There was a very interesting article in last Sunday's Times (yes, I'm behind in my reading) in the Perspective/Viewpoint section regarding the benefits of consolidating townships and municipalities in Lackawanna county and why it has not worked to well. It describes how local township supervisors protect their turf and their own to the disadvantage of their residents. Is giving up local control a loss to residents or the old controlling interests? Do the Newton Supervisors fit the description in this article? I'll let you be the judge on both counts.
I will add this thought, Newton has a special and peaceful way of life and rural character that I for one do not want to lose. I see more and more property for sale signs going up on fallow farm land and I worry the housing developers will be out here soon.
The article can be found here. You will have to expand its size to read it.
http://newtonpa.com/bbs/files/consld.jpg