Erick Oliver spoke on behalf of Newton Trails and read a petition that requested the Newton County Board of Commissioners and the city of Covington send a letter of interest to Norfolk-Southern to get the answer to several questions posed by concerned citizens in a recent meeting.

The council also discussed keeping on top of the phase-out of Palmer Stone Elementary and how they wanted to work with the Newton County Board of Education to find out if it would be possible to make the building available for little or no cost for the city. They also agreed to proceed with an application for the Georgia Urban and Community Forestry Grant.