I am writing in response to the letter by Rockwell, Monahan, and Walters about my July 25 Op-Ed, Saving our Village Centers — Retail in the age of Zoning Redesign. I would like to explain what I meant about a great Shopping Experience. Retail is not only about stores but…
Posts published in August 2023
In anticipation of the August 15 Zoning and Planning meeting, where Chair Deb Crossley noted that the intent was to review the text of the Village Center Overlay District (VCOD) zoning amendments and take straw votes within the Committee, City Councilors submitted these comments for consideration. The comments include suggestions…
Much has been written and communicated with Newton residents about the financial and political events surrounding the current contract negotiation between the School Committee and Newton Teachers Association (NTA). While privately employed individuals generally experience behind closed doors the victories, losses, and emotions of their compensation negotiations, public union employees…
In a letter (Village Center Zoning and Retail- A Response) responding to an Op-Ed (Retail in the age of Zoning Redesign), authors Rockwell, Monahan, and Walter asserted that Op-Ed author Carol Todreas was being misleading and supported their assertion with “facts” that are not true. The fact that the authors…
With one small store in Newton, Boston Vegan Foods has big ambitions: to make and sell delicious and nutritious food without harming the environment or animals. The shop, located at 1136 Beacon Street in Four Corners and online at BostonVeganFoods.com, seeks to help people go vegan, thereby cutting down greenhouse…
In her 15 years as a Newton parking control officer and school crossing guard, Becky Wonglan has faced impatient drivers during the morning rush. “You need to pay attention,” she said on a recent weekday outside the West Newton Police Station. Although there is a traffic light at her post…
The Foxtail Legacy is a tale of the legacies we all are heir to — family history, family dynamics, family culture, and genetics. And it is that last category that at the beginning and end of the novel is pivotal in defining who should be and is “family.” All heirs…
The Land Use Committee voted to approve the following (see Report and watch the NewTV video): All other items were held.
The Zoning and Planning Committee voted to approve the following (see Report and watch the NewTV video): The Zoning & Planning Committee voted to Hold: Councilor Wright and Oliver presented a Unit Calculation Tool (UCT) To comply with the new MBTA law, Newton must have a minimum unit capacity of…
The Land Use Committee voted to approve the following (see Report and watch the NewTV video):