Building Permits
From January through July 2023, the City has issued 19 new single-family residential permits with a total value of $4.7 million. For the month of July, there were an additional 40 permits issued for various types of work such as residential remodels and additions, re-roofs, accessory structures such as garages, carports and sheds, pools, three commercial remodels and/or additions, and one institutional remodel, for a total value of $1.12 million. It’s exciting to see such growth and investment in the Newton community, and we know there is much more to come yet this calendar year!
Choose Newton
Choose Newton (AKA the Community Development Commission) will be sponsoring and presenting at the Aug. 18 Chamber breakfast at the Meridian Center. The presentation will focus on the Newton Land Bank, what it looks like to “choose Newton,” and how that choice impacts our community. We look forward to hearing more at the meeting!
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 Newton Public Library
The new building is taking shape! This photo shows the future drive-up window and drop-off doors (tiny on the right, accessible and regular). The roof is about halfway done, with two more weeks to go.
Sand Creek Station Golf Course
- Sand Creek Station recorded its highest ever revenue performance in July. The course generated almost $240,000 in revenue.
- The team has begun crafting the plan for the 2024 U.S. Adaptive Open. This is a true milestone achievement for the City to host the USGA’s newest Championship in golf.
- The remainder of the year looks to be very productive, including a visit from the PGA Tour for Q-School and other marquee events including Wichita State’s Men’s Fall Invitational.
Engineering & Project Updates
- KDOT is moving forward with the SE 36th Street Bridge replacement and interchange improvements in 2024. They will hold a come-and-go public meeting at the Chisholm Trail Shopping Center on Sept. 26 from 4-6 PM. The project is tentatively scheduled to go out to bid in February 2024.
- We received competitive bids for new shelving and furniture for the Newton Public Library on Thursday. Staff is reviewing all the numbers for Commission consideration on Aug. 22.
- We held a pre-construction meeting for Fox Ridge Sewer Extension Phase 1. The project is expected to begin sometime after Aug. 28.
- New Hope Shelter water main-fireline is expected to begin construction by the end of August.
- The SE Fourth culvert reconstruction and street improvements project was awarded to Vogts-Parga Construction. The project will begin in November or December of this year.
- We discussed changes to the environmental control process at the City Commission work session this week. Staff will be preparing information for a utility bill insert stating the law about no parking on the grass, staff will begin more systematically enforcing codes in addition to complaint-based, and legal staff will be researching a step fee increase option.
- Staff is working on acquisition of utility easements for Cow Palace Road sewer project and Washington Road water & sewer extensions.
Water/Wastewater
- Crews responded to 14 after-hours calls this week.
- Lead & Copper Rule task updates:
- We have received 2,390 plumbing surveys to date
- Completed 28 excavations and material inventories
- Assisted 12 customers with completing their surveys
- Total number of One-Call Locate tickets for Ideatek this week: 108
- Contractors made the taps on the 12- & 14-inch transmission lines for the First Street tank project.
- Turned off 60 meters for non-payment
- One employee began CDL training in Hutchinson at Hutchinson Community College this week; he has successfully passed the written portion of the test.
- One position remains open
Parks & Cemetery
This week, our team:
- Weed-eated both cemeteries and completed three cemetery services
- Cleaned up after the Harvey County Free Fair
- Trimmed trees on the bike path
- Repaired a drinking fountain in Athletic Park
- Prepped Athletic Park for the BNSF Family Day
- Restaked a juvenile tree that blew over at Springlake Park
- Gave a presentation to the Newton Rec Commission day camp on how the splash park works (15 children and 2 adults)
- Weed-eated the parking lot at 320 N. Main and the medians on South Kansas
- Storm cleanup on City property after last weekend’s storms
- Installed the park sign at the new Wetland Park
Several full-time positions are open in Parks. Visit our website if interested!
Streets & Sanitation
This week, our crews:
- Worked with Evergy so they can replace a utility pole that powers our traffic light at Medical Center Drive and South Kansas.
- One employee started CDL training in Hutchinson at HCC
- Burned the brush pile at Centennial Park
- Removed snow fence, flags, and crosswalk from the Harvey County Free Fair
- Installed barricades at Athletic Park for the BNSF Family Day this Saturday
- Performed one pothole repair request and potholed the entire snow route
- Cleaned priority intakes after the most recent rain event
- Street sweeping in Maintenance Area 4 & 5
- Asphalt patching on Old 81 from Main Street to the northern city limit
- Layout and striping of W. 12th and North Kansas following annual overlay work
- Checked all school zone signs for compliance and sight clearance and made corrections where needed
Upcoming Events
See all of the upcoming events at our Community Events listing on Choose-Newton.com.
Meetings & Reminders:
- 7:30 a.m. Aug. 17 – City Commission agenda review
- 7 p.m. Aug. 22 – City Commission meeting
- Sept. 4 – City offices closed for Labor Day
- 7:30 a.m. Sept. 7 – City Commission agenda review
- 7 p.m. Sept. 12 – City Commission meeting
- 7:30 a.m. Sept. 21 – City Commission agenda review
- 7 p.m. Sept. 26 – City Commission meeting
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