The Rundown – Road vacated to allow for Millennium Machine expansion

Published on April 29, 2026

Map showing area of Highland Avenue that was vacated

The Rundown is prepared by the City of Newton Communications Office to summarize the City Commission action and does not represent official Commission minutes.

7 p.m. April 28, 2026, Newton City Commission meeting

At Tuesday’s meeting, the City Commission vacated a portion of Highland Avenue to give Millennium Machine & Tool more room for a planned expansion.

Highland between West Second and West Third Streets was platted but never constructed, and the City had no intention of building the street.

Millennium President Kris Wondra said the company is expanding for the fourth time in 28 years and recently purchased the house on the southwest corner of Third and Highland. They requested the street vacation so they will have more room to build on the property once the house is removed.

Millennium Machine & Tool is a Newton-based machining and parts manufacturer. They currently have about 77,000 square feet of manufacturing space between West First and Third Streets.  

Neighbors to the east of Highland expressed concerns about additional construction and said they’d prefer the property to remain as it is. Wondra said the company was committed to being a good neighbor and would follow all building and zoning regulations. They do not plan to add any entrances or exits on that side of the property.

After the street vacation, the City will retain a 35-foot utility easement where a water line currently exists and a gas line will be relocated.

In other action, the City Commission:

  1. Made the following appointments to advisory boards and commissions:
  • Tim Buller, Carl Harris, Greg Hanson, Arlan Newell and Trevor Kauffman to the Planning Commission.
  • Brittany Stevens and Mark Ekerberg to the Library Board.
  • Jason Greever to the Substance Abuse Board.
  • Bob Myers to the Wholesale Water Supply District #17 Board.
  • Chip Westfall, Casie Powell, Alex Carbajal, Dan Harder, Bob Myers and Bill Unruh to the Land Bank Board.
  • Julie Hendricks and Ken Knepper to the Law Enforcement Advisory Panel.
  1. Approved a request to close Oak Street between Fifth and Seventh Streets on June 13 for Newton Open Streets.
  2. Approved a request to close East Sixth Street between Main and Oak on third Thursdays from May to September for the Main Street Makers Market.
  3. Approved temporary alcohol permits for the CPRA Rodeo on July 31-Aug. 1 and for Bulls & Barrels on Aug. 8.
  4. Received the 2027 budget request from Newton Senior Center for $25,000.
  5. Tabled an agreement for Ballard Aviation to lease about 17 acres of farmed land at Newton City/County Airport until after wheat harvest is complete.

For more information, please contact Director of Communications Erin McDaniel at 316-284-6055 or emcdaniel@newtonkansas.com.

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