The proposed village-center rezoning reflects thoughtful compromise and tradeoffs. A core tradeoff: balancing intensity of multi-family residential development in existing commercial areas against a broad desire to minimize multi-family redevelopment, aka teardowns. City councilors Pam Wright and John Oliver (and others, including like-minded candidates in contested races) have recently and…
Posts published in October 2023
Climate change is accelerating rapidly. Extreme heat is the deadliest natural hazard in the U.S. “Heat islands” in the built environment amplify average temperatures and extreme heat, especially near major highways. This affects every Newton neighborhood. The National Climate Assessment shows more flooding in the Northeast, where the most extreme storms are generating 27% more moisture…
Transportation is the biggest emitter of Greenhouse gases in the Northeast. Electrification of cars is well underway. School bus electrification is also underway in some Massachusetts municipalities and other states: New York mandated 100% zero emission school bus purchases beginning 2027. However, in Newton electric school bus deployment is stalled.…
I am running to represent Ward 2 on the Newton City Council because our city is at an inflection point, and I believe my experience, skills and perspective match what Ward 2 voters tell me they are looking for as we consider significant growth and change in the months and…
An immigrant from Kiev fleeing antisemitism, my grandfather purchased a cobblestone home on Cabot Street in the 1930’s. Nearly a century later, my wife and I are raising our daughter there. I served as a Presidential Appointee in the Obama-Biden Administration and am a Newton small business owner. I’ve built…
As a longstanding community member of Newton, I enthusiastically endorse Dan Gaynor for Newton City Council, Ward 2. Gaynor was born, raised, and still lives on Cabot Street – and has a vision tailored to the community that he would serve. He is focused on ensuring that Newton remains an ideal…
As an education policy advocate, I wholeheartedly endorse Dan Gaynor for Newton City Council. Our schools are integral to our community, shaping responsible citizens and making Newton a sought-after place for families. With educators currently negotiating their next contract, it’s paramount to focus on retaining and attracting top-notch teachers. Dan…
I’m writing to support Dan Gaynor for Ward 2 City Councilor. I had the pleasure of meeting Dan a few months ago to discuss some issues of importance to me, including Newton’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It was clear from that conversation that Dan shared deeply in that…
I write to enthusiastically share my support for Doris Ann Sweet for Ward 4 Councilor. I have known Doris Ann for 20 years and currently work alongside her on the Outreach Board at the United Parish of Auburndale. She is thoughtful, tireless, and a person of great integrity. Doris Ann’s…
A new development in the ongoing Newton Public Schools (NPS) budget debate occurred at the October 23 School Committee meeting: the consensus of the Superintendent, School Committee, and Mayor to find a way to transform excess one-time City funds to increase NPS funding over eight years beginning in FY 2025.…
On October 20, Fig City News published a Special Print Edition for the November 7 municipal election. Within its 12 pages are profiles of the candidates in the contested races, along with a table of all candidates in all races — and of course several Newton news articles. All of…
Stephen Farrell is running to be Ward Councilor from Ward 8, a seat elected by the voters of that ward. He spoke recently with Fig City News. Mr. Farrell has lived in his home abutting the Newton South High School playing field for a quarter of a century. “I love…