Board of Supervisors

The Board of Supervisors is the elected governing body of New Sewickley Township.  The five-member board is elected by registered voters on an at-large basis and on a rotating two-year election cycle.  The Board of Supervisors is authorized and conducts its activities in accordance with requirements and provisions of the PA Second Class Township Code and other laws that frame local government operations and decision making in Pennsylvania.  The Board of Supervisors is charged with the general governance of the Township and the execution of legislation, executive and administrative powers in order to ensure sound fiscal management and to secure the health, safety and welfare of citizens of the Township, as well as other duties specified in the Second Class Township Code.

The Board of is aware that their primary role and purpose is to represent the interest of the Township residents.  The more interaction the Board has with the residents, the better they will be able to fulfill this role.  Each Board meeting begins with a public comment period for issues not on the agenda.  Residents may attend and express any concerns, ideas or proposals to the Board.  In some cases, the resident may request to have their issue or concern placed on the agenda.  The request should be made to the Township Staff, who may request some details regarding the resident’s issue. You may also communicate with the Board or by telephone by calling the Township and leaving a message.

Please help us to perform our most important function by letting us know how we might make our wonderful Township even better or improve the way the Township Serves you.

Meet Your Supervisors

Martin Bonzo

Chairman
October 5, 2021 – December 31, 2029

Martin was appointed to a vacant term at the October Board of Supervisors meeting.  Martin grew up on a Township fourth-generation family farm, where he and his wife, Jennifer, raised 3 boys and now 2 grandchildren.  He worked in the construction industry for many years.  Over the last 25 years years he has been helping people buy and sell Real Estate in the local and surrounding communities as an agent for Achieve Realty.  Martin has also served on the Township’s Recreation Board and the Zoning Hearing Board for many years.

Doug Martin
Vice-Chairman
Term: January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2025

Doug is a lifelong resident of New Sewickley Township, and he and his wife Linda reside on his family’s century farm on Big Knob Road where he to raises crops and beef cattle.  In 2016, he retired from Fox Chapel Area School District, where he served as the Television Program Director for 27 years, teaching Television and Video Production classes.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in Communication Arts from Grove City College, Pennsylvania teaching certification from Slippery Rock University, a Master of Science Degree in Communication and Information Systems, Technology Specialist certification from Robert Morris University and K-12 Technology Implementer’s certificate from Penn State University.  In 2006 he received the Disney Teacher award, and in 2008 he was named a finalist for Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year and continues to serve as the Technology Chair for the Pennsylvania Chapter of National State Teacher of the Year organization. Prior to employment as an educator, he was employed by KDKA-TV2 in the engineering department.  Doug has been employed as an adjunct professor for Slippery Rock University, Robert Morris University and Point Park University.  Currently, he serves the First Presbyterian Church as the Director of Worship Technology.

Fritz Retsch
Supervisor
Term: January 3, 2022 – December 31, 2027

Fritz was born and raised in Beaver County.  He was employed as a teacher in the Ambridge Area Schools for over 40 years, and as a Reading Specialist for the Laughlin Children’s Center for 35 years.  Fritz is currently retired and is very active in the community, and is committed to helping the Township grow.

Mike Phipps
Supervisor
Term: January 3, 2022 – December 31, 2027

On March 31, 2020 at a Special Meeting, the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to appoint Mike Phipps to fill the unexpired term of Brian Giles through December 31, 2021.  Mike graduated from Beaver High School in 1965.  He attended Geneva College and received a Degree in Mathematics Education in 1969.  After graduation, he taught mathematics and computer science at Quaker Valley School District.  He married his wife Sandra and they had three children.  In 1980 Mike and Sandy built a house and moved to New Sewickley.  Mike then went on to get a Masters degree from Slippery Rock and a Computer Specialists degree from Penn State.  His three children, Melissa, Andy and Jason all were graduates of Freedom High School.  In 2009 Mike became a member of the Township Planning Commission where he currently still serves on the Board.  He has worked with the Township in a variety of capacities including the Grant Committee,  serving as the Planning Commission representative to the Recreation Board, the Hiring Committee and assorted other functions.  Mike is excited to be a supervisor to continue helping the Township grow and develop and still remain a place where other people may choose to come and raise their families.

Meetings

The Board of Supervisors meet twice per month.  Their regular public meeting is held on the first Tuesday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the Township Municipal Building. A majority of the actions taken by the Board of Supervisors are done so at the Regular monthly meeting.   Agenda meetings are held the previous Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. so that the Supervisors can review and discuss items on which action will be taken during the Regular meeting.   There is no action taken at Agenda meetings.  All meetings are public. Public comment on agenda and non-agenda items is welcome.

Workshop Meeting

If necessary a Workshop meeting is held on the second Tuesday of the month at 6:30.  These meetings can be held for such things but not limited to; discussing projects, policies, meeting with the Fire Departments or meeting with other Township committees.  There is no no action taken at this meeting.

Special Meeting

A Special meeting of the Board of Supervisors can be called at any time; all Special meetings are advertised in the Beaver County Times no less than 24 hours prior to the meeting.

Quorum

A quorum is a majority of Board Members.  New Sewickley Township Board of Supervisors consists of five member, making it so that three members constitute a quorum.  An affirmative vote of a majority of the enter Board of Supervisors at a public meeting is necessary in order to transact any business.

Motion

A motion is a verbal action taken by the Board.  A motion must be seconded and approved by a majority of the Board for it to pass.

Executive Sessions

Executive Sessions are private meetings of the Board only in which they are permitted to discuss the following four topics: legal matters, personnel issues, negotiations and acquisition of land.  All executive Sessions are announced, including their reason, by the Chairperson.