Newtown Borough Council Elects 2026 Leadership Team

NEWTOWN BOROUGH — The Newtown Borough Council on Monday welcomed the new year with the swearing in of three returning council members and the election of a new leadership team.

District Court Judge Mick Petrucci was on hand at council's January 5 reorganization meeting to administer the oath of office to councilors Emily Heinz and Kris Bauman, both Democrats from the borough’s first ward, and Democrat Gina Tognini, who won election from the second ward.

Borough secretary Judy Musto was also sworn in for another term as the borough’s tax collector.

The borough’s new mayor - Tara Grunde-McLaughlin - was out of town and will be sworn in at a future date.

Returning Councilor Emily Heinz is sworn in by Judge Michael Petrucci. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Councilor Kris Bauman takes the oath of office administered by Judge Petrucci. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Councilor Gina Tognini is sworn in by Judge Petrucci. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Judy Musto is sworn in by Judge Petrucci as borough tax collector. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

After taking their seats at the council table, Heinz presided over the election of new council leadership. In two unanimous votes, council returned Heinz as president and elected Tognini as Vice President.

Following the election, Heinz led the new council through a number of routine motions, including setting the mileage reimbursement rate for the year, the reappointment of borough manager Craig Totaro and borough secretary Judy Musto and a lengthy list of board and commission appointments.

The council also reappointed CKS Engineers as the borough’s engineer, Clarke Gallagher Barbiero Amuso & Glassman as borough solicitor, and Barry Isett & Associates as borough building and zoning officer.