U.S. Postal Service changes postmark rules
Mail delivery could slow in 2026 after the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) changed its postmark rules and raised some shipping costs, potentially affecting time-sensitive mail. Under a new policy that took effect on Dec. 24, 2025, postmarks on mail dropped in collection boxes now reflect the date an envelope is first processed by an automated sorting machine — which may be days after it was mailed — rather than the drop-off date. Tax payments, charitable contributions, legal filings, rent payments, and other bills or items that rely on postmark dates for deadlines can be impacted by later postmarks and risk late fees, penalties or delinquency. Time-sensitive mail can be hand-stamped with a postmark inside the post office. USPS is also raising rates on Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, USPS Ground Advantage and Parcel Select starting on Sunday, Jan. 18, though the price of a First-Class stamp remains $0.78 for now. At the same time, the agency is modernizing post office lobbies with expanded self-service technology, smart lockers and additional government services.
Source: USA Today; 1/3/2026

PA Revenue Dept. offers tutorial for tax/rent rebate application process
The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue is working to make the application process for the Property Tax/Rent Rebate easier with a step-by-step video tutorial on how to use myPATH, the state’s online “tax hub.” Find out more about the program and watch the video here.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Revenue

Collar counties and municipalities have faced tightening budgets
Philadelphia’s collar counties and municipalities have faced tightening budgets and have had to hike taxes after years of stagnation. “You’re seeing counties raise taxes that haven’t in a long, long time,” said John Brenner, executive director of the Pennsylvania Municipal League. Local governments are fairly limited in how they can levy taxes under state law, with the biggest portion of revenue coming from “the beleaguered property tax,” Brenner said. Schools and the county take from that same source, with local municipalities usually taking far less. “Local government is not a business,” Brenner said. “It’s a provider of services, and those services cost money, and somebody has to pay for it.”
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/5/2026

NJ will ban landlords from discriminating against people who use public assistance
New Jersey lawmakers passed a bill to prohibit households from being denied housing because they use public assistance. The legislation, which lawmakers passed on Dec. 18, 2025, makes explicit that the state’s anti-discrimination law includes protections for residents based on their source of income for housing payments, including government vouchers, child support payments and assistance from nonprofits. And the bill affirms that protections apply both to people paying rent and those paying mortgages. More than 2.3 million families use federal Housing Choice Vouchers, formerly known as Section 8 vouchers. In Philadelphia, the city’s Fair Practices Ordinance bans rental property owners from discriminating against potential tenants based on the source of the income they will use to pay their rent, including public assistance.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/2/2026

FHA reports strong financial position
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) released its fiscal year 2025 annual report to Congress on the Mutual Mortgage Insurance (MMI) Fund on Jan. 2, reporting a solid financial performance while serving as a critical financing source for homebuyers. The MMI Fund achieved a capital ratio of 11.47% — more than five times the congressionally mandated 2% minimum — with total capital standing at $188.9 billion as of Sept. 30, 2025. FHA insured mortgages for more than 876,000 homebuyers in FY 2025, with first-time homebuyers representing 83% of FHA forward purchase endorsements. That share has consistently remained between 75% and 85%, reflecting FHA's role as a key financing option for first-time buyers. FHA also insured more than 28,000 home equity conversion mortgages (HECS, otherwise known as reverse mortgages), which allow seniors to access home equity and age in place.
Source: NAR; 1/5/2026  

Springtown Water Authority’s future is murky
The Springtown Water Authority faces an uncertain future as two key volunteer staff members prepare to depart, leaving Springfield Township struggling to replace critical expertise needed to maintain the village’s 130-year-old water system. Township officials say the authority, which serves more than 250 properties, is grappling with rising repair costs, dwindling volunteers, and the prospect of up to $1 million in infrastructure upgrades. The authority has applied for a $250,000 grant and is developing a five-year plan to boost revenue, but leaders acknowledge the likely need to hire a paid administrator and confront difficult funding decisions ahead. About 20 years ago, Springfield Township rejected a bid by the Bucks County Water and Sewer Authority to buy the water system for $100,000 and make about $1 million in repairs. Instead the township established the current authority.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 12/10/2025

Solebury holds the line on taxes, talks affordable housing
Solebury Township supervisors unanimously approved a 2026 budget with no increase in municipal taxes, keeping the overall rate at 25.91 mills, though 41 property owners in the Carversville area of town will see a $20 increase in their street lighting assessment. During the meeting, the board also announced the township’s annual electronic waste recycling event for May 2026. In addition, Supervisor Kevin Morrissey urged the township to begin a community-wide conversation about the potential need for affordable or starter housing. Morrissey emphasized that any move in that direction should involve broad public input and careful consideration of residents’ views, noting it is “a very big topic with many moving parts.”
Source: Bucks County Herald; 12/12/2025

Reorganization and a resignation in Yardley
Caroline Thompson was sworn in as Yardley Borough’s new mayor Monday night, as the borough’s reorganized council also named David Appelbaum council president and Michelle Sharer vice president. Thompson previously served as council president before being elected as mayor. In other news, longtime councilman Uri Feiner announced he will resign his seat on March 15 to focus on a new business venture. In making the announcement, Feiner reflected on accomplishments, including major infrastructure funding, new parks and accessibility improvements, and said it was time to make room for new leadership. Council will appoint a replacement within 30 days of his resignation to serve until the 2027 municipal election. The meeting also included the swearing-in of new council members Martha Howlett, Jason Goldstein and Paul Mencel.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 1/7/2026

Doylestown DART ends Saturday runs
Bucks County Transport has eliminated Saturday service on the Doylestown DART bus system under its newly released 2026 schedule, leaving the low-cost transit service operating weekdays only throughout central Bucks County. The $1-per-ride system, which remains free for riders 65 and older, will continue Monday through Friday on its three routes — Doylestown DART, DART South and DART West — serving Doylestown, Warrington, Chalfont and New Britain, with connections to shopping centers, Delaware Valley University and regional transit hubs. Officials said riders should review the updated weekday schedules to adjust their transportation plans, noting that no service is provided on holidays.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 1/5/2026 

West Bradford lowers property taxes, citing strong savings
Several factors in West Bradford Township led to residents seeing a reduction in their property taxes in 2026, as other communities in the state see hikes. Township Manager Justin Yaich said the tax reduction was made possible because of “substantial savings” created by the township refinancing debt during the pandemic at record-low interest rates, along with some long-term lease agreements. The 2026 budget sets the property tax rate at 0.25 mills — a 50% reduction in the tax for residents. For a home worth roughly $300,000, residents will now pay $75 a year, down from $150. The township did not have any property tax in 2019, when it purchased the former Embreeville State School and Hospital for roughly $23 million to turn it into 200 acres of open space. To pay for land acquisition, the township — for the first time — levied a real estate tax. The township supervisors’ philosophy is to focus on core responsibilities — taking care of roads and infrastructure, caring for the open spaces and parks, and running trash and recycling programs — and make sure there’s enough left over for new programs or capital improvements. The township faces rising costs and shrinking revenue sources — cable providers who once were paying $300,000 to the township in a year to put their lines in are dwindling as people turn to streaming services. With more electric vehicles, fewer people are filling up at the pumps, meaning less liquid fuels money for the township, too.
Source: Philadelphia Inquirer; 1/5/2026

Avondale, West Grove fire companies agree to merge
Avondale and West Grove fire companies will unite to become a regionalized department. The change impacts 10 municipalities. The merger means Avondale Fire Company, with a budget of $2 million, and West Grove Fire Company, with a budget of $3 million, will form a $5 million consolidated partnership. Collectively they will be home to approximately 125 firefighters and emergency service providers. “Our target date to operate as one entity will be Jan. 1, 2027,” said Neil Vaughn, president of the West Grove Fire Company. The consolidation process will take a year to complete as logistics are worked out and legal processes are completed.
Source: Daily Times; 1/3/2026

Fully occupied Phoenixville shopping center sells for $7M
A fully occupied Phoenixville shopping center has sold for $7.35 million. Tenants at the 33,093-square-foot retail property at 785 Starr St. include Labcorp, NovaCare Rehabilitation, State Farm, Benchmark Federal Credit Union, Habitat for Humanity and Fresenius Kidney Care. Starr Street Partners, a private investor based in Pennsylvania, sold the property to 785 Starr Street LLC, according to Chester County property records. The buyer is linked to a residential address in Glen Mills. The sale price comes out to $222 per square foot. The sale “highlights the strength of essential-service tenants, 100% occupancy, and strong tenant performance,” said Scott Woodard of Marcus & Millichap, who represented the seller. “Phoenixville’s expected population growth and proximity to major anchors, such as Acme, made this center a standout asset with long-term stability.”
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 1/1/2026

PennDOT announces meetings for U.S. 30 Bypass Reconstruction Project
PennDOT invites the public to attend a virtual public meeting on Thursday, Jan. 15, and an in-person open house plans display on Tuesday, Jan. 20, for the U.S. 30 Eastern Project Area. The project team will present the selected alternatives for U.S. 30 mainline and the Reeceville Road, Route 340 and U.S. 322 interchanges, and the revised alternatives for the Norwood Road and Route 113 interchanges. This project is one of a series of projects that will upgrade a 14.5-mile section of the U.S. 30 (Coatesville-Downingtown Bypass) corridor to improve safety, reduce congestion, accommodate planned growth and improve system connectivity. Learn more at the project website.
Source: PennDOT; 12/30/2025

Kennett Square Borough sets dates for strategic planning sessions
Every two years, Kennett Square Borough officials coordinate strategic planning sessions to listen to residents, business owners and community leaders in a collaborative format. The discussions guide the borough’s “roadmap” document, a plan of action for the next two years. The borough will hold sessions on Monday, Jan. 12, and Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 6 p.m. at Borough Hall, 600 S. Broad St.
Source: Chester County Press; 12/31/2025