Remember to vote on Nov. 5
The Suburban Realtors Alliance encourages all residents to vote on Tuesday, Nov. 5, for candidates and issues that build strong communities, protect property interests and promote a vibrant business environment at the local, state and national levels. Find voting information for Pennsylvania here. Sample ballots can be found on county websites:

• Bucks County sample ballots 
• Chester County sample ballots 
• Delaware County sample ballots 
• Montgomery County sample ballots 

PennDOT says PA repaired the most bridges in the nation last year
Gov. Josh Shapiro and PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll recently announced that Pennsylvania repaired the most poor-condition bridges compared to other states in 2023, according to Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) data. The data showed that PennDOT, the PA Turnpike and other bridge owners replaced or repaired more than 200 bridges of at least 20 feet in length in 2023. PennDOT said things haven’t slowed down in 2024. The Shapiro administration has had a focus on infrastructure in 2024, advancing projects for more than 300 state and locally owned bridges.
Source: ABC27; 10/3/2024

PAR offers campaign training
Realtors can prepare for a successful political run and gain a competitive edge over opponents by attending the Pennsylvania Realtor Campaign School offered by the Pennsylvania Association of Realtors (PAR). The sessions are designed for interested candidates, campaign team staff and anyone interested in the democratic process of elections. They are being held in advance of the 2025 Pennsylvania local election cycle. The 60-minute virtual classes are classroom-style to allow for open discussion. Learn more and register for upcoming sessions at the PAR website. 

Election lawsuits cost Philadelphia suburban counties over $2.6M since 2020
Since 2020, Bucks, Chester and Delaware counties have spent more than $2.6 million combined on election-related litigation. Bucks County has spent $133,000 to date, with about 70% of the total paid out in 2020 and 2021. Chester County has paid three outside law firms $400,000 since 2020, and said without cost-sharing measures — and some pro bono work — the number could have been higher. Delaware County has spent $2.1 million. According to county Director of Elections Jim Allen, “The fact of the matter is that Delaware County has the highest level of testing on its equipment with any county in the commonwealth,” and the election lawsuits just takes time away from “a voter who has a legitimate concern.” Montgomery County has spent $2.4 million on outside counsel from 2020 through this year, but that figure is not limited to election litigation. A spokesperson said the county has faced 21 election-related lawsuits since 2020. Read more detail here.
Source: WHYY; 10/24/2024 

Pedestrian bridge will connect Newtown Borough and Township
A century ago, a bridge carried trolleys over Newtown Creek on their way to Doylestown. A stone abutment remains there today. Soon, a pedestrian bridge will be built at the site connecting Newtown Township and Newtown Borough, with the help of a $1 million state grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority. It came out of a grant application from Newtown Township, with the support of Newtown Borough, the Newtown Creek Coalition, Bucks County Government and other supporting groups. No timetable for construction was announced.
Source: The Advance; 10/27/2024

Buckingham seeks grant to address PFAS in well water
Buckingham Township has authorized pursuit of a $1 million Statewide Local Share Assessment Grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to support further remediation of toxic chemicals in well water for its water and sewer customers. Township well water is being treated to meet current standards, but would not pass under the stricter federal regulations, which are tougher than current state Department of Environmental Protection standards. Buckingham would not be able to cover the cost for the technology to reduce PFAS levels to the new standard from present revenue, so the township is seeking as much support as it can get from outside sources to cover the expected increase in remediation costs. About 60% of Buckingham residents get their drinking water from their own wells, but the remaining 40% of residents subscribe to the township’s public water and sewer service.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 10/27/2024

Doylestown Borough asks residents to conserve water
As the region continues to experience drought-like conditions, Doylestown Borough has extended a voluntary request to residents and businesses to conserve water. The Stage I request is the first step in addressing the weeks of no appreciable amounts of rain. Borough officials said the water conservation measure will stay in effect until further notice. All people living in the borough, as well as businesses, are asked to stop “non-essential water usage,” according to the notice.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 10/24/2024

Bucks County Opportunity Council to hold ‘poverty simulation’ on Nov. 2
Each year the Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC) facilitates what it calls a “poverty simulator.” The program is designed to show participants the real-life challenges faced by low-income families. The public is encouraged to join the event on Saturday, Nov. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon, at St. Mary’s Hall, adjacent to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Prayer Garden at 235 E. State St. in Doylestown Borough. During the exercise, each person takes on the role of a family member living on a limited budget. Divided into four 15-minute sessions, each representing one week, the participants must decide how to provide for their family and keep their home functioning. To learn more and register, visit the BCOC website.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 10/24/2024

Bucks County says ballot destruction video is a hoax
A video showing someone destroying election ballots on social media has been determined to be a fake by the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office. “Our investigation has concluded that this video was fabricated in an attempt to undermine confidence in the upcoming election," according to a statement from the office. The FBI is attempting to locate whoever was behind the manufactured video, the DA’s office said, adding that its office “will not tolerate any voter suppression, intimidation or fraud.” Both Bucks County Democratic and Republican Party officials issued statements denouncing the video as disinformation. Read a statement from the Bucks County Board of Elections here.
Source: Bucks County Herald; 10/25/2024 

Uwchlan to hold open space referendum
Voters in Uwchlan Township will have a referendum question on the ballot to determine whether the township should impose an increase in the earned income tax at a rate not to exceed 0.25% for securing open space benefits. If approved, the tax will rise from 1% to 1.25%. The new tax would be paid by township residents only, and the township estimates it would raise between $2.5 million and $3 million each year. Read more on the township website.
Source: Daily Local; 10/22/2024

East Marlborough considers tax increases in 2025
East Marlborough Township supervisors are looking at raising the township’s general real estate taxes for the first time since approximately 1997. It is one of three separate tax increases the township is considering in its 2025 budget. One possibility is for the supervisors to raise the general fund tax to 1.75 mills, from its current 1.05 mills. Supervisors have discussed increasing the EMS tax by 2 mills and will consider an increase in the open space tax, according to Township Manager Neil Lovekin. If approved later this year, total taxes could go from 2.183 mills to 4.883 mills. Currently, the tax rates are 0.2 mills for open space, 0.183 mills for the library, 0.675 for fire and 0.075 for EMS. The library tax differs from the capital contribution that East Marlborough and other municipalities pledged to the Kennett Library — the six-year contribution will be in its sixth and final year in 2025, and was used to help build the library. Read more in the Chester County Press.
Source: Chester County Press; 10/16/2024

Hankin Group caps first phase of $150M Hamilton at Eagleview project in Exton
Hankin Group has completed the first phase of its $150 million, 360-unit residential community in Chester County and has begun leasing for its newest building. Hamilton Passive House, opened to residents last week, is a 32-unit, net-zero, luxury apartment building that caps the initial 10-building, 150-unit phase of development. It is part of Hankin Group's Hamilton at Eagleview, which will ultimately span 364 residential units as part of its larger master planned 800-acre Eagleview community in Exton. Hamilton Passive House is powered by solar energy and does not emit fossil fuels. Hankin Group installed solar panels on the roof and over a portion of the parking area to effectively eliminate electricity bills for residents. The building also has electric vehicle chargers and sustainable siding made from recycled materials, making it the first in Pennsylvania to achieve the Phius ZERO certification. One-bedroom units start at $2,475, two-bedroom apartments start at $2,999, and three bedrooms range from $4,120 to $4,460. Next up for the multi-phased Hamilton at Eagleview are three four- and five-story buildings that total 208 new apartments. In total, Hankin Group's blueprint for the master planned Eagleview site calls for 1,200 residences, 2.8 million square feet of office space, and 50,000 square feet of retail.
Source: Philadelphia Business Journal; 10/25/2024

Tredyffrin releases master plan for Friendship Park
Tredyffrin Township commissioned a master plan for Friendship Park, an eight-acre neighborhood park that is bordered by Bear Hill Road on the west side and bisected by Friendship Drive. The south side of the park is 4.4 acres and is developed as a neighborhood park. The north side of the park is 3.6 acres and is currently not developed and is wooded. Read the full plan here.
Source: Tredyffrin Township; 10/8/2024