5 Surprising Truths About How PA Zoning Hearing Boards Really Operate
While citizens often expect total, unvarnished transparency from any government entity, the PA Sunshine Act and established case law provide ZHBs with a unique set of rules. These rules allow—and sometimes even mandate—privacy in ways that might shock the average resident.
As a civic journalist, I’ve seen how these "hidden" rules can frustrate the public, but understanding them is your first step toward real accountability.
| |
Comments:
Although ZHBs may hold private executive sessions for legal counsel or quasi-judicial deliberations, they are strictly prohibited from taking final official actions behind closed doors. Furthermore, while the specifics of private discussions remain confidential, the board must publicly announce the reason for the session and record its occurrence in the official minutes.
|
|
Residents are invited to review a remediation strategy proposed by Sunoco Pipeline L.P. following a petroleum leak in Upper Makefield Township, Pennsylvania. Formal feedback from the public will be accepted through August 3, 2026.
The Remedial Action Plan was submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to address a release of petroleum products from the Sunoco Pipeline LP Twin Oaks-Newark 14" diameter pipeline. Specifically, the plan outlines the various remediation options that SPLP has evaluated and ultimately selected to clean up the release in the Mt. Eyre neighborhood of Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
To facilitate this transparency, a public meeting is scheduled for the evening of July 8, 2026, 7 pm, at the Crossing Church, 1895 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA 18977.
| |
Comments:
This 70 year-old pipeline runs through Newtown Township. The company tested a couple of isolated areas in Newtown Twp and did not find any leak. However, who knows if there is a leak "just yards away" from where they tested just as was the case in UM!
|
|
Explore a hand-picked collection of Infographic Pins about #NewtownPA on Pinterest.
| |
Comments:
This is a collection of Infographics created by AI - mostly Gemini and Google Notebook - that relate to Newtown Township PA stories that I publish via my "News of interest" e-newsletter.
|
|
|
A comprehensive financial overview of Newtown Township's expenditures across various billing cycles from late 2025 through mid-2026. The documents illustrate how the municipality allocates its budget.
Major recurring expenses highlighted include health insurance premiums, public safety services, and infrastructure maintenance, such as road repairs and snow removal.
Significant one-time outlays are also documented, ranging from large debt service payments and strategic investments to specific equipment replacements like a building boiler. By categorizing spending into distinct areas like fire protection, highway aid, and utilities, these visual reports offer a transparent look at the township’s fiscal priorities.
| |
Comments:
In 2026 I began using AI (e.g., Gemini) to analyze #NewtownPA Township's biweekly bills list. Part of that analysis was the creation of infographics to summarize where the money went. You can find my AI-generated infographics regarding twp finances here...
|
|
UPDATE (7/8/26): Close Date extended to Jul 13th 2026, 5:00 PM EDT (previously was 8th July).
In response to bidder inquiries and budgetary requirements, the project has categorized various components into Base Bid and Add/Alternate items. Howell Engineering has answered several questions from potential bidders. I summarize a few important ones with my concerns below (see Responses to Bidder Questions #2 (REBID) ...).
| |
Comments:
I have several concerns regarding the cheaper structural features such as wood piling foundations vs reinforced concrete and wood post wire mesh railings vs aluminum railings with Steel mesh panels.
|
|
| |
Comments
With 1,793 analysed posts and more than 243,000 views across the account, johnmacknewtown Scoop.It is more than an occasional bulletin. It has become a sustained civic record for Newtown-area readers.
|
|
|
Connect With Us