City Council
City Council Chairs will meet on Monday:
- City Council Meeting start time.
- Zoom Settings for Committees: Meeting or Webinar.
- Council Communications and Letters of support.
- Committee report structure.
- Running efficient Committee meetings.
City Council will meet on Monday:
The Council is expected to vote on the following (see Reports Docket):
- Request for Extension of Time to Exercise a previously approved Special Permit at 1 Jackson Street
- Request to amend an approved Comprehensive Sign Package and previously approved Special Permit at 1-55 Boylston Street
- CPC Recommendation to appropriate $125,000 in CPA funding for a grant to the Second Church in Newton for restoration
- Appointment of Councilor Albright to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust Fund
- Resolution urging the City to avoid the purchase or use of products containing PFAS
- Request to appropriate $925,000 Newton Public Schools Curriculum Investments
- Reappointment of Jane Brown to the Human Rights Commission
- Request to set Early Voting Hours for the March 5 Primary Election to be held at City Hall
- Saturday, February 24: 11AM-5PM
- Sunday, February 25: 11AM-5PM
- Monday February 26: 8:30AM-5AM
- Tuesday February 27: 8:30AM-5PM
- Wednesday February 28: 8:30AM-8PM
- Thursday February 29: 8:30AM-5PM
- Friday March 1: 8:30AM-5PM
- Request to change the number of Deputy Chiefs in the Fire Department from five to six
- Request to appropriate $11,475,000 for Newton Public Schools and Municipal Infrastructure
- Approval for a Conceptual Design for the Washington Street Pilot project
- Reappointment of Allan S. Cohen to the Board of Assessors
- Requesting approval to accept and expend $500 in a donation from the Newton Highlands Congregational Church to support Pride programs, especially in the month of June.
- Requesting authorization to accept and expend $18,720 in a grant from the State 911 Department for the Emergency Medical Dispatch Grant Program
- Recommendation of No Action Necessary regarding Programs and Services Workplan
- Recommendation of Withdrawal Without Prejudice on a request for water main extension and main drain extension, and granting of water easement and main drain easement in Chapin Road
The New Docket includes the following:
- 2 Requests for an Extension of Time
- Construct additions and dormers at 96 Waban Park
- Raze the existing nonconforming three-unit multifamily dwelling and construct a five-unit residential dwelling at 194 Adams Street
- Construct additions, convert the single-family dwelling into a two-family dwelling, and adding a half-story at 300 Cabot Street
- Amend the special permit to substitute a cash payment in lieu of providing the units at 136-144 Hancock Street
- Allow a series of retaining walls exceeding four feet in height in the front setback at 161 Pine Ridge Road
- Construct a single-story rear addition at 21 Marvin Lane
- Replace an existing hip roo it with a flat roof on a detached garage to be used as a deck, construct retaining walls, and extend the existing driveway at 19 Waban Hill Road
- Discussion and implementation of a public reporting process for key metrics relevant to the Planning Department
- Amend zoning for congregate living and groups homes to reflect state law
- Discussion and possible amendments to enhance the preservation of existing homes.
- Preliminary discussion with the Planning Department, Inspectional Services Department and CPA Program Manager to prepare for the Committee’s FY25 Budget Review of these Departments and Programs.
- Discussion and possible amendments to update project review fees
- Reappointment of Lei Reilley and Denise Chicoine to the Zoning Board of Appeals
- Update on leaf-blower landscaper registration and enforcement ordinance
- Reappointment of John Neville, Peter Doherty, Arlene Franklin, Thomas Elkind, and Dan Green to Newton Commonwealth Foundation
- Reappointment of Mitchell Fischman and Margot Schoenfelder to the Newton Traffic Council
- Transfer the $446,104.67 Opioid Mitigation funds to the Health and Human Services Department into a Special Revenue Fund, as allowed by State Law in December 2023.
- Accept and expend $27,500 from the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) to improve the City’s conformance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Retail Program Standards by the Health and Human Services Department
- Request for a joint discussion with the Mayor and City Council Committee of the Whole including a brief overview of the City of Newton’s finances and input by the City Councilors on priorities for the 2024-2025 Term and the FY2025 Budget.
Land Use will meet on Tuesday:
- Consistency ruling for 148 Auburndale Avenue
- 2 Requests for an Extension of Time to exercise a previously approved Special Permit
- Construct additions and dormers at 96 Waban Park
- Raze the existing nonconforming three-unit multifamily dwelling and construct a five-unit residential dwelling at 194 Adams Street
- Allow a series of retaining walls exceeding four feet in height in the front setback at 161 Pine Ridge Road
- Construct a single-story rear addition at 21 Marvin Lane
- Construct additions, convert the single-family dwelling into a two-family dwelling, and add a half-story at 300 Cabot Street
- Replace an existing hip roof with a flat roof to be used as a deck on a detached garage, construct retaining walls, and extend existing driveway at 19 Waban Hill Road
- Amend a previously approved Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to substitute a cash payment in lieu of providing the units at 136-144 Hancock Street
Public Facilities will meet on Wednesday:
- Two water meter/water bill items:
- Discussion with Department of Public Works about what the department has done to prepare residents for unanticipated water bills.
- Discussion with Utilities Division on issues related to non-working water meter transponders, including past and current billing procedures, and potential improvements for remainder of new meter installation period.
Public Safety and Transportation will meet on Wednesday:
- Appeal of Traffic Council approval to prohibit parking at all times along the following areas of Farwell Street: south and west side from a point 170 feet west of Farwell Circle to North Street (southerly intersection). This appeal relates to the block of Farwell Street between Joseph Road and North Street.
- Appeal of Traffic Council denial of a request for a trial that would restrict access to Centre Street, southerly from Walnut Street, to all vehicles except bicycles.
- Traffic Council chair providing Annual Report of the work of the Traffic Council for 2023.
Programs and Services will meet on Thursday:
- Appointment of Eliza Spaulding to the Human Rights Commission
- Reappointment of John Neville, Peter Doherty, Arlene Franklin, and Thomas Elkind to Newton Commonwealth Foundation
School Committee
Schools will open one hour later on Monday, the first school day after the end of the Teachers Strike.
Revised school calendar: To make up for the 11 schools days lost during the strike, the February school break has been canceled (February 19 remains a holiday), and the school year will be extended to June 26 for students (June 27 for Franklin). Four days during April break may become school days if necessary to make up for any additional snow days.
School Committee will meet on Wednesday in open meeting to reaffirm the votes it took in Executive Session on February 3 to approve tentative agreements reached with the Newton Teachers Association.
Boards and Commissions
Library Board of Trustees Nominating and Governance Committee will meet on Monday:
- Process for performance review of Library Director
- Review Evaluation Questionnaires
- Timeline and Responsibilities
Library Board of Trustees Strategic Planning Steering Committee will meet on Monday:
- Overview of Strategic Planning Element Requirements from MBLC
- Goals:
- Mission/Vision
- Engagement
- Role of Steering Committee
- User Needs Assessment
- Professional Resources
- Massachusetts Library System
- Consultants
- Timeline/Next steps
Planning and Development Board will meet on Monday:
- Updates on Department Work:
- Washington Street Pilot
- Newton Walk, Ride and Roll Network Plan
- 40B Safe Harbor Status & Current 40B Applications
- Electrification Ordinance
- VCOD Compliance Update
- Site Plan Review Users Guide and Case Study
- Future Initiatives: BC Student Project
- Elections of Chair & Vice-Chair
- Staff Updates
Human Rights Commission will meet on Tuesday:
- Student Reports
- Newton Police Department Reports — Dedication To Community Program
- Complaints Received
- What is Our Role & Responsibilities
- Programming for 2024
- Banned books — April 29 at Newton Free Library’s Druker Auditorium
- Days of Remembrance Honoring Victims of Genocide — April City Hall 1st Floor gallery
- Pride Flag Raising
- June Pride Month
Fair Housing Committee will meet on Wednesday:
- Affordable Housing Priorities Task Force
- Chapter 40B Safe Harbor
- MBTA Communities Act Update
- FY25 Annual Action Plan Presentation
- Fair Housing Training
- Resident Experience Update
- Discussion of 2024 Committee Priorities
- Subcommittee Updates: Lottery Results & Lease-ups, Membership and Nominating, Fair Housing Award
- Fair Housing Committee Priorities Discussion
Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday to review a shed application at at 1268 Boylston Street, Unit A .
Other
Massachusetts Department of Transportation Highway Division is hosting a public information virtual meeting on February 7 at 6PM regarding the Bridge Replacement project on Boylston Street (Route 9) over the Green Line D. Pre-registration at that web page is required to receive Zoom link. The purpose of the discussion is to ensure that the public becomes aware of the project and to improve public safety and maintain through-travel on Boylston by replacing the bridge. See Meeting Notice and Project Flyer.
This week’s road construction schedule.