What Should Newtown Spend Federal COVID-19 Relief Funds On?

Preliminary information related to the recently passed Federal Relief Package was released on Friday, March 12, 2021. It was announced that the 936 million dollars would be shared among local governments in Pennsylvania with populations of less than 50,000. Newtown Township’s allocation of those funds is anticipated to be $1,936,231.

The Township should have ½ of the Township’s funds by June 9, 2021. The State will have it by May 10, 2021 and it has 30 days to distribute to municipalities.  The second half will come before March 11, 2022.  

What SHOULD It Be Used For?

This survey lists a few suggested uses of this fund and asks you to what degree you approve each of these uses. You can add comments that include other uses you would like to see the funds spent on. Note that this money is not to be used for daily operational costs, but rather one time funding opportunities focusing on capacity building, and infrastructure. 

NOTE: On Tuesday, May 10, 2021, the U.S. Treasury released an interim final rule for the American Rescue Plan. View a fact sheet on the 151 page regulation, which provides guidance about eligible uses of the funds. Also, listen to this 12-minute audio snippet in which Scott Coburn, General Counsel and Director of Education at PSATS (Pennsylvania State Association of Township Supervisors), reviews American Rescue Plan category 1 permitted uses. Slides are included.

 

No identifying information is collected via this survey unless you opt-in to provide such information for purposes of follow-up by subscribing to John Mack's email newsletter. After completing the survey, you will be able to see a de-identified summary of the results to date.

DISCLAIMER: This is not an official Newtown Township approved survey. Its purpose is solely to inform John Mack – a Newtown Supervisor – of the public’s opinion regarding this issue.

IMPORTANT NOTICE

I inform my colleagues on the Board of Supervisors (BOS) of my survey results*, but the best way of making YOUR opinions count is to contact members of the BOS directly via email (or snail mail to 100 Municipal Drive, Newtown, PA 18940). Here are the official email addresses of BOS members:

*Some BOS members do not agree that resident surveys should play any role in the decisions they make even though many consultants we hire perform surveys of residents. Therefore, it is important that after taking my survey that you send a copy of your responses - including comments - to every BOS member. Include your full name and address to ensure that your input is official.