Newton, NC – Out of concern for public safety and in response to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the City of Newton will suspend public access to all City buildings beginning at 5 p.m. March 25 until further notice. Specific changes to public access include:

Newton City Hall

Utility Customer Service: No utility or fee payments will be accepted inside City Hall. Customers are asked to use the following alternate payment methods:

• By mail: Mail your payment to City of Newton, P.O. Box 550, Newton, NC 28658.

• Dropbox outside City Hall: Drop your payment at the drop box beside the main entrance to City Hall, 401 North Main Ave. Be sure to bring your own envelope or place your payment in the envelope provided at the drop box.

• Online banking: Set up direct payment from your checking or savings account to the City of Newton.

• City website: Visit www.newtonnc.gov/billpay to make your payment through Official Payments, the contractor Newton hires to process online credit card, debit card, and electronic check payments. Terms are outlined on our website.

• Call 888-272-9829 to make your payment through Official Payments, the contractor Newton hires to process over-the-phone credit card, debit card, and electronic check payments. Terms are outlined on our website.

Staff are available by phone at 828-695-4300 to assist customers who wish to establish service, disconnect service, or are in need of any other assistance. If you have any concerns about your City services, please let us know. If you have a question and you don’t know who to ask, call us. We are here to support you.

Planning and Zoning Department: Planning and Zoning Department staff will remain available by phone and email as they transition to electronic communications. Plans and permit applications must be submitted electronically. Concerns and questions should be addressed by calling the Planning Department at 828-695-4305, emailing Planning Director Randy Williams at [email protected], or emailing Assistant Planning Director Alex Fulbright at [email protected].

Newton Police Department
Public access to the Newton Police Department will be limited to emergencies. Non-emergency concerns and questions should be addressed by calling the Police Department at 828-465-7430. If you have an emergency, call 911.

Newton Fire Department
Public access to the Newton Fire Department will be limited to emergencies. Non-emergency concerns and questions should be addressed by calling the Fire Department at 828-695-4314. If you have an emergency, call 911.

Newton Parks and Recreation Department
Public access is suspended to all Newton Parks and Recreation Department buildings, including recreation centers, gyms, and workout rooms.

Newton parks, including Southside Park, Northside/Broyhill Park, Westside/Jaycee Park, East Newton Park, and Jacob Fork Park, as well as the Heritage Trail Greenway, remain open. Restrooms at all Newton parks are closed; please use the restroom before you visit. Please practice good hygiene and observe the CDC’s minimum recommended physical distancing of six feet from other people. Concerns and questions should be addressed by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 828-695-4317.

Newton Public Works and Utilities Department
Public access is suspended to the Newton Public Works Facility. Concerns and questions should be addressed by calling the City of Newton at 828-695-4300.

Downtown Newton Development Association
DNDA staff will transition to phone and electronic communications. Concerns and questions should be addressed by contacting Newton Main Street Program Manager Shannon Johnson at [email protected] or 828-695-4360.

The City of Newton is making changes to public access based on Gov. Roy Cooper’s March 23 executive order that restricts gatherings of groups of more than 50 people, orders the closure of many entertainment facilities without a retail or dining component (such as gyms and movie theatres) and orders the closure of businesses where people are in close proximity for extended periods of time (such as barber shops, beauty salons, and nail salons). The order requires local governments to take appropriate precautions to maintain the health of the general public and employees who are required to perform official duties.

The City of Newton will continue to provide services including police, fire, water/wastewater, electricity, and sanitation. Protecting the health, safety and welfare of our neighbors is our highest priority.

We are a strong community that looks out for one another. We will continue to find ways to support our neighbors. For up-to-date information from the City of Newton about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, please visit www.newtonnc.gov/coronavirus.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call the City of Newton at 828-695-4300.