Single-Use Plastics, Open Space Projects On EAC's Agenda In Newtown

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — From the implementation of the new single-use plastics ordinance to following through with recommendations on the town’s open space plan, this year is going to be a busy one for the Newtown Borough Environmental Advisory Council.

Newtown Borough Councilor Julia Woldorf outlined an ambitious agenda for the environmentally-focus advisory board that also includes exploring the idea of sustainable landscaping and taking another look at a single-hauler trash contract.

According to Woldorf, in the months ahead the EAC will be working to implement key priority items in the borough's open space plan, which was approved in 2022.

Among them will be the potential creation of a nature preserve at the Delta School property located just south of the Fine Wine and Good Spirits store on South State Street.

“The open space plan makes a number of recommendations. It could be obtained as a nature preserve in its entirety or an easement could be obtained from the owners to put in some paths along the creek,” said Woldorf.

The EAC will also be looking to establish an official open space map that would identify properties that the borough would be interested in acquiring if and when they are put on the market.

“This seems like a pretty good idea and a fairly easy thing to do because it does not require acquiring any land at this point. It just requires indicating where there are properties that the borough might want at a future time,” said Woldorf.

The EAC will also be taking a look at Old Skunky and potential riparian buffer enhancements. And it will be studying possible trail connections to the county’s Newtown Rail Trail which is being proposed along the former Newtown Rail Line.

“There were three different options in the open space plan that looked at new paths that could be put in and new trails that could connect at various locations along the rail trail,” said Woldorf.

The EAC will also be taking another look at the former Newtown Rail Station site “where there are possibilities of utilizing it from an open space and recreation point of view.”

In addition, Woldorf said the EAC would like to revisit its previous recommendation to borough council to choose to a single trash hauler. The EAC, she said, would like to see the new council consider the idea.

Other items on the EAC’s agenda include the idea of sustainable landscaping. “The EAC would like to explore the various elements involved and prepare a recommendation to the borough,” she said.