At the December 1, 2022, Joint Zoning Council meeting, it was agreed that Jointure members could add an appendix to the Comprehensive Plan that listed possible/recommended projects for their township.
The Newtown Planning Commission met on December 6, 2022, and continued to discuss the Comprehensive Plan. Most of the discussion was a review of an appendix to the plan. For the Newtown Twp appendix, here are a few projects that I would like to see on the list:
- Converting street lights to LED (read "LED Street Light Feasibility Study Approved"; https://sco.lt/6D5QhM)
- Implement an ordinance banning single-use plastics by businesses (read “Newtown Approves Single-Use Plastics Resolution: Is Your Business Ahead of the Curve?”; https://sco.lt/7os0LQ). The EAC has this on its things to do list. View this video: "Elaine McCarron Speaks Before the Newtown BOS in Support of Single-Use Plastics Resolution"; https://youtu.be/OI4W9jhaUxY
- Set up a solar panel farm so that the town center can be run by 100% solar power (read "West Rockhill is the First in PA to Use Solar for 100% of Its Municipal Electricity Needs"; https://sco.lt/5RM5su)
- Build a new modern police facility (the 2022 and 2023 includes $20,000 for a Police Building Facility Study; view comments by Chief Hearn: https://youtu.be/sOhCTXgIWoo)
- Hire 5 more paid firefighters to cover the weekend. Newtown has applied Apply for a Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant from FEMA three times to cover the costs for 3 years. There has been no success to date.
- Continue to improve pedestrian safety at dangerous crosswalks throughout town. Coordinate a "walk-friendly" program with Newtown Borough.
- Implement the next phases of the trail program
- Allow new uses in the Business Commons. This is already in progress: read "#NewtownPA Planning Commission Reviews LI/OLI District Overlay Concept Developed By The BCPC"; https://sco.lt/8bRI48)
- Build a pedestrian bridge across the Newtown Creek. Read "Newtown Supervisors Agree to Investigate Feasibility of Getting State Funding for Bridge Over Newtown Creek"; https://sco.lt/7ExuVM
- Strive to pave at least 5 miles of roads per year so that we get ahead of the deteriorating road conditions in town.
- Make a stronger effort to hire police officers of color. View this video: "Resident Makes Case For Hiring Police Officers of Color"; https://youtu.be/W9r8Vn7OX-U
- Remove dead ash trees and re-open Clark Nature Center trails: https://sco.lt/8oCTAm
- Further park improvements: TBD