Contact Newtown Officials For More Info on BIG's Billboard Settlement Proposal

When the Board of Supervisors’ meeting agenda was posted on Friday, March 9, it had the following agenda item:

“Informational Presentation- Thaddeus Bartkowski of Catalyst Outdoor Advertising- Presentation of Proposal/alternative for ground mounted display system v. aerial billboard installations. Note: Billboard appeal is currently before the township Zoning Hearing Board.”

Now, it’s bad enough that township officials post the agenda for meetings as late as possible. It’s worse, I believe, that they seem to always have an item or two that miss the agenda and are added during the meeting. 

But, it is unconscionable, in my view, that an item of such importance to township residents is posted like it is an unimportant informational presentation about types of outdoor advertising and not at all related to Thaddeus Bartkowski's legal challenge to the township zoning ordinance related to outdoor advertising (a.k.a. billboards).

The presentation I heard on Monday night sure sounded like a proposed legal settlement to me. Last night, when I asked how long ago Mr. Bartkowski requested to be on the meeting agenda, I was told it was about four weeks ago. 

I was also told that he knew he would definitely be on the agenda almost a week ago. But, taxpayers found out a day before the meeting date. Now, why didn’t township officials get the word out about this meeting?  Could it be they have their minds made up about Bartkowski’s proposal?

On Monday night, the Board of Supervisors allowed Bartkowski to present an alternative giant electronic billboard proposal to be installed on township owned open space in a floodplain next to Crum Creek. 

After seven hearing meetings and many thousands of taxpayer dollars, Bartkowski seems to have convinced some township officials that he should be allowed an easement on township land, paying the township an amount that may not even cover legal costs incurred by the township to answer Bartkowski’s legal challenge of the township’s zoning ordinance. 

Given that township residents received little to no notice of this proposal, the supervisors were asked by two residents if they could schedule this presentation again. They would not commit but suggested that if enough residents contacted them, another presentation could be scheduled. 

So, if you want the supervisors to schedule another presentation so you can ask questions about the giant electronic billboard that is proposed or if you have any questions or comments about the billboard issue, email Newtown Township Manager Mike Trio at TrioM@Newtowntwpdelco.org as well as Joe Catania, chairman of the Board of Supervisors, at JCatania@frontrowlaw.com.