Televise the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors' Meetings

Previously, I encouraged residents to attend the Board of Supervisors meeting that took place on April 23rd. It was great to see a much larger than usual audience in attendance. Like a previous comment that was made by “," I hope that these meetings will one day be televised as they are in many other communities. I agree with Walt. You do get a lot more from being there versus reading a synopsis of it in the paper.

It was great for Walt to point out that there already is a cable channel for Newtown Township's exclusive use. The township could broadcast the meetings live along with re-broadcasts. It is true that not everyone can make all the township meetings. But, from the response to my blog, it is clear to me, that many residents are very interested in their local government.

With so much on the agenda Monday night and no broadcast to view, in this post I will provide information about updates that were made concerning Paper Mill Road. I will provide information about other agenda items, including the Episcopal Academy Conditional Use hearing and the managers update and the Wyola School sale in subsequent posts. 

This issue deals with a new homeowner who is attempting to have a portion of Paper Mill Road privatized. If he is successful, it would prevent all residents who have long used the road from accessing the trails in Radnor Township. Previously, this homeowner had sent a letter saying that they were closing the road.  He had put up traffic cones to bar access and had warned walkers of his “vicious” dogs.  

In a prior meeting, it seemed that there was agreement that this was a Township Road. It has been maintained by the township and utilized by township residents for more than 50 years. The township has specified it as a township road when seeking state funds for road improvement and repair. Apparently, there is a small portion of the road which is not improved. Again, it has for more than 50 years been utilized as a township right-of-way. Previously, there was no challenge to this use. 

The subject of a settlement discussion was back on the table. The Township Solicitor Rich Sokorai offered that the homeowner had “retracted their prior letter stating that they (the homeowner) are closing the road.” Mr. Sokorai asked to explore the idea of the homeowners appointing a leader to see if there is any way for a compromise that makes everybody happy. 

Seems to me that everyone is happy but the new homeowner. So, it would appear, here we are as a township expending taxpayer funds to compromise with a new homeowner that knowingly bought a property that sits close to a township road.

It also initially seemed as though the issue was being framed only as an issue for those who lived on Paper Mill Road and Paper Mill Lane. Thankfully, after much discussion and support from a resident on Paper Mill Road, all residents can be included in this issue. 

Supervisor Ross Lambert offered that, “I thought that we had determined that it was a township road. It has been maintained and plowed and cleared by the township for 50 years. Shown on maps for 100 years. I don’t see where there’s a settlement that’s necessary. In my opinion, it’s a township road and that’s the end of it."

The conclusion of discussion on this issue was asking that any citizen that is interested in being included in a meeting about the Paper Mill Road issue should contact the township solicitor, Rich Sokorai. You can let him know of your interest via his email address, rsokorai@highswartz.com.