Installation of sidewalks along North 15th Avenue West from First Street North to Union Drive is the number one priority for Newton City Council members heading into fiscal year 2026-2027. That project, with an estimated cost of $150,000, was chosen during the City Council’s Goal-Setting Workshop Monday night. Newton Mayor Evelyn George says there’s concern about children getting to their school bus.

“We had a person from that neighborhood who spoke to the council about concerns regarding children walking to and waiting for the bus. There is a big hill that makes it difficult to see anyone in the street when you are driving over it. And the candidate for the At-Large Council seat lives on that street and says when his children were going to school, it was a safety concern for the neighborhood.”

That uncontested At-Large Newton City Council candidate is Jeff Holschuh. Other projects identified as priorities for the $750,000 in bonding capacity the City of Newton will have available in the new fiscal year beginning in July include repairing damaged concrete streets in Union Cemetery, creating a parking area and increasing ADA accessibility at Cardinal Pond, a new skate park at Aurora Park, and adding Inclusive playground equipment at city parks. Hear more about upcoming priorities for the Newton City Council from Mayor Evelyn George on today’s Let’s Talk Newton.