The March 25, 2026, meeting of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) centered on critical inter-municipal agreements, environmental concerns regarding a regional data center, and administrative updates to local ordinances. Key takeaways include:

• Fire Services Parity: Internal friction emerged regarding ongoing negotiations with the Borough for a "fair share" fire services agreement. While newer board members are pursuing a parity-based agreement for 2027 and beyond, an established Board member argued that they were “stepping on the toes” of those who have already done the work – namely her toes!
• Opposition to Data Centers: The Board expressed significant concern over a proposed Amazon data center in Falls Township. Supervisors signaled intent to draft an ordinance via the Jointure to limit local exposure to the perceived environmental and economic impacts of such facilities.
• Infrastructure and Personnel: The Board approved the 2026 Road Improvement Program contract for approximately $827,863 and formally swore in a new firefighter, Samuel Fleischer.
• Commemorative Naming: A resolution was authorized to ceremonially rename Linden Avenue as "Morell Smith Avenue" to honor a local World War I hero.

1. Public Safety and Personnel

Swearing-In of Firefighter Samuel Fleischer

Fire/EMS Chief Glenn Forsythe introduced Samuel Fleischer as the township’s newest firefighter.

• Background: Fleischer is a graduate of Central Bucks West High School and the Middle Bucks Institute of Technology.
• Experience: He holds Fire 1 and Fire 2 certifications and serves as a volunteer with the Point Pleasant Fire Company.
• Ceremony: Fleischer was sworn in by District Judge Mick Petrucci, with his father, a fire chief, holding the Bible.

Emergency Services Department (ESD) Report

Chief Forsythe provided the February 2026 activity report:

• Service Volume: 184 calls for service.
• Inspections: 70 fire safety inspections, 42 fire alarm inspections, and two sprinkler inspections.
• Training Focus: Fire behavior, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) refreshers, rapid intervention for downed firefighters, and elevator rescue (conducted annually due to high call volume).

• Winter Operations: Staff and volunteers manned both fire stations during the February 22–23 snowstorm to ensure rapid response.

2. Inter-Municipal Fire Services Agreement

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the ongoing negotiations with the Borough regarding fire service funding. For background, read “The ‘Discount’ That Isn’t? A Closer Look at #NewtownPA Township’s 2026 Fire Services Deal with the Borough.”

Negotiation Progress

Vice Chair Melissa Merk reported that discussions with the Borough Council are progressing.

• 2026 Agreement: Approval is expected at the Borough’s April 1 work session, with the Township potentially adding it to the April 8 agenda.
• Long-term Strategy: The goal for 2027 and beyond is "parity," ensuring residents on both sides of the municipal line pay an equal share for fire services.

Board Conflict and Historical Context

Member Ellen Snyder expressed strong opposition to the current handling of negotiations:

• Historical Knowledge: Snyder asserted she is the only member with the full context of the past four years of agreements.
• Existing Formula: She claimed a formula provided by Harrisburg was already decided upon at the end of 2025, which dictates the Borough should pay no less than the Township.
• Critique: Snyder accused newer board members of "stepping on toes" and disturbing a previously reached consensus. "The fact is that there are no negotiations happening," said Ms. Snyder. "I'm the only one that knows where we are as far as that is concerned," she claimed. "Besides the fact that anything that's discussed with fire should include me because I'm the only one that knows anything about it," she added. Listen to her tirade:

Public Sentiment: Can’t We All Just Get Along?

Residents Eric Pomerantz and John d’Aprile commented on the perceived hostility within the Board. Pomerantz noted that while Snyder felt "honor bound" to the $275,000 figure, many citizens felt that amount was under market value and left Township residents "funding someone else’s needs." Listen to his comments:

3. Environmental and Development Concerns

Amazon Data Center Opposition

Supervisor Snyder raised alarms regarding a massive Amazon data center planned for Falls Township, which she described as the largest ever created.

• Environmental Impact: Snyder cited concerns over water consumption, toxic runoff, and pollution.
• Economic Impact: She suggested data centers could cause local electric bills to double, noting her own recent $451 monthly bill for a 1,000-square-foot townhouse.
• Legislative Action: The Board reached a consensus to work through the Jointure to draft an ordinance against such developments, potentially using a model from Limerick Township. Chair Merriman noted that the data center initiative is a "personal project" of the Governor, which the Board intends to oppose.

For more background, read “Does #NewtownPA Township Have an Adequate Data Center Zoning Ordinance?”

4. Infrastructure and Financial Approvals

2026 Road Improvement Program

The Board awarded the contract for the 2026 liquid fuels road program. For more about this, view the “Meet Mack Monday 23 March 2026” video. Also, read “#NewtownPA Township 2026 Liquid Fuels Road Program: Bid Details, Scope, and Road List.”

• Vendor: Harris Blacktopping.
• Total Award: $827,863.70 (covering the base bid and all alternates).
• Timeline: Contracts are to be executed shortly, with construction beginning within the next month.
• Approximately 1.9 miles of roads will be repaved: Note that just to keep up with the present condition of township roads, 3.5 miles need to be completely repaved per year!

Financial Oversight and Bills List

The Board approved the March 25 bills list (225,018.89) and transfers (22,883.55).

While you were sleeping on March 15th, your tax dollars were busy buying a $126 "Sound Bath" session for a neighbor and a $409 battery jump box for a stranded police cruiser. Most people view a municipal "bills list" as a dry collection of numbers, but if you look closer, these documents tell the story of a community in motion. Between March 12 and March 25, 2026, Newtown Township authorized expenditures totaling $247,902.44. Far from being just paperwork, this budget serves as a roadmap of community values, detailing exactly what it takes to keep a modern township functional, safe, and vibrant.

Major Expenditures Identified by Public Comment

Resident John Mack noted that five vendor relationships accounted for 50% of the period's expenditures. He also highlighted that Barry Isett and Associates' charges are currently averaging $36,000 per month, which may lead to a budget overage if the trend continues (projected $430,000 vs. $350,000 budget).

5. Ordinances and Legislative Actions

Non-Uniform Employee Pension Plan

The Board enacted an ordinance amending the non-uniform employees' pension plan to align with a recently entered contract. Public comment from John Mack indicated difficulty in accessing the proposed document prior to the meeting, resulting in a formal "Right to Know" request.

Zoning Ordinance Amendment (B17 Elderly Housing)

The Board considered sending an amendment to the Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance (JMZO) back to the Jointure for a public hearing.

• The Issue: A zoning officer in Upper Makefield interpreted air conditioning condensers and generators as "structures," which technically violates sideyard setback requirements in B17 (Elderly Housing) developments.
• The Correction: The amendment creates an exception for these units in sideyard setbacks for existing and future B17 uses (e.g., DeLancey Court, The Villas).
• Board Sentiment: The Board voted 4-1 to move the amendment forward, viewing it as an administrative correction to remove a "bureaucratic step."

Morell Smith Avenue Renaming

Supervisor Davis proposed ceremonially renaming Linden Avenue to "Morell Smith Avenue."

• Historical Significance: Morell Smith was a Newtown Army officer killed in World War I. His remains were recovered five years after the war and interred in Newtown Cemetery.
• Purpose: To honor Smith’s sacrifice, as he is the namesake of the American Legion Post 440.
• Status: The Solicitor was authorized to draft the resolution.

Video Summary