The Public Safety and Transportation Committee voted to approve the following (see Report and watch the video on NewTV):
- Requesting authorization to bring the City’s ordinances relating to special officers (i.e., retired police officers) in conformance with the State law. NOTE: According to the Report, the amendment is to ensure that special police officers appointed by the city meet the same standards as active police officers, including annual CPR training. In response to a question regarding auxiliary police officer status, the Chief said that the Department will be looking to redefine its role as they are not considered performing police officers and use its services differently in the future. The Chief also clarified that these retired officers mainly work as detail officers and are armed.
- Acceptance of $190,000 from MassDOT’s Community Transit Grant Program FY23 for the Newton in Motion (NewMo) Senior Transportation micro transit program. NOTE: According to the Report, the grant will fund NewMo rides to and from the Senior Center for people aged 60+. Nicole Freedman added that this grant will fund operational costs, and although the City receives this each year, this year’s grant was more than in previous years. Nicole Freedman also stated that a presentation regarding NewMo and its financial status is ready to go and can be presented once an item is docketed. With regard to a recent incident in which multiple young women were proselytized by a NewMo driver, Director of Transportation, Josh Ostroff said that the driver is no longer part of NewMO and incidents will be handled as they arise.
- Acceptance of $712,459 from MassDOT Community Connections Program FY23-25 for the Newton in Motion (NewMo) microtransit program. NOTE: According to the Report, Nicole Freedman said that this grant is for new services rather than operations and will add vehicles, transition to electric, and add select points beyond Newton’s borders in Waltham and Watertown.
The Committee held the following:
- Request for a report on the implementation of the leaf-blower landscaper registration and enforcement. NOTE: See Programs and Services Report.
The Committee voted No Action Necessary on the following:
- Discussion of short-term accident-prevention strategies at Crafts/Albemarle/North Streets. NOTE: According to the report, the Chair, Councilor Leary, and Jen Martin from Safe Routes to School explained that this is a school route and a high crash area. There are concerns about speeding, distracted and aggressive driving, and shrubs blocking sight lines. Removing shrubs required a complaint by the City engineer, a public hearing, and approval by the City Council. MassDOT Safe Routes to School has funded an Infrastructure Grant for safety improvements in 2025. Director Sobel referenced an October 2022 MassDOT road safety audit that recommended 33 potential safety enhancements in this area. He noted that 18 of these potential enhancements are for the Albemarle/Crafts/North Street area, eight of which are considered short-term projects. He described work that has been done and efforts to move forward with remaining projects.
