Main Street, Thunder Nites to fund power unit install on courthouse

Newton Main Street’s proposal to fully pay for the installation and upkeep of electrical power sources on courthouse grounds for use at future events was unanimously approved May 25 by the Jasper County Board of Supervisors.

Bob O’Brien, a board member of Newton Main Street and former president of Thunder Nites, asked the supervisors to allow the organization and its volunteers to put power outlets on the northwest and northeast corners of the courthouse.

Together, Newton Main Street and Thunder Nites would fund the installation through donations and pay the county a yearly $250 fee for using its electricity.

If somebody wants to use the power outlets, O’Brien said they would have to contact both Newton Main Street Executive Director Erin Yeager and Jasper County Maintenance Director Adam Sparks ahead of time.

“We’ll be able to do more things here on county property, to be able to do more things around the square,” O’Brien told supervisors during their meeting last week. “And you guys would look pretty good for doing it, I think.”

By installing power units in the northern corners of the Jasper County Courthouse, O’Brien said Newton Main Street could utilize the equipment for live music performances. It could also allow Thunder Nites to be held on the square.

Jasper County Supervisor Brandon Talsma asked Sparks if he foresees any problems with the project, anticipating a shutoff switch would be placed inside the courthouse and that the outlets would not be on unless an event was present.

Sparks did not indicate there would be any problems with the install.

“All this is going to be is maybe a four-by-four or a six-by-six square box with a weatherproof lid on it,” Sparks said. “It has is a 50 Amp plug on it … They’re going to be mounted right on the corners of the building.”

Although Newton Main Street would claim the power plug-ins and require permission for others to use them, the county supervisors would still have to approve the event if it were to take place on the courthouse property.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com