A primary focus of the meeting was the recognition of Sergeant Bill Herold, who was commended for his contributions to the Newport community. The council passed a resolution that celebrated Herold’s compassionate service and the strong relationships he built between the community and law enforcement. His retirement marked the end of an era of dedication and service, and the council expressed profound gratitude for his impact. Herold, noted for his compassion and thoroughness, addressed the council, emphasizing the importance of service in law enforcement. This acknowledgment was accompanied by personal anecdotes, such as his drumming days, which highlighted the camaraderie he fostered beyond his professional duties.

Following the tribute to Herold, the council introduced new law enforcement personnel, starting with Deputy Chris Bergot. Bergot, already familiar with the department from past experiences, was introduced alongside Dylan Jang, who primarily serves night shifts. The speaker assured the council and attendees of the deputies’ effectiveness and commitment to maintaining community safety, describing the city as “very lucky to have them.” The introduction concluded with a report of recent police activities, highlighting proactive measures like the prevention of a burglary and ongoing traffic enforcement aimed at reducing impaired and reckless driving.

The meeting also included a report from the Fire Chief, who provided detailed statistics on the fire department’s activities over the past year. The department responded to 198 calls, the second-highest number in recent years. Notably, over half of these were related to automobile accidents, a portion of which involved injuries. Additionally, the department addressed 31 medical assistance calls, with several requiring full Advanced Life Support. The report further detailed response efforts to structure fires and mutual aid provided to neighboring areas amid severe weather conditions.

In another notable moment, the council adopted a resolution honoring the extensive service of Kevin Chapdelaine, absent at the meeting. Chapdelaine’s over 30 years of service were acknowledged, highlighting his involvement in key projects like the water settlement for clean drinking water, construction of a new city hall, and leadership during the 2001 Newport flood. The resolution recognized his unwavering focus on the community’s common good.

The engineering report was succinct. The engineer expressed appreciation for the outgoing council members and welcomed newly elected member Schmidt. No pressing updates were presented, and the engineer invited questions, though none were posed.

The Superintendent of Public Works provided an update on ongoing tree trimming efforts, facilitated by the absence of snow. Residents were advised to maintain a safe distance from the crews at work. Additionally, the Christmas tree drop-off program was announced, allowing residents to dispose of their trees by January 8th, with the reminder to remove decorations to facilitate processing.

The meeting concluded with reports from the mayor and council members. The mayor noted a reception that both welcomed the new council member and celebrated the service of Chapdelaine. In a community-focused initiative, he reminded residents to donate ice skates for public use at the warming house. The session ended with a motion to adjourn, concluding with wishes for a prosperous New Year.