Four years ago, I wrote about how our infrastructure needed some upgrades to help make our county more attractive for business.
Now that some American Rescue Plan funding is coming down the pipe, it looks like that is going to happen. Although this infrastructure isn’t necessarily what you see, it is infrastructure you use on a daily basis.
The City of Newton is upgrading its meters to digital meters than can be read from a truck driving by. While this seems like a convenience issue for the city, it is also a way that the city can save money on personnel resources to make their money go further.
Right now, it’s a pretty big ordeal to read meters in the City of Newton. It can take up to a week, according to Public Works Director Gary Turner.
However, it will now be reduced to an afternoon of someone driving around town and collecting the digital readings over wifi in a truck. Some might still have to be read manually if the system malfunctions, but it’s something that will help save a lot of time and money.
Yes, there might still be issues with the readings being correct. If that’s the case, you can call City Hall and ask someone to come out and check it manually.
This should help with accuracy of the readings, and it also means public works employees can be working other projects to help improve the city as opposed to reading meters.
That’s what the ARP money is supposed to do. It’s to give you a chance to do something you wouldn’t normally be able to do. and help make everything go smoother throughout the day-to-day business.
In coming weeks, I think we will see other cities do other infrastrucutre projects. It could also help law enforcement especially in Newton get equipment it wouldn’t normally get otherwise.
Contact Brent at bmaze@-newtoncountyappeal.com.
