It's the Climate Stupid!
Pennsylvania municipalities are currently facing a surge in data center development driven by the rapid growth of artificial intelligence and high-capacity hyperscale facilities.
These industrial complexes pose significant challenges to local infrastructure, including massive electricity and water consumption, constant noise pollution, and increased burdens on emergency services.
At the 25 March 2026 Newtown BOS meeting, Supervisor Snyder raised alarms regarding a massive Amazon data center planned for Falls Township, which she described as the largest ever created. "And if you think that we won't be affected here in Newtownship," Snyder warned, "let me tell you that that is just not true. If you've seen your electric bill go up like I have...I live in a townhouse, 1,000 square feet. I paid $451 for my electric last month. Well, that's going to double because of these data centers."
Snyder proposed that the Township pass an ordinance opposing data centers. Because state law prevents local governments from banning these projects or issuing moratoriums, experts are urging towns to adopt protective zoning ordinances before developers submit applications.
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My Comments:
Major tech companies like Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta are under mounting pressure from shareholders to disclose detailed data regarding their immense water and energy consumption . Investors are actively filing resolutions to demand clarity on how these companies will meet their climate goals, arguing that the rush to expand artificial intelligence and computing power should not come at the cost of long-term climate and financial risks.
I suggested to the supervisors that it might be a good idea to have a public work session/town hall meeting regarding data centers before the BOS enacts an ordinance. I'm not sure about the extent to which these data centers impact residents of Newtown, but I'd like to learn a little bit more about that.
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During a recent Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting, former supervisor John Mack challenged the local government's spending habits and lack of transparency.
Mack specifically targeted the use of a consent agenda, arguing that bundling numerous high-cost items into a single vote prevents public scrutiny of taxpayer dollars.
While Mack pointed out that the township is significantly exceeding its annual budget for certain contractors, the Board ultimately approved the expenditures without individual debate.
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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.
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Further Notes:
The March bills list highlights a shift in how local law enforcement operates, moving beyond simple patrols into data-driven technology. A notable investment was the $3,825.00 contract renewal for “TrafficCloud” (read more about that here). Typically, a finance analyst would look for “smart spending” moves; here, the township chose a 3-year renewal specifically to capture a long-term discount, ensuring they have the data to monitor and manage local traffic patterns efficiently through 2028.
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Legal disputes, HARB battles, and a complicated path to opening
Mélange on Sycamore is opened on April 8 at the former Sycamore Grill site, bringing a Louisiana-Italian fusion concept led by restaurateur Marc Gelman and Chef Joe Brown. The upscale, jazz-themed restaurant features a mix of Creole classics and Italian dishes.
The opening follows months of controversy, including legal fallout tied to the closure of Rocco’s at The Brick and disputes over assets and licensing. Brick Hotel landlord Charnjit Kaur has filed a $5 million lawsuit alleging widespread fraud, self-dealing, and misappropriation of funds by Gelman (owner of the closed Rocco's and the recently opened Mélange restaurants). Kaur claims Gelman used Rocco’s as a "piggy bank" for three years, secretly diverting Rocco's funds to purchase equipment and supplies for Mélange.
The project also faced scrutiny from Newtown’s Historical Architectural Review Board after unauthorized window changes, ultimately requiring a redesign to meet historic district rules.
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Further Notes
The central dispute involved the building’s front windows. The owners reportedly replaced historic double-hung wooden windows with single-pane picture windows featuring six large etched sycamore trees, without first obtaining the required approvals.
Magisterial District Judge Mick Petrucci attended the "Soft Opening" (invited guest only) on Tuesday night, April 7, 2026. “It was something that blew my mind. It was absolutely fantastic. The jumbo lump crabmeat was a 10 out of 10,” said Petrucci, a veteran of the Newtown restaurant scene.
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It all began when newly-elected Newtown Supervisor Melissa Merk at the - 25 March 2026 BOS meeting - reported briefly on a meeting that she and Board of Supervisors (BOS) Chair Ed Merriman had with members of the Newtown Borough Council concerning the $275,000 2026 fire services agreement between the Township and the Borough.
"The fact is that there are no negotiations happening," said Supervisor Elen 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.
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Further Comments:
Despite Snyder's claims that there are no negotiations, Merk said "as to the agreement, we expect that the Borough will put that on their agenda for their next work session." See "Breaking News" item. It should be noted, however, that an official decision may not be made until the April 15, 2026, Borough Council Meeting.
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At the March 10, 2026, meeting of the Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA, aka Newtown Sewer Authority) Board, Newtown Twp resident John Mack commented on the land sale offer related to the property that was originally acquired to build a treatment plant, the plans for which are now abandoned.
Mack noted that the 90-day period during which the original owners could repurchase the land for $11.5 million - the price the Authority paid for the land in an eminent domain takeover - has been exceeded.
The NBCJMA solicitor confirmed that the previous owners did not accept the $11.5 million offer. Consequently, the Authority has "moved forward to ask the court for permission to sell the property."
In response to this, Mack suggested that rather than selling the land to developers, the authority should donate the property to the township so it can be preserved permanently as open space.
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