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Upcoming Meetings | Selected Recent Past Meetings | Selected 2025 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

Human Relations Commission

Wednesday, March 18, 2026 * 7:00 pm * Newtown Township Meeting Room* 100 Municipal Drive, Newtown, PA 18940

AGENDA

Call to Order
II. Approval of February 18, 2026 meeting minutes
Old Business
1. Update on community outreach initiatives
2. Revisions to HRC informational power point presentation
New Business
1. Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission training session on April 15
2. Review of draft HRC flyer
3. Review of HRC webpage on township website
Public Comments
Adjournment

Meet Mack Monday

Monday, March 23, 2026 * 7:00 pm * Via ZOOM

AGENDA

Short PPT Presentation by John Mack - Review of recent Newtown area news/issues followed by discussion. Topics include (subject to change):

Sewer Authority Land Sale: What is the plan for the abandoned WWTP land? Did Jim Worthington ask for an extension of the deadline for repurchasing? How much of the recent 47% is for the repayment of the loan used to acquire the land? Learn about my proposal made at the 10 March 2026 NBCJMA Board meeting. should be the plan for this land.
Liberty Centre Proposal: An update on Jim Worthington's proposed redevelopment project in Newtown Borough. Does it impact the Newtown Creek? What role does the Township play in the approval of this project considering it includes a bridge over the Creek into the Carl Sedia Park in the township?
Penn Street "Mixed-Use" Hi-Rise Proposal: Another Jim Worthington project. What are the details? What will be the impact on traffic through Newtown Gate?
Environmental Advisory Council Update: Recently, 2 members resigned. As a result, this Council only has 3 members - not enough for a quorum of 4 , which is required to have official public meetings and vote on items. Learn about my solution and what my plans are going forward.
2026 Township Road Program: Bids will be opened on March 18. Mack will attend this public opening and report whicg contractor won the bid and what roads will actually be paved. Did your road make the list?
Newtown Creek Bridge: Bid documents reveal the engineering details. A mandatory "pre-bid" meeting of contractors was held on 12 March 2026. Bids are dues by March 30. Will the public be invited to the bid opening as was the case with the township's road program?
Human Relations Commission: Summary of the 18 March 2026 meeting.
Summaries of Recent BOS Meetings: The 100-hour work week, the “Discount” That Isn’t, a closer look at #NewtownPA Township’s 2026 fire services deal with the Borough, missing buffer fences, recurring sinkholes caused by failing storm pipes, request for solar-powered speed signs, SALDO revised to mandate native plants, more...
Neighbors for Open Government: Update on this initiative to promote transparency, accessibility, and accountability within Newtown Township local government.
Additional Topics: Closing a toxic environmental loophole, Bucks County African American Museum opening, more...
Privilege of the Floor – What’s on Your Mind?

RSVP to let me know if you are interested in attending this Zoom meeting. It will take only 1 minute to complete. Also, let me know other issues that should be discussed at this meeting. Upon completion of this form you will have access to the login information. If you cannot attend or miss the meeting, I will send you links to the presentation and discussion. Just fill out the form and include your email address so I know where to send the link to the presentation and discussion archive.

Join the Zoom meeting on Monday, 23 March 2026 anytime after 6;50 PM (meeting ends by 8:30 PM)

PLEASE TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THIS MEETING!

Send them this link to RSVP: https://forms.gle/55AGu1LaxJsnsmsNA

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

The 2026 Newtown BOS Chronicle

Beginning in 2020, I began preparing detailed notes before attending Board of Supervisors (BOS) meetings. These notes (1) reminded me about the issues and questions I would ask during the meeting, and (2) provide links to background information.

Even though I am no longer a supervisor, I do attend the BOS meetings. I upload my notes to my website as part of my periodic posting of summaries of BOS meetings. I recognize, however, that not everyone who visits my website can find these summaries or put them in chronological order to see the discussions on the same issue from one meeting to another.

Hence, the "Newtown Township BOS Chronicles," which I hope solves that problem by putting all this information - including the BOS voting record for the year, a glossary of terms, an index, and links to documents and data - all in ONE document.

The 2026 Edition

Also see the 2021 BOS Chronicle, the 2022 BOS Chronicle, the 2023 BOS Chronicle, 2024 BPS Chronicle, and the 2025 BOS Chronicle.

Selected Recent Past Meetings

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

11 March 2026 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary

The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) convened for a regular public session on March 11, 2026. The meeting addressed critical infrastructure liabilities, public safety coordination with federal authorities, and time-sensitive land use decisions. Four supervisors were present, with Supervisor Melissa Merk noted as absent.

5 Surprising Takeaways from the March 2026 Newtown Sewer Authority Board Meeting

Most citizens rarely consider the infrastructure beneath their feet until the bill arrives or the toilet doesn't flush. However, the 10 March 2026 meeting of the Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA, aka “Newtown Sewer Authority”) proved that these mundane proceedings are where the most complex civic dramas unfold.

During public comment, resident John Mack offered a poignant observation: while the "price of eggs" eventually dropped after a historic spike, local utility rates rarely follow suit. This curiosity—why municipal costs are so "sticky"—set the stage for a session that balanced technical maintenance with high-level financial maneuvering, revealing how global pharmaceutical trends and local cleaning habits dictate the cost of living in Newtown.

The 100-Hour Work Week and the $25,000 Boiler

Unpacking the Hidden Mathematics of Newtown’s Bills

Meeting: Newtown Township Board of Supervisors — February 25, 2026
Topic: What looks routine on the agenda can carry long-term financial and safety consequences.

To a casual observer, a local Board of Supervisors meeting can feel like procedural motions and minute-approvals. But the February 25, 2026 session in Newtown was a reminder that municipal governance is an iceberg: calm at the surface, with major financial and safety decisions moving below the waterline.

Against the backdrop of repeated winter storms—what Chairman Ed Merriman described as the “harassment” of winter—the Board wrestled with rising professional service costs, inter-municipal friction, and the literal price of keeping Town Hall warm.

Meeting snapshot infographic highlighting key 25 February 2026 Bills List spending items and public-safety notes.

Newtown Township Human Relations Commission Feb. 18, 2026 Meeting — Key Takeaways

The Newtown Township Human Relations Commission (NTHRC) met on February 18, 2026 to address administrative transitions, strengthen outreach, and discuss how technology (including AI) can improve documentation and public transparency. More...

Snow Piles, Growth Projections, and Newtown Sewer Authority’s Infrastructure Hustle

Newtown’s sewer system is mostly invisible—until winter, development pressure, and regulatory reality collide.

For the average Newtown resident, the local sewer system is the ultimate “out of sight, out of mind” utility. It’s a silent, subterranean world that only enters public consciousness when something goes wrong. But for those charged with its stewardship, the system is a high-stakes puzzle of environmental compliance, civil engineering, and long-term urban survival.

The February 10, 2026 meeting of the Newtown, Bucks County, Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) made that reality plain: Pennsylvania winter isn’t just a commute-killer—it can be a million-dollar schedule-breaker. Between “crazy” snow dumps and delicate negotiations over historic properties, the session showed that even when the ground is frozen, planning for a town’s future never stops. Read more here...

Key Takeaways from the February 11, 2026 Newtown BOS Meeting

At the February 11, 2026, Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, the board addressed several infrastructure projects, including authorizing bids for the 2026 road paving program and presenting plans for a new pedestrian bridge over Newtown Creek. Public and board discussion highlighted a funding dispute regarding fire services with the neighboring borough and concerns over a reduction in the total miles of roadway being resurfaced. Additionally, the meeting included a comprehensive police report covering recent criminal activity and emergency responses, such as a significant snow event. Final administrative actions involved approving a new labor contract for non-uniformed employees and enacting ordinances related to Verizon’s franchise agreement and municipal lien fees. Read more here...

Frederick Douglass Returns To Newtown: The Architecture Of The Self-Made Man

A modern theatrical performance by Darius Wallace, who portrays the legendary abolitionist Frederick Douglass, explored the concept of the "self-made man." Historical records within the text confirm that Douglass originally spoke at the Newtown Theatre in 1864 to support the Freedmen’s Association and advocate for national reconstruction. The performance highlighted Douglass’s intellectual evolution, specifically his complex relationship with Abraham Lincoln and his advocacy for women’s suffrage. Through powerful storytelling, the sources emphasize how education and conviction serve as the primary tools for escaping oppression. Ultimately, the narrative honors the resilience of the human spirit and the collective duty to pursue justice and equality. Read more here...

28 January 2026 BOS Meeting Summary

A Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting that touched on funding priorities, zoning integrity, fire protection, and the Township’s true fiscal position.

The January 28, 2026 meeting of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors covered a wide range of consequential issues—from whether the Township should financially support the historic Newtown Library, to how strictly local zoning ordinances should be defended, to a growing inter-municipal dispute with Newtown Borough over fire services.

Several discussions also raised broader questions about transparency, precedent, and how healthy the Township’s finances really are. See the details here...

26 January 2026 Meet Mack Monday Meeting Recap

A community conversation via Zoom covering infrastructure updates, borough development, signage & zoning, and ongoing concerns about transparency and financial reporting. View the video of the presentation made at the meeting:

Top takeaways

Newtown–Yardley Road sidewalk: the project has been approved for a $750,000 grant and would replace the existing path with a concrete sidewalk and curb for safety.
Liberty Center (Borough): discussion touched on a multi-story apartment and plaza concept, with interest in accelerating the project.
Open government & process: discussion included signage enforcement challenges and concerns about a Consent Agenda limiting transparency if not used carefully.
Budget transparency: residents raised concerns about missing monthly reports and the need for clearer budget tracking and oversight.

See the detailed summary/recap...

Newtown Board of Supervisors Meeting Briefing: January 14, 2026

A quick, reader-friendly recap of the night’s biggest decisions and takeaways — from emergency services facilities to land development and ordinance updates. More details...

A Contentious 2026 BOS Reorganization

The January 5th, 2026 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors reorganization meeting broke the mold. The evening began with unexpected tension, led to a significant leadership shake-up, and culminated in powerful calls for unity and collaboration. It was a meeting that revealed deep divisions but also a clear desire to bridge them. Here are the five most surprising takeaways from a night that set a new course for Newtown..

Selected 2025 Meetings

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