The Safe Sidewalk Saga

It began with a symbolic walk that doubled as an expert field study. Residents Charles Feuer and Al Dufault (a professional civil engineer) stepped onto Newtown-Yardley Road to make a simple point: pedestrian safety shouldn’t be left to chance. Their ask was straightforward—build a concrete sidewalk connecting the Tara Boulevard crosswalk to South Elm Avenue, closing a critical gap for walkers, families, and residents using mobility devices. 

The Surplus That Changed Everything

The financial spark came from something rare in municipal projects: money left on the table. Newtown Township had secured an $873,000 Multimodal Transportation Fund (MTF) grant for the Business Commons Sidewalk Project, but the winning bid (NJS) landed at $488,880. That created a remarkable surplus of $384,120—a window advocates wanted to use via a change order to fix the dangerous asphalt path along Newtown-Yardley Road. 

PennDOT’s Surprising Green Light

Momentum shifted when PennDOT proved more flexible than expected. Township Engineer Leanna C. doubted state funds could be used beyond the original scope. But a letter dated February 5, 2025, from Deputy Secretary Meredith Biggica, approved extending work along the Lower Dolington Trail to connect Newtown-Yardley Road with South Elm Avenue—an undeniable strategic win for residents pushing the project. 

The “Cemetery Ghost Story” Roadblock

Then came one of the strangest turns: at the March 26, 2025 Board of Supervisors meeting, Supervisor Snyder claimed “people at the cemetery” opposed the sidewalk because they preferred the “bucolic nature” of the path, along with assertions that the cemetery owned the land.

Property records quickly undercut that narrative: the trail sits on parcel 29-010-055-003, which is not owned by the cemetery. And the Newtown Cemetery Association president, Richard Tomlinson, put it plainly when responding to Charles Feuer: 

“I don't know who they talked to but that's no true. I am wholeheartedly in favor of that.” 

The Battle of the Estimates

After the hearsay fell apart, the fight moved to spreadsheets. The township’s engineering firm, RVE, estimated $540,000 for the extension—implying a $160,000 local match. Residents did their own due diligence and found what they described as a dramatic markup in concrete costs: RVE’s concrete at $200 per unit versus the contractor’s $90. Using real bid pricing, advocates estimated a more realistic total of $265,356.

From Rejection to Checkmate

Progress wasn’t linear. In March 2025, the Board initially voted 4–1 against the project. Persistence paid off in July 2025, when a motion to apply for a fresh grant passed 3–1. Supervisor Snyder remained the lone “no” vote—even when a new grant program required no local matching funds

The final “checkmate” arrived on January 22, 2026: a $750,306 state grant secured with support announced via State Senator Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Perry Warren, completing the project at zero cost to township taxpayers. 

“This sidewalk extension along Newtown-Yardley Road will make a real difference for pedestrians by creating safer, more connected routes for residents... it reflects the community’s commitment to walkability, accessibility, and smart transportation planning.” 

Listen to this “Deep Dive” podcast:

Why This Matters

The finished project will replace a narrow asphalt path offering little protection from traffic with concrete sidewalk and curbing—providing both a physical barrier and the confidence that comes with clearly defined pedestrian space. :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}

A Blueprint for Civic Persistence

• Show the problem (and do it safely): document conditions, gaps, and risks.
• Follow the money: surplus dollars can be opportunities—if residents insist on smart reuse.
• Demand receipts: challenge hearsay with records and verified land ownership.
• Check the math: compare estimates to real bid pricing and market rates.
• Keep showing up: votes change when the facts don’t go away.