During March 9-16, the School Committee and NPS convened three public budget meetings to review detailed information from NPS departments regarding their budgetary methodologies and priorities. These meetings continued the dichotomy of the Superintendent, Mayor, and School Committee all acknowledging what they say is an improved budgeting process and working…
Fig City News
On March 11, New York City’s Carnegie Hall announced that Newton South High School junior and clarinetist Leila Mostaghimi has been named to the prestigious National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA) and will perform this summer along with 96 other student musicians from across the country.…
A new citywide map identifying 43 vacant storefronts across Newton — many in the city’s village centers — is giving officials and prospective business owners a clearer look at where new businesses could take root. When Economic Development Director Lauren Berman and Deputy Director Cheryl Lappin joined the department earlier…
Boston-based real estate firm Beacon Communities LLC has solidified its plans for the commercial block 793-821 Washington Street in Newtonville. Beacon Communities purchased the property in April 2025 and applied for a demolition permit on February 4. The project? New construction of an all-electric housing development with all units designated…
On March 15, Lazer Robotics, an eight‑member high school robotics team from Newton, captured the 2026 Massachusetts FIRST Tech Challenge State Championship. The team went undefeated throughout the playoffs, setting records at both the Massachusetts State and New England levels, in partnership with its alliance partner, Ghost Robotics from Westford, MA. With this victory, Lazer Robotics…
In the 1970s, strife over the Newton Public School budget intensified as the 1970 recession deepened, enrollment continued to decline, teachers gained collective bargaining rights, and the State changed educational mandates and funding. The battle moved from City-versus-School Committee to school-versus-school. “Education as a right to be claimed, not a…
On February 12, the Newton Public Schools (NPS) Offices of Family Engagement, Teaching and Learning, and Multi-Tiered Systems of Support teamed up to present information on the current ecosystem of assessments being used in the schools and how parents can interpret the assessment reports they receive about their students. After…
Newton’s Zoning and Planning Committee met on March 9 with Brookline town officials to discuss Brookline’s proposal to rezone a stretch of Route 9 in Chestnut Hill. Committee members wanted to learn more about the proposal and its potential impacts on traffic, planning, and development along the Route 9 corridor. …
A feasibility study commissioned by the Newton Affordable Housing Trust identified three publicly owned sites in Newton that could present opportunities to explore future development of affordable housing: According to the study, these three properties together could potentially yield a net increase of 83 to 163 new housing units. The…
Maurice L. Coleman has been named a Managing Director for Community Development Lending at Bank of America, where he leads a national team focusing on community development lending, investing, and asset management. He has more than 25 years’ experience in private equity, commercial, and community development finance, with expertise in…