Newtown Borough May Withdraw From Newtown Corporation

Newtown Township and Newtown Borough may be parting ways when it comes to the Newtown Corporation.

Newtown Township has asked Newtown Borough to withdraw from the Newtown Corporation, Borough Solicitor Paul Cohen announced Wednesday.

Formed 11 years ago, the Newtown Corporation is an economic development organization initially created to serve the interests of both the township and borough. The organization interfaces with local business associations, organizes events and runs the website www.allaboutnewtown.org.

In the past, both municipalities provided funding to the organization to carry out its goals and objectives of promoting Newtown. However, for the past two years, funding from both the township and the borough has dried up.

Newtown Township Supervisors Chair Rob Ciervo said the borough has recently shown little interest in the Newtown Corporation.

“The borough has stated many times it seeks no interest in the Newtown Corporation and cannot even appoint members to the corporation so we asked if they wanted to continue or not,” Ciervo said. “We did not request that they end their involvement, we instead asked if they would like to withdraw from the arrangement because it seems clear they are not interested in the group any longer.”

During Wednesday night's work session meeting, Council members did not discuss the matter in extensive depth, however, Council Member Mike Sellers requested information regarding the Newtown Corporation’s financials. He asked that a copy of the most recent annual report available be provided before Cohen responds to the request.

According to Cohen, Borough Council would have to approve a revision of the organization’s bylaws that would eliminate any relationship with the borough.

Frank Tyrol, chairman of the Newtown Corporation, said the organization feels the relationship with both municipalities is vital but the township and borough have different positions on the future direction of the Newtown Corporation.

“Obviously we can’t control this,” Tyrol said. “We’re a nonpartisan organization and a group of volunteers who do not have time for political agendas.”

“Any controversy which is present has nothing to do with Newtown Corporation,” Tyrol said, adding that the township approached the organization regarding the matter.

“It’s public knowledge that we have not and will not receive any further funding from either of the municipalities and have been independent from both municipalities for last two years.  So everything we do is a result of us working independently and raising funds to reinvest in our community,” Tyrol said.

This is the latest in a string of events that have divided the borough and the township. Last year, the two interests split off from hosting a unified beer festival because of differing opinions on how the proceeds should be spent.

This year, Welcome Day was moved to Sycamore Street, as was the Fourth of July parade.

Just a few months ago, Newtown Corporation Vice Chair Frank Brassell came before Borough Council seeking a waiver of fees associated with the upcoming holiday parade in December. However, the borough deferred the decision because officials said they are still waiting on reimbursement from the year before.

According to Borough Council President Julia Woldorf, Council elected to waive the fee for last year’s parade but later found out that Newtown Township was reimbursed $1,000 for police services. After the fact, the borough requested a $662 donation from the Newtown Corporation to cover police costs.