A Special School Committee Workshop (in-person only) will be held TODAY, Monday, November 28 beginning at 2PM in Room 304, Ed Center. The agenda includes a review of public records law, develop goals for the Interim Superintendent, adopt norms and protocols for School Committee Operating Procedure and discuss next steps.
The Superintendent Search Committee will meet virtually (Zoom link) TONIGHT, Monday, November 28 at 6PM and discuss video recording of public meetings, receive a presentation and hold a discussion on Leadership Profile and Statement of Qualifications (see Agenda).
The Newton Cultural Council will hold its third Adjudication Session TONIGHT at 5:30PM at 1294 Centre Street, and the public can watch virtually (Zoom link).
The Zoning and Planning Committee will meet TONIGHT at 7PM in-person (Council Chamber/Room 207) and virtually (Zoom link) to review the proposed village center zoning ordinances recently drafted by the Planning Department (see Agenda). The new ordinance, Village Center Overlay District Zoning Ordinance, creates overlay districts on top of existing zoning and is designed to be “opt in” — to allow a property owner the ability to choose and fully comply with either the current base zoning or the overlay district, not both or some portion of each. The proposed zoning was designed to match the village center zoning maps that were previously released and contain allowed uses and dimensional standards/requirements (height, setback, open space). The proposed zoning also includes design standards and a review process based on the size of the proposed development (>30,000 sq. feet = special permit; 20,000 to 30,0000 = site plan review by Planning board). See Planning Memo for more details, including the text for the proposed ordinance. According to the Planning Memo, staff have been reviewing the maps with councilors from each ward and have scheduled a series of seven information sessions focused on both the maps and the proposed zoning ordinance (see Community Letters Received Regarding Village Center Zoning Redesign).
The Planning Department begins launching its series of information sessions on the Village Center Zoning Maps version 1.0 this week:
- Proposed Zoning Map and Information Session for Upper Falls and Waban will be held virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, November 29 at 5:30PM. See Upper Falls Draft Map and Waban Draft Map or visit the first-floor gallery at City Hall. Provide feedback online here.
- Proposed Zoning Map and Information Session for Four Corners and Newton Highlands will be held virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, November 30 at 5:30PM. See Four Corners Draft Map and Newton Highlands Draft Map or visit the first-floor gallery at City Hall. Provide feedback online here.
- Proposed Zoning Map and Information Session for Newton Centre and Thompsonville will be held virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, December 1 at 5:30PM. See Newton Centre Draft Map and Thompsonville Draft Map or visit the first-floor gallery at City Hall. Provide feedback online here.
The Finance Committee will meet virtually (Zoom link) TONIGHT at 7PM and review three funding requests:
- Request to accept and expend a $235,500 Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and a MassDevelopment Housing Choice grant to conduct an analysis on the best path forward to preserve and and redevelop four homes for affordable housing that were acquired through the purchase of the Walker Center property on Grove Street in Auburndale;
- Request to transfer $7,000 from a Disability Commission Receipts account to an Operations account to fund targeted enforcement of accessible parking violations over the holidays; and
- Request to transfer $174,000 from June 30, 2022 Certified Free Cash to a Building/Demolition account to fund the emergency demolition of property at 91 Newtonville Avenue.
Override meetings continue this week with an in-person Town Hall at the Horace Mann Elementary School (225 Nevada Street) on Tuesday, November 29 beginning with a tour at 6:30PM and discussion following the tour at 7PM.
The Newton Historical Commission will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, November 29 at 7PM (see agenda) for:
- 8 full demolition requests (22-27 Salisbury Road, 105 Adams Avenue, 40 Oakmont Road, 213=217 California Street, 130 Arnold Road, 49 Dalby Street, 406 Woodward Street, and 46 Rachel Road)
- 1 partial demolition request (1314 Washington Street),
- 2 requests to waive the demolition delay (85 Homer Street, 35 Mignon Road)
- Discussion about the proposed station improvements for the Newton Highlands T Station
- A review of a chimney.
A second override meeting (Virtual Chat) will be held virtually with Interim Superintendent Kathy Smith to discuss Newton Public Schools on Tuesday, November 30 at 9AM. Register here.
The Negotiations subcommittee of the Newton School Committee will meet in person (Room 304, Ed Center) on Wednesday, November 30 at 3:15PM and vote to enter into Executive Session to conduct a collective bargaining session with the Newton Teachers Association (NTA), Units A-E and discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the NTA (see Meeting Notice).
The Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, November 30 at 7PM to review a request to replace windows on the sides and back of a house (54 High Street) with the same type of window that was approved for the front (see Agenda).
The Newton Free Library Board of Trustees will be voting on its 2023-2024 Action Plan and reviewing the Library City Budget for FY2024 at its upcoming in-person meeting (Trustees Room — Newton Free Library) on Wednesday, November 30 at 4:30PM (see Agenda).
Requests for Qualifications (RFQs) for on-call services will be the topic of discussion at the Designer Selection Committee virtual meeting (Zoom link) on Tuesday, November 30 at 6:30PM (see Agenda). Specifically, the Committee will review, identify, and select RFQ Respondents to provide on-call services for the City. See current bids here.
City of Newton Economic Stability / Mobility Initiative Request for Proposals are due by 10AM on December 1, 2022 (see RFP). The City of Newton is seeking proposals from organizations that have a 501(c)(3) designation — or those with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor — for programs that promote economic stability and/or create opportunities for economic mobility among Newton’s under-resourced individuals and families. This pilot initiative is utilizing $1.75 million of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to support residents disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic who continue to face significant economic challenges on a daily basis. Applicants with proven experience implementing programs to promote economic stability/mobility — and a commitment to centering diversity, equity, and inclusion frameworks in administering services — are encouraged to apply.
According to the Planning and Development Department’s “Friday Report,” the Newtonville Historic District Commission will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, December 1 at 7:30PM (the agenda is not posted at this time). Two Lowell Avenue projects will be discussed: a request to install a condenser, service box, and conduits at 122 Lowell Avenue, and a request to replace a section of stockade fencing on the side of the property line at 142 Lowell Avenue.
A Notice of Intent for the synthetic turf field replacement and track resurfacing projects at Newton South High School (140 Brandeis Road/130 Wheeler Road) — see 30 Wheeler Rd Application, 130 Wheeler Rd Plans — will be discussed at the Conservation Commission‘s virtual meeting (Zoom link to be posted here 48 hours prior) on Thursday, December 1 at 7PM (see Agenda). The Commission will also discuss a Request for Determination of Applicability (RDA) for a teardown/rebuild of a duplex at 264-266 Lagrange Street (see 264-266 Lagrange Application, 264-266 Lagrange Plans), receive an informal presentation on Phase II of the Marty Sender Path Improvements Project, receive an informal presentation on Northland’s 40B project at Charlemont and Christina Street, vote on a request to issue a Certificate of Compliance (COC) on asphalt paving that was not in compliance (81 Albermarle Road), a discussion on the PESA ruling (488 Mass. 325), and updates on 85 Dudley Road, a revised version of the Floodplain ordinance, Christina Street Bridge, and stormwater projects (see Packet).
The Development Review Team is scheduled to meet with the following potential project/proposal applicants: 10-12 Craigie Terrace — Special Permit to allow a deck, 62 Maple Street — Special Permit for setback relief to allow a porch addition, and 538 Ward Street — Special Permit to exceed the allowed Floor Area Ratio (FAR). (see Development Review Team Snapshot)
This week’s road construction scheduled can be found here.