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Residents press Newton council on downtown parking, debris near school and threatened historic property
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Summary
At the Oct. 4 meeting several residents urged Newton City Council to address hazardous downtown parking, persistent debris near South Newton Elementary and a proposed development that they say would threaten a family historic home.
Several Newton residents used the public-comment period at the Oct. 4 council meeting to urge action on local safety and preservation issues.
Cindy Abel of 202 West B Street asked the council to eliminate three parking spots in front of the Hen and Egg lot, saying parked cars force drivers into the roadway and "impedes sight and is dangerous." Sherry Sigmon of 105 W. A Street corroborated Abel's concerns and said No Parking signs had been removed in several downtown locations, including Main, College and Brady streets.
Luther Ray of 606 S. Main complained that crews are not removing debris in parts of town, leaving piles that small children must pass to reach South Newton Elementary; he criticized spending on what he called "useless cosmetics" while cleanup needs persist. Michael McRee of 1191 Kenningston Circle said his ancestors built a home at 1823 McRee Road and warned that a proposed development on nearby property would destroy the family's historic house.
Council members did not respond at length to each speaker during the public-comment period; the speakers asked staff and elected officials to examine sight-line and signage changes downtown, address debris removal near the elementary school, and consider historic-preservation implications before allowing nearby development.