Newton City Council approves $7.2M in loan agreements to finance city projects

Newton City Council on Monday took on more than $7.27 million worth of loans to pay for a variety of city projects across all departments.

Officials held three separate public hearings for the loans, which were divided into three categories: essential purpose loans for $6.6 million, general purpose loans for $600,000 and general obligation urban renewal loans for $75,000. No one from the public spoke out against or in favor of the loans during the hearings.

City Administrator Matt Muckler explained the distinctions between all three loans when prompted by council member Joel Mills. Muckler said essential purpose loans are for street projects, equipment for police or any other necessary “nuts and bolts” items. General purpose loans mainly cover facility improvements.

“That includes parks and rec facilities,” Muckler said. “And the urban renewal would have to be limited to just within an urban renewal area.”

Here are the projects covered for each loan agreements:

Essential Purpose Loan Agreement — $6.6 million

• Constructing street, stormwater drainage, sanitary sewer system, water system and sidewalk improvements.

• Acquiring and installing street lighting, signage and signalization improvements.

• Acquiring vehicles and equipment for the police department.

• Acquiring vehicles and equipment for the fire department.

• Improving and equipping existing parks, including trails.

• Acquiring vehicles and equipment for the public works department.

• Undertaking hangar improvements at the airport.

• Acquiring, demolishing and/or restoring dangerous, dilapidated and/or abandoned properties.

• Providing funding for the Newton Housing Initiative Program.

General Purpose Loan Agreement — $600,000

• Undertaking improvements to the fire station.

• Constructing training facilities for the police and fire departments.

• Acquiring and installing server upgrades and security cameras for public facilities, including City Hall and parks.

• Developing amenities for new park and recreation facilities.

• Planning and undertaking emergency response improvements at the library

General Obligation Urban Renewal Loan Agreement — $75,000

• Undertaking the Downtown Micro-Grant and Downtown Housing Grant Programs.

• Authorized urban renewal projects in the North Central Urban Renewal Area.