Newtown Supervisors Get Poor Marks on Key Issues. Do You Agree?

Here's a glimpse of what your neighbors are saying—and how you can weigh in.

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — How well is the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) doing its job? Judging by the first 50 responses to my ongoing BOS Performance Survey, some residents are far from satisfied.

Subscribe

But before anyone jumps to conclusions, an important clarification: This is a voluntary, non-scientific survey. The results reflect the opinions of those who chose to participate, not necessarily the views of Newtown Township residents as a whole.

Nevertheless, the responses offer an interesting glimpse into what some residents think about their local government.

And some of the comments are especially revealing.

Three Issues Drawing Criticism

Respondents were asked to rate the Board's performance on seven important township issues, choosing among "Poor Job," "So So Job," "Great Job," and "No Opinion."

Here are just three of the results so far:

These results suggest that development, communication, and fiscal management are significant concerns among survey participants.

But what about the Board's performance on maintaining roads, protecting the environment, enhancing pedestrian safety, and seeking grants?

I'll leave those results for the full survey report, which I hope to publish in my News of Interest to Newtown Area Residents e-Newsletter after receiving 100 responses.

In Their Own Words: What Residents Are Saying

The survey also invited residents to submit written comments. So far, 22 respondents have done so. Here is a sampling of their comments, reproduced as submitted:

On government transparency:

"We need more transparency about and accountability for where our tax dollars are going."

Another respondent wrote:

"I'm sure the relevant information is out there somewhere but the BOS is anything but proactive in making it readily available or in providing it to residents. Communication is poor to non-existent for most. Lack of information results in lack of confidence."

On development and housing:

"We need more affordable housing not more luxury homes."

But another respondent offered a different perspective:

"I would like to see development simplified, along with simplified and streamlined zoning regulations. Current rules are arbitrary and waste resources, making development (and housing) more expensive."

On spending and taxes:

"Freeze spending and property taxes"

Not everyone agreed that keeping taxes low should be the overriding priority. One respondent, who thought the BOS was doing a "Great Job" overall, observed:

"The residents of Newtown are very demanding and we are seeing a sharp drop in volunteerism. The simple answer is, if you want quick response to demands, pay for them."

These comments demonstrate something important: Residents don't necessarily agree on the solutions, even when they share concerns about township government.

Should the Township Manager Receive an Annual Performance Review?

The survey also asks whether Township Manager Micah Lewis should be subject to an annual performance review by the Board of Supervisors.

The responses to that question are particularly interesting.

Rather than reveal the results here, I'll leave you with a question:

Should the person responsible for managing township operations and helping prepare its multimillion-dollar budget receive a formal annual performance evaluation?

That's one of the questions you can answer in the survey.

This Is Not a Scientific Poll. It's an Opportunity to Be Heard.

I fully expect someone to point out that this survey isn't scientific.

They're right.

It's a voluntary survey, and people with strong opinions may be more likely to participate. The results should not be used to claim that a particular percentage of all Newtown residents approves or disapproves of the Board.

But that doesn't make the feedback meaningless.

Local government works best when residents are engaged, ask questions, express concerns, and offer suggestions.

The goal isn't to prove that the Board is doing a good job or a poor job. It's to encourage more residents to evaluate its performance and make their voices heard.

Haven't Taken the Survey Yet? Here's Your Chance!

Whether you think the Board of Supervisors is doing a terrific job, a terrible job, or something in between, I'd like to hear from you.

Your opinion matters just as much as those of the first 50 respondents.

TAKE THE NEWTOWN BOS PERFORMANCE SURVEY — CLICK HERE

And if you've already participated, thank you!

I'll publish a more complete analysis of the results, including additional comments, as more responses come in.

John Mack is a former Newtown Township Supervisor who continues to follow and report on local government issues. This survey is an independent resident-feedback initiative and is not an official Newtown Township survey.