 First Street water tank
The first of two new water tanks is taking shape. Walls are propped up. The walls and outside of the tank will receive a prestress cabling system around it that will then be covered with layers of shotcrete and cementitious coating.
The existing 3.8 million-gallon water tank, which was built in 1939, has reached the end of its useful life and must be replaced. The plan is to build one new 1.9 million-gallon tank before demolishing the old tank and replacing it with a second 1.9 million-gallon tank. This will allow in the future for one tank to be taken down for maintenance and still leave the community with a steady water supply.
Safe Streets for All grant
We are excited to announce Newton has been awarded a Safe Streets for All (SS4A) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. A total of $320,000 will come from the federal government, and $80,000 from the State.
The award will be used by the City in collaboration with Harvey County to develop a City and County Safety Action Plan, and to conduct supplemental planning such as road safety audits, intersection analyses and corridor analyses at known high crash locations and additional locations identified during the Action Plan development.
The Safe Streets for All program's goal is to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on our transportation facilities. Unfortunately, fatalities and serious injury crashes are located throughout the City and County, with concentrations along certain corridors. While analyzing the data and developing projects and strategies, the Action Plan will investigate and include opportunities to employ low-cost, high-impact strategies to improve safety across the planning area.
Street & Sanitation
 A Street crew took a sweeper, a plow/salter, and the grapple truck to Ms. Enfield’s first grade class at South Breeze Elementary on Thursday for students to see the equipment up-close. Thanks for the invitation, Ms. Enfield!
Also this week, our crews:
- Made new “No Bike” signs for downtown sidewalks and starting installing some of them.
- Dropped off and picked up barricades for the Newton Presbyterian Manor Trunk or Treat event on the Thursday.
- Started removing the grass area at the new Park building on the south and east side and replacing with concrete.
- Cleaned priority drainage intakes due to rain event.
- Swept streets in Area 3.
- Hauled street material (crushed concrete and road rock).
- Started our annual traffic sign inspections.
- Crack sealing at various locations and some gravel road maintenance.
- Water utility cut repair at 400 W. 10th.
- Continued repairing several IdeaTek and Kansas Gas utility pavement repairs that will be billed back to them.
Bulky Item Tagging Program
Oct. 16-20: Our inspector tagged five locations. Three were charged the $20 fee, and two scheduled pickups and were charged the $10 fee.
|
Engineering & Building
- We had one new build come in this week from Cornerstone Construction Group (new to Newton): 507 Glen Creek St. in Autumn Glen 3rd Addition, valuation: $350,000, permit fees: $1,988.11. That makes 22 single-family starts for the year and seven duplexes, for a total of 36 units so far in 2023. Autumn Glen 3rd Addition had a Chamber ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday to celebrate the new addition.
- After 1.75” of rain Wednesday, staff did stormwater pollution construction site inspections.
- SW 24th Street Bridge Reconstruction Project was put out for bids this week along with the rebid for K-15 Mill & Overlay from BNSF Tracks to 11th Street.
Water/Wastewater
This week, our staff:
- Responded to five after-hours calls this week.
- 2,539 Lead & Copper Rule surveys have been completed to-date.
- Repaired a leak near 10th and Ash.
- Continued fire hydrant cap inspections on the north end of town, moving south.
- Worked on installation of a new 2-inch PVC water line on SE Sixth from Allison east to the dead end.
- Shut off 73 water services for non-payment.
- Completed our priority pollutants sample collection at the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Parks & Cemeteries
This week, our staff:
- Cleaned restrooms and picked up litter in the parks.
- Worked on garage bays at the new park shop.
- Did dirt work at the new building at Restlawn Cemetery.
- Performed mower repairs.
- Prepared two graves for funeral services on Friday.
Upcoming Events
-
Dia de los Muertos Festival, Oct. 28, 11 a.m.-4:30 p.m., St. Mary Parish gymnasium. Celebrate "Day of the Dead" by enjoying some music, food and craft vendors, lowriders, and dance troupes. Bring the kids to enjoy some crafts and games in this free event presented by the Latino Vision Association.
-
Warkentin House Hymn Sing & Faspa, Oct. 29, 4 p.m. Reservations required. The Hymn Sing leader and accompanist will be Drs. William Eash and Karen Bauman Schlabaugh.
-
Halloween Walk, Oct. 31, 5:30-7 p.m., downtown Newton. Bring the kids for free trick-or-treating in a safe and trusted environment. Sponsored by Newton Lions Club.
See all of the upcoming events at our Community Events listing on Choose-Newton.com.
Meetings & Reminders:
- 7:30 a.m. Nov. 9 – City Commission agenda review
- 7 p.m. Nov. 14 – City Commission meeting
|
