The owners of the popular [Borscht Belt] Jewish deli, which opened last spring, are appealing a notice from the township that its red and green neon sign containing the deli's name violates the township's ordinance, which states that “any sign illuminated by inert gas or any form of exposed tubes is prohibited."

The township filed the notice after receiving complaints, one of which the Borscht Belt owners contend came from a known antisemitic who has had issues with the deli.

[At the 4 January 2024 Zoning Hearing Board meeting], the township’s lawyer, Dave Sander, opened the hearing by asking the board to immediately deny the appeal arguing that the eatery failed to file an appeal within 30 days of the issuance of the violation notice, which it’s required to do under the law.

After adjourning into a brief executive session, the zoning board said it would take Sander's request under advisement as it considers the appeal, but decided to move forward with the hearing.

In 2023, I spent a total of 334 hours (an average of 28 hours per month) engaged in official Supervisor activities that included preparing for and attending meetings and interacting with residents. This compares to 527 hours (an average of 44 hours per month) on such activities in 2022.

I keep track of the time spent on the following activities:

• Preparation for BOS Meetings
• Attending Optional Meetings/Activities
• Interaction with Residents
• Travel To & From Meetings

Welcome to “#NewtownPA Year 2023 in Images.” There were many unique and interesting issues that I and other Newtown Township Supervisors confronted in 2023.

This is a selection of images that document what I consider the most interesting news items and issues.

Many of these were highlighted in my News of Interest to Newtown Area Residents email newsletter, Twitter account, Facebook page, or website.

A son is speaking out after his mother was struck by a car for the second time in a year at the same intersection in Newtown Township.

The latest incident happened this past fall on Buck Road at the Diamond Drive entrance to Crown Pointe, a development of single-family homes and condominiums.

At the December 12, 2023, Newtown Borough Council public meeting, attorney Timothy J. Duffy, representing Steeple View, L.P., claimed that Newtown Township “still supports” the proposed Steeple View pedestrian bridge (for background read "Proposed Steeple View Pedestrian Bridge: Is It a Bridge Too Far?”).

"Wow, after viewing the video of Mr Duffy, it becomes clear that the current Township Supervisors' input does not matter” said a resident in a comment to my survey. 

Here are the TOP 25 most most viewed topics/videos/audio podcasts/scoops/blog posts, etc. that I posted in 2023 via www.johnmacknewtown.info:

1. VIDEO: Loose LDR Guardrail
2. AUDIO: Planning Commission Split Regarding Capital Grille Signage
3. AUDIO: EDC Discussion of Overlay to the LI and OLI Zoning Districts
4. VIDEO: SPOOKY STOP SIGN SAWER STRIKES IN NEWTOWN!
5. VIDEO: Supervisor Mack Responds to KRE's Motion to "Muzzle"

At the January 2, 2024, Newtown Board of Supervisors Re-organization meeting, I announced that on December 19, 2023, I nominated Supervisor Elen Snyder for the 2024 City & State PA Above & Beyond: Women Awards.