14 January 2026 Newtown Board of Supervisors Meeting Summary
A quick, reader-friendly recap of the night’s biggest decisions and takeaways — from emergency services facilities to land development and ordinance updates.
Executive Summary
- Emergency services crisis: Supervisor Ellen Snyder warned that current police and fire facilities are inadequate and may pose serious health and safety risks.
- Land development approval: The Board granted preliminary & final approval for a three-lot subdivision at 473 Lower Dolington Road, with conditions.
- Police operations: Chief Hearn reported December 2025 activity, including a major “swatting” incident and an AI/cyber-scam warning.
- Administrative/legal updates: Actions advanced on a five-year Verizon cable franchise, a municipal liens/attorney-fee ordinance, and landscaping amendments favoring native species.
- Personnel & finance: A tentative agreement was reached with CWA Local 13,000 for non-uniform employees; the township continues finance consulting while the Finance Director role is vacant.
Short “Deep Dive” Video Summary
Emergency Services and Public Safety Infrastructure
Police administration: “small rooms”
Supervisor Snyder described police administrative spaces as cramped — limiting full-staff meetings and pushing sensitive work (like interviews and paperwork) into the same tight areas.
Firefighter health & safety: “hot” and “cold” zones
Snyder emphasized that the current station lacks proper separation for contaminated gear and exhaust from living quarters, raising concerns about carcinogen exposure and long-term health risks.
“Our firefighters are working in a place that contains noxious fumes and cause cancer and heart disease... How can we take our firefighters' lives for granted like that? I don't understand it.”
— Supervisor Ellen Snyder
Operational pressures noted included new equipment arriving in coming years and increased reliance on paid firefighters, with existing facilities falling short on garage space and sleeping quarters.
Land Development: 473 Lower Dolington Road
The Board approved a Deluca Construction / Glengarry LLC application (Tax Parcel 29-10-67-1) for a three-lot subdivision: one existing single-family home retained and two new single-family homes proposed.
Conditions of approval (highlights)
- Infrastructure: Install a sidewalk along the Lower Dolington Road frontage and two streetlights (entrance + dead end of the access drive).
- Naming restriction: The word “Willow” is prohibited in the name of the new access drive.
- Traffic impact fee: $9,631.70.
- Compliance: Follow review letters from Remington Vernick Engineers, CKS Engineers, and the Bucks County Planning Commission.
- Waivers: The Board granted 18 waivers from the subdivision and land development ordinance.
Police Department Report: December 2025
Chief Hearn presented year-end activity and flagged emerging public-safety risks tied to cyber-crime and AI impersonation scams. Listen to this short “Deep Dive” podcast:
Monthly activity snapshot
| Category | Data |
|---|---|
| Calls for service | 2,186 |
| Patrol mileage | 15,000+ miles |
| Arrests | 10 (including fraud, narcotics, and DUI) |
| Traffic crashes | 79 |
| Citations / warnings | 126 citations / 153 warnings |
Notable items
- “Swatting” incident: A Clare Drive resident was targeted by a fictitious 911 shooting call designed to trigger a tactical response; the Chief noted the difficulty of tracking perpetrators who “bounce” IP addresses.
- Regional support: Newtown units assisted Bristol Police during an explosion/mass casualty incident on December 23, 2025.
- Retirement: Sgt. Robert Lupinetti retired after 28 years of service; the department is seeking a replacement.
Scam warning: Police and sheriff departments will not text or email residents to demand money (CashApp, gift cards, etc.) to resolve warrants or “bail out” relatives. Treat such messages as fraud and verify via official channels.
Solicitor and Manager Updates
- Verizon cable franchise: The Board authorized advertisement of an ordinance for a five-year agreement with a 5% franchise fee. The agreement’s revenue sources expanded from 22 to 27.
- Municipal claims & liens: A proposed ordinance would allow the township to pass attorney’s fees onto parties who fail to pay municipal fees, so legal collection costs aren’t borne by the township.
- Landscaping amendments: An amendment emphasizing native and non-invasive plant requirements in new development was sent to the Bucks County Planning Commission for 30-day review.
Personnel and Finance
- General Fund balance: $5,495,511 (as of Jan 14, 2026).
- Labor: The Board approved a tentative contract with CWA Local 13,000 for non-uniform employees.
- Finance consulting: The Board ratified a proposal with Weezner Consulting to assist with township finances while the Finance Director position remains vacant.
Governance Notes
Board reorganization and the “Jointure”
A discussion covered the “Jointure,” a cooperative planning body involving three townships. Supervisor Snyder urged Board Chair Ed Merriman to attend personally to stay closely informed on inter-township coordination, while others noted a representative may vote if the Chair is absent.
Public engagement
Supervisor Melissa Merk encouraged residents to use newtownpa.gov to monitor committee vacancies and stay current via meeting videos.
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