Newton
council approves Griffin property division
By Rachel
Christensen
September 5, 2008 | NEWTON -- Plans to split the Griffin
property into two residential plots, keeping the dairy
and an easement on the property, were approved by City
Council Thursday.
Marjene Miles, daughter of LaGene Hansen who owns
the property and used to live on the land, presented
a detailed plan to the council. Mayor Clair Christiansen
said the plans had enough frontage and were good to
continue as long the new plot had its own share of water
as well as a secondary water source.
"Water is tricky," Christiansen said. "It's a real
sore spot."
Although the Griffin property's plans were passed,
the council is still in the process of defining water
share and secondary water source requirements for developers.
"I'd like to not put 40 Band-Aids on the problem,"
Christiansen said.
Christiansen said he would like to look at how other
towns and sister cities are handling their water share
issues in order to develop the best plan for Newton.
The council also debated other local sources of water
and whether that water could be put to use locally.
Hansen-Jensen pond and Hammond Creek were both discussed.
Councilman Gaylen Maughan said there is a lot more water
in reserves this year than is normal.
Christiansen said, "There's got to be someone smart
enough to know how to utilize all this water we've got
a hold of."
The council also discussed a Utah resolution which
will change the mileage reimbursement from 30 cents
to 45 cents Thursday. The resolution was passed unanimously
and without much discussion.
Christiansen brought up a plan created by Bob Bartlet
for a community ice rink this winter. Bartlet's plan
would use the tennis courts as an ice arena, would require
a ground covering to protect the tennis courts, and
would take 60,000 gallons of water to create and maintain.
This year's winter is supposed to be early and long,
Christiansen said, which would be necessary in order
to keep the rink frozen. Accident liability is a potential
problem with the plan, but Ferguson said if the proper
precautions and preparations are taken the rink can
be insured. The council decided to allow Bartlet to
make a proposal before they discussed the rink further.
Greg Jorgenson opened a blueprint for debate. The
plan involves making the public bathrooms in the town
hall wheelchair-accessible. It will move the men's bathroom
door to the north in order to give the women's bathroom
more privacy, he said. He also said the bathroom stalls
would be rearranged, allowing more space for a wheelchair
to move, and the stall walls would be replaced and increased
in height.
Karla Ferguson, town clerk, said because the bathroom
project is classified as building improvement, the project
would almost automatically be given a grant of around
$300.
The state of Utah is offering a grant of $500 to $5,000
to Newton if it makes its parks and public gatherings
free of smoking and tobacco. The council chose to further
investigate the grant before deciding on a course of
action.
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