Mack's Newtown Voice Mack's Newtown Voice

At the May 25, 2022, Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, there was a lively debate regarding whether or not to send the 5G wireless JMZO amendment back to the Joint Zoning Council (JZC) with the changes, corrections, additions suggested by the CKS, the Township Planner. There was a disagreement as to whether and WHEN other changes such as those suggested by Mr. Andrew Campanelli, ESQ. should be passed on to the JZC.

In the end, the supervisors agreed by a 4-1 vote to table the motion until further discussion about other changes can be had. Jerry Schenckman, JZC Solicitor, agreed to work with supervisors to hammer out suggested changes to bring before the BOS at its next public meeting.

At the May 25, 2022, Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS)Meeting, Newtown Engineers Leanna Colubriale requested that the BOS approve a change order delay of 60 days for the completion of the Lower Dolingtown Road Mult-use Trail.

The change order was required because of “unforeseen utility conflicts.” Ms. Colubriale answered questions from supervisors regarding specifics and the relocation of fencing.

On May 23, 2022, representatives of Pennsylvanians for Safe Technology hosted a Zoom meeting with Andrew Campanelli, Esq., who is a national expert in telecommunications law. Mr. Campanelli reviewed the current version of the JMZO Wireless/5G Antenna Ordinance and summarized several problems including a “fatal gap” that renders the entirety of the ordinance moot!

Mr. Campanelli also discussed other “gaps” such as protections against excessive limits of radiation, random testing provisions, effective notices to the public, and ADA compliance issues.

He is knowledgeable about Pennsylvania’s Act 50, which represents itself as the guideline to be followed by Townships in the State of Pennsylvania. Mr. Campanelli referred this piece of legislation as “hoodwink law” crafted by moneyed interests to benefit the wireless industry that strips local governments of far more power than the state legislature ever intended. For more on that, view this video: “Andrew Campanelli discusses Act 50”; LINK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le1KMv8J6Gc

“Our biggest concern,” said a representative of Pennsylvanians for Safe Technology, “is we have been continuously told we have limited options to 5G being placed in our community. We do understand and appreciate the immense amount of work everyone has done on this ordinance, but it seems many communities in Pennsylvania have overlooked critical information that could have positioned them in the best possible scenario to protect themselves.”

On May 19, 2022, Jeremy Stoff, Planner at Bucks County Planning Commission (BCPC), met Newtown Economic Development Committee (EDC) members via Zoom to present an outline of BCPC's plan for a LI/OLI Overlay District. The goal of the plan is to revitalize the Newtown Commons by allowing for certain currently not permitted uses that would help keep businesses in Newtown and provide more local services to residents.

The BCPC made a similar presentation to the Planning Commission on May 3, 2022. However, since no EDC members were present at that meeting, Mr. Stoff agreed to come before the EDC to listen to EDC members’ opinions and answer any questions they may have.

Transcript: https://sonix.ai/r/B1MqQDF4fSwPmfXZTNhJmnJg/share

See BCPC’s proposed Overlay Proposal and Map: https://bit.ly/BCPC-OverlayProposal

LINK to presentation: https://bit.ly/BCPC_OverlayPreso

View this video: "Township Planner Presentation on Rezoning the OLI & LI Districts": https://bit.ly/OverlayPreso


Background: “Jeremy Stoff of BCPC Presents Overview of OLI-LI Overlay”- Listen to podcast: https://bit.ly/3wztXxq

On May 3, 2022, Bucks County Planning Commission (BCPC) representatives gave the Newtown Planning Commission an overview of the concept of an overlay district for the Business Commons, explaining that within an overlay some loosened requirements or additional uses could be added to the existing zoning. LINK to presentation: https://bit.ly/BCPC_OverlayPreso

Ted Dorand, PECO External Affairs Manager for Bucks County, was a Special Guest speaker at the April 19, 2022, meeting of the Newtown Economic Development Committee (EDC).

In this audio clip, Mr. Dorand speaks about solar power in response to a question from Matt Peters, the Chair of the EDC, about installing solar panels in parking lots and/or other open spaces.

Mr. Dorand also explains how PECO works with the PA Department of Environment Protection regarding the Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant (AFIG) Program, which provides funding to help municipalities replace older gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles with electric fueled vehicles. It also funds installation of electric fueling equipment for these vehicles. PECO has incentive programs around “make ready” costs.