Three Step Forward To Fill Open Seat On Newtown Borough Council

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown Borough Council is expected to fill a vacancy on council when it meets tonight at the Chancellor Center. The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

Three candidates have stepped forward to fill the open seat representing the borough's first ward. The seat was left vacant by the resignation of Amy Lustig who resigned due to a work-related change.

Whoever is appointed will serve through the end of this year. In November, voters will elect their new ward one representative who will serve out the remainder of Lustig’s term.

Stepping forward to fill the open seat are Kris Bauman, Paul Salvatore, and Gregg Taylor.

Bauman is a longtime resident of the borough. He is the vice president of development for Woodmont Properties in Fairfield, New Jersey.

"I simply want to be a good steward for the borough," said Bauman when asked why he stepped forward to fill the vacancy. "I have lived here a long time. I'm a committed citizen of the borough. I love everything about the borough. And I want to make sure that as we move into the future we take advantage of what we can in terms of what's modern, what's new, what's best and available while not losing sight of our history and our traditions. I simply want to do my part," he said.

Salvatore, a longtime resident of the borough, recently retired from the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. He has been an active volunteer in the borough serving on the council's various boards and committees, including as a current member of the borough's zoning hearing board.

In addition, Salvatore is an active member of the Newtown Rotary Club, the Newtown Presbyterian Church and is the organizer of the Angel Tree Project held in late November and early December in Newtown.

"For the last 38 years, I've been giving back to my community. One of the highest things you can do is to get involved and give back," said Salvatore.

Taylor was born and raised in Newtown and graduated from Council Rock High School North in 2004. "My career has taken me around the United States. I've lived in Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. I have definitely seen a lot and it made me appreciate Newtown more."

When he had the opportunity to return to the area, he did. Two and a half years ago he moved into the borough where he has enjoyed the walkability of the town.

"Walkability and pedestrian safety are very important to me," he continued. "Hopefully I would be a good fit to carry the torch for Amy. I know she was a big advocate for walkability. That was my initial inspiration for wanting to be on the council," he said.

Bauman said as a member of council he would advocate to keep Newtown the way it is. "People move here because they love what they see. People want to see neighborhoods. They want to see beautification. They want to see things not turned on their heads. They want to live in this beautiful community. So as a council or as a volunteer with our other boards and commissions, that's what we're here first and foremost to do."

On the Steeple View project, Salvatore said it's vitally important to get it right. "We're at the beginning of one of the biggest developments we've ever had. That has to be done right because if it's not done right it will be a disaster. The parking has to be there," he said.

Taylor said as a newer resident he'd like to see increased communication. "I know I've had a challenge of finding out what is going on in town. Increase communication, maybe email messages to residents would be a help."