A $35,000 Salary Raise While #NewtownPA Taxpayers Face a 15% Tax Hike?

What Transpired at Newtown's BOS Meeting

October 29, 2026 | #NewtownPA | Board of Supervisors

The proposed $35,000 salary increase became a major point of discussion during the October 28, 2026, Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting.

The debate raised important questions about employee compensation, the township's long-vacant Finance Director position, fiscal accountability, and whether a permanent salary increase is justified while residents face higher taxes.

Background: Why Is the Finance Director Position Still Vacant?

Newtown Township's Finance Director position has remained vacant for at least two years. Township Manager Micah Lewis indicated that the position had been advertised for approximately one month without receiving a response. That raises a legitimate question: Was a sufficiently thorough recruitment effort conducted?

For background, see #NewtownPA Is Accepting Applications for a Full Time Finance Director.

Rather than hiring a separate Finance Director, Assistant Township Manager Katherine McGovern has been performing financial and treasurer-related duties. Note that the original advertised Assistant Township Manager job description already included these responsibilities:

As stated in the published Assistant Township Manager Job Description: "Assist with the development, monitoring, and administration of the annual operating and capital budgets. Assist with grant applications, fiscal tracking, and compliance."

One Facebook commenter questioned why additional compensation would be necessary for duties already listed in the position's job description, particularly while the township is proposing a substantial tax increase.

Arguments FOR the $35,000 Salary Increase

Supervisor Elen Snyder: Compensation and Retention

Supervisor Elen Snyder argued that hiring a standalone, full-time Finance Director would typically cost the township approximately $150,000 annually. She maintained that a standard 5% across-the-board salary increase would be insufficient for an employee effectively performing "a whole extra job."

Snyder also expressed concern that failing to provide appropriate compensation could result in losing an experienced and dedicated employee.

Board Chair Ed Merriman: Increased Responsibilities and a Clean Audit

Board Chair Ed Merriman supported recognizing the increased complexity and responsibilities associated with the employee's financial duties. He cited the township's clean 2025 audit as evidence of successful financial management while the Finance Director position remained vacant.

Arguments AGAINST the $35,000 Salary Increase

Supervisor Phil Calabro: An Excessive Permanent Increase?

Supervisor Phil Calabro strongly opposed the proposed $35,000 increase, arguing that it was excessive when many residents living on fixed incomes were receiving cost-of-living adjustments of approximately 3.6%.

A One-Time Bonus Instead?

Rather than permanently increasing the employee's base salary by $35,000, Calabro suggested recognizing additional responsibilities through a one-time year-end bonus or stipend. His concern was that adding $35,000 to base pay would also increase the dollar value of future percentage-based raises.

Read: Newtown Township Manager Micah Lewis Gets a One-Time $5,000 Stipend In Lieu of Salary Increase.

Resident Concerns: Transparency and Qualifications

During public comment, resident John Mack raised additional questions about financial transparency and the qualifications required to perform the township's financial management duties.

1. Where Are the Current Treasurer's Reports?

Mack pointed out that the public Treasurer's Reports available on the township website extended only through August 2026 and were difficult for residents to locate.

With the township considering significant tax increases and compensation decisions, residents should have convenient access to timely financial information.

2. What Qualifications Are Required?

Mack also referenced a recent community “Meet Mack” Zoom meeting during which an economics expert critiqued the township's Treasurer's Reports. That discussion prompted questions about the formal educational background, professional qualifications, and financial expertise appropriate for the responsibilities being performed.

These are questions about the requirements of the position and the township's staffing decisions, not proof that any particular employee lacks the necessary qualifications.

The Bigger Question: What Should Taxpayers Expect?

The debate is about more than one employee's salary. It raises broader questions about how Newtown Township manages public money and communicates its financial decisions.

• Why has the Finance Director position remained vacant for so long?
• Were sufficient efforts made to recruit a qualified candidate?
• Which financial responsibilities are already included in the Assistant Township Manager's job description?
• Would a one-time stipend be more appropriate than a permanent $35,000 increase?
• Are current financial reports sufficiently accessible to the public?
• How should the township balance employee compensation with the financial pressures facing taxpayers?

Source: Summary of the October 28, 2026 Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting. Arguments and observations are attributed to the supervisors and residents identified above. The source summary does not establish a final Board vote on the proposed increase.