Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
Newtown Township and Newtown Borough remain without a signed fire services agreement for 2026.
According to township officials, the deadlock has led to the suspension of all non-emergency fire services within the borough.
While Newtown Fire-Rescue continues to respond to life-threatening emergencies in the borough, township officials confirmed at a Jan. 28 Board of Supervisors meeting that non-emergency operations were stopped after the expiration of the previous contract.
The dispute comes from a proposed funding increase when the township moved to raise the cost of the negotiated agreement from $275,000 to $350,000.
According to Supervisor Elen Snyder, the borough has not provided any funding to the township.
“We all know that no contract exists between the borough and the township for fire services,” Snyder said during a Feb. 11 supervisors meeting. “It would be ridiculous to think that $275,000 is not better than $0.”
The two municipalities have cooperated for years on fire protection, using Newtown Fire-Rescue and the township-run department to provide paid crews that supplement local volunteer firefighters.
Snyder has pushed for the contract to be placed on the upcoming meeting agenda to address the lack of revenue and formal coverage.
Supervisor Chairman Edward Merriman said he was reluctant to move to a public discussion immediately and pointed to a need for further internal review.
“I think at this time, given the fact that we need to continue negotiations, I’d like to get more information on the situation before we start to bring it up in front of people so we have a more detailed understanding of the situation,” Merriman said.
The lack of contract leaves both communities in an unusual position.
