Merriman Elected Chair Of Newtown Twp. Supervisors During Reorganization Meeting

NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, PA — In an unexpected move, the board of supervisors on Monday night voted to elect its two newly seated members to lead the board in 2026.

Moments after being sworn in as supervisors by Judge Michael Petrucci, Democrats Edward Merriman and Melissa Merk were elected president and vice president of the five-member board of supervisors for the coming year.

Also sworn into office at Monday night’s meeting were Tammy Sutton as township tax collector and Mary Ann Adams as township auditor.

Merriman and Merk won election to the board of supervisors in November, defeating a challenge by Republicans Valerie Mihalek and Todd McGonigal for two open six-year seats on the board. They are replacing Democrats John Mack and Dennis Fisher, who did not run for re-election.

Melissa Merk takes the oath as Newtown Township Supervisor. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Judge Mitch Petrucci joins the newly-organized Newtown Township Board of Supervisors. From left are Kyle Davis, Chairman Ed Merriman, Elen Snyder, Vice Chairwoman Melissa Merk, Judge Petrucci, and Phil Calabro. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Merriman and Merk’s election to the board’s leadership came over the objections of incumbent supervisor Elen Snyder who had served as the board’s chairwoman for the past year.

“There shouldn’t be a chair or vice chair who doesn’t have experience,” said Snyder. “It takes a lot of work to be chair. You have to know how it all works ... For that reason, I cannot nominate the chair, although I’m sure they will be worthy in time. But right now I do not think this is the proper course of action.”

Merriman, a software engineer, and Merk, an attorney, picked up the support of incumbent Democrat Phil Calabro and the board’s only Republican, Kyle Davis, to secure their election as president and vice president of the board. Snyder voted against the appointments.

Merriman thanked the board and the community for the opportunity to serve. “I plan to work extremely hard” for the township. “The folks worked really hard on the election to get me here. I will do my best to support Newtown.”

Merriman also extended his thanks to former supervisors John Mack and Dennis Fisher for their “exemplary” service to the township. And he thanked Snyder, who he said “did a great job as chair. I hope to live up to that. I know I’m new. I have a lot to learn, but there is a lot of experience on this board, and I look forward to getting a lot of support from that experience. And I also look forward to us working together as a team.”

Merk also addresses the community, saying she’s “honored to be one of your Newtown Township Supervisors. I want to say a big thank you to the community for your trust and encourage you to be involved, to come to meetings, and to share your thoughts and your comments. The more involvement we have the better the community is.”

Merk also thanked her family, her friends “and everybody who worked with Ed and I for the past year and everyone who came out tonight. Your support - day in and day out - has meant the world to me.”

She also congratulated Merriman on being elected chairman. “I am so glad to be collaborating with you. And my sincere thanks to Ms. Snyder for your service as chair and your mentorship. I hope you will continue to share your knowledge and experience. And I look forward to working with all of you. I’m excited for us to have a productive year together.”

She added, “One thing that I know unites all of us is our love of Newtown and our commitment to doing what is the best for our neighbors. Any differences we have along the way can only bring more perspective and make us stronger.”

Judge Petrucci swears in Tammy Sutton as township tax collector. (Jeff Werner/Patch)

Judge Petrucci swears in Mary Ann Adams as township auditor. (Jeff Werner/Patch)