Newtown Borough Council Reorganizes; New Leaders Elected

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown Borough Council seated three new councilors and welcomed back a fourth during its reorganization meeting on Jan. 2.

District Judge Mick Petrucci administered the oath of office to newly-elected councilor Gail Foley and returning councilor Kris Bauman while Judge Cynthia Rufe swore in newly-elected councilors Julia Woldorf and Josh Phillips.

With the addition of Foley, Woldorf, and Phillips to the town's governing board, the borough council retains its five-to-one Democrat majority.

Judge Michael Petrucci administers the oath to Newtown Borough Councilor Gail Foley.

Newtown Borough Councilor Kris Bauman takes the oath of office administered by District Judge Michael Petrucci.

Judge Cynthia Rufe administers the oath of office to incoming Newtown Borough Councilor Josh Phillips.

Incoming Newtown Borough Councilor Julia Woldorf takes the oath administered by Judge Cynthia Rufe. Looking on is Julia's husband, Warren.

As its first order of business, the newly-seated council elected Emily Heinz as president after Woldorf, a former council president, declined the nomination by Phillips. Heinz is beginning her third year on the council and has served for the past year as vice president of the council.

In another unanimous vote, the council elected Bauman to the position of vice president.

Bauman, a longtime borough resident and the vice president of a New Jersey-based development company, joined the council last year following the resignation of Amy Lustig. He ran for and won election to a full term representing the town's first ward.

Looking ahead to 2024, the council is expected to move forward with the hiring of the town's first borough manager. It will also consider the passage of an ordinance banning single-use plastics in the borough and the further development of Patriots Park located at the intersection of Mercer and Court streets behind the Bird In Hand.

Another project moving forward in 2024 will be a major upgrade to the intersection of Washington Avenue and Lincoln Avenue. In December, the departing council awarded bids for new signal heads and poles, new LED countdown pedestrian signals and pavement markings, and construction of concrete sidewalk and curb ramps at the intersection.

As the Tuesday night's meeting continued, Heinz offered the new councilors a chance to make remarks.

Looking toward the new year, Woldorf, who previously served two terms on council, said her focus continues to be planning for Newtown's future.

"Over the past two years, the borough has adopted three new planning documents - the comprehensive plan update, the open space and connectivity plan, and the safety and walkability review. It's vitally important that these documents are not relegated to a dusty shelf in borough hall," she said. "Therefore I invite my fellow councilors and the public to join me in embarking on new projects to achieve the goals recommended by these studies."

Phillips, who ran with Woldorf for two open seats in the borough's second ward, echoed Woldorf's remarks and promised to "listen, to learn, and then to lead."

During the campaign, Phillips said he would bring his people skills to Borough Council to help unify the community. He said he would support a broad range of ideas from neighborhood block parties, adding more concerts in more parks, and launching collaborative initiatives such as gardening and arts programs.

"I welcome your comments. I welcome your partnership and I look forward to serving the community," said Phillips.

Bauman said he's excited to be part of a "great group. I think we're going to be able to perform well on behalf of the borough." He also thanked the previous councilors "who have now stepped away - Bob Szwajkos, Dennis O'Brien and, probably most of all, Tara Grunde-McLaughlin, who had 10 years of service on the council. I'd like to give a shout-out and a round of applause for Tara."

Foley expressed thanks "for letting me be a part of all of this. It's going to be great," she said. "I look forward to it and I'm ready to work hard."

The next meeting of the Newtown Borough Council is Tuesday, Jan. 9 beginning at 7 p.m. at the Chancellor Center.