Resistance to a potential project that could see the Washington Crossing Toll-Supported Bridge transformed into a bigger, broader span is growing.
In an effort to protect the 119-year-old span, the Upper Makefield Board of Supervisors is spearheading an effort to get the bridge placed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The board also recently passed a resolution that raises concerns that a major bridge overhaul — creating a much wider modern span — would wreak havoc on the historic character of Washington Crossing Village and the National Park of the same name, exacerbate flooding, send traffic problems soaring and have hazardous impacts on the environment, including threatening endangered species.
Now, Wrightstown is rallying to Upper Makefield’s cause.
At a public meeting on Monday, the Wrightstown Board of Supervisors authorized signing a companion resolution to Upper Makefield’s.
The Wrightstown resolution raises the same worries about traffic, the environment and the destruction of historical character. It also says that less costly and impactful alternatives to bridge replacement should be considered, including making the span a one-way bridge controlled by traffic signals.
Wrightstown Supervisor Chairman Chester Pogonowski noted that Wrightstown, Upper Makefield and Newtown Township collaborate through a local zoning jointure to control development and ensure quality of life for residents.
“The three neighboring municipalities have worked hard to preserve open space and historic resources,” Pogonowski said. “It is important to ensure that these are not compromised by another agency’s desire to increase the movement of traffic back and forth across the Delaware River.”
Fast-food establishments like this won't help offset the need for higher real estate taxes in Newtown. Here's why:
I looked up what Five Guys pays workers on GlassDoor and it ranges from $21K to $30K per year. The oft-mentioned goal of advisors to the Newtown Board of Supervisors (e.g., the Economic Development Committee, aka EDC) is to bring new HIGH-PAYING jobs to Newtown by making Newtown more business friendly.
The ultimate goal is be less dependent on real estate tax on residents by substantially increasing Earned Income Tax (EIT) revenue, which is based on 1% of wages of non-residents who work in Newtown or 0.5% for residents (none of whom would work for $21K per year!).
Therefore, each Five Guys "Crew Member" would contribute only $210 to $300 per year in EIT. The application says there will be 8 employees. Those employees will pay $4,500 (at most) in EIT to Newtown per year (half that if the employees are Newtown residents - the other half would go to the Council Rock school district).
Admittedly, we are not going to be able to have high-paying jobs located in the Village at Newtown Shopping Center, but the EDC is talking about the Business Commons district of Newtown and one type of business the EDC thinks should be allowed there are more restaurants!
Perhaps such amenities might help real estate brokers fill empty office space, but that space needs to be filled with businesses that pay high salaries, not $21K per year! Just sayin'