Billy Todd/Sampson Independent The Newton Grove Commissioners and mayor were joined by a large crowd for their regular monthly meeting Tuesday night. Mayor Gerald Darden was pleased to see so many citizens concerned about their town and welcomed them to the meeting.

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Billy Todd/Sampson Independent Ted Habets with Waste Industries addresses the Newton Grove Town Board regarding the proposed recycling program Waste Industries is hoping to state in the future in the town.

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NEWTON GROVE — The Newton Grove Board of Commissioners approved continuing a contract with Waste Industries, adopted a utility billing policy and continued review of the Itinerant Merchant Ordinance during Tuesday night’s meeting.

Ted Habets, representing Waste Industries, shared in great detail the possibility of the town being offered a chance to participate in WI’s expanded recycling efforts. According to Habets, the new program will provide 64 gallon containers for recycling that will have wheels, making it easier for homeowners to get them to the curb. Habets presented the program for information to the board. The town then voted to extend its contract with Waste Industries for garbage collection for two additional years.

Board members also approved a motion to grant the Planning Board permission to conduct a public hearing on new changes in the Newton Grove Zoning & Subdivision Administrative fee schedule. The date was not set.

Assistant town clerk Amanda Turner presented the board with a proposed utility billing policy for consideration.

“Since I have been acting clerk in Sheila’s (Barefoot), absence, I have not been able to find any written policy regarding how we are to conduct business related to the town’s utilities. I have drawn up this policy that is very similar to what we are currently doing. By adopting the policy, we will have it in writing for the public to see why we do things the way we do,” explained Turner.

The board reviewed the policy proposal and decided to adopt it as presented.

“It is good for our office to have a policy to protect them and the public as to how things are to be done. I appreciate what Amanda has done in preparing this document and I am glad we now have something in place,” remarked Mayor Gerald Darden.

Darden reported to the board that the Itinerant Merchant Ordinance had been reviewed again by he and Commissioner Gary Mac Herring and they suggested changes from the board had been made.

“We hope to have it completed by the next meeting so we can get it approved to start at the beginning of the new year,” explained the mayor.

The department commissioners all reported that the various departments in town were operating as they should and did not present any items that needed to be considered by the board.

The mayor did make a significant announcement by sharing that the Town of Newton Grove would have a 4th of July celebration in 2013. The date for the celebration will begin around 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 7. Turner is heading the committee and the assistant clerk and her committee have begun fundraising efforts for the event.