The Newtown Borough Board of Burgesses began discussing the budget at the regular meeting on Tuesday, February 10. The first item on the agenda was the auditor’s report, but Glenn Nanavaty was not prepared to make a presentation, so Warden Jay Maher invited Post Commander Donna Monteleone of American Legion Post 202 to speak.

Monteleone said, “Since COVID, the American Legion, with [Borough] permission, holding Memorial Day celebrations at the monument … It’s become very, very well known throughout the town … We meet the Saturday of Memorial Day at 5 pm for our ceremony before sundown, and then after sundown, all the luminaries are lit.”

The monument Monteleone is referring to is the Liberty and Peace Monument at the intersections of Main Street and Hanover and Schoolhouse Hill Roads. Monteleone continued explaining that the luminary bags are $5 each, and donors can write a message on the bag. Some people donate in memory of their families who have served in the United States Military or in recognition of those who are currently serving.

“It’s become quite popular, and it’s been our one source of revenue by which we help young people throughout the year,” Monteleone said. She explained that American Legion creates scholarships, and, “most importantly,” helps veterans and their families who have fallen on difficult times.

Monteleone asked the burgesses for seed money to purchase the luminary bags and to use the monument for the weekend. She also invited everyone to “join the American Legion family,” with much excitement.

Maher said he has attended the event and thinks it is “amazing.” Burgess Jim Gaston said that he believes the Borough donated $350 last year. Gaston made a motion to approve use of the monument as well as $375 to combat any inflationary costs.

Maher chimed in, “Make it 400.” The burgesses put it to a vote and the motion passed unanimously. Senior Burgess Chris Gardner told Monteleone that he will make sure there is a new flag on the flagpole by then.

Maher then provided a brief update on the insurance policy, in which he said the Borough has secured a workman’s compensation policy as well as a professional officials of liability insurance policy.

Burgess Maureen Crick Owen then shared a brief update on Safe Streets 4 All (SS4A). Maher said that the SS4A committee voted in early February to release the SS4A action plan, which includes the ever-bustling flagpole intersection of the Borough.

Crick Owen shared that it is possible that the crosswalks that cross Main Street may be moved. The committee plans to do a public forum to inform the community of changes and incoming roadwork. She said that there may be stanchions added to the parking area outside of Liberty Pole Building, 33 Main Street, as well. The addition of the stanchions may create “a little congestion,” as Crick Owen noted, but that is the point: to slow down traffic and protect pedestrians.

Preliminary Budget Discussions

Borough Clerk and Treasurer Ann Scaia reminded Maher that it was time to start discussing the budget. Maher said that while they do not need to get specific, he just wanted to throw some numbers out to get the burgesses thinking for March’s meeting.

Maher ran through the list quickly, noting some areas where there were increases. At the end of the list, Maher said the total was $313,120, with a mill rate of .90, an overall eight percent increase from last year. The big discussion, of course, was legal fees. Fiscal year 2025-2026 budgeted $37,000 in legal fees, which Maher noted was 90% spent as of February. He suggested $50,000 for legal fees.

Gaston said that he does not see “anything changing,” and suggested funding the legal fees line item “at least as much as you spent it.”

Gardner said that he was not happy with the $37,000 allocated in last year’s budget because he thought the Borough would spend more than that. He suggested going up to $70,000. The group discussed using some funds from the sidewalk line item but keeping some money in that line item for maintenance.

“So we’re all in agreement that 50 is still light,” Maher asked. The burgesses agreed. The group continued discussing. Gardner noted that there will be “big time” building fees with the developments that have been moving in, and that will allow them to “be kind to the residents,” as Crick Owen said.

Maher asked the burgesses what number they wanted to increase the legal line item to. A few responded, in unison, $70,000.

“I’m having a hard time with 70,” Maher said.

Crick Owen suggested $65,000.

“I’m having a hard time with 65,” Maher said again with a laugh.

Gardner said he wanted to hear from Doug Nelson, the zoning officer for the Borough, to help make a decision. The group tabled the budget discussion and continued with the meeting.

Sidewalks And Public Comment

Maher informed the group that Town Engineer John Curtis is working on drafting sidewalk plans for 21 and 23 Queen Street.

Then, during public comment, resident Sheila Cole said, “I have some serious concerns with the way some folks maintain their sidewalks. And as somebody who gets out there and cleans ours, along with my husband — I’m a walker, and you can only get so far down South Main.”

Cole wanted to know what homeowners are responsible for and if there are any repercussions for not maintaining them. She also asked what people’s “plan B” is if they are not physically able to maintain the sidewalk.

Burgess John Madzula took the lead on explaining this. He said it is “very strange,” as certain sidewalks are Parks & Recreation’s responsibility, some are the state’s responsibility, and some sidewalks are the homeowner’s responsibility. Where Cole lives, it would be a state obligation because the road is a state road.

Crick Owen said that she always thought it was the homeowner’s responsibility to clear snow and ice. Maher said that from his understanding of the charter and from conversations with Public Works Director Fred Hurley, it is the homeowner’s responsibility to clear the sidewalk.

Cole said, “So in other words,” she took a pause, “nothing. Wait till spring.”

Crick Owen said, “It’s not right.”

Gaston said, “You don’t want to shame people.”

The conversation continued for some time. They threw around ideas of writing ordinances, reaching out to local groups like Boy Scouts, and simply checking in with neighbors to see if they will need help when snow falls.

At the close of the meeting, the group went into executive session to continue discussions on Castle Hill zoning cases.

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Reporter Sam Cross can be reached at sam@thebee.com.