(NEWTON) The Newton City Council met this past Tuesday night. The Council : approved the bills as presented – $75,872 in accounts payable and $70,621 in prepaid bills : on three 4 to 1 votes, approved the disbursement of funds to CCW Properties for the demolition reimbursement applications submitted – $11,000 for 1007 and 1009 Fairground Street, $9,000 for 901 Menke Street (Unit 2), and $9,000 for 903 Menke Street : agreed to seek bids for the 2026 mowing of city property : after accepting the resignation of Kenneth Belcher from the City’s Zoning Board of Appeals, approved the appointment of Benjamin Borgic and Jacque Cowger to the Zoning Board : agreed to proceed with easements for sewer line work behind Reynolds Street and Maple Street : approved the $2,500 payment to Geltz Properties for dumpster reimbursement at 206 North Jackson Street : after much review and discussion, approved the $277,664 purchase of a Beacon AMA Water Meter Reading System for the City of Newton with payment to be split between 2026 and 2027 fiscal year budgets : agreed to advertise for two summer maintenance positions : approved a one-time Chamber of Commerce membership contribution of $2,500 : agreed to spend $1,188 to test the stop lights at the intersections of Morgan, Jackson, and Van Buren Streets : agreed to spend $2,985 to purchase needed equipment for the Sewer Plant : agreed to spend $6,158 for three new computers and one internal hard drive with installation from Kemper Technology : and took no action, other than to adjourn, after a 44-minute closed session to discuss real estate and potential litigation : the Newton City Council’s next regular meeting is February 3rd, 2026.
