With minimal to no discussion, the Newton City Council on Tuesday formally adopted a proposed Public Camping Ordinance and approved the second reading of a proposal to increase the city’s Stormwater Utility rate by one-dollar per equivalent residential unit.

Newton Police Chief Rob Burdess initiated the new Public Camping Ordinance based on an escalation of complaints and problems with homeless individuals camping out in public places, such as on sidewalks, in parks, and even entrances to public buildings.

“It’s those latter circumstances that are causing the biggest challenges. I know Library Director Nicole Terry mentioned she had a couple living in the entryway to the library over Thanksgiving break. They defecated and urinated and trashed the entryway while the library was closed. That’s just one example of many that we deal with on a regular basis.”

Under the new ordinance, an officer must seek out available overnight shelter for a potential violator who is homeless. If the officer determines that there is no available overnight shelter, the officer shall not issue a citation unless it is a repeat offense. But any individual who refuses to accept the shelter space offered is subject to a citation, which is a simple misdemeanor with a fine up to $105.

The second of three readings on a proposal to increase the city’s Stormwater Utility rate by one-dollar per equivalent residential unit was also unanimously approved by the Newton City Council. If ultimately adopted, the increased rate is expected to create an additional $140,000 in annual city revenue for additional improvement projects.