March 28, 2024

Plans to transition city operations back to ‘normal’ could be underway soon

Newton mayor says the fire chief will form team to review progress of pandemic

Newton Mayor Mike Hansen informed city council members last week of his request to have the fire chief assemble staff that have already helped track and review the city’s progress with COVID-19 to eventually form another committee to assist the transition of city offices back to regular operations.

“As he continues to provide me with the information on the percentages of COVID occurring,” Hansen said, “and as that continues to drop and drop and drop, I have asked the chief to assemble that committee again ASAP and start working on a plan to transition us back to normal.”

Whatever that means at this point in time, he added. The mayor expects Newton Fire Chief Jarrod Wellik will form the group shortly, and Hansen will continue to update city council members of its progress. Hansen recognized city employees may meet with their respective directors to discuss protocol.

Ultimately, the mayor suggested the transition should be safe for both city workers and the public; it may even affect the council chambers, which only allow citizens and staff to sit in the lobby.

“We’ll be meeting and progressing to that transition back to getting us all back to the dais here and our public — those who wish to attend in person — back in the chambers,” Hansen said.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com

Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig

Christopher Braunschweig has a strong passion for community journalism and covers city council, school board, politics and general news in Newton, Iowa and Jasper County.