City Manager update
The search for Newton's next City Manager is progressing. Last week, the City Commission, City department heads, and a citizens group each interviewed five finalists. This morning, the City Commission met in executive session to discuss a candidate to serve as the next City Manager. Any decision to enter into a contract with a candidate will be conducted at an upcoming special call or regularly scheduled City Commission meeting.
Newton’s City Attorney, Chris Towle, has been serving as Acting City Manager since the departure of Kelly McElroy in mid-October.
Veterans Day
City offices will be closed Friday, Nov. 10 in observance of Veterans Day, which will also alter the week's trash pickup schedule. Trash normally collected on Thursday will be picked up Wednesday, Nov. 8, and trash normally collected on Friday will be picked up Thursday, Nov. 9. Monday and Tuesday routes will run as usual.
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Newton Public Library
 View of the 1880 Engine from inside the children's area in the new library building
Engineering & Building
- At the bid opening for K-15 work on Oct. 31, we received successful bids for the stretch from the BNSF crossing to North 11th Street. The work will occur in the spring of 2024. The City Commission will award bids on Nov. 14.
- Work is ongoing at the new Parks facility on East 12th Street. We hope to have operations moved in by the end of January.
- Construction continues on Fox Ridge Sewer Phase 1 extensions. Water lines and paving work will begin soon in the same area following sewer work.
- West First Street water tank construction continues.
- We are answering questions regarding plans that are out for the SW 24th Street Bridge improvements over Sand Creek. The project bids next week.
Planning Commission
The agenda for Monday, Nov. 6 includes:
- Review of the final plat for Newton Parks and Public Works Addition.
- Consider approval of Fox Ridge Addition Zoning District Amendment (Lots 17-24, Block 1, Lots 1-32, Block 2, and Lots 3-14, Block 3) (continuation).
- Consider a variance application for a pole sign and addition square footage at 1608 E. First St.
- Review Zoning Regulations Articles 1-13 (information only).
Street & Sanitation
This week, our crews:
- Set out the speed radar sign in the 200 block of East Eighth Street for Cooper School.
- Improved road drainage at Greenwood Cemetery.
- Closed Main Street for the Halloween Walk on Tuesday. Four employees came in at 8 PM to open the street.
- Dropped off barricades on Friday for an annual block party in the 300 block of East Third Street.
- Took care of a couple of residents’ complaints about water backing up in the street and not draining at SW Fourth & Elm and Eighth & Payton.
- Performed some alley and gravel road maintenance.
- Started this week using two street sweepers for leaf pickup. Swept in Areas 3 and 4.
- Installed “No Bike” signs for the downtown sidewalks.
- Utility cut repairs:
- Several IdeaTek locations
- Several Kansas Gas utility repairs.
- One water utility cut at 1400 W. Eighth
Bulky Item Tagging Program
From Oct. 23-27, our inspector tagged 12 locations; three were charged the $20 fee, eight scheduled a pickup and were charged the $10 fee, and one was referred to the Environmental Control Officer.
Parks & Cemeteries
This week, our team:
- Winterized all the park restrooms, drinking fountains, depot fountain, and all irrigation systems.
- Pulled flowers in flower beds and picked up irrigation headers, and pulled flowers from the pots on Main Street.
- Edged the bike path.
- Prepped downtown metal snowflakes for painting.
- Started checking Christmas bulbs on decorations.
- Prepared two graves for funerals.
- Marked five graves for memorial stones.
Water/Wastewater
This week, our staff:
- Responded to five after-hours calls.
- 2,562 Lead & Copper Rule surveys have been completed to date.
- Replaced a 2-inch valve at SE Seventh and Allision.
- Finished the installation of a 2-inch water line on SE Sixth from Allison east to the dead end.
- Insulated meter boxes.
- Continued inspecting fire hydrant caps.
- Repaired a leak in the 1400 block of West Eighth and repaired a leak at the meter at Southbreeze Elementary School.
- In coordination with Harvey County Rural Water District, we exercised some valves and requested they provide water to us so we could perform some maintenance on the SE Booster Station.
Upcoming Events
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Newton Lions Pancake Feed, Nov. 7, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., Newton Rec Center. All-you-can-eat pancakes, plus sausage, scrambled eggs, juice and coffee. Meals by donation only, to benefit Lions Club's work in the community.
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35th annual Christmas Market, Nov. 11, 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Newton Rec Center.
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Newton Toy Run, Nov. 12, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., lineup at noon at Chisholm Trail Center. Proceeds benefit Harvey County Salvation Army.
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Community Thanksgiving Dinner, Nov. 23, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Grace Community Church, 1600 S. Anderson. The meal is free to all.
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
- Nov. 10 – City offices closed for Veterans Day
- 7 p.m. Nov. 14 – City Commission meeting
- Nov. 23-24 – City offices closed for Thanksgiving
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