Multiple sources in recent weeks have reported to Lower Bucks Source that an investigation is active and ongoing into the Newportville Fire Company Chief, Fred Black, related to alleged misuse of fire company funds.
Sources, in late fall, said Black was placed on administrative leave by the fire company’s trustees. A subsequent attempt to confirm the specifics of the leave information this month was stymied when all three sources declined to respond to follow-up questions at the time. They cited the possibility their identities would be revealed.
For the last two weeks, word about Black’s leave grew louder because of his absence from fire company calls and related business. Sources outside of the first responder community started to ask this publication if LBS had any information “on this thing going on about 12’s.”
Each of the sources that spoke to LBS did so under the condition that their names would not be made public with all of the sources pointing to the mishandling of funds by Black.
What complicates the allegation(s) further is that the township recently voted to raise the fire tax one mill, which is $20 per homeowner, in the township’s effort to support fire and emergency services provided by Croydon, Edgely, Levittown 2, Newportville and Third District fire companies.
More than two years ago, plans were in the works that would eventually lead to Newportville and Third District combining/consolidating their companies. They would operate out of the new fire house being constructed at the municipal complex. The plan came undone when Newportville backed out of the plan, sources told the publication this summer. Moreover, Newportville fire company personnel were under strict orders to say nothing on the matter or risk expulsion from the company.
A township source said they had heard the investigation into Black and the fire company was being handled by township police, because county detectives felt it should be handled in-house by the police. However, there are precedents in place where municipalities are not supposed to investigate their own employees and/or entities.
The discussion seems to be whether or not, under current law, Black and the fire company fall under the employee designation. In other instances, it does not, a source said Tuesday.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the investigation Tuesday evening.
In response to the same request, Bristol Township Police’s public information officer Sgt. Jason Mancuso declined to comment.
“At this time, we can not comment on your request. If and when we can I can let you know,” he said.
Bristol Township Council President Craig Bowen said on Tuesday he does not have any information on the situation.
Bristol Township Manager Randee Mazur did not respond to a request for comment that included questions about whether or not the township was aware of any investigation prior to the budget vote to raise the fire tax about two weeks ago.
Spokesperson for the Fire Company, Keith Bidlingmaier, declined to comment Wednesday morning.
“At this time, the department has no comment,” he said.
Black was elected to be Chief about one year ago, according fire company records.
His last known public comments were made in September when it was announced the fire company was awarded a grant to create a “Smoke House” Sensory Room as part of its ongoing mission to educate the community on fire prevention and safety.
The fire company has been operating for just under 100 years and is strategically located on Bath Road often acting as a midpoint station for Bristol Borough, Croydon, and the now Bensalem Volunteer Fire Department when needed.
Newportville is expected to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2027 with a huge offering of events.
Attempts to reach Black for comment on this story were unsuccessful as of Wednesday.