What do Township Supervisors Do?

Township Supervisors hold powerful positions – in some of the oldest local governments in Pennsylvania! Predicated on William Penn’s Charter in 1681, the first townships created in Pennsylvania were Chester, Haverford, and Lower Chichester - formed in 1682!

Newtown Township was settled in in 1681 and incorporated as a Township a tad later - in 1684 - and many of their Quaker founders’ roots reached back to Wales.

Although we may not be as aware of it, history often influences modern roles – and definitely funnels down to Township Supervisors today. We use the same legal system (common law) and many of the same codes as the UK. Most importantly, we imbue our Township Supervisors with tremendous responsibility for the planning and management of everything from our roads, safety, budgets, taxes, land management, environmental preservation, and overall urban planning. It’s a massive, basically volunteer job (which pays US 3k a year).

So why do it? Or run for it? Leonard Altieri, a Township Supervisor in Newtown Square offered this: “You get out of it what you put into it. I love being connected with the residents daily, listening to and addressing their needs. And as an attorney, I understand the permutations of the law, and gain great satisfaction in helping to solve as many of our townships’ issues as possible – in a logical, legal manner.

Cheryl Grosso is a US Army Veteran, a registered nurse, and currently works in IT. She is running for Township Supervisor this fall, and feels completely invested in bringing certain local problems to the fore - like gargantuan construction projects which have fundamentally changed the entire environment in Newtown Square. “My family has deep roots in Delco, and we want to protect the people, the properties, and the planet.” That’s just a bit of what you learn in the Army –work together to accomplish the mission, and never give up!

Wherever you live, be sure to vote this fall in your local elections – and support all your township personnel – candidates and leaders – when they ask for your help!