Five Things You Need to Know This Week: Feb. 18-24

1. City Hall offices, Newton Senior Center, library closed Monday. 

Newton City Hall, the Newton Free Library, the Newton Senior Center, post offices and banks will all be closed Monday for the Presidents Day holiday. Trash/recycling pick-up in Newton will also be delayed by one day.

2. School vacation week.

That's right, it's February vacation for the Newton Public Schools. Looking for something to do with the kids? Check out our events calendar for activities going on this week at the West Suburban YMCA, the Jackson Homestead & Museum, Newton Cultural Center and more.

3. Board of Aldermen meet Tuesday.

Due to the Presidents Day holiday, the Board of Aldermen will meet Tuesday, Feb. 19 at 7:45 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chamber at City Hall. Among other items, the board will discuss and vote on the Election Commission's recommendation to not hold a special election for Ald. Carleton Merrill's Ward 1 at-large seat. The Programs & Services committee approved this item earlier this month. The full reports docket for Tuesday's meeting is included in the .pdf section above.

4. Election discussion continues. 

Although the Programs & Services Committee discussed and approved the Election Commission's recommendation to not hold a special election for Ald. Carleton Merrill's seat, the committee is scheduled to discuss the item again at its meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 20.

According to the committee's agenda, the Programs & Services Committee has docketed an item calling for a special election for the Ward 1 at-large seat to be held on the same day as the special Senate election (June 25).

The Programs & Services Committee will meet at 7:45 p.m. in room 222 at City Hall. The full agenda is included in the .pdf section above. 

Public Facilities will also meet Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in room 209 at City Hall. 

5. Free CPR/AED course. A free "friends & family" CPR course will be held on Sunday, Feb. 24 from noon to 3 p.m. at Newton North High School. This is not a certification course, but it will teach participants CPR and how to use an AED. Participants must be Newton residents at age 14 or older. Register online now.