The Programs & Services Committee voted to Approve (see Reportand watch NewTV video):
- Appointment of Andria Tieman Michney as a Newton Library Trustee (4-0, Councilors Albright, Greenberg, and Ryan Not Voting)
- Transfer $446,104.67 from June 30, 2023 Certified Free Cash to the Health & Human Services Department. The funds were part of a larger opioid settlement. Over the next 17 years Newton will receive $3.8 million. Newton Coalition of Community Wellness will utilize the funds for opioid mitigation programs, such as Narcan in public buildings. The Committee voted to approve 5-0, Councilors Albright, and Ryan Not Voting.
- Transfer $130,000 to Clinical Health-Temp Staffing. According to the report, Health and Human Commissioner Linda Walsh explained that as of June, there were three vacancies and to fill these vacancies temporarily, the Department is utilizing a staffing agency. The item was amended to reflect the various accounts (salary savings) that funding would come from. Councilor Humphrey moved to amend the item: “Clinical Health-Temp Staffing” was replaced with “with $20,000 to come from Acct # 0150101-511001, $40,000 to come from Acct # 0150102-511001, and the remaining $70,000 to come from Acct # 0150103-511001.” The Committee voted to approve 5-0, Councilors Albright and Ryan Not Voting.
- Discussion on draft Ordinance Regarding Vibration Control Measures. The Committee changed the exemption from 700 sf to 900 sf to match the ADU ordinance, added abutter notices, added requirements to provide a pre-construction survey, and added an effective date of March 1, 2024. A geotechnical consultant will determine the scope of the vibration controls needed for historic properties. The Committee voted to approve 6-0, Councilor Albright Not Voting.
- Reappointment of Nancy Kritzman to the Commission on Disability (6–0, Councilor Albright not voting)
The Committee voted to hold the following items:
- Request for a study on construction vibration standards (6-0, Councilor Albright Not Voting) discussed with item above.
- Request for Amendment to Chapter 21, Art III Trees to extend tree protection and update permits and to Chapter 21, Art. III, Division 3. According to the report, The Law Department updated the draft ordinance and added an effective date. Three Councilors — Norton, Malakie, and Wright — submitted a memo raising concerns about revisions made by the Law Department. The Chair asked the Law Department and the authors of this memo to schedule a meeting to go over this updated draft and any other outstanding items. The Tree Warden suggested a grace period for implementing the new ordinance for public education. Committee members voted 4-2-1 (Councilors Humphrey and Ryan Opposed) (Councilor Krintzman Abstaining) on a motion to hold from Councilor Baker.
