By PETER HUSSMANN
The Newton City Council agreed to establish a dog park at Westwood Park with its estimated $16,500 cost to be raised privately by supporters of the park's development.
The council agreed to the construction of the dog park upon the recommendation of the park board that had determined its establishment "would provide yet another positive park and recreational opportunity" for residents of the community.
At its last meeting, the council had asked Parks Director Denny Slings to come up with cost estimates to gravel a parking area adjacent to the site along the entrance to Westwood Golf Course. Slings estimated that placing surface stone in area to accommodate six vehicles, plus signing, would cost approximately $500. The council suggested he double the size of the parking area.
Slings was also asked to gain input from adjacent homeowners about the plan, most of whom were amenable to the idea.
The city is estimating that its yearly cost to operate the facility at $500. The parks department currently maintains the area as part of its park system.
Councilman Mike Hansen asked that the park board be tasked with coming up with recommendations on how that city cost could be covered by users of the facility.
Park officials expect the new facility to be open by this summer.
In other business in the council's 20-minute meeting, the council:
- Pulled consideration of an ordinance that would have further regulated the city's burning provisions pertaining to barbecue pits, fireplaces and stoves saying the matter had been resolved and the ordinance was no longer needed (but did not expound on what had transpired).
- Agreed to a $64,800 engineering services agreement with Clapsaddle-Garber Associates for runway overlay projects at the Newton airport. Three identified projects valued at more than $2.9 million would be 95 percent funded by the Federal Aviation Administration.
- Reappointed Jeff Maki and Ruth Jaimes to the Planning and Zoning Commission; reappointed Jerry Lorang and Fred Chabot to the Historic Preservation Commission; and reappointed Kathy Trotter to the Zoning Board of Adjustment.
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