City Council
City Council will meet on Monday and is expected to vote on the following (see Reports Docket):
- Request to amend the site plans associated with special permits at 283 Melrose Street – Turtle Lane – Part A – postponed from previous Council Meeting
- Appropriation request for $2,400,000 for Synthetic Turf Carpet at Newton North High School – postponed from previous Council Meeting
- Appropriation request for $50,000 to a Parks, Recreation, and Culture Account to fund a Heartbreak Hill Banner – postponed from previous Council Meeting
- Request to amend the Tree Preservation Ordinance – postponed from previous Council Meeting
- 8 Class 2 Auto Dealer Licenses
- 3 Class 1 Auto Dealer Licenses
- Request for Extension of Time to Exercise Special Permit #358-22 at 1314 Washington Street, and 31, 33 Davis Street – Former Santander Bank until January 2026
- Second-story addition extending nonconforming third story at Oliver Road
- Rear addition consisting of an attached garage with two stories of living space above, further extending the nonconforming 3.5-story structure at 255 Jackson Street
- Expansion of a detached garage toward the front property line, further extending a nonconforming side setback at 75 Royce Road
- Construction of two shed dormers on the second story further extending the nonconforming FAR at 286 Highland Avenue
- Demolition of existing dwelling and construction of four single-family attached dwellings at 2202 Commonwealth Avenue
- Legalize a detached accessory apartment in its current placement, and to allow reduced setbacks at 599 Commonwealth Avenue
- Construction of dormer additions to the attic level of the dwelling, vertically extending a nonconforming side setback and exceeding by-right dormer dimensions at 66 Allison Street
- Demolition of a detached garage and construction of a new larger detached garage with an accessory apartment with oversized dormers and reduced setbacks and construction of a one-story rear addition to the principal dwelling which exceeds the FAR at 16 Everett Street
- Conversion of vacant office space into an adult day health center at 84-94 Rowe Street
- Request to amend the site plans associated with special permits at 283 Melrose Street – Turtle Lane – Part B – Approved subject to 2nd call
- Petition to rezone lot on Dedham Street (former Water tower site) from Public Use to Single Residence 1
- Reappointment of Peter Vieira and Matthew Montgomeryto the Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission
- Reappointment of Lisa Adams, Florent Mali. Jim Griglum, and Zach Knowlton to the Economic Development Commission
- Reappointment of Mark Armstrong to the Newton Historical Commission
- Reappointment of Ralph Abele to the Newtonville Historic District Commission
- Appointment of Emma Zhang, Zach Gusenoff, Sarina Chand, Phoebe Anthony. Nick Makura, and Chloe Lee as members of the Youth Commission
- Reappointment of Rakashi Chand and Russel Feldman as a Jackson Homestead Trustee
- Requesting renewal of bus license for Lasell University
- Requesting new public auto license
- 6 requests for renewal of public auto license
- Request to give police more discretion in distributing temporary permits and reduce hardships especially on tradespersons and contractors – Section 19-49 Temporary Parking = Permits
- Grant of location to install and maintain gas main in Chestnut Hill Road
- Water main extensions and granting of water easement in Tower Road for Northland
- Appointment of Philip Hanser to the Citizens Commission on Energy
- Reappointment of Miles Smith, Sunwoo Kahng, and Marian Rambelle to the Sustainable Materials Management Commission
- Appropriation of $3,000,000 for dredging of the City Hall Ponds
- Appropriation of $10,000,000 in addition to the $19,500,000 as shown in Council Order 345-22, and authorize a general obligation borrowing of an equal amount for the Newton Center for Active Living (NewCAL) and authorization to apply any premium received upon the sale of the bonds or notes, less the cost of preparing, issuing, and marketing them, and any accrued interest received upon the delivery of the bonds or notes to the costs of the project and to reduce the amount authorized to be borrowed for the project by like amount
- Appropriation of $15,000 for Elections Postage in City Clerk’s Office
- Acceptance of $174,910 from the Department of Justice’s Office of Community Policing Services
- Acceptance of $190,000 from MassDOT’s Community Transit Grant Program FY24
- Authorization to expend $33,333 in transportation mitigation funds on NewMo Operation from the 15 Riverdale Avenue development
- Request to transfer $50,000 from Street Division – Full Time Wages to Workers Compensation – Legal Claims Account
The following are recommended No Action Necessary:
- Land Use discussion items:
- Discussion with city staff regarding the new permitting software
- Request for discussion regarding the OpenGov System
- Discussion with city departments regarding internal processes for special permit council order
- Review and analysis with city departments regarding standard language and special permit council orders
- Discussion with city departments regarding internal processes for special permit council orders
- Request for discussion with City Staff regarding the process for creating and enforcing landscape plans pertaining to Special Permit
- Request for amendment to Section 7.3 Special Permit Review of the Zoning Code
- Request for a discussion on complex excavation projects
- Discussion with city staff regarding TRIO’s survey results
- Requesting discussion on state guidance for implementing the Housing Choice Bill
- Requesting regular discussion with the Police Department of police data, including crashes, types of calls, numbers and dispositions.
- Discussion regarding safety measures in Newton Public Schools
- Requesting a discussion with the Administration about overnight on-street parking during the winter parking ban for people with disability placards
- Requesting change in the overnight winter parking ban ordinance to allow folks who have permits be able to park in city lots during snow emergencies
Programs and Services, Public Safety and Transportation, and Public Facilities regularly scheduled meetings have been canceled (see Meeting Cancellatiion Notice)
Schools
Mayor Fuller and Superintendent Nolin have each issued statements regarding increased funding for Newton Public Schools. (See Fig City News article.)
The Newton Teachers Association (NTA) plans to hold a news conference on Monday at 4:15PM in front of the Education Center, to formally announce the result of last week’s vote of no confidence in the Mayor and School Committee by NTA membership.
School Committee will meet on Monday to discuss negotiation and mediation strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the Newton Teachers Association Units A,B,C,D, and E.
The Negotiation Subcommittee of the Newton School Committee will meet on Monday to discuss negotiation and mediation strategy with respect to collective bargaining and conduct a collective bargaining session with the mediator and the NTA, Units A-E.
School Committee will meet on Monday:
- Public Comment
- Consent Agenda: 12-4-23 Meeting Minutes; International Field Trips; Budget Guidelines; Grants/Donations: IDEA Grant = $91,838; Williams School Donation; Cradles to Crayons NPS Donation)
- Superintendent’s Report:
- Update regarding requested Information: SEL, Pandemic Impact, Caseloads, MCAS Demographics, Staff Retention – See Superintendent’s Update; School Committee Follow-up
- Action Items/Discussions/Updates
- Negotiations Update
- Policy Update: JL (Student Safety/Welfare- 1st read)
- Discussion and Vote Food Service Vendor 5-Year Contract Request
- Diversity Grant Update – Teacher Diversificiation Pilot Program
- Budget Calendar Update
- Non-Aligned Salaries
- Use of $6.2 million City of Newton Free Cash for Newton Public Schools
- Farewell Remarks for Ward 7 & 8 Members
The Negotiations Subcommittee of the Newton School Committee will meet on Wednesday to conduct at Step-3 Grievance Hearing.
Boards and Commissions
Newton Cultural Council will meet on Monday for Round 4 – Presentation and Adjudication of 2024 Grants.
Parks and Recreation Commission‘s regularly scheduled meeting has been canceled. See Meeting Cancellation Notice.
Retirement Board will meet on Tuesday:
- Pension Reserves Investment Management Board (PRIM) Portfolio Review by Francesco Daniele, PRIM Director of Client Service
- Transfer of funds to PRIM
- Receipt of Mayor Fuller’s letter dated December 11, 2023, reappointing Anthony Logalbo as her Mayoral Appointee on the Board for a three-year term commencing January 1, 2024.
- Director pay increase effective January 1, 2024
- Receipt of three single physician medical panel certificates in connection with an application for accidental disability retirement.
- Board to approve new members
- Receipt of request for member survivor allowance pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 32, s.12(2)(d),
- Board to approve dependent allowance payments pursuant to M.G.L. c.32, s.12B
- New application(s) for superannuation & termination retirement
Board of Assessors will meet on Wednesday to review and approve November 2023 Exemption and Abatement Reports.
Newton Citizens Commission on Energy will meet on Wednesday and discuss efforts and priorities for 2024 and beyond.
Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday:
- Removal an existing sign and installation of a similar sign in a different location at 26 Suffolk Road
- Replacement of windows at 17 Lee Road.
Conservation Commission will meet on Thursday:
- Single-family home demolition and construction at 97 Bound Brook Road
- Certificate of Compliance (COC) for the Newton Early Childhood program at 687 Watertown Street.
- Review of DRAFT Riverfront Area Redevelopment Guidance
- Discussion of Rodenticide Bill in the Massachusetts Legislature
Other
This week’s road construction schedule.
Rumford Avenue Resource Recovery Center Holiday Schedule: Monday, December 25 and Monday, January 1, the Center will be closed for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays.