Board and Commission Meetings – Week of 5/14/2023

Newton Free Library Board of Trustees Finance Committee will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, May 15 at 4PM. The agenda includes the following:

• FY2024 Budget

Newton Parks and Recreation Commission will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, May 15 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:

• Public Hearings:
  • St. Mary of Carmen Festival
  • Indigenous Peoples Day Ceremonial Celebration
  • Wayfinding Signage proposal for Cold Spring Park: See Wayfinding Signage proposal; Cold Springs Park Sign Staff Notes; Gift letter to PRC re signs; and Preliminary Wayfinding Signage & Materials estimate for CSP
• Informational discussions
  • Susan G. Komen 3-day event
  • Wellington Free Little Library: See LFL Proposal, LFL Gifting Letter, and LFL Staff Notes
  • Overnight commercial vehicle parking
• Commissioner’s Report
• Committee Reports
  • Community Preservation Committee
  • Urban Tree Commission
  • Farm Commission
  • Off-Leash Area Working Group (OLAWG)
  • Arts & Culture

See also: 04-24-23 Minutes (Draft) and 04-24-23 Webinar Video

Newton Free Library Board of Trustees Development Committee will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, May 16 at 4:30PM. The agenda includes the following:

• Spring Fling
• Director’s Update/ FY2023 Remainder
• Development Strategic Planning Discussion

Designer Selection Committee will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, May 16 at 6PM. The agenda includes the following:

• Franklin Elementary School Project:
  • Owner’s Project Manager (OPM) Selection Review
    • Score, Rank, and Identify a Shortlist of RFQ Respondents to be Interviewed

Newton Housing Partnership will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, May 16 at 6PM. The agenda includes the following:

• Village Center Zoning & Affordable Incentives
  • Presentation of Maps, Version 2.0
  • Partnership discussion
  • Affordability bonus
• Elder Housing with Services IZ Section
  • Partnership discussion
• Newton Housing Partnership Update
  • Zoning Redesign Updates
  • Extremely low-income housing strategy
    • ARPA Project Update
      • Economic Stability / Mobility Initiative – EMPath Partnership
  • Housing’s role in diversity, equity, and inclusion – leading change to make Newton more accessible and welcoming to all
    • Policy issues related to property manager tenant selection practices
      • Update from Chair
• Project Updates
  • Northland Charlemont 40B
  • 528 Boylston 40B

Board of License Commissioners will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, May 16 at 7:15PM. The agenda includes the following:

• Rescheduled Public Hearing to amend the Board’s regulations to authorize the Health and Human Services administrative staff to review and approve City-sponsored one-day entertainment licenses.
• One-Day Temporary Entertainment License:
  • Party on Saturday, November 4, 6:30PM – 10:30PM to be held at the Windsor Club, 1601 Beacon Street
• One-Day All-Alcohol License:
  • Red & Gray Society Leadership Donor Reception on Tuesday, May 23, 6:30PM – 8:30PM to be held at The Fessenden School- The Palandjian Schoolroom, 250 Waltham Street
  • Faculty/Staff End-of-Year Gathering on Friday, June 9, 2023 4PM – 7PM to be held at Fessenden School, Hart House Porch and Lane Courtyard, 250 Waltham Street
  • Alumni reunion on Thursday, June 8, 6PM – 8PM to be held at Fessenden School, Hart House Porch, 250 Waltham Street
  • Fundraiser on Tuesday, May 23, 6PM – 10:30PM to be held at The Allen Center, 35 Webster Street
• One-Day Temporary Wine and Malt License:
  • Party on Saturday, June 3, 3PM – 8PM to be held at Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, 286 Waverley Avenue
  • Beer Garden on the Green on Saturday, June 17, 12PM – 3PM, with a rain date of Sunday, June 18, to be held at The Street Chestnut Hill, 33 Boylston Street
  • Exhibition opening reception on Thursday, May 25, 6PM – 8PM to be held at the New Art Center, 245 Walnut Street
  • Opening reception on Thursday, July 20, 6PM – 8PM to be held at the New Art Center, 245 Walnut Street
  • Beer Garden on the Green to be held at The Street Chestnut Hill, 33 Boylston Street:
    • Wednesday, June 14, 5PM – 8PM
    • Wednesday, July 19, 5PM – 8PM
    • Wednesday, August 23, 5PM – 8PM
    • Saturday, October 21, with a rain date Sunday, October 22 12PM – 3PM

Board of Assessors will meet in person (Room 108) on Wednesday, May 17 at 9AM. The agenda includes the following:

• Approval of April 2023 Exemption and Abatement Reports

Newton Affordable Housing Trust will meet in person (Room 204) and virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, May 18 at 4PM. The agenda includes the following:

• Discussion with U-CHAN representatives on their ideas for supporting the work of the Trust
• Review of Application for Funding of the Warren House Preservation and Rehabilitation Project
• Other Business
  • Update on best practices used in other communities for application and review processes and requirements
  • Status update on the City’s Existing Housing Projects and Initiatives
  • Update on new maps for Village Center Rezoning Project

Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, May 18 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:

• Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a wrought iron handrail on the front stairs leading up from the sidewalk for safety at 342 Beacon Street. See Application.
• Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace windows at 521 Hammond Street – see Application
• Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace a slate roof, flat rubber roofs, and repair or replace fascia, soffits, and other trim elements at 9 Lawrence Road. See Application.
• Request for Final Project Approval for work on the existing house and garage, new rear addition and rear patios and outdoor kitchen area, hardscaping, and site elements at 9 Old Orchard Road
• Request for Final Project Approval for work on the existing house and garage at 124 Chestnut Hill Road
• Request for Renewal of Certificate of Appropriateness for replacement of exterior lights at 67 Old Orchard Road
• Administrative Discussion:
  • Rules & Regulations and Design Guidelines: Update on the next steps
  • Window applications: Discuss the process and required submission materials

See Staff Memo.

Newton Urban Design Commission will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, May 18 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:

• Sign Permits:
  • The Dental Specialists — 271-283 Auburn Street
  • Focus Real Estates — 43-53 Lincoln Street
  • Dearborn Academy — 575 Washington Street
  • TD Bank — 1185-1197 Centre Street
  • Chavanni Salon — 289-291 Watertown Street
  • Allee — 2-4 Los Angeles Street – see Recorded Agreement
• Comprehensive Sign Package
  • 1-55 Boylston Street

See Staff Memo.

Urban Tree Commission will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Friday, May 19 at 7:45AM. The agenda includes the following:

• Forestry Department Update
• Tree Removal requests
• Review the status of the proposed changes to the City Tree Ordinances
• New Business