Newton Public Library
 Library children's area featuring multi-color dichroic glass
 Circulation desk being installed
Newton Public Library work continues, with many small pieces coming together. The front entry canopy will be delivered once the weather is a bit warmer, and installation can begin once the patio is done. Shelving is started; service desk installation began. Fire alarm will be tested next week. Interior signage is shipped Friday. The big patio screens will be installed next week when weather warms up. Window treatments will be installed beginning next week.
The library has announced that the last day in the current library building will be Saturday, March 2. They anticipate reopening in the new library on Monday, April 1.
They will continue to circulate materials until 6 p.m. on March 2, and due dates that would normally fall during the closure will be extended until they reopen. Find more info on plans, including details on interlibrary loan, VITA tax prep, and other programs and services, on the library's website.
Fire/EMS
 Fire/EMS B-Shift practiced ice rescue this week at Springlake Pond. The cold temperatures have created a thick layer of ice but some areas can still break. Children are especially drawn to playing on frozen surfaces. Each year the U.S. sees numerous fatalities related to falling through the ice. Please speak with your children and make certain they understand to stay off the ice. If you see a person or pet trapped after falling through the ice, DO NOT attempt a rescue; instead, call 911 immediately. It takes only a few minutes for a person to be overcome by hypothermia in the water, which then turns one rescue into multiple.
Thanks to our news media partners at KSN and KWCH for coming out to help share this important winter safety information.
Engineering & Building
- Midway Motors pulled a permit this week to add service bays – valuation $325,000 – permit cost $1,875.86.
- Several locations are finishing work to obtain occupancy permits: QuikTrip scheduled for Feb. 19 opening; New Hope Shelter is finishing up post-construction stormwater Best Management Practices.
- Fox Ridge Addition Phase 1 sewer contractor is working on testing.
Water/Wastewater
Service Center staff
- Responded to 10 after-hours calls this week.
- We have received 2,837 Lead & Copper Rule surveys to date.
- Worked with contractor on First Street tank and booster station testing.
- Repaired a leak in the 1400 block of Terrace Drive.
- Shut off 36 meters at the request of the customer because of cold temperatures and broken or frozen pipes.
- Repaired a leak in the 200 block of SE Fourth Street.
- Repaired a leak in the 400 block of Old Main.
Wastewater Treatment Plant staff
- Repaired block heater on Kubota tractor.
- Maintained operations in the cold weather.
Mission Water Treatment Plant staff
- Responded to two after-hours call this week.
- Handled some generator issues.
- Changing batteries in all the wells.
Street & Sanitation
This week, our crews:
- Responded to three after-hours calls:
- Barricades placed for an ice dam at Fourth and Oak.
- Broadway and Main traffic signal malfunction.
- Barricades placed at the Broadway roundabout for a disabled semi-truck.
- Responded to a winter weather event Monday afternoon.
- Spot-treated the snow route throughout the week.
- Broke up large snow/ice pack on Meadowbrook Drive from Old Main to South Anderson.
- Repaired burst pipes in wash bay.
- Pothole snow route with cold mix asphalt.
Bulky Item Tagging Program
From Jan. 8-12: Our inspector tagged five locations. One scheduled a bulky item pickup and was charged the $10 fee, three were charged the $20 fee, and one was forwarded to the environmental control officer.
Parks & Cemeteries
- Treated sidewalks with ice melt at City facilities.
- Continued moving to the new facility on East 12th Street.
Upcoming Events
See all of the upcoming events at our Community Events listing on Choose-Newton.com.
Meetings & Reminders:
- 7 p.m. Jan. 23 – City Commission meeting
- 7: 30 a.m. Feb. 8 – City Commission agenda review
- 7 p.m. Feb. 13 – City Commission meeting
- Feb. 19 – City offices closed for Presidents Day
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