Township Appoints New Attorney In Tree-Cutting Battle

The Newtown Township Supervisors have appointed a new conflict attorney to handle litigation surrounding the illegal removal of a tree at the Villas at Newtown community, officials confirmed.

The board on Wednesday appointed attorney William Bolla of High Swartz, LLP to assess whether to file an appeal against developer McGrath for the removal of the tree.

Earlier this month, a Bucks County judge determined McGrath should not have to pay anything for cutting down a 112-year-old tree from the property on Upper Silver Lake Road. The township sought $85,500 in Bucks County Court. That figure represents the tree's value and was determined by a professional arborist.

The township had filed the lawsuit against McGrath Homes in August seeking restitution for the tree, which was cut down in 2015 at the Villas at Newtown development despite its preservation being a condition of approval for the community's construction.