Newton Township Board of Supervisors met Aug. 13.
Here is the minutes provided by the Board:
The Newtown Township Board of Supervisors met for a work session on Monday, August 13, 2018 in the Township Building at 7:00 PM. In attendance were: Chairman Phillip Calabro, Linda Bobrin, John Mack and Dennis Fisher. Also attending was Micah Lewis, Interim Township Manager, and Jerry Schenkman, Esq. Absent was: Supervisor Kyle Davis.
Discussion
Toll Brothers Archdiocese Property - Sketch Plan Presentation Marc Kaplan, Esq., representing applicant Toll Brothers and John Crabtree of Toll Brothers attended the
sion meeting to present a sketch plan for the property located on Twining Bridge Road, Durham Road, and backing to the Newtown Township Municipal Buildings Complex. Due to applicant's technical and presentation issues, the presentation was rescheduled for the September 17, 2018 work session meeting.
Residents from adjacent sections surrounding the property will be notified of this presentation meeting.
Old Business -
Mr. Mack suggested an anti-discrimination ordinance regarding sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression be added to the Board's agenda in the future. There was a discussion regarding an ordinance is not law that would be enforceable, but could be used to identify that Newtown is in favor if there is a State law. If the ordinance is within the Township's purview there would be limited authority to enforce in the absence of a State law. There would be no jurisdiction beyond the district court without a State law.
A commission within the ordinance would need to be created for complaints to be heard in a mediation like process. The Township cannot impose fines, jail sentences, etc. The commission would have to determine parameters.
Mr. Mack will coordinate getting information to Dave Sander, Esq., Township Solicitor, and Mr. Schenkman.
- Ms. Bobrin suggested to review the Township's gun resolution as there have been some recent changes to the State's gun laws. Mr. Schenkman will follow up.
- There was a meeting with four representatives of PennDOT to discuss the issues with Swamp Road including a representative of Rep. Steve Perry's office, Lt. Jason Harris, interim Newtown Police Chief, and Glenn Forsyth, Newtown Fire Chief, Mr. Lewis, Ms. Bobrin and Mr. Calabro. There were improvements added i.e. signage, pavement markers, reflectors, shifted lanes and line painting. Interim improvements will be adding stone to the shoulders of the road, clean out debris from the trenches for drainage.
Ms. Bobrin stated that PennDOT would be willing to attend a meeting but felt parameters for the audience should be set for a successful meeting.
New Business -
Mr. Lewis gave an overview of the Keystone Communities Grant. The money set aside will go towards the purchase of a Ford F250 truck for truck enforcement and replace two police Harley Davidson motorcycles. The funds are administered through DCED and will require a grant application and a resolution granting Mr. Lewis to execute the grant application. This will be on a future agenda.
- Mr. Calabro mentioned that there has been complaints about the trees Brixmor has been cutting down. It is not under the Township's control to tell them not to do so and wanted to know if there is a way to communicate this to the community. The master plan stated that trees would be removed to make the project uniform and attractive. There is much more landscaping planned than there was before. Mr. Lewis will ask for a rendering to post on the Township website.
Adjournment
Mr. Calabro adjourned the meeting at 8:07 PM.
https://docs.google.com/file/d/1HYxMjdHqIJmhQYywTvWTL-7FD2XroPDG/view
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