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PODCAST

Mack"s Newtown Voice

Mack"s Newtown Voice

I have been a resident of Newtown, PA since 1995. I am currently a member of the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors. The opinions expressed here are solely those of John Mack and do not represent the opinions of any other person or entity.

government

All Episodes

00:18:48

Making Pennsylvania Polluters Pay for Cleanups

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/03/08

This "Deep Dive" podcast focus on an advocacy packet that promotes the Environmental Clean Up and Responsibility Act, a piece of Pennsylvania legislation designed to address legal gaps in responding to hazardous spills. State Senator Steve Santarsiero outlines how current laws fail to mandate swift remediation in residential areas, often leaving communities in limbo while costs fall on taxpayers. To resolve this, the proposed bill establishes enforceable timelines and grants the Department of

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00:20:34

Building a Bridge Over Newtown Creek

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/03/04

The PennBID documents for this project provide a comprehensive engineering and construction plan for a new pedestrian and bicycle bridge and trail system connecting Newtown Township and Newtown Borough in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. The plans detail stringent regulatory compliance requirements, mandating adherence to PennDOT standards, Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines, and PA DEP environmental protections for the Newtown Creek waterway. Technical specifications cover

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00:22:23

Newtown Township 2026 Roadwork PennBid Analysis

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/03/01

This "Deep Dive" podcast outlines the 2026 Liquid Fuels Road Program for Newtown Township, a municipal infrastructure project focused on roadway rehabilitation and safety upgrades. The technical specifications and street index detail a comprehensive list of base and alternate bid locations, including roads such as Union Street and Eagleton Farm Road. Primary tasks involve asphalt milling, pavement resurfacing, and the installation of ADA-compliant curb ramps and sidewalks. Potential contractors

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00:18:16

25 February 2026 Bills : From Snow Plows to Toilet Seats

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/02/21

The provided document is an official bills list for Newtown Township, detailing financial expenditures and fund transfers authorized on February 25, 2026. The records outline a total disbursement of $325,504.61 across several categories, including the General Fund, Fire Protection, and Capital Projects. Significant costs include road maintenance, legal services, and municipal utility payments, alongside specific invoices for snow plowing and administrative repairs. A major $25,000 transfer was also

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00:15:56

11 Feb 2026 Bills: From Mah Jongg to Swat Vests

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/02/17

This financial documentation details the expenditure of funds for Newtown Township during a period ending in February 2026. The records provide a comprehensive Bills List that accounts for a total disbursement of $470,312.91 across various municipal accounts, including the General Fund, Fire Protection, and Highway Aid. These costs encompass essential public services such as police equipment, road maintenance materials like salt, and building repairs. Additionally, the itemized reports track

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00:16:41

Newtown Sewer Authority Feb 2026 Highlights

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/02/16

The provided documents outline the February 10, 2026, meeting of the Newtown, Bucks County, Joint Municipal Authority, covering administrative, financial, and infrastructure updates. Key actions included the approval of meeting minutes, the payment of monthly bills, and a significant monetary transfer of over $542,000 between accounts. The board received reports on sewer connections, delinquent accounts, and the annual waste load management report required by environmental regulators. A major focus

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00:17:05

PJ Whelihan’s, Sidewalks and Signage Rules

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/02/14

This "Dee[ Dive" podcast outlines the official schedule for a public meeting of the Newtown Township Planning Commission held in early 2026. The agenda details several specific land use and zoning matters, including a conditional use application for a restaurant on South Eagle Road. Additionally, local officials intended to review a planning module for a residential property and discuss a proposed ordinance amendment regarding generators for elderly housing. The session also included time for

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00:16:54

Futuristic Bridge, Crumbling Roads and Fire Services...

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/02/14

This "Deep Dive" podcast is focused on the February 11, 2026, Newtown Township Board of Supervisors meeting. The Board addressed several infrastructure projects, including authorizing bids for the 2026 road paving program and presenting plans for a new pedestrian bridge over Newtown Creek. Public and Board discussion highlighted a funding dispute regarding fire services with the neighboring borough and concerns over a reduction in the total miles of roadway being resurfaced. Additionally, the

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00:13:50

Neighbors Expose Newtown’s Transparency Issues

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/02/14

This "Deep Dive" podcast is based on an audio recording of the 12 Febeuray 2026 foundational meeting of Neighbors for Open Government (NOG), a nonpartisan group dedicated to improving transparency and accountability in Newtown Township's local government. The participants discuss eda website mockup created by AI, emphasizing the need for nonpartisanship to attract a diverse cross-section of residents. They express concerns regarding inaccessible public documents, the lack of links on meeting

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00:16:30

A “Vertical” Pivot for Newtown’s Industrial Corridor

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/02/11

Newtown Township is reviewing a Preliminary Land Development Plan for properties at 638 Newtown-Yardley Road and 661 Penn Street. The mixed-use project features two large apartment buildings with 308 units, multiple office buildings, two parking garages, and public space.

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00:13:26

#NewtownPA Police: A Guardian Mindset

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/02/09

When many people picture suburban policing, they imagine a quiet patrol through sleepy neighborhoods. But the Newtown Township Police Department’s 2025 Annual Report tells a more complex story—one shaped by high-tech crime, major transportation corridors, mental-health calls, and the expectations that come with protecting a thriving community. Chief John L. Hearn describes this evolution as the “Guardian Mindset”: a philosophy focused on professional excellence, de-escalation, accountability, and

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00:12:55

Fredrick Douglas at Newtown Theatre

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/02/05

In 1864, Frederick Douglass addressed a large crowd in Newtown, Pennsylvania, advocating for union reconstruction and abolition. Actor Darius Wallace portrays this legacy, highlighting Douglass’s journey from slavery to becoming a self-made man and an iconic orator.

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00:19:48

Smashed Police Cars and Medieval Times

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/02/02

At the January 28, 2026, Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting, supervisors approved $283,438.19 in total checks and transfers. The largest share came from the General Fund ($194K), with additional spending across fire protection, hydrants, highway aid, escrow, and capital projects.This item was approved as part of the contentious "Consent Agenda" WITHOUT comment! Key cost drivers this cycle included professional engineering and legal services, utilities (street lights and fire

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00:14:17

Newtown Library’s Request for Township Support

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/01/30

This "Deep Dive" Podcast focuses on a formal proposal from the Newtown Library Company requesting financial assistance from the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors (BOS). Meg Griffin (Library Board Secretary) and Johanna Hager (Library Board President) made the request at the 28 January 2026 BOS meeting.Although the library has operated for over two centuries as a historic and cultural hub, it currently relies on a single part-time employee and volunteer labor without receiving state or county

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00:15:09

Newtown BOS vs Stark & Stark SIgn

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/01/29

A request for zoning variances regarding a new wall sign for law firm Stark and Stark at 2 Caufield Place touched a raw nerve at the 28 January 2026 Newtown Board of Supervisors (BOS) meeting.Peggy Driscoll - Chair of the Newtown Planning Commission (PC) - recommended that the BOS take no action at the Zoning Hearing Board (ZHB) regarding this request due to the sign’s recessed design and the tenant’s occupancy of an empty building. Supervisor Calabro, however, expressed significant opposition,

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00:17:57

Challenges to Good Government

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/01/28

This "Deep Dive" podcast summarize a "Meet Mack Monday" community meeting held in January 2026 to discuss various infrastructure and governance issues in Newtown Township. Participants expressed significant concerns over budget transparency, specifically noting the absence of monthly treasurer reports and the potential for deficit spending. The discussion also addressed the controversial use of consent agendas, which some residents believe limits public oversight on expensive items like police

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00:16:04

Vets Plan to Turn Ghost Building Into Animal ER

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/01/23

This "Deep Dive" podcast focuses on a proposal by MB Vet Management to convert an existing two-story office building at 10 Friends Lane in Newtown, Pennsylvania, into a 24/7 emergency veterinary hospital. The vacant structure features a unique central courtyard and ample surrounding green space, which the applicants plan to utilize for a small, fenced pet relief area. At the 20 January 2026 Newtown Planning Commission meeting, the owners explained that the facility will focus strictly on urgent

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00:17:16

Residents Win Fight for a Safe Sidewalk

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/01/22

For many months Newtown Township residents fought for installing sidewalks and curbing along Newtown-Yardley Road to improve pedestrian safety and connect local trails to Newtown Borough. Local leaders emphasize that these improvements will enhance community walkability and provide better access to nearby small businesses. State Senator Steve Santarsiero and State Rep. Perry Warren, announced on 22 January 2026 that Newtown Township has been awarded a $750,306 state grant to fund the sidewalk

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00:16:31

New Police & Fire Facilities vs Pothole Politics

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/01/20

This "Deep Dive" podcast documents ongoing efforts in Newtown Township to address what Supervisor Elen Snyder claims are deteriorating and inadequate facilities for emergency services. Official reports, news articles and memos outline the need for comprehensive building studies to evaluate whether to renovate existing structures or construct entirely new police and fire stations. Specific proposals from engineering and architectural firms, such as Gorski Engineering and KCBA, provide cost

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00:10:39

December 2025 #NewtownPA Police Activity Report

Mack"s Newtown Voice ·

2026/01/15

The provided documents for this "Deep Dive" podcast summarize the Newtown PA Township Police Department's performance and activity for December 2025. Police Chief John Hearn’s oral report highlights specific events, such as the successful holiday parade, the retirement of a long-term sergeant, and a mutual aid response to an explosion in Bristol. Statistical data from the 2025 Activity Report reveals that while the department managed over 2,000 service calls, overall annual incident volumes saw a

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270 results

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