Action To Take Place On Newtown's Proposed Sewage Facilities Plan

It has been over four years and about a million dollars has been spent by Newtown Township officials since they first presented their proposed sewage facilities plan to residents.  Like four years ago, township officials have again, in my view, presented a proposed sewage facilities plan that is neither technically competent nor comprehensive in its scope. 

Like four years ago, township officials met with developers and institutions and developed this proposed plan which I believe clearly accommodates these developers and institutions’ wishes to the detriment of residents. Rather than include residents in the planning process, officials invited residents to presentations after the public comment period.   

As a result of the tremendous amount of public comment as well as these meetings, residents provided the township with some recommendations and concerns that taxpaying residents believe should be part of a comprehensive plan. Unfortunately, since those meetings, the township has not incorporated any of the recommendations that residents believe are important to the plan.  Additionally, rather than keep their commitment to allow residents with working systems to opt-out of connection, the plan proposes to require all to connect.

In asking for residents to vote for Supervisor Chairman Joe Catania during his last re-election campaign, Supervisor George Wood wrote the following in a letter to residents:

“Regardless of what you hear, if Echo Valley is to be sewered, those with functional systems will not be required to 'hook up' until their current system needs replacing. “Whatever it takes to make it right for Echo Valley and the rest of Newtown Square, we will do it.”

Rather than approving this plan tonight, I would ask that township supervisors consider residents’ recommendations and pursue changes to the proposed plan.  I would also ask that township officials keep their commitment and continue to allow the opt-out ordinance to remain as it is today.

It is my request that tonight the supervisors direct the engineer to meet with residents to make changes to the proposed plan. It is my hope that supervisors will be true to their word and will work to make this plan right for all Newtown residents. If, however, the supervisors choose to ignore residents and instead vote to approve this technically deficient and incomplete plan, there is no doubt should the DEP approve the plan without changes, it will be appealed and, in my experience, likely rescinded again. 

The supervisors will meet to take action on their latest proposed plan tonight. I hope all Newtown residents will attend the meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the Marple Newtown School District Administrative Building (formerly known as the Gauntlett Center).  

At the meeting, we will find out if the supervisors keep their commitment to residents and make changes that benefit all residents. Or will they approve and commit to a plan that does not reflect what is best for all residents?