NEWLIN: A closed-door discussion about the ordinance

At their Dec. 14 meeting, the Newlin Township supervisors declined to discuss the topic that is on the mind of so many residents: the controversial equestrian ordinance, which was recently criticized in a lengthy letter from the Pennsylvania attorney general's office. (A group of upset township residents forwarded the ordinance to the AG's office.) The AG found that on a number of counts the equestrian ordinance violated the state's ACRE regulations by placing undue restrictions on the owners of horse farms.
Supervisor Janie Baird said at the outset of the meeting that the board members would be discussing the letter with their solicitor in an executive session after the regular meeting and thus would not comment on its contents or "the way forward."
Two township residents in the audience (which was a healthy one for a rainy Monday night) spoke up during the public comment session to express their strong support for the AG's comments.

Some Newlin residents aren't feeling the love from the supervisors.

The next controversial subject in the township might be an open-space tax that the supervisors are proposing to put on in the ballot in November 2016. "The referendum will show your support for our open countryside," the supervisors said in a letter to residents.