Newtown Board of Supervisors Meeting Update

At the risk of stating the obvious, inaction yet again on old business at the Newtown Board of Supervisors' meeting last night sure does point to the actions that the Supervisors may take after the primary or general elections this year.  This coupled with election materials that speak to some of these issues should, in my view, be considered by the electorate as they go to the polls next week. If these issues are important to you, get to know the candidates who want to represent Newtown and how they will vote on these issues.   They are issues that have previously been authorized actions or discussed at public meetings by the Board of Supervisors and yet, they have neither been resolved nor updated.

These items include:

• The public advertisement for a hearing on the CR zoning amendment was authorized by the Supervisors in February, 2013.  It has not yet been advertised. Information provided by the Newtown Republican Party says that the amendment was re-advertised and the map re-drafted to reflect the changes that the Planning Commission and Supervisors have recommended. Is that the case?  I haven't seen it advertised.  In further scare tactics, this same newsletter suggests that if this change is not made, then a homeowner may mount a successful challenge that would allow a big box to be put on the pike.  Seriously, the homeowner is maybe Mr. Khoury from Upper Crust who has previously asked the township for permission to build a restaurant where there are now residential properties on West Chester Pike. And really, a big box—what does that mean?  What I don’t understand is why Mr. Khoury has not sought planning and/or zoning relief if he believes that what he proposes is a positive for Newtown residents?  What I also don’t understand is why the Supervisors authorized advertising a hearing on this zoning amendment and it still hasn’t happened?
• The Springhouse Trail was on the agenda previously and there still was no update from the Supervisors on this issue at the meeting.  After a previous post, there were multiple comments to suggest that the township(though not publicly)had agreed to accept $70,000 in exchange with doing away with the walking trail that was to be part of the development and would be another walking trail which would benefit all residents.  I guess residents will find out after the election if the trail is gone for good or not?
• The Paper Mill Road developer’s desire to take over a portion of the road was not mentioned.  The developer has petitioned the Court for a Board of View.  The Township has not even entered an appearance by their attorney.  Sure seems to me that not even entering an appearance or responding to Mr. Brehman’s inaccurate petition suggests that the Supervisors may wait until after the election and then “settle” with Mr. Brehman.  Maybe that is why Manager Trio, Public Works Director Sharretts and the at least one of the Supervisors have met with Mr. Brehman and his attorney about an alternative path.  Mr. Sokorai was not part of this meeting. When asked why he did not attend the meeting, Mr. Sokorai said” Because the board already decided the issue, it did not seem worth the expense.  I will be fighting their appeal though. “ Except that in viewing this case via Delaware County's on-lin access, there appears to be no response filed by the township. Not even an appearance by the township's attorney.

No mention of why the Supervisors still take medical benefits that cost taxpayers about $80,000.  No advertisement on the repair of the township roads.  No update on the possibility of televising public meetings. No discussion of bike trails.

Finally, there was, however, update on the proposal to rehabilitate the Basketball Courts at the township building.  I understand a bid was accepted and that work will go forward. Also,the arrow on the light at Terrazza is now operational.  Good thing for that, since Dunwoody got the go ahead to go forward on the next steps for their planned expansion which may include sending many more cars past the homes at Terrazza via a new bypass road.  I guess this means that the cats at the Albertos barn will be dodging traffic in the future or will be moving across the street behind the shops at Springton Pointe where there are now feral cats hanging out, too.

The primary election is Tuesday, May 21, 2013.  I hope all residents get to know the candidates and their views.  I hope that all residents VOTE!