NEWELL-The website for the town of Newell can be seen at townofnewell.org. Although it is still in process, the site is complete enough to negotiate easily and is full of information about the area.
From the new website, water bills can be paid, meeting agendas and minutes can be found, and contact numbers are available among other pertinent information. The website also connects to Newell School and the county websites.
During the regular commission meeting, decisions were made concerning area residences. The commissioners received bids on cleaning up the area at 102 Fisk Avenue. The cost could be approximately in excess of $1400 for a two-day cleanup. Rapid Junk Relief was chosen as the company to handle the removal of material at the house. The commissioners decided to pursue legal action against the resident at 313 3rd St.
Marian Neumayer informed the commissioners that she had not been able to find any volunteers to put up the Christmas decorations that had been donated by the city of Belle Fourche. She had asked the Lions Club, Community Club, and others, but had not found anyone. She asked if someone from the city could help. Mayor Ken Wetz stated that it would benefit the town to have the new decorations put in place as soon as possible. He said it was a function of the city and would be done.
Neumayer proposed the idea of removing the abandoned vehicles in town. She will take care of the process, all that is needed to remove the vehicles is a title. If residents would notify the city, the names would be passed on to Neumayer. “I will get the cars removed,” she said.
Liquor licenses were renewed for High Plains Restaurant for On-Sale and for the Newell Liquor Store Retail On and Off Sale. Three bids were received for propane. They ranged from $1.29 to $2.09. The lowest bid came from Enning Propane, next bid from Olson Propane at $1.85, and the highest bid came in from McGas Propane for $2.09. The Newell Liquor Store is on-track for continuing the upward trend in Net Profit. The year-to-date Net Profit for 2023 is $74,250.35 compared to 2022’s Net Profit of $69,446.07. Although expenses were up in 2023 to $178,565.63 compared to $155,077.01. Revenue outpaced 2022 by $28,292.90.
Sales tax numbers were optimistic also. Year-to-date sales tax for 2023 was $117,331.35 compared to $111,372.78 for 2022.
Linda Velder, Newell Museum Curator, has been busy with updating NHS Alumni records and Hope Cemetery records. She participated in a SD Tourism Webinar and has provided local business history to interested people.
Story time for the 0 to 5-year-old youngsters with Miss Patty continues to go well on the first and third Wednesday mornings from 11-11:30 am with two to eight youngsters attending. The December Newell Commissioner meeting will be held December 4 at 5 p.m. and a special year-end meeting will be held December 29 at 5 p.m. to finish business for 2023.
