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this discussion took place during the November 13, 2023, Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting. Supervisor John Mack presented his questions regarding the utility of this bridge to Newtown Township and suggested it would benefit primarily Steeple View residents in the Borough.
Newtown Environmental Advisory Board member Jan Filios pointed out the environmental concerns, which may be insurmountable due to zoning ordinances that are in place regarding flood plains.
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Newtown News of Interest
These Scoops are excerpts from articles published in local newspapers and other sources that may be of interest to Newtown area residents. Please click on the "From" link to access the full original article. Any opinions and "insights" appended to these article summaries are solely those of John Mack and do not represent the opinions of any other person or entity. Curated by johnmacknewtown |
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According to a recent email from the Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority to Newtown Twp: “Based on the provided information, we believe NBCJMA [Newtown Bucks County Joint Municipality Authority] has presented enough evidence to allow the “AOP” project [Toll Brothers Twining Bridge/Durham Rd Housing Plan] for 45 EDUs to be added to the NICMP [Neshaminy Interceptor Connection Management Plan], and moved immediately to the released column.”
In summary, the Toll project can proceed, other EDU's/connections (e.g., Wawa?) will be processed on a case by case basis.
The Neshaminy Interceptor is a large sewer main that takes sewage from Bucks County to a Philadelphia treatment facility. When there is a major storm, the interceptor becomes filled with storm water that takes up much of its sewage capacity.
NBCJMA Executive Director Warren Gormley points to the Neshaminy Interceptor problem as a big reason why the authority is looking into the feasibility of acquiring a 17.5-acre tract on Lower Silver Lake Road for the construction of a state-of-the-art treatment facility to serve the authority’s 9,000 customers in Newtown Township and Newtown Borough. It would bypass the need for sending sewage to Philadelphia for treatment.
Scarcity of EDU’s is a major factor delaying projects such as Toll Bros and Wawa. Once the NBCJMA acquires the land and builds a new sewage treatment plant there no longer will be a limited number of sewage connections/EDUs that will be needed for new development projects in Newtown. If you think there is “over development” now, you ain’t nothin’ seen anything!
Related Content:
“Sewer Authority Representatives Discuss Proposed Sewage Treatment Plant at #NewtownPA BOS Meeting”; https://sco.lt/7OkpCC
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This Zoom meeting focused on Chick-fil-A on the Bypass, Plastic Bag Ban, Corners at Newtown Development, Washington Xing Bridge Replacement, and more...
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A Newtown Township resident has launched an online petition drive against a proposal to build a Chick-Fil-A restaurant on the east side of the township.
Newtown Equities, LLC, has filed a zoning application with the township to build a 6,000-square-foot restaurant with a drive-thru at the former site of the TD Bank at 98 Upper Silver Lake Road near its intersection with Newtown-Yardley Road.
[Read “Chick-fil-A Wants to Set Up Shop at Intersection of NT-Yardley Rd and #NewtownPA Bypass”; https://sco.lt/5L9k7U]
The property is diagonally across the Newtown Bypass from the site of the new Wawa convenience store and gas station approved by the township last year through a settlement agreement.
Newtown Equities has not formally presented its plan at a township meeting. It had been scheduled to appear before the planning commission on April 16, but several hours before the meeting asked to be removed from the agenda.
[Read “Chick-fil-A CANCELS presentation before the #NewtownPA Planning Commission Meeting”; https://sco.lt/6k72zw]
Donna Serdula, a resident of the 50-home Wiltshire Walk development, which is located within 500 feet of the site of the proposed restaurant, said she's "deeply concerned" by the proposal.
So much so that she launched an online petition drive this week and said she's working to organize her neighbors in opposition to the plan.
“STOP Zoning Changes Allowing Chick-fil-A Construction in Newtown” petition.
"What people don't realize is that this proposed Chick-Fil-A is not on the Newtown Bypass. It's on Newtown-Yardley Road and Upper Silver Lake Road. And Newtown-Yardley Road can't handle the existing traffic. In the morning, you're already sitting through two or three lights to get to the bypass. If there's a Chick-Fil-A there, you're not even going to be able to make a left onto the bypass. It's going to become impossible.
"And we don't even have the Wawa yet," added Serdula. "On top of that, the township is working to change the zoning of the Newtown Business Commons to bring in different types of uses to support the local businesses. That's going to bring in traffic.
"Chick-Fil-A doesn't want to build there because they want to support the community," Serdula said. "They already have a Chick-Fil-A a few miles away. They're building there because they want to pull in business from I-295 and from the drivers getting gas at the Wawa," she said.
Serdula said the township and its residents need to start thinking seriously about what they'd like Newtown to be - a quiet, residential community or a traffic nightmare.
Chick-fil-A Set to Appear at Upcoming Public Meetings:
According to the April 22-26 2024 CODES WEEKLY REPORT (https://rebrand.ly/94786d):
Newtown Equities LLC, 98 U. Silver Lake Road, Seeking relief for a proposed 6,110sq.ft. restaurant with drive-thru (Chick Fil-A) on and existing 3.21-acre corner property, with frontage on Newtown-Yardley Road and Upper Silver Lake Road, where a bank (TD Bank) with drive-thru are currently located. Some important dates:
The official agendas for these scheduled meetings are not yet available, so things can change as we have seen even when agendas are available.
Some comments I received from residents:
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This is my personal summary of the April 24, 2024, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Access the 2024 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2024 BOS meetings to date. Also, access the (UNOFFICIAL) 2024 BOS Voting Record.
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Washington Crossing residents fight bridge replacement. They say history is on their side...
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission met Monday and heard from residents near the Washington Crossing bridge, officials announced in February that they were considering replacing due to age, function and condition.
The proposal was immediately met with protest from residents, who live near the site of the historic Revolutionary War crossing and the bridge over the Delaware. On Monday, Washington Crossing residents crammed into the commission meeting, telling officials that replacing the narrow, metal bridge with a bigger span would destroy the bucolic setting of one of America's most historic and sacred historic sites.
"Word on the street — and the word on the street is usually pretty good — it's already approved. It's going to be done," he told the bridge commissioners, citing unnamed "politicians" from New Jersey.
"The reality is this bridge is historic. It's a historic symbol. We need to maintain Washington Crossing for Washington Crossing. Not for transporting cars, all kinds of cars, across a bridge," he said.
Commission Chairman Aladar G. Komjathy, who lives in Lambertville, dismissed the allegation that the bridge replacement is a done deal. From the time of the announcement, the commission has stated it is only in the preliminary stages of evaluating a replacement plan and that it could take years before a decision is made.
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At the April 24, 2024, #NewtownPA BOS meeting, Peggy Driscoll, Chair of the Planning Commission, expressed surprise that a potential historic structure - the Twining farmhouse - was demolished without input or approval by the Joint Historic Commission an the supervisors. The farmhouse was located on property owned by Toll Brothers, which plans to build a housing development at that location at the intersection of Twining Bridge Rd and Durham Rd.
Supervisor Mack informed her that the demolition was sanctioned by the BOS within the settlement agreement that allowed Toll to development the property.
Specifically, the settlement agreement specified that “Prior to offering the Township dedication of the Open Space Parcel, the Developer shall demolish the existing house on the Open Space Parcel, remove it from the Property, and grade the Property to the satisfaction of the Township Engineer.”
For more details, read "A “Major” Historic Resource Re-Discovered!"; https://johnmacknewtown.info/blog/?viewDetailed=202212161011
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[Photo of outdoor dining area taken on 4/28/24.]
At the April 24, 2024, BOS meeting, #NewtownPA Supervisors approved the transfer of a liquor license to Piccolo Trattoria, which will allow the restaurant to begin serving alcohol as a complement to its food at its newly expanded restaurant.
The expansion of the restaurant into the former Dogs and Cats Rule store next door has allowed Elabed to change to a full-service concept offering lunch, brunch and dinner seven days a week with a menu featuring Italian, Mediterranean, American, and fusion dishes. He's also planning on operating a small catering area inside the restaurant that will serve up to 100 private guests.
As part of the expansion, the eatery is constructing an 80-seat covered outdoor dining area at the far western end of the shopping center. A knee-high wall will surround the patio area to protect diners from the parking area and access road.
The supervisors made their approval of the license transfer contingent upon the restaurant not allowing music of any type to be player via loudspeakers on its outdoor patio.
"At other restaurants, we have prohibited outdoor speakers, basically including Starbucks, Iron Hill, and Ardana. All of those have complied with not having outdoor speakers," said Supervisor John Mack.
Supervisor Chairman Dennis Fisher said he wouldn't have a problem with live music inside being audible on the patio, but he'd be against any kind of speakers on the patio.
I noted that the menu is relatively inexpensive as opposed to other restaurants such as Blue Point Grille and Capital Grill. I therefore felt it would not be a financial burden on patrons NOT to be able to bring their own alcohol as previously. Therefore, I voted to approve the transfer, whereas in the past I was against bringing in new liquor licenses (read “Blue Point Grill's Liquor License Transfer Not Approved”).
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Recall that #NewtownPA's plastic bag ban recently went into effect. Unless a temporary exemption is granted, retail stores must stop supplying customers with non-recyclabe plastic bags and offer paper bags instead for which they can charge a fee of up to 10 cents per bag.
This past Monday I stopped by McCaffrey's in #NewtownPA and had a paper bag issue. As I explained on FB:
"I got this recyclable paper bag from McCaffery's yesterday for 10 cents. Wanting to save 10 cents, I put all my 3 small items in the bag - including a cardboard container in the bottom containing Swedish meatballs and gravy. Unfortunately, the gravy leaked through the cardboard box AND the bag. Next time I am going to have go to the produce department and put the hot food box in a plastic bag, which are still available!"
Now, I know you are going to tell me to have bags in my car and me of all people should know that.
The McCaffrey's paper bags meet these requirements.
Will Retail Establishments be able to charge a fee for their bags?
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This is my personal summary of the April 10, 2024, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
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Just 3 hours before the April 16, 2024, Planning Commission meeting, lawyers representing Newtown Equities LLC/Chick-fil-A, CANCELED their planned presentation before the Commission. I think they were not prepared to be confronted by the angry residents expected to show up.
When the meeting ended, I spoke to about 6 residents who were still in the parking lot wondering what the next step was. I suggested that they contact their representatives on the Board of Supervisors.
In case you wish to do the same, here’s the names and official email addresses of Supervisors: https://johnmacknewtown.info/contactnt.html
I'm quoted in Phillyburbs.com article:
“There’s a line already to get onto the bypass in the morning from Newtown-Yardley Road. That intersection is going to be quite busy and it’s an important intersection. And obviously I guess it’s going to be developed more like an urban type of intersection,” Mack said.
“I think a lot of people are concerned about the urbanization of Newtown, how it’s changing from when they first came here when it was more of rural atmosphere. Those are some of the comments I’ve been getting.”
Related Content:
“#NewtownPA Resident Launches Petition Opposing New Chick-Fil-A Off The Bypass”; https://sco.lt/8EZWJE
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The following is a summary of the activities of the Newtown Fire Rescue for the week ending 11 April 2024.
Emergency Calls:
Fire Calls – 9 Township (3) Borough (3) Mutual Aid (3)
EMS Calls – 15 Township (15) Borough (0 ) Mutual Aid (0)
Weekly Highlights
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Have you seen this somewhat vague item on the agenda for the 16 April 2024 Newtown Township Planning Commission (PC) meeting?: “Newtown Equities, LLC., 98 Upper Silver Lake Road” (Variance Request #1213-24) under Zoning Hearing Board applications for review by the Commission.
When I saw that, I like many others shrugged, thinking it was just another citizen wanting to build a swimming pool. The "LLC," however, should have tipped me off to the fact that LLC's are usually created by developers to hide exactly who they represent.
So who is "Newtown Equities, LLC" and who do they represent?
It’s a New Jersey Domestic Limited-Liability Company created on June 22, 2021. That tells me nothing, but luckily the Variance Request Document that was distributed to all Commission members revealed that Newtown Equities, LLC is seeking variances for a proposed 6,110sq.ft. drive thru Chick-fil-A restaurant.
P.S. Chick-fil-A does NOT want to MOVE from its current location. I'm told, It wants to open a 2nd location.
Meanwhile, they have CANCELLED their appearance at the April 16, 2024, meeting of the Planning Commission! More about that here...
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Discover the Latest #NewtownPA information about Roadwork, Fate of the Washington Crossing Bridge, Planning for Future Housing Projects, and More…
Read the online version: https://www.johnmacknewtown.info/noiapr24.html
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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.”
What About Newtown Township?
At its 10 April 2024 meeting, the Board of Supervisors was supposed to authorize the Township Solicitor to draft a Resolution opposing removal and replacement of the bridge, but that item was removed from the agenda at the last minute.
For background, listen to the discussion at the 25 March 2024 Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting.
UPDATE (4/24/24): Newtown BOS consensus supports Upper Makefield's opposition to this proposed project. More...
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The inaugural Bucks Culture Fest — an event intended to unite the community, while showcasing a myriad of cultures through live entertainment and interactive learning — will be held at Bucks County Community College Newtown Campus at 275 Swamp Road on Sunday, April 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
REGISTER TO ATTEND HERE (IT'S FREE)
Arya Haridas is one of the featured performers at Bucks Culture Fest, presenting Bharatnatyam, a classical dance form that originated in southern India. Bharatnatyam requires years of training, which Haridas completed in 2022 with a 3-hour solo stage performance called Arangetram.
The idea came about last summer, when Angela Nutter, director of Doylestown Juneteenth, approached Jean Dolan, the college’s coordinator of DEI and community engagement, about collaborating on a free family-friendly event.
“I see the changing face of Bucks County and I really wanted to highlight some of those people in our community that maybe don’t feel represented. I also wanted to highlight those who have helped to build our community,” Nutter said.
It is with great excitement that we present the inaugural Bucks Culture Fest at the Newtown campus of Bucks County Community College on Sunday, April 28!
This is a grassroots effort started by ordinary community members to showcase, educate, and honor the many people who have built our rich Bucks County community.
The event will be FREE to all community members. We hope that you will be able to join us to be part of Bucks Culture Fest featuring local vendors, artisans, service groups and non-profit organizations. We are grateful to Bucks County Community College for hosting us this year. The school has been wonderful to work with in coordinating this event that can be uplifting to all.
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On April 4, 2024, the #NewtownPA Zoning Hearing Board granted Appeal 1210-24: i.e., Newtown Artesian Water Company (NAWC), requested variances from and a special exception pursuant to the Joint Municipal Zoning Ordinance of 2006, as amended, specifically Section 404(C) to permit a rear yard setback of 36.46 feet where a minimum of 50 feet is required; Section 404(C) to permit a building height of 40 feet where a maximum of 35 feet is permitted; to permit the construction of a PFAS filtration plant.
Supervisor Mack - a "party to the case" requested that a tree barrier be installed on the border with the Country Bend common ground to mitigate any noise generated by the facility.
For the first time, the Environmental Protection Agency has established national limits for six types of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in drinking water.
The EPA announced Wednesday that levels of PFOA and PFOS — two types of PFAS commonly used in nonstick or stain-resistant products such as food packaging and firefighting foam — can’t exceed 4 parts per trillion in public drinking water.
As of Wednesday, public water systems that don’t monitor for PFAS have three years to start. If they detect PFAS at levels above the EPA limits, they will have two more years to purchase and install new technologies to reduce PFAS in their drinking water.
Read “EPA imposes first national limits on 'forever chemicals' in drinking water”
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This is my personal summary of the March 27, 2024, meeting of the #NewtownPA Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). This is not a complete nor an official summary.
Access the 2024 BOS Chronicle for detailed summaries of all 2024 BOS meetings to date. Also, access the (UNOFFICIAL) 2024 BOS Voting Record.
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Managing Growth and Development: Housing Projections Analysis
The 109-page FINAL DRAFT of the 2024 Newtown Area Comprehensive Plan (“the Plan”; LINK: https://tinyurl.com/FinalDraftCompPlan) was approved for advertising by the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors at its March 27, 2024, meeting. Other members of the Jointure – Wrightstown and Upper Makefield – are expected to do the same, if they have not done so already.
The Plan was developed by the Bucks County Planning Commission (BCPC), and current version dated 2/27/24 is the result of several years of back and forth deliberations among Jointure members. Its purpose is to address the challenges faced by the members. The Plan, which contains nine guiding principles for the future, is a blueprint for the future.
Each Jointure municipality will hold a public meeting to answer questions and hear comments from residents. Newtown Township’s plans to include this at its May 22. 2024, Board of Supervisors meeting.
In order to help Newtown Township residents prepare for the scheduled May 22, 2024, meeting, I hope to prepare several short synopses of major sections of the Plan. This first synopsis focuses on:
Principle #1 - PROMOTE SMART GROWTH
Read the analysis in Newtown Patch...
The goal of the Plan developers with regard to housing, as it was explained to me at a Jointure meeting, was to determine if the Jointure had enough open space where housing is permitted to accommodate the projected population growth. The answer was yes. They used a figure of 224 new residents for Newtown by 2030. This number was from DVRPC; Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission and is based on 2020 Census data analysis. However, what comes first? The chicken (people) or the eggs (developers getting their way)? That is, if you build it, people will come. Although the planners (BCPC) think there is enough available space WITHOUT changing the zoning, they also suggest that zoning be changed to allow more housing (e.g., in the OR and OLI/LI districts which ONLY exist in Newtown). How can this be a plan to promote "smart growth?"
Perhaps the "Smart Growth" section needs an update...
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Seven #NewtownPA Twp residents and one Middletown resident attended this Zoom meeting, which focused on License Plate Reader cameras, removing PFAS from drinking water, Roberts Ridge Park meadow plan, Comprehensive Plan, LDR Trail guiderail problems, and more...
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Welcome to the March 25, 2024, Meet Mack Monday Zoom meeting presentation! I’m John Mack, your host and a Newtown Township Supervisor.
The goal of Meet Mack Monday Zoom meetings is to inform residents of township issues that impact them and to get feedback and comments from residents about such issues. This helps me keep better informed of residents’ concerns when I vote on the issues at Board of Supervisors meetings.
TOPICS COVERED:
• License Plate Reader Cameras Approved
• Newtown Artesian Water PFAS Filtration Plan
• Roberts Ridge Park Lawn to Meadow Conversion
• Proposed Durham Rd Day Care & Medical Buildings
• Dealing with Trash on the Trail
• Comprehensive Plan Update
• Washington Crossing Bridge Replacement Plan
• Problems with the LDR Trail Guiderail
Download the PPT Notes: https://rebrand.ly/25mar24mmmNotes
See a summary of the meeting that includes audio clips of discussions with attendees on these subjects: LDR Trail Guiderail Problem, Roberts Ridge Park Lawn to Meadow Conversion, Washington Crossing Bridge Replacement, Nixle Alert Application
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UPDATE 3/27/24: The Newtown Township Supervisors approved the 2024 Road Program.
Joseph Schiavoni, Director of Public Works, has evaluated the bids and has put a paving package together to remain under the budgeted amount. The township had allocated $755,000 in the budget for paving to be paid by the General Fund, Highway Aid Fund, and American Rescue Fund.
This item was included in the 27 March 2024 BOS meeting under the Engineer’s Report. The Supervisors unanimously approved the Program.
The recommended paving includes (see map):
Base bid:
Alternate bids:
For a total of $744,507.05
This totals 1.99 miles of township roadways. Note that there are approximately 71 miles of township roads requiring repaving every 20 years. Therefore, to merely keep up with current roadway conditions 71/20 or 3.55 miles of roads should be repaved per year. At this rate, the township is falling behind at about 1.5 miles of roads per year needing repair but not getting it!
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I am disappointed that Wexley Drive, which was an alternative bid item (see below), in my development was not included.
The Contractor - James D. Morrissey Inc. - submitted their bid for the Base Bid work in the amount of $542,114.10, for the various Alternate Bids as follows:
Alternate Bid No. 1 – Cliveden Drive $62,787.00
Alternate Bid No. 2 – Cypress Place $70,660.00
Alternate Bid No. 3 – Coach Wood Court $43,005.45
Alternate Bid No. 4 – Mulberry Place $24,053.65
Alternate Bid No. 5 – Monterey Place $30,890.05
Alternate Bid No. 6 – Mahogany Walk $33,783.80
Alternate Bid No. 7 – Wexley Drive $77,437.00
Alternate Bid No. 8 – Meridian Circle $94,488.00
Alternate Bid No. 9 – Remy Place $42,300.15
Alternate Bid No. 10 – Leslie Place $34,845.50
Alternate Bid No. 11 – Andover Place $31,545.40
Alternate Bid No. 12 – Carmel Place $39,027.45
Alternate Bid No. 13 – Derby Place $35,829.30
Alternate Bid No. 14 – Adrian Place $36,421.70
Alternate Bid No. 15 – High Street $95,637.75
Alternate Bid No. 16 – Willow Court $73,151.50
Alternate Bid No. 17 – Union Street $114,182.00
Alternate Bid No. 18 – Jasmine Court $45,299.25
Alternate Bid No. 19 – Thistle Lane $19,220.80
Alternate Bid No. 20 – Bucks Meadow Lane $115,534.25
Alternate Bid No. 21 – Chandler Field Parking Lot $25,099.00
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This is my personal summary of the 19 March 2024 Newtown Planning Commission Meeting. This is NOT a complete nor is it an official summary.
The Agenda included the following:
Note that the BOS expressed concerns about previous plans for this parcel.
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Due to system problems in the aftermath of the January cybersecurity incident at the County, mutual aid statistics for Newtown Ambulance services (NAS) that responded in to the Township is not yet available.
This month‘s report has been generated based on NAS's internal systems and a dispatch report provided by the County EHS Office..
TOTAL RUNS: 211
Note that we count every vehicle response as an individual run. The County on|y counts number of incidents, not number of responses. Total run numbers are based on the total number of reports in the NAS internal system.
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At its 19 March 2024 public meeting, Newtown Planning Commission gave its unanimous support to the Newtown Artesian Water Company (NAWC) and its plans for a building addition at its plant on Frost Lane to filter out harmful PFAS contaminants from the system’s drinking water.
The company is seeking a special exception and variances to build a 2,000-square-foot, two-story addition onto its Utility Operating Facility, including related driveway and parking improvements.
With PFOS and PFAS contamination spreading out from the Willow Grove Naval Air Station to Montgomery and Bucks counties, the Newtown water system is planning to add a new filtration system.
[See this NAWC Q2 2022 chart (the latest I have) showing PFAS levels in its water wells: https://sco.lt/7eob8i]
“We need a rear yard variance for the addition. There’s a 60-foot requirement. We’re about 36 feet. There’s also a 50-foot buffer on top of that for the driveway and the building," NAWC told the planners. "We asked for a height variance so that we could design an addition that looks more residential and in keeping with the neighborhood. It’s not something you’re going to readily see from the road but we thought the effort was worth it."
The utility said the relief being requested from the zoning board is the minimum necessary "to afford reasonable use of the property considering the existing and threatened contamination of the public water system. What is proposed is in keeping with the character of the neighborhood ... What is proposed is not adverse to public health, safety and welfare, but in furtherance of it."
Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 with an opening in 2026.
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wIn order to have a rain water drainage system separate from the sewer system, the Township must have a plan to reduce rain water drainage into the streams, which can become polluted when the rain water carries in pollutants.
To do this, the Township came up with a pollution reduction plan to convert some open fields to meadows that will absorb rain water before it can enter the streams. The open fields at Roberts Ridge Park are key components of that plan.
Regarding this plan, the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) sent this message to the #NewtownPA Township Manager:
"PA DCNR is inching closer to advertising your lawn conversions for public bid." NOTE: This includes the conversions planned for Roberts Ridge Park (see image). This was a bone of contention among residents who demanded - and eventually got - a change in the plan that would preserve the open field that is often used. For more on that, read "Supervisors Approve REVISED Pollution Reduction Plan."
"The speed bumps have been their own execution of grant funding contracts and legal review of landowner agreements," said DCNR. "I’m told they fully expect work to begin – turfgrass kill – later this summer for a fall seeding. Worst case scenario is preparation and seeding spring 2025."
"So, as the grass starts to grow, please mow. I cringe just a little bit but if you stop mowing, in invites invasive weeds to grow and seed, exactly what we don’t want to happen."
This was discussed at the March 25, 2024, Meet Mack Monday...
Prior to this, the DNCR was sent the original plan. Luckily the revised and APPROVED plan was sent to them. As I said in my response:
"Please ensure that whoever does the work kills the grass and reseeds in the PROPER APPROVED locations in the park. I say this because we were previously notified that the plan submitted to the DCNR was not the right plan. DO NOT MESS WITH THE OPEN FIELD AREA!"
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What's YOUR Opinion?
There are currently TWO #NewtownPA Creek pedestrian bridges proposed - one at Frost Lane and Edgeboro Road in the Borough to North Sycamore Street in the Township and one at the other end of town connecting the proposed Steeple View development in the Borough to Carl Sedia Park in the Township.
The Newtown Board of Supervisors already approved the application for a grant to cover the cost of the Frost Lane bridge (read more about that here). The Steeple View bridge is just a concept, but the developer has already asked in confidence for opinions from Newtown BOS members (read more about that here).
In general, how much are you in favor of/opposed to these proposed bridges?