Top Five Stories Of The Week: Dec. 18 to 24

Representatives from McDonald’s came before the Newtown Township Planning Commission on Tuesday seeking a variance to build a restaurant in the Village at Newtown East shopping center. McDonald’s is seeking zoning relief to exceed the driveway aisle width requirement for a 3,911 square-foot restaurant with drive-through window. The Planning Commission recommended against granting the variance and suggested the township solicitor be sent to the Zoning Hearing Board when the matter is heard.

The congressional fight over the payroll tax cut continued Wednesday morning when Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), serving as Speaker pro tempore, adjourned a House session while representatives Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) and Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) requested a floor vote on the Senate bill that provides a two-month extension.

State Rep. Steve Santarsiero has donated his annual cost of living adjustment to the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) programs in Newtown and Lower Makefield townships. Santarsiero on Thursday donated $924.45 to each of the police departments in support of the D.A.R.E. program.

By a 3-2 vote, the Newtown Township Board of Supervisors on Wednesday approved a $14 million budget for 2012. The budget, which includes $10.6 million in operating expenditures, does not raise municipal taxes. The tax rate will remain at 2.5 mills and the owner of an average-assessed home will again pay $94 in municipal taxes in 2012.

Newtown Township has denied Beneficial Bank’s conditional use request to put a branch on Sycamore Street and Richboro Road. During a meeting Wednesday, the Board of Supervisors chose to deny the bank’s request to build a 3,200-square-foot branch with three drive-through lanes at the site of the former Stockburger dealership.