Council approves consent agenda; residents urge saving 140‑year‑old house, raise homelessness and sidewalk concerns

Newton City Council approved a multi‑item consent agenda March 14 that included tax releases, sewer adjustments, appointments to boards and commissions, planned temporary road closures (Music on Main, Depot Deli event, and the St. Mary’s Tattoo Emporium grand opening), adoption of the 2022 Water Consumer Confidence Report, use of NCDOT contingency funds for Streetscape Phase 3, and several budget ordinance amendments reallocating American Rescue Plan funds and establishing/closing capital projects including the Boston Road culvert replacement. The consent agenda also recognized additional water, sewer and electric revenues, acknowledged CDBG‑Coronavirus funding, approved a dispute resolution agreement and approved the city audit contract. The consent agenda was approved unanimously.

During the public comment period, resident Michael McRee said the house that would be affected by the proposed Kaylor Ridge project is "140 years old" and asked that the property be restored and saved; he also raised concerns about rights‑of‑way, overgrown sidewalks in Nottingham, and what he described as local speed‑trap activity. Royce Kincaid expressed concern about an "ever‑growing homeless population" and asked whether the community food box for people experiencing homelessness could be moved to the police department parking lot; he also said downtown suffers from very limited parking. Luther Ray asked where the city charter permits changing meeting dates and times, raised questions about officials engaging in private commerce, said he was "unable to post on the city’s Facebook page," and referenced the recent countywide revaluation.

Council did not take separate votes on individual consent items beyond the omnibus approval; the clerk’s office retains related ordinances, resolutions and supporting materials on file.