Council Approves 2022 Newtown Borough Roads Program

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, Pa. — Portions of four borough streets will be repaved under the borough’s 2022 road improvement program approved Tuesday night.

T. Schiefer Contractors, Inc. of Doylestown submitted the lowest bid for the project at $260,656.90, which is about $50,000 more than the projected estimates.

According to borough engineer Michele Fountain, the borough received five bids for the work ranging from $260,656 to $300,000. She noted that T. Schiefer had been awarded the road paving bid two years ago and there were few complaints.

The road program includes repaving Lafayette Street from Lincoln to Elm, South Congress from East Penn to Centre Avenue and Frost Lane from Edgeboro Drive to North Congress.

In addition, North Congress will be repaved from Federal Lane to Frost Lane under a separate bid awarded by Newtown Township. Newtown Borough will be contributing toward the cost of the project since the borough line runs down the middle of North Congress. The work is expected to be done in August.

The roads were identified by the borough’s engineering firm, CKS, as high priority for repair under the borough’s road inventory program developed last year.

In addition, the contractor will fix a structural failure in the road on Penn Street just to the east of South State Street. They will also repaint the crosswalk.

“For the past four years or so our street improvement program has enhanced the community considerably. Our roads are in great shape compared to other municipalities,” said Councilor Bob Szwajkos at the council’s agenda meeting.

In other action, Council appointed Mollie Mitchell to the Human Relations Commission, Charissa Stone to the Joint Historic Commission and Julia Woldorf to the Environmental Advisory Council.

Council also approved permits for the following special events:

• A 9-11 Remembrance and First Responder Appreciation event, sponsored by Mayor John Burke, on Friday, Sept. 9 from 5:30 to 7:45 p.m. at Pickering Field. There is no rain date.

• The annual Black and White Dinner, sponsored by the Newtown Theatre, on Saturday, Sept. 10 from 6 to 11 p.m. in front of the theatre at 120 North State Street.

• Newtown Rotary Family Fundraiser, sponsored by the Newtown Rotary Club, on Sept. 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on South State Street between Penn Street and Centre Avenue. The rain date is Sept. 25.