's Newtown Voice · From Right Tree Species to Right Wall Sign Placement

Board of Supervisors 13 October 2025 Work Session

At the October 13, 2025 Board of Supervisors Work Session, debate flared over how much Newtown Borough should pay Newtown Township for professional fire protection services. The discussion exposed deep divisions among supervisors and left open the question of whether the Borough will have guaranteed fire coverage in 2026.  

Newtown Board of Supervisors 8 October 2025 Meeting

The Board of Supervisors Meeting Agenda for October 8, 2025, outlined upcoming actions, including a public hearing for a PRD variance, considering payment of bills totaling over $750,000, and authorizing the solicitor to address fire services and a pedestrian bridge agreement. 

In the Newtown Gate community, a long-simmering frustration has boiled over. After decades of an established parking culture, the township has suddenly begun issuing tickets to residents parking along Fountain Farm Lane, igniting a firestorm of protest from residents who feel blindsided and ignore

Also discussed is a detailed briefing on the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement (IGA), which confirms the partnership between the Township and Newtown Borough for the $999,979 Newtown Creek Pedestrian Bridge Project, explaining the shared funding responsibilities, the Township's role as grant recipient, and the mandatory arbitration process for dispute resolution. More...

Newtown Board of Supervisors 24 September 2025 Meeting

Public comments focus heavily on a parking enforcement issue at Newtown Gate, where a resident representative argues against recent ticketing on Fountain Farm Lane and alleges a double standard in enforcement. Another resident addresses traffic and pedestrian safety issues at the intersection of Summit and Newtown Gate, specifically requesting a right-turn lane and better crosswalk provisions.

The meeting includes a Planning Commission report discussing land development applications, including a proposed mini-storage facility that requires several variances, notably for a manager's apartment that is not a permitted use.

Finally, board members discuss an ongoing, contentious fire services agreement negotiation with Newtown Borough and provide updates on local infrastructure projects, such as sewer line replacements and the status of a proposed pedestrian bridge that the board ultimately voted against approving the current agreement for due to financial concerns. More...

22 September 2025 Meet Mack Monday Via Zoom

The discussion covers a wide range of issues, including a controversial mixed-use development proposal by Jim Worthington (Goodnoe Homestead), various concerns about historic preservation and signage at a new restaurant called Melange, and the ongoing saga of the sewer authority's land dispute and rate increases. Listen to the podcast…

10 September 2025 Board of Supervisors

The Newtown Board of Supervisors meeting on September 10, 2025, began with a special commendation for Chief Glenn Foresight, who was honored for 50 years of dedicated service to the township's fire services. Public comment featured Chandler Hall residents expressing urgent safety concerns about their crosswalk on South Sycamore Street, requesting brighter, flashing pedestrian-activated lights due to increased traffic and the slow mobility of residents. Additionally, residents voiced strong opposition to a proposed large apartment complex with businesses by Jim Worthington on the Goodnoe farm area, citing fears of overdevelopment, more…

Mack's Newtown Voice · Beyond Bagels & Billboards: 10 Sept 2025 BOS Meeting

 

8 September 2025 Environmental Advisory Council

Overall theme: The #NewtownPA Environmental Advisory Council (EAC) is moving forward with hands-on ecological projects (pollinator garden, bird habitat) while also tackling policy initiatives (landscaping equipment restrictions, native plant ordinance). Partnerships with schools, HOAs, businesses, and neighboring municipalities are key strategies. Details…

13 August 2025 Board of Supervisors

Chandler Hall Crosswalk Concern, Running Water for Baseball Fields, Planning Commission Report (Mélange, Newtown Bagel, JMZO amendments), HOA Issues, July 2025 Police Report, more…

5 August 2025 Planning Commission

This is my personal summary of the 5 August 2025 Newtown Township Planning Commission Meeting. This is NOT a complete nor is it an official summary.

Agenda
      Mélange on Sycamore
      Newtown Bagel
      Amended Billboard Ordinance
      Wireless Communs Ordinance

9 July 2025 Board of Supervisors

Appointment(s) to the Sewer Authority Board, Certificate of Appropriateness for 255 N. Sycamore Street aka Mélange on Sycamore, June 2025 Police Report, 2025 DCED Multimodal Transportation Fund Program Grant, more…

Newtown Creek Pedestrian Bridge Plan Presentation

Thursday, June 26, 2025 at 7:00 PM * 100 Municipal Dr, Newtown, PA

Public Meeting to Present Plans for the Newtown Creek Pedestrian Bridge. The new pedestrian bridge will cross Newtown Creek next to the old trolley bridge foundations between Frost Lane in the Borough and Sycamore Street in the Township. On June 26, 2025, the Newtown Creek Coalition held a public meeting to present plans for this. The following video was created from audio and photos at that meeting.

23 June 2025 Meet Mack Monday

Some topics included appointment of Newtown Township representative to Sewer Authority Board - Latest Info (the recent Patch article does not have the latest news regarding this issue), Billboards in Newtown? Pedestrian Safety (crosswalks, etc.), Roadwork - Contract Awarded, Newtown Twp/Boro Fire Services Agreement, New Fire Station - Concept Plans, Scope, & Budget, Newtown Creek Bridge Public Meeting, What's Happening with Steeple View Property?, Holy Family Student Housing Project... View the PPT and Notes

This is not an official Newtown Township meeting. It is hosted by Newtown Supervisor John Mack to learn more about issues of concern to Newtown Township residents and to share ideas on important issues.

11 June 2025 Board of Supervisors Meeting

Pride Month and Juneteenth celebrated by Supervisor Mack, 2025 Newtown Police report, Sewer Authority Representative Vote – Who’s In and Who’s Out, Volunteer Firefighter Incentive Options, Newtown Creek Bridge Update, more…

28 May 2025 Board of Supervisors Meeting

AGENDA included:  Mack Attends Events, Cava Restaurant Conditional Use Hearing, Firehouse Building Study, NBCJMA Board Appointment,  More... 

14 May 2025 Board of Supervisors Meeting

AGENDA included:  Planning Commission synopsis, My Vacation, April 2025 Police Report, Approval of PBA Contract, More... 

23 April 2025 Board of Supervisors Meeting

AGENDA included:  Consider payment of the April 23, 2025 bills list in the amount of $238,157.51, Authorization to purchase 2 Police vehicles and upfitting in the amount of $197,762.21, Award 2025 Road Program, Authorize Newtown Creek Bridge Engineering Contract, More...