What’s Up in Newton – Week of 10/8/2023

City Council

Finance will meet on Tuesday:

Continued discussion and debate regarding the establishment of the Operations Booster Stabilization Fund. See Councilor Humphrey’s Memo, Fig City News article and Fig City News Finance Committee Report.
Request to transfer $50,000 from Water Services Connections – Full Time Wages for Workers Compensation Claim

Zoning and Planning will meet on Tuesday:

Continued discussion regarding Village Center Zoning: VCOD and compliance with the MBTA Communities Act. NOTE: The Planning and Development Board submitted its determination to the City Council that the proposed VCOD Zoning amendment meets the criteria for the City Council to pass it by a simple majority vote. See Planning Board recommendation and see Fig City News article.
Scheduling of public hearing for rezoning request for 132 Charles Street

School Committee will meet on Wednesday:

Approval of Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), Grant Awards, additional bus for private school students
Update from Superintendent
Discussion and updates on:
- Negotiations update
- Communications Plan
- T & L Update: Curriculum FYI Site
- MCAS Memo on Participation and New Update on Lincoln-Eliot Status due to Opt-Outs
- Public Comment Policy BEDH
- Fiscal and Operational Update – FY23 Final
- Facilities and Maintenance

Request to replace windows at 337 Central Street
Request to demolish and rebuild front entry and porch, and install shutters at 81 Woodland Road

Updates on Timeline/schedule, HVAC system, site plan, and site plan approval process

Youth Commission will meet on Wednesday:

Jenna Bancroft and Meghan Kennedy, City of Newton Social Services Division: Updates and expectations
Paula Gannon, City of Newton Parks & Recreation: Presentation on initiatives and events
Hattie Kerwin-Derrick, City of Newton Director of Community Engagement & Inclusion: Information about initiatives and events
Group Work: Expanding on 2023-2024 Priorities
Proposal for upcoming Youth Commission speaker series
Advisory Board & Commissioner Process Update

Guest speaker: Allison Yee, founder and CEO of UpNext, Nonantum
Updates on Village Center Zoning, craft brewing ordinance, outdoor dining, internal updates on increasing Newton’s tax base, and DEI

Total Demolitions:
- 9 Applegarth Street
- 81-83 Athelstane Road
- 114 East Side Parkway
- 19-21 Maple Park – House and Garage
Partial Demolitions:
- 11 Henshaw Place
- 34 Adella Avenue
Waiver Requests:
- 38 Kappius Path
- 27-29 Salisbury Road
- 18 Norman Road

Urban Design Commission will meet on Wednesday:

Sign Permits:
- Guidepost Montessori – 120 Wells Avenue
- Dave Sellers, Sr. Memorial Playground – 675 Watertown Street
- Newton Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics – 1144-1152 Beacon Street
- Bank of America – 980 Boylston Street
Comprehensive Sign Package
- The Street – 1-27 Boylston Street

Board of License Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Thursday (rescheduled from 10/4):

Request for one-day temporary wine and malt license – School fundraiser on Saturday, October 14, 2023 at Mount Alvernia Academy

Request to Remediate Violations at 1268 Boylston Street, Unit B: installation of fence and installation of mini-splits and conduits

Waban Area Council will meet on Thursday:

WAC Survey on Village Center Overlay Districts (issued September 2023)
Village Center Rezoning discussion with Councilors Pam Wright and Deb Crossley – expected to begin at 7:45PM

Indigenous People’s Celebration: Monday, October 9, 11AM-5PM, Albemarle Field

Trash pick-up is delayed by one day this week. See 2023 Waste Collection Schedule.

West Newton Square along Washington Street should be seeing changes in traffic patterns on Monday as work is scheduled for Sunday evening, October 8.

Early Voting for the November 7 municipal election will take place October 28 through November 1.