NEWTOWN BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

APPROVAL OF THE SEPTEMBER MINUTES:  The minutes of the September meeting were approved as presented.

In attendance:  Tom Harwood, Belinda Buras, Hal Roberts, Lou Levine. 

CALL TO ORDER:   In the absence of the chairman, Mr. Harwood called the meeting to order.

PUBLIC COMMENT – None. 

CODES DEPARTMENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT REPORT

Mr. Harwood distributed and reviewed the report for August 2001.  He noted the following items:

·         Land development was approved for Platinum Executive Suites.

·         Subdivision & Land Development:  the Newtown Swim Club/David Platt:  approved.

·         The ZHB will hear requests for sign variances from:  Veteran’s Association of Newtown, Blockbuster Entertainment, and Commerce Bank.

APPROVAL OF THE MAY MINUTES:  The approval of the June minutes was carried forward to the October meeting. 

LOWER BUCKS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE: Lisa Kruse was absent; there was no report.                       

SIGN ORDINANCE:  Mr. Harwood said he thought nothing had yet been officially received.

NEW RESIDENT PACKETS

Ms. Buras and Mr. Roberts reported that 9000 have been mailed/delivered, and another 1000 are being finished up.  The next step is to compile a list of corrections and additions.  Mr. Harwood asked Ms. Dunleavy to compile a list of any corrections and additions; any such information should be forwarded to her.  She will compile the information and submit it periodically for publication in the Newtown News.  

Ms. Buras said she thought it was important to recognize the contributions of the volunteer groups that helped put together the packets:  Pickering Manor, Chandler Hall, D’Youville, Council Rock Senior Center.  A letter from this council to each organization’s director thanking them will be sent, with copies to the Board of Supervisors and the township manager.  Mr. Harwood suggested the letter be read at a public BOS meeting; the directors of each organization could attend the meeting. 

JOINT DOWNTOWN NEWTOWN CORPORATION

Ms. Kruse was absent, but Ms. Dunleavy is the recording secretary for the corporation and she reported that the four committees – Design, Promotion, Organization and Economic Structuring – are working on planning projects.  The group is very dynamic and seems to be accomplishing a great deal.  Soon they will begin work on the Main Street Manager grant application. 

SYCAMORE STREET COMMITTEE

Mr. Harwood reported that work by the utilities companies should be finished by the end of the year.  Street improvements have been delayed until 2003, due to the delay in processing the paperwork.  Infrastructure work is going well, and there have been no major complaints by the public. 

INVITATION TO BUSINESSES

Ms. Dunleavy will check with Ms. Kruse, who designed the invitation, and will speak with Mr. Sanderlin to finalize and mail the invitation.

NEW BUSINESS

The following suggestions for meeting speakers were made:

• Joe DiGulio, Comcast:  what cable services are Comcast working on in the township?  (perhaps in November)
• Lockheed Martin
• Tim Kirby or Denise Kerr:  How achievement levels are being measured?  How is Council Rock handling growth?
• Toby Mochel, Technology Director  (perhaps in January)

NEXT MEETING

The next luncheon meeting is scheduled for October 4, 2001 at the Goodnoe Farm Dairy Bar at 12:00 PM.  The speaker will be the Honorable Judge Donald Nasshorn. 

ADJOURNMENT:  Without objection, the meeting adjourned at 1:00. 

RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:                                                                                                                       
                                                                                    Leslie P. Dunleavy, Recording Secretary