Monday is Martin Luther King Day, a public holiday. City offices will be closed, and pickup of trash/recycling will be delayed one day this week.
The City will host a Martin Luther King day celebration at Newton North High School, 9:30AM-11:30AM. Please register online beforehand.
City Council
City Council Chairs will meet on Tuesday:
- City Law Department to discuss Open Meeting Law, Conflict of Interest, Public Records.
City Council will meet on Tuesday The Council is expected to vote on the following (see Reports Docket):
- Request to exceed FAR and vertically extend a nonconforming setback in an accessory building at 887 Commonwealth Avenue
- Request to demolish an existing dwelling, construct a three story, five-unit residential building, allow ground floor residential use and to exceed FAR at 209-211 Adams Street (subject to 2nd call)
- Request to enclose a second level sunporch and construct a new basement access further extending the nonconforming FAR at 140 Dickerman Road
- Request for Extension of Time to Exercise a previously approved special permit at 148 Auburndale Avenue
- 6 Requests for Class 2 Auto Dealer Licenses
- Acceptance of a $10,000 anonymous donation to the City of Newton in memory of former Councilor George Mansfield
- Acceptance of $22,248 grant from MassEVIP for installation of 6 EV Level 2 Chargers
The New Docket includes the following:
- Request for Extension of Time to Exercise a previously approved special permit at 1 Jackson Street (3-story structure)
- Request to amend a previously approved special permit and allow a free-standing sign at 269-287 Grove Street
- Request to allow a parking stall within five feet of the street and to waive parking stall depth at 113 Edinboro Street
- Request to amend an approved Comprehensive Sign Package and previously approved special permit at 1-55 Boylston Street
- Discussion and possible ordinance amendment to accress with grade changes created during construction causing stormwater runoff on neighboring properties
- Request to amend the setbacks in the MR zones to encourage preservation of existing buildings
- Request for discussion and orrdinance to require energy use reporting by large property owners
- Request for quarterly updates on projects using the VCOD overlay district
- Requesting re-evaluation and possible amendments to the Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Ordinance
- Discussion and possible amendment to Inclusionary Zoning (IZ) Ordinance to include training for employees regarding bias toward residents of the IZ units
- Request for discussion and possible adoption of an ordinance requiring electrification of all new construction and substantial renovations
- Appointment of Councilor Albright to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust Fund
- Request for periodic updates on the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
- Request for an update on the status of implementing the Climate Action Plan
- Request for a discussion on ban of Single Use Plastic Water Bottles in Newton
- Request for a resolution on avoiding PFAS in Newton purchasing
- Request for a discussion and proposed amendments to Sec. 21-85 Tree Replacement to allow removal of invasive species without requiring replacement or fee, fine or penalty and to prohibit the planting of an invasive species as a replacement tree
- Request for a discussion and proposed amendments to exempt trees from within by-right build areas on single- and two-family residential lots
- Request to provide a City Seal Redesign update
- Appointment of Eliza Spaulding and Jane Brown to the Human Rights Commission
- Request for a workplan discussion for the Programs & Services Committee new term
- Request for a discussion and possible creation of a Newton City Poet Laureate.
- Request to set Early Voting Hours for the March 5th Primary Election
- Request to amend City ordinances to allow play on minor streets
- Request to provide the Annual Report of the work of Traffic Council for 2023
- Request for a PS&T Committee workplan discussion for the new term
- Request to change the number of Deputy Chiefs in the Fire Department
- Request for water main extension and main drain extension, and granting of water easement and main drain easement in Chapin Road
- Request for a discussion regarding the ongoing work of the Water, Sewer, Stormwater Working Group
- Request for a discussion regarding reducing gas leaks and transition away from methane
- Request for a discussion regarding the condition of Edmands Park
- Request for approval of a Conceptual Design for the Washington Street Pilot project
- Request for a discussion with Public Works about Residential Water Bills
- Request for a discussion regarding non-working water meter transponders and billing issues
- Reappointment of Allan S. Cohen to the Board of Assessors
- Requesting to accept and expend $500 in a donation from the Newton Highlands Congregational Church
- Requesting to accept and expend $18,720 in a grant from the State 911 Department for the Emergency Medical Dispatch Grant Program
- Request for a discussion regarding 40B Process Post ‘Safe Harbor’ Designation (NOTE: This will require suspension of the rules as it was a late filed item).
Programs and Services will meet on Wednesday:
- Committee work plan for 2024-2025 term,
- Request to set early voting hours for the March 5, 2024 Presidential Primary on these dates,
- Resolution request urging the City to avoid the purchase/use of PFAS products ,
- Appropriation request of $925,000 of June 30, 2023 Certified Free Cash to fund curriculum materials for Newton Public Schools.
- Reappointment of Jane Brown to the Human Rights Commission,
Public Safety and Transportation will meet on Wednesday:
- Request ordinance amendment to increase the number of Deputy Chiefs in the Fire Department from 5 to 6.
- Committee work plan for 2024-2025 term.
Public Facilities will meet on Wednesday:
- Water main and main drain extension request and, and water and main drain easement request in Chapin Road as part of subdivision requirement.
- Conceptual Design approval request for the Washington Street Pilot project
- Appropriation request for $11,475,000 of June 30, 2023 Certified Free Cash to fund NPS and Municipal infrastrucure – see list
Traffic Council will meet on Thursday,:
- 2 Requests for accessible parking spaces: 9 Murphy Court and 5 Murphy Court
- Request for a ‘STOP’ sign at the Station Avenue northbound approach to Lake Avenue.
- Request to add a 20 mph Safety Zone on Lowell from Elmwood Park to Claflin Park.
- Request to allow two-way traffic and parking on one side of the road for the following two dead-end segments of the Commonwealth Avenue carriageway: between Robinhood Street and Rowe Street; and between Arapahoe Road and Windermere Road.
- Request to allow nonmotorized vehicles (bicycles) to legally travel southbound on the one-way northbound block of Brookside Avenue between Watertown Street and Albemarle Road
- Request to modify the parking regulations on Lowell Avenue near the intersection of Austin Street.
School Committee
School Committee will meet in Executive Session on Tuesday to discuss negotiation and mediation strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the Newton Teachers Association Units A-E.
School Committee will hold a special virtual meeting on Wednesday to discuss and vote to appoint forer SC member Kathy Shields to the School Committee Negotiations Sub-Committee (NOTE: No public comments will be taken at the meeting).
School Committee will meet in Executive Session on Friday to discuss negotiation and mediation strategy with respect to collective bargaining and conduct a collective bargaining session with the Newton Teachers Association Units A-E.
Boards and Commissions
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees Development Committee will meet on Tuesday:
- Introduction for new members, Continuing Business: Annual Appeal/Impact Report Mailing, Spring Fling, Plaques, Development Operations.
Board of License Commissioners will meet on Tuesday:
- One-day temporary entertainment license request: Concert on Sunday, January 28, 2PM-5PM at the Newton City Hall, War Memorial Auditorium
- 3 Requests for one-day temporary wine and malt licenses to be held at the New Art Center, 61 Washington Park:
- Figure draw event on Friday, January 19, 6PM-10PM
- Comedy event on Saturday, February 10, 6PM-10PM
- Figure draw event on Monday, February 19, 6PM-10PM
- One-day temporary all-alcohol license and one-day temporary entertainment license request for a fundraiser/concert on Saturday, January 20, 5PM-10PM at Newton City Hall, War Memorial Auditorium
- New common victualler license and an annual entertainment license request for Anna’s Taqueria LLC d/b/a Anna’s Taqueria, 27 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands
Newton Board of Assessors will meet on Wednesday to approve December 2023 Exemption and Abatement Reports.
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday:
- Strategic Planning
- Reports: President (Director’s Annual Review), Director (State Aid Purchasing), Development Director (2nd quarter review/annual fundraising events), Friends (Spring Fling), Visitors Comment
Newton Community Education Commission will meet on Wednesday:
- Welcome and Teambuilder, Fall Recap, Winter/Spring/Summer Update, Community and Marketing Discussion, Finance Update
Newton Affordable Housing Trust will meet on Thursday:
- Review of Potential Conditions and Process for releasing Trust funding
- Discussion and Approval to designate an authorized signatory to execute contracts and other documents
- Discussion on approaches to encouraging deeper affordability than IZ requires.
- Report on the Housing Priorities Review
Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday to review these requests:
- Certificate of Hardship to replace windows at 17 Lee Road (Continuation)
- Remove an existing sign and install similar sign in a different location at 26 Suffolk Road (Continuation)
- Install hardscaping and landscape lighting at 101 Old Orchard Road
- Modify the driveway and add paver apron, add new parking area, change front walkways and entry stairs, replace fence sections, and put in plantings at 68 Reservoir Avenue
- Close up the door on the back, remove overhang, move vents, install slider door, extend deck and install privacy fence at 7 Reservoir Avenue
Newton Upper Falls Area Council will on Thursday,:
- Treasurer’s Report, Public Comment/Questions, Discussion re: NUFAC officers and new members for 2024-2026, Updates on items for Northland Transportation Fund list
Other
Tuesday is National Fig Newton Day.
On Sunday, January 14, over forty Newton parents, teachers, and elected officials met at the Scandinavian Cultural Center for an informal discussion about school funding. The Angier PTO is organizing a “Be the Change – Support Our Teachers” rally in front City Hall on Wednesday, January 17, 9AM-9:30AM.
The City Council sent this letter to MBTA General Manager Philip Eng urging the MBTA to apply for the USDOT All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) Grant for the three Newton Commuter Rail stations in FY2024.
The City Council leadership sent this Administrative Memo to the City Councilor. In addition to reminding the Council of the Martin Luther King Day celebration on Monday the Chairs meeting on Tuesday, the memo outlines best practices (before, during, and after the meetings) for all Councilors and best practices for for Committee Chairs in leading committees .
This week’s road construction schedule.