Briefing: Newtown Township Board of Supervisors — October 8, 2025
Executive Summary
- Newtown Creek Pedestrian Bridge moves ahead via a Township–Borough Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA); ~$1M grant-backed.
- Newtown Gate parking enforcement triggers resident outcry; Police cite safety hazards.
- Crosswalk safety upgrades at Chandler Hall/Sycamore authorized for cost estimate.
- Fire services: two new career firefighters sworn in; Borough–Township agreement talks delayed.
- Budget ’26 underway; bills, transfers, and park repairs approved.
Listen to this “Deep Dive” Podcast summary:
Contents
- IGA: Newtown Creek Pedestrian Bridge
- Newtown Gate Parking & Traffic
- Pedestrian & Vehicle Safety Initiatives
- Fire Department Personnel & Fire Agreement
- Police Report — September 2025
- Administration, Finance & Operations
Intergovernment Agreement: Newtown Creek Pedestrian Bridge
What was approved
- IGA with Newtown Borough adopted unanimously to build a pedestrian bridge over Newtown Creek.
- Funding: $999,979 Commonwealth grant intended to cover design through construction.
- Roles: Township administers grant & construction; Borough has joint change-order approval and 3rd-party beneficiary rights.
Why it matters
“The budget is more than sufficient and includes contingency… the missing puzzle piece for the new town trail system.” — Newtown Creek Coalition
Benefits include safer interconnection, economic uplift, and potential traffic relief.
Cost Allocation at a Glance
| Cost Category | Who Pays |
|---|---|
| Grant-covered costs | Paid via $999,979 grant administered by the Township |
| Costs exceeding grant caps | Shared equally (Township & Borough) |
| Grant administration (if not reimbursable) | Shared equally |
| Municipality-specific engineering reviews | Requesting municipality |
| Additional inspections beyond design contract | Requesting party |
| Contractor dispute resolution | Shared equally |
Disputes under the IGA go to a binding three-person arbitration panel.
Newtown Gate Parking & Traffic
Context: After decades of informal tolerance, police began ticketing on Fountain Farm Lane. Residents cited a visitor-parking shortage and unequal enforcement; Police cited public safety.
Resident Perspectives
- Policy shift: HOA leadership: “After 35 years, ticketing suddenly began.”
- Visitor parking: Analysis presented: 0.54 spaces per home — “I can invite half a person to Thanksgiving.”
- Speeding/cut-through: Reports of chronic speeding and unsafe passing.
- Proposed remedies: Evaluate removing edge (“fog”) lines where safe to create legal parking; consider “local traffic only.”
Township & Police Response
“Bottom line… this is a public safety hazard… Citations will continue until there’s a game plan for where to park the cars.” — Chief Hearn
Supervisors committed to pursue solutions, potentially via traffic engineering review.
Pedestrian & Vehicle Safety Initiatives
- Chandler Hall & Sycamore Street Crosswalk: 5-0 authorization for engineer to prepare a cost estimate for safety upgrades; residents voiced strong support.
- E-Bike Safety: Ongoing “education-first” enforcement, with an emphasis on parental guidance.
Fire Department Personnel & Fire Agreement
New Career Firefighters
- Chris Pinowski — 9 years’ service (most recently Bensalem Fire Rescue)
- Ryan Thomas — 10 years’ service (Warminster VFD), Army National Guard veteran (2019–2023)
Rationale: Necessary staffing given a decline in volunteers.
Borough–Township Fire Agreement
Agenda item to authorize drafting a new agreement was removed. Discussion deferred to a future work session following Borough notice of terminating the current pact effective December 31, 2025.
Police Report — September 2025
2,226Calls for Service
49Traffic Crashes
173Citations Issued
13Arrests/Clearances
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Notable Arrests | Indecent assault of a juvenile; fleeing police; three DUIs |
| Public Advisories | Lock vehicles & remove key fobs; watch for deer collisions |
| Drug Take Back | Saturday, October 25, 2025, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (Township Building) |
Administration, Finance & Operations
2026 Budget Timeline
- Now: Departments prioritizing expenditures & capital projects.
- Oct 22, 2025: Draft budget presentation; Board may vote to “hang” budget for 20-day public review.
- Earliest Adoption: Nov 25, 2025 meeting.
Consent Agenda
- Bills: $718,658.59
- Transfers: $34,245.67
- Parks: $23,000 for backstop & fence repairs (Helen Randle & Chandler)
Discussion noted Barrett Associates’ YTD spend > $200k (building inspections largely permit-funded; zoning officer ~ $5–7k/mo).
Connect With Us