Newtown Borough Looking To Fill Council Vacancy

NEWTOWN BOROUGH, PA — The Newtown Borough Council is looking for a second ward resident to fill a vacancy on the Newtown Borough Council.

The borough will be accepting letters of interest and resumes through July 26. Letters should be emailed to borough secretary Judy Musto at [email protected] or dropped off in person at the borough hall.

To be considered, residents must have lived in the second ward for at least a year. Residents who live in the second ward vote at the Newtown, Bucks County Joint Municipal Authority at 15 South Congress Street.

The seat had been held by Councilor Maryellen Raymond who resigned her seat effective July 10.

Councilor Maryellen Raymond, center, with members of council, administration and friends.

Raymond joined the council in January 2022 after winning election in November 2021. She had served as the council’s liaison to the borough’s code enforcement office, planning commission, shade tree commission, Joint Fire Commission, the Newtown Fire Association, and the personnel committee.

At its August 7 work session, the councilors will officially vote to accept Raymond’s resignation. Council also expects to conduct interviews t the meeting.

The council plans to make an appointment at its August 13 council meeting. The new member will then be sworn in at the Chancellor Center and will serve from August 13 through December 31, 2025.

Councilor Raymond, who works as assistant director of enrollment at the Bucks County Community College, was recognized at the July council meeting for her “countless time, energy and talent in helping to make Newtown Borough such a special place to live.”

Council President Emily Heinz joined Mayor John Burke in presenting her with a plaque acknowledging her dedication to Newtown Borough and her two and a half years on council.

“I learned a lot from her. I respect her quite a lot. We don’t always agree, but when we disagree we do so with respect,” said Heinz. “And we’ve had some really good conversations.”

“I am so thankful I had this opportunity and I’m truly going to miss Newtown, serving on the council and all you guys. I’ve learned so much from everybody here,” said Raymond..

In other action at the July meeting, the council approved special event requests for the following two events:

• A Haunted Hustle 5K, sponsored by the NR2F1 Foundation, on Saturday, October 19th 9:00 – 10:00 A.M. on a designated race route. Rain or shine.

• Approve a 9-11 Remembrance, sponsored by John Burke, on Friday, September 6th at 6:00 P.M. at Pickering Field. No rain date.