While local government proceedings often look like a sea of mundane motions on paper, the July 22nd 2026 meeting of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) proved that the “fine print” of these sessions carries the weight of the town’s future.
From the regional zoning of high-tech infrastructure to the potential dismantling of iconic community institutions, the evening revealed a township in the midst of a profound—and often tense—transition.
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With the data center ordinance heading toward a critical public hearing in late August or September, and the Attorney General weighing the fate of Chandler Hall, Newtown finds itself at a crossroads.
The July 14, 2026, meeting of the Newtown, Bucks County, Joint Municipal Authority (NBCJMA) focused on the finalization of the 2026/2027 fiscal budget, infrastructure maintenance, agreement to sell the Lower Silverlake Rd property*, and the resurgence of a significant private telecommunications project. Key takeaways include the approval of a “tight” budget effective August 1, 2026, which lacks major capital projects but continues focus on Inflow and Infiltration (I&I) activity.
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*Can it be that 42 University LLC made another more acceptable offer to purchase the land back?
UPDATE (7/24/26): Special Meeting of the Newtown Sewer Authority Board on 28 July will hopefully reveal the potential buyer and the offer.
This analysis summarizes the length, video views, and major topics discussed during 2026 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meetings through July 8, 2026.
Results to date: AVER meeting DURATION = 37 minutes, AVER number of video views = 30.
For comparison, view the 2025 BOS Meetings Analysis, which shows that meetings that year averaged 78 minutes in duration and had an average of 70 video views each.
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One has to wonder if the BOS in 2026 can be doing all it can to benefit residents if its public meetings average only 37 minutes in duration to date (July 8, 2926)?
5 Surprising Truths About How PA Zoning Hearing Boards Really Operate
While citizens often expect total, unvarnished transparency from any government entity, the PA Sunshine Act and established case law provide ZHBs with a unique set of rules. These rules allow—and sometimes even mandate—privacy in ways that might shock the average resident.
As a civic journalist, I’ve seen how these "hidden" rules can frustrate the public, but understanding them is your first step toward real accountability.
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Although ZHBs may hold private executive sessions for legal counsel or quasi-judicial deliberations, they are strictly prohibited from taking final official actions behind closed doors. Furthermore, while the specifics of private discussions remain confidential, the board must publicly announce the reason for the session and record its occurrence in the official minutes.
In a climate where local government proceedings have become increasingly opaque to the average taxpayer, a new force for civic engagement has emerged to dismantle the wall of silence in Newtown Township.
The initiative is spearheaded by a trio of veteran community voices: former Township Supervisor John Mack, advocate Charlie Feuer, and Al Dufault, an independent resident specializing in fiscal oversight.
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NOG’s most urgent interrogation involves the township’s reliance on the “consent agenda”—a parliamentary tool intended for routine, non-controversial items that is instead being used to mask significant expenditures. When items are bundled into a single vote, it bypasses public debate, effectively allowing the board to operate on autopilot with taxpayer funds.
UPDATE (7/8/26): Close Date extended to Jul 13th 2026, 5:00 PM EDT (previously was 8th July).
UPDATE (7/13/26): Close Date extended to Jul 16th 2026, 5:00 PM EDT (previously was 13th July).
In response to bidder inquiries and budgetary requirements, the project has categorized various components into Base Bid and Add/Alternate items. Howell Engineering has answered several questions from potential bidders. I summarize a few important ones with my concerns below (see Responses to Bidder Questions #2 (REBID) ...).
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I have several concerns regarding the cheaper structural features such as wood piling foundations vs reinforced concrete and wood post wire mesh railings vs aluminum railings with Steel mesh panels.
The Newtown Creek Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge & Trail project, detailed in Addendum #2 of the May 1, 2026, rebid specifications, involves the construction of a 170-linear foot timber and steel girder bridge and a 493-linear foot asphalt trail in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
The project uses a “Base Bid” and “Add Alternate” structure to give the Newtown Creek Coalition and associated municipalities flexibility in award selection based on available funding and project priorities.
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Originally estimated at $750,000 the project was intended to be fully funded by a $999,979 Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development Local Share Account (LSA) grant. However, the reality of the bids has left the township with a massive problem: the lowest bid came in at $1.1 million, with the high end reaching $1.5 million.
The Newtown Creek Pedestrian Bridge project is currently facing a significant financial crisis as construction bids have repeatedly exceeded the available grant funding. Although the township secured nearly one million dollars for the work, a substantial portion has already been consumed by administrative and legal fees, leaving only $836,025 for actual building costs. Despite efforts to reduce expenses through simplified design specifications, the most recent contractor proposals still far outpace this remaining budget. This persistent gap has led to sharp criticism regarding the engineering firm’s ability to align the project’s scope with its economic reality. Consequently, local leaders must now decide whether to seek a third round of bids, replace their current consultants, or cancel the bridge project entirely.
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Is a “Three-Peat” Needed?
I believe the same fate awaits the ReBID – rejection of all bids. The question then will be SHOULD A NEW ReBID process be launched – i.e., a “Three-Peat”? Does the bridge need a redesign? Is Howell Engineering up to task? Should Newtown disengage with Howell Engineering and demand a refund for failed execution, which can be used to hire a new engineering company for a complete redesign?
Chandler Hall—a long-standing nonprofit, Quaker-affiliated senior care and hospice community—is in the process of being sold to CIG/99 Barclay Propco LLC.
CIG/99 Barclay Propco LLC is a private, for-profit real estate holding entity structured to acquire and hold physical real estate assets, not senior care communities. It is likely, therefore, that the sale would result in the Chandler Hall property being converted into a for-profit senior living housing complex.
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, or OAG, must review this transaction to ensure that it does not adversely affect the health needs of the community.
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There is still time to voice your concern. Submit a comment opposing this sale to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. That is exactly what I intend to do. Read more to find out how...
At a rare Work Session held on 13 July 2026, the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) conducted a technical review of the Jointure draft G-17 data center ordinance (read “G-17 Data Center Zoning Framework”), focusing on environmental protections, utility impacts, and procedural next steps for the Jointure.
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The discussion emphasized the need to strengthen the current draft before it moves to a public hearing. Three Supervisors—Calabro, Merriman, and Merk—and Solicitor Jerry Schenkman were present.
On July 8, 2026, Sunoco Pipeline LP (SPLP), an Energy Transfer partnership, held a public meeting to present its Remedial Action Plan (RAP) concerning a jet fuel leak in the Mt. Eyre Manor neighborhood of Upper Makefield Township, Pennsylvania. The leak, discovered in February 2025 from the Twin Oaks-Newark 14-inch diameter pipeline, resulted in an estimated release of 6,500 gallons of jet fuel into the local soil and fractured bedrock.
The leak was from a 2.5-inch crack in the pipeline under a Glenwood Drive property, described as a 'slow drip' by pipeline company officials.
At the meeting, Newtown Township resident John Mack expressed concern regarding the 70-year-old pipeline’s proximity to Newtown and the potential for the MPE drawdown to pull contamination toward the Artesian water supply.
This briefing document provides a comprehensive synthesis of Newtown Township Police Department (NTPD) traffic enforcement activity and citation data for the period of January 1, 2026, through May 31, 2026. The analysis is based on recorded incidents across Newtown Township and Wrightstown.
The traffic citation data from the first five months of 2026 reveals a consistent pattern of enforcement, primarily focused on vehicle compliance and administrative regulations. The Newtown Bypass serves as the most frequent site for traffic stops, accounting for a significant majority of all citations issued.
Transparency is the lifeblood of civic health, and every three months, the Newtown Township Treasurer’s Report offers residents a rare chance to look under the municipal hood. While the spreadsheets might be dry, the story they tell is anything but. These documents represent the most honest narrative of a community's priorities, showing exactly where tax dollars are flowing versus where they were intended to go.
The most recent report, covering the period ending March 31, 2026, marks the completion of the first quarter. With exactly 25% of the fiscal year elapsed, we can now evaluate the Township’s financial performance. In several key areas, the first 90 days of the year have already pushed the 2026 budget to its breaking point.
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Speaking of "Transparency," I am happy that the township has taken the advice of Neighbors for Open Government, which have commented on the missing financial reports at previous community meetings.
The Newtown Township Bills List for July 22, 2026, details a total expenditure of $550,533.96 across various municipal funds. This total comprises $514,773.49 in vendor checks and $35,760.47 in ACH and fund transfers.
The primary driver of expenditure is the General Fund, which accounts for approximately 71.5% of the total budget. Significant costs within this period include professional inspection fees, quarterly insurance and workers' compensation premiums, and essential infrastructure repairs. Furthermore, the township is actively managing a robust summer recreation program and several ongoing land development projects through its escrow fund.
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While the current and past Bills Lists are available on the township website, I challenge you to find them. It sure would be easier if there was a link to the list on the BOS meeting agenda.
Residents and officials in Upper Makefield recently confronted representatives from Energy Transfer and Sunoco regarding a Remedial Action Plan for a massive jet fuel leak.
Image: Kim Brunnquell came to the podium with a tube covered in plastic. When she unwrapped the canister-shaped filter, she said it had been white when installed at her home three months ago. It was supposed to last a year but the contaminants it was filtering out of her well water had already stained it almost black.
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State Sen. Steve Santarsiero, D-10, and Newtown Township resident John Mack asked if Sunoco was checking for other potential leaks along the 105-mile long, 70-year-old pipeline. The pipe carries jet fuel from Sunoco refineries in Delaware County through the Philadelphia suburbs, across the river and on to Newark, N.J.
Newtown Walk resident Charles Feuer asked for updates on crosswalk and sidewalk projects...hears crickets!
The July 8, 2026, meeting of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors addressed critical updates regarding regional land use, infrastructure maintenance, and public safety. The meeting was attended by four supervisors, with Kyle Davis noted as absent.
A significant portion of the session was dedicated to the Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance (JMZO) amendment regarding data centers, which has undergone eight substantive and procedural revisions proposed by Wrightstown Township.
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Another very short (a mere 20 minutes), sparsely attended, BOS meeting! In dact, Mr. Feuer was the only resident in attendance.
Residents are invited to review a remediation strategy proposed by Sunoco Pipeline L.P. following a petroleum leak in Upper Makefield Township, Pennsylvania. Formal feedback from the public will be accepted through August 3, 2026.
The Remedial Action Plan was submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to address a release of petroleum products from the Sunoco Pipeline LP Twin Oaks-Newark 14" diameter pipeline. Specifically, the plan outlines the various remediation options that SPLP has evaluated and ultimately selected to clean up the release in the Mt. Eyre neighborhood of Upper Makefield Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
To facilitate this transparency, a public meeting is scheduled for the evening of July 8, 2026, 7 pm, at the Crossing Church, 1895 Wrightstown Road, Washington Crossing, PA 18977.
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This 70 year-old pipeline runs through Newtown Township. The company tested a couple of isolated areas in Newtown Twp and did not find any leak. However, who knows if there is a leak "just yards away" from where they tested just as was the case in UM!
A comprehensive financial overview of Newtown Township's expenditures across various billing cycles from late 2025 through mid-2026. The documents illustrate how the municipality allocates its budget.
Major recurring expenses highlighted include health insurance premiums, public safety services, and infrastructure maintenance, such as road repairs and snow removal.
Significant one-time outlays are also documented, ranging from large debt service payments and strategic investments to specific equipment replacements like a building boiler. By categorizing spending into distinct areas like fire protection, highway aid, and utilities, these visual reports offer a transparent look at the township’s fiscal priorities.
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In 2026 I began using AI (e.g., Gemini) to analyze #NewtownPA Township's biweekly bills list. Part of that analysis was the creation of infographics to summarize where the mony went. You can find my AI-generated infographics regarding twp finances here...
Scoop.It says John Mack is "A watchdog file for Newtown civic life Newtown News of Interest reads like a standing civic file on one Pennsylvania township and its neighbors. The emphasis is not on soft community coverage, but on the machinery of local decision-making: Board of Supervisors meetings, financial reports, and more."
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With 1,793 analysed posts and more than 243,000 views across the account, johnmacknewtown Scoop.It is more than an occasional bulletin. It has become a sustained civic record for Newtown-area readers.
