Newtown Borough Council Opens Door To Hiring Borough Manager

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown Borough Council voted on August 8 to amend the borough ordinance to establish the office of borough manager as an option.

The amendment now allows the council to consider adding the position of borough manager to the staff. Prior to the amendment, hiring a manager was not an option.

The borough currently employs a full-time treasurer and secretary with the administrative oversight falling to members of the borough council.

Also at the meeting, the council voted unanimously to authorize the running of an advertisement for a borough manager and a bookkeeper.

“This does not mean we’re going to be running the advertisements right away,” said Council President Tara Grunde-McLaughlin. “It just means we have the council’s permission once the council takes a public vote to approve those expenditures of funds. It doesn’t mean we’re moving forward with any of these. It just gives us the flexibility.”

While Council has debated adding the position in the past, it is the resignation of its long-term borough secretary Pat Ours that has brought the idea back to the council table and placed the idea on a fast track. Ours will be retiring in October.

Council has taken no formal action to date to hire a borough manager or to approve the duties and salary for the position.

In other action at its August meeting, council authorized the President McLaughlin to sign a contract, accepting the 2023 Roadway Improvement Program Construction bid from Associated Paving Contractors in an amount not to exceed $221,209.40.

Council also authorized the Council President to sign a letter to Bucks County in support of a county real estate tax credit for volunteer firefighters.

Council also approved a special events application for a Pine2Pink fundraiser to be held on Thursday, October 12 from 6 to 10 p.m. on State Street between Centre and Washington Avenues. The event is being organized by Gina Maria Santoro and Newtown Borough business owners. There is no rain date.

In a special event reminder, Mayor John Burke announced that Music on the Street will continue on Tuesday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. through August 29 sponsored by the Newtown Theatre. The musical performances take place on Greene Street between State Street and Newtown Creek.