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Newton council adopts several budget amendments, schedules annexation hearing and approves wastewater repair
Summary
At its Nov. 5 meeting the Newton City Council adopted a $37,200 change order to finish cleaning and inspection at the wastewater treatment plant, recognized insurance proceeds of about $72,600 to replace three police vehicles, and set a Dec. 3 public hearing on annexing 61.485 acres for the Meadows at Smyre Farm development.
Newton City Council on Nov. 5 approved a series of budget amendments and procedural steps, including a change order at the wastewater treatment plant, recognition of insurance proceeds for police vehicle replacements, and actions starting the annexation process for a 61.485-acre residential development.
Public Utilities Director Dusty Wentz told the council that a September authorization to clean and inspect the manifold pipe feeding the primary clarifiers at the wastewater treatment plant had underestimated scope and debris volume and omitted a second bypass. Staff requested a $37,200 change order to complete the cleaning and inspection; council unanimously adopted the budget ordinance amendment to fund the work.
Police Chief Vidal Sipe reported the city received roughly $72,600 from Glatfelter Claims Management Inc. after three police vehicles were totaled in separate crashes earlier in 2024. Council unanimously adopted a budget amendment recognizing the insurance revenue and authorizing expenditure to replace the vehicles and emergency equipment.
Planning Director Randy Williams said owners of the Meadows at Smyre Farm filed a petition seeking contiguous annexation of about 61.485 acres for a previously approved 179-home development; council adopted a resolution directing the city clerk to investigate the petition, accepted the clerk’s certification of sufficiency, and fixed a public hearing for 6 p.m. Dec. 3, 2024 in council chambers.
The council also approved routine consent items including tax releases, sewer adjustments and a surplus property resolution for 640 West 12th Street, and presented a resolution recognizing H&W Drug. Council noted that staff intends to establish a capital project ordinance for the Hwy 10 substation and transfer previously recognized one-time excess working capital in the Electric Fund into the new project fund as design and land purchase progress.
During public comments, citizens raised neighborhood concerns including a mobile unit at a church property on Ervin Avenue that residents described as devaluing a parsonage, reports of speeding on N Davis Avenue and requests for traffic calming, and a safety incident described by a resident who said dozens of people were running in the roadway at night. Council members asked staff for updates on several local projects; the meeting adjourned by unanimous motion.
