After almost five years of work and despite requests to return to the drawing board, Newton City Councilors approved the new design for the City Seal on February 18, in a vote of 13-10, with one absent. While even those who voted in favor of the change agreed that not…
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New Memorial-Spaulding Principal hired. Ultimate Frisbee becomes an official sport. The February 10 School Committee meeting began with a full slate of public commenters, filling the 30 minutes allowed for comment and addressing varied topics such as: Notably, multiple students, staff members, and parents addressed the playground accessibility issue, particularly…
Since 1988, the Newton-San Juan del Sur Sister City Project – founded by former City Councilor and School Board member Rodney Barker, with other Newtonians – has worked to establish a meaningful connection through activism with the city of San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. The nonprofit organization has built and renovated over…
The City of Newton broke ground February 13 on a multi-use synthetic turf field at Albemarle Field — part of a $9.5 million park renovation aimed at improving recreational facilities while addressing longstanding concerns about flooding. Synthetic turf improves field usability during and after bad weather but has also raised…
On Friday, February 7, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that it would allow only 15% of “indirect costs” associated with the wide range of scientific research projects it funds at universities, medical facilities, and other science institutions. The change in funding, originally set to begin on Monday, February…
On February 11, BikeNewton sent four members of its steering committee – John Pelletier, Jane Hanser, Nathan Phillips, and Doug Cornelius – to the State House for MassBike’s second Lobby Day, when cycling advocates meet with their legislators. MassBike Lobby Day has four goals: First up was a joint session with…
In statewide competitions, several Newton students have received Gold Keys — the highest honors among Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, “the nation’s longest-running, most prestigious recognition program for creative teens.” National awards will be determined in March. This year’s Massachusetts Gold Key winners from Newton are: Note: Newton South’s Grace…
Highlights this week… City Council City Council will meet on Tuesday and is expected to vote on the following (see Reports Docket): The New Docket includes the following: Finance will meet on Tuesday before the City Council meeting to consider: Programs and Services regularly scheduled meeting has been canceled. Public Safety…
Mary Cotton has owned and operated Newtonville Books, specifically in Newton Centre, for 13 years. In 2023, Barry Tilles opened Good Dog Records & Books almost right across the street. Cotton didn’t mind. In fact, she and Tilles regularly recommend each other’s shops to customers. “I didn’t see competition,” Cotton…
Many Newton builders, architects, and engineers are focusing on environmental efficiency — part of a movement in the United States to “Go Green.” After peaking in 2005, total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. have fallen 17%, but emissions from residential and commercial real estate have remained flat. The residential/commercial…