City approves more Callison sewer testing

The mystery of what’s causing the flooding in the Callison Park neighborhood hasn’t been solved ... yet. But Fox Engineering may be getting closer to discovering the root of the problem.

The engineering firm, hired by the City of Newton to inspect the sewer system around the Callison Park neighborhood, has completed some smoke testing and now recommends a controlled flooding of storm sewers in the area to help flush out the extent of the sewer flow problems.

Residents in the neighborhood previously have complained about sewer pipes flooding back into their homes during heavy rainfalls. The city hired Fox to determine what exactly was causing the sewer back-ups. With the smoke testing competed, the flooding would be the next step. The cost of the controlled flood would not exceed $10,000, and council approved the measure unanimously.

The testing will take place this month

“I think this is an important next step. It moves towards identifying exactly where we have problems. I think I’ve said this once but I’ll say it again. That’s the purpose of hiring these people in order to pinpoint those problems. If it’s the responsibility of the city, then we should take care of it,” Hansen said.

Property owners in the area will be informed when the flooding will occur.

City Council also approved some increases for the 2010 park fees. Among the changes, the cost for 18 holes of golf will increase $2 from $21 on weekdays to $23 and from $24 on weekends to $26. The cost for 9 holes on weekdays and weekends will increase $1 to $17 on weekdays and $20.

Golf punch cards will increase $10 for a 10-punch, 9-hole pass to $160 and $20 on a 10-punch 18-hole pass to $210. And the practice range went up $1 from $5 to $6.

Additionally, costs to rent out some parks facilities have increased as well to $15 per time period for shelter houses, up from $12.50 and $30 and $25 respectively for the Pickens and Geisler pool rooms, each up $5.

The cost for lights per hour increased to $20 at the adult softball complex and $40 per hour at Woodland baseball fields, up from $15 and $30 respectively.