Inside the Real Work of a Township Supervisor

As campaign signs pop up across lawns and Facebook fills with promises of “accountability” and “transparency,” there’s one simple test I believe every candidate for Newtown Township Supervisor should be willing to take — and it starts with a timesheet.

Recently - as I have often done on other months - I released my own detailed work log for September 2025 during whicj I spent more than 32 hours on official supervisor business. What it revealed surprised even me — and it might surprise residents too. Listen to this "Deep Dive" podcast documenting my activities for September 2025:

The Hidden Work Behind the Title

Most people assume township supervisors spend most or even all of their time sitting behind the dais at public meetings. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

According to my September timesheet:

• Only 14% of my hours were spent at required Board of Supervisors meetings.
• 42% were spent preparing for those meetings — reading reports, drafting questions, and researching issues.
• The rest was devoted to so-called “optional” work: attending other board and committee meetings, answering residents’ questions, and investigating local concerns — from parking complaints to Little League field safety.

For September, this added up to 31.17 hours, for a position that pays just $4,125 per year — or about $11.03 an hour. That’s less than the starting wage at a local coffee shop - and I don't get tips!

A Job That Doesn’t End at 5 p.m.

Serving as a supervisor isn’t a 9-to-5 job. It spills into evenings and weekends. My timesheet included early-morning emails, late-night meetings, and even weekend prep sessions for my “Meet Mack Monday” Zoom meetings — all unpaid time devoted to staying connected to residents.

Supervisors work on the issues that rarely make headlines: tree damage disputes, zoning interpretations, ADA ramp compliance, or the impact of a minor development variance on neighborhood traffic. It’s not glamorous work — but it matters deeply to the people who live here.

My Challenge to All Candidates

That’s why I’m issuing a challenge to every candidate running for Newtown Township Supervisor this November:

If you’re elected, document and share your work. Keep a log of how you spend your time. Show residents what the job really entails — not just the meetings you attend, but the preparation, research, and public engagement that come with the title.

Transparency shouldn’t end after Election Day. If we expect residents to trust local government, then elected officials should be willing to open their calendars, their inboxes, and yes, their timesheets.

Why This Matters

Newtown Township’s supervisors manage a multi-million-dollar municipal budget and make decisions that affect every aspect of community life — from public safety and development to environmental policy. Residents deserve to know how their elected leaders spend their time carrying out those responsibilities.

Local democracy depends on trust, visibility, and accountability. Let’s make documenting our work the new standard for public service in Newtown Township.