Newtown Corp. Looking to Break Ties With Borough

Newtown Corporation is seeking to part ways with Newtown Borough and become exclusive to Newtown Township, officials said Wednesday. 

According to Newtown Township Board of Supervisors Chairman Mike Gallagher, the township will take the reigns when it comes to the Newtown Corporation, an economic development organization.

Formed 11 years ago, the Newtown Corporation was 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.

Despite the lack of municipal funding, Gallagher said members of the Newtown Corporation feel as though they have “two different masters.” 

Gallagher said the township may invite the Corporation to come “in-house” and utilize its resources, like the accounting staff, phones and Internet.

The first step to success for the Newtown Corporation “is to have one guiding board,” Gallagher said. 

However, before anything can happen, the Newtown Corporation would have to amend its bylaws to eliminate the role of Newtown Borough.

Supervisor Rob Ciervo said while the Newtown Corporation may have discussed the issue with Gallagher, he would like representatives of the group to come before the board. Ciervo said the issue should be an agenda item with the opportunity for public input. 

“They were supposed to give us a report from last year,” he said. “There has been a lack of communication between the Newtown Corporation and us.” 

Township solicitor Jeffrey Garton said the appropriate first step would be for the Newtown Corporation to send a letter to the borough and provide its intentions in writing.