Newtown Board of Supervisors' First Meeting of the New Year

Last night’s Board of Supervisors’ meeting proved to me, once again, that if Newtown Township meetings were televised, I think they would be a hit reality show.  Of course, that might mean that the meetings would actually have to be advertised accurately.   What a mess.  The advertisement for last night’s meeting did not specify the time it would begin.   The Township website said 7:00PM.  A resident emailed the Supervisors and Township Manager and was told 7 PM.

A room full of people showed up for a 7PM start only to find that the meeting was not going to begin until 7:30PM.  Four of the Supervisors attended—first meeting and Joe Catania did not attend.  He was elected Chairperson anyway.  Rather than elect Ed Partridge Vice-Chairman again, they elected John Nawn.    What did Ed do wrong that he did not become Vice-Chairman again?

In other business of note, Township Manager Trio got a $3000 raise. The Supervisors voted unanimously for this raise.  His salary is now $108,000.  For this, the residents of Newtown get inaccurate advertisements, unbalanced budgets and a plethora of excuses.

And, Pulte homes had some additional escrow money released.  Mind you, multiple residents of the community spoke to the continued issues with their development in what appeared to me to be the hope that the Supervisors would retain more of the escrow funds.  That was not to be.  After what seemed to be the developers’ attorney’s indication that they may take legal action if the escrow wasn’t returned, the Supervisors went into executive session to talk about the issue.  That didn’t matter.  They came back and voted unanimously to return the escrows as requested.

It is extremely curious to me that the threat of litigation by a developer results in Township leadership giving in.  However, in the case of residents, there seems to me to be a different attitude.  Rather than settle, they are happy to spend taxpayer money on legal fees to fight residents.

On a positive note, Regi Siberski  offered her gratitude for the job that Public Works’ employees  have done in clearing snow and ice during this early and difficult winter.  Thanks to them!  Unfortunately, no raises were determined for these employees last night.  They were in the budget but apparently there is still no decision on whether non-uniform employees will see increased salaries this budget year.

Am I now optimistic for leadership in Newtown Township for 2014? Not after last night’s meeting!