Newton City employees have new fitness equipment to use. It’s just been set up at the fitness facility at city hall. Newton City Administrator Matt Muckler says the new cardio machines, weight machines, free weights, and medicine balls focus on health, added safety, and wellness for all employees. He adds some of the old equipment that has been replaced was 30 to 40 years old. Muckler also says the new weight equipment provides a higher level of safety for users, thus allowing novice and experienced users to avoid injuries. Newton Police Detective Nathan Popenhage spearheaded the effort to get the new fitness equipment with the assistance from the City’s Wellness Committee. The funding was provided by an approximately $25,000 donation from the Shirley Havens Estate and $15,000 from the City’s employee benefits fund.