Reminder: In these weekly What’s Up? summaries of local government activities, the links in bold take you to detailed notes for meetings (location, Zoom links, agendas, documents).
Highlights This Week: See below for information about…
- City Council will vote on electrification of all new construction and substantial renovations.
- Programs and Services Committee will address possible Home Rule petition to move municipal elections to even years with federal and state elections.
- School Committee will receive the Superintendent’s budget presentation and begin discussion.
- Parks and Recreation Commission will hold a public hearing about various outdoor special events. Some residents have complained about noise and parking, and others have expressed support for such events.
- Board of License Commissioners agenda indicates that Tango Mango is moving to 34 Langley Road, Rox Diner is expanding into Newton Highlands, and six new eateries are coming — Bakey (749 Beacon Street), Comella’s (12 Austin Street), Ninebank (1391 Washington Street), Tartufo (22 Union Street), Van Leeuwen Ice Cream (55 Boylston Street), Tri City Wings & Grill (197 North Street).
City Council
City Council has released a draft of its Budget Calendar. It will meet on Monday and is expected to vote on the following (see Reports Docket):
- Class 2 Auto Dealer License for New England Motor Mart, Inc. 1211 Washington Street.
- Request to allow three stories, to further extend nonconforming side setback and to exceed FAR at 86 Floral Street
- Request to amend a previously approved Special permit to exceed FAR at 432 Dedham Street
- Reappointments of Judy Weber to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust, John Downie to the Urban Design Commission, Jennifer Pucci to the Zoning Board of Appeals, and Mitchell Fischman and Margot Schoenfelder to the Newton Traffic Council
- Adoption of an ordinance requiring electrification of all new construction and substantial renovations
- Public Hearing set for April 8 for possible ordinance amendment to require a special permit for retaining walls over four feet
- No Action Necessary regarding Mayoral Listening Session: Council Priorities for the 2024-2025 Term and FY2025 Budget
The New Docket includes the following:
- 2 Requests for Extension of Time to Exercise previously approved Special Permits:
- 162 Middlesex Road and 296 Watertown Street
- Request to allow a for-profit school at 2 Wells Avenue
- Request to allow a retaining wall exceeding four feet in height in a setback and to exceed FAR at 54-56 Indiana Terrace
- Appointment of Hedy Jarras and Ramzi Elfekihto the Economic Development Commission
- Ordinance amendment to prohibit the sale of tobacco in Newton to anyone born on or after 1/1/2000
- Request for a discussion with the Police and School Departments on School Safety Protocols
- Request for a discussion with the Police on Body Cameras in the Newton Police Department
- Requesting a discussion with the Police on Traffic Enforcement
- Requesting new public auto license for Vali Bros Transportation LLC.
- Presentation of the Gaspipes.org database to the Public Facilities Committee
- Discussion with Audrey Shulman from HEET regarding Networked Geothermal Energy
- Request for proposals from outside special counsel to ensure compliance and enforcement of applicable permits at the Turtle Lane site in Auburndale
- Recommendation to accept Massachusetts General Laws Ch. 41, Sect. 100G, which will provide for the payment of funeral and burial expenses, not exceeding $2,000, of any firefighter or police officer killed while in the performance of their duty
- Requesting a discussion and possible amendment to the overnight parking ban ordinance
Land Use will meet on Tuesday:
- 2 Requests for an Extension of Time to Exercise a previously approved Special Permit/Site Plan:
- 296 Watertown Street and 162 Middlesex
- Rear additions exceeding FAR at 27 Cross Hill Road.
- Construction of basement and first story additions at 157 Baldpate Hill Road.
- Construction of oversized dormers in the detached accessory building at 20 Wachusett Road.
- Construction of a series of retaining walls exceeding four feet in height in the front setback at 161 Pine Ridge Road.
- Creation of a parking stall in front of the dwelling, within five feet of the street and lacking the required depth at 113 Edinboro Street.
Public Facilities regularly scheduled meeting has been canceled.
Programs and Services will meet on Wednesday:
- Request for a discussion and possible Home Rule Petition to move Newton’s municipal elections to even years along with federal and state elections. City Clerk Carol Moore provided the Committee with this letter in support.
- Request for an update on leaf-blower landscaper registration and enforcement ordinance.
- Reappointment of Matthew Volpi and Sandra Lingley to the Commission on Disability.
Public Safety and Transportation will meet on Wednesday on the following requests:
- Discussion to review traffic data collected by the Department of Public Works
- Discussion with the Department of Public Works and the Planning Department regarding traffic calming prioritization, selection of methods, effectiveness of completed projects, pending requests, adequacy of current funding and personnel, and timetable for addressing pending and new requests at current resource levels.
- Discussion to discuss a city-wide traffic analysis.
School Committee
School Committee will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, when Superintendent Anna Nolin will present her proposed budget, and the Committee will begin its review the Elementary and Secondary Education portion of the budget.
- Consent Agenda
- Approval of 3/4/2024 Meeting Minutes
- International/Out-of-State Overnight Field Trips
- McKinney-Vento Reimbursement
- Helpsy Bins Reimbursement
- Grant Awards
- Approve 5-year Substitute Vendor Contract
- Superintendent’s Report
- Superintendent’s Proposed FY25 Budget
- Budget Review
- Elementary and Secondary Education
- Action Items/Discussions/Updates
- Policy Revisions Review-JKAA (Physical Restraint)
Boards and Commissions
Parks and Recreation Commission will meet on Monday:
- Public Hearing on the following Outdoor Special Events: Taiwan Day (May 4), Festival of the Arts (May 19), and Juneteenth (June 15).
- Informational Meeting on Outdoor Special Events: India Independence Day (Aug 17), Taiwan Music Festival (Sept 21), Summer Concert Series
- Commissioner’s Report and Committee Reports
Board of License Commissioners will meet on Tuesday:
- Approval of Seasonal Alcohol Licenses:
- Newton Yacht Club, 12 Nonantum Road
- Sterling Golf Management, Inc, 212 Kendrick Street
- Request for a One-Day Temporary Entertainment License:
- Charity professional wrestling event, Saturday, May 18, 7PM-10PM at the Newton Elks Lodge #1327, 429 Centre Street
- 3 Requests for a One-Day Temporary All Alcohol and One-Day Entertainment License
- Fundraiser on Friday, April 26, 6PM-10PM at the Neighborhood Club, 24 Berkeley Street
- Fundraiser on Saturday, April 27, 5PM-11PM at the Windsor Club. 1601 Beacon Street
- Fundraiser on Saturday, April 6, 7PM -11PM at Zervas Elementary, 30 Beethoven Avenue
- 2 Requests for One-Day Temporary Wine and Malt License
- Friday Night Figure Draw, Friday, April 12, 7PM-10PM at the New Art Center, 61 Washington Park
- Friday Night Figure Draw, Friday, May 10, 7PM-10PM at the New Art Center, 61 Washington Park
- 2 Requests for One-Day Temporary Wine and Malt and Entertainment Licenses
- Annual fundraiser gala on Saturday, May 4, 6PM-10PM at the Newton Free Library, 330 Homer Street
- Fundraiser/Concert/Party on Sunday, March 24, 7PM-10PM, War Memorial Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Avenue
- 2 Requests for a New Common Victualer License:
- Van Leeuwen Chestnut Hill BOS LLC d/b/a Van Leeuwen Ice Cream 55 Boylston Street
- Kyaggwe Catering LLC d/b/a Tri City Wings & Grill, 197 North Street
- 2 Requests for New Common Victualer and Annual Entertainment Licenses:
- Bakey, 749 Beacon LLC d/b/a Bakey, 759 Beacon Street
- Roxville, Inc d/b/a Rox Diner, 4 Hartford Street
- Request for Alteration of Premises and Change to Annual Entertainment License
- Havco Inc d/b/a The Cherry Tree, 1349 Washington Street, outdoor sidewalk seating from 8 – 28 seats. Will add live/acoustical music with amplification to current license.
- Request to Change on-site Manager
- D&P Asian Corporation d/b/a Aji Japanese Restaurant & Sushi Bar, 340 Walnut Street. On-site manager will change from Peng Yao Wu to Li Hua Li.
- Change of Location
- Tango Mango Inc d/b/A Tango Mango. The location will change from 1191 Centre Street to 34 Langley Road
- 3 New Alcohol Restaurant, new Common Victualer, and Annual Entertainment Licenses
- 12 Comellas Austin LLC d.b.a Comella’s, 12 Austin Street – 21 seats
- A&N Concepts LLC d/b/a Ninebank, 1391 Washington Street – 99 seats
- Evloyia LLC d/b/a Tartufo, 22 Union Street – 115 Seats
- Request by Board for following business to appear because it did not renew common victualer and entertainment license for 2024: The Juice Press, LLC d/b/a 33 Boylston Street
Newton Human Rights Commission will meet on Tuesday:
- Discussion on Programming Ideas for 2024: Book Banning, Pride Flag Raising, “How you are thinking about Newton”
Board of Assessors will meet Wednesday to approve February 2024 Exemption and Abatement Reports.
Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday:
- Renewal request for previous approval grant regarding replacement of a one-story addition with a two-story addition; build a pool and pool house, attached single-car garage addition, addition to existing garage and three rear dormers; reconfigure driveway and parking areas and install hardscaping at 90 Suffolk Road.
- Install second-story cedar decking with railing system at 12 Acacia Avenue.
- Final project approval for the chimney, rear balustrade, and columns at 46 Woodman Road.
Newton Affordable Housing Trust will meet on Thursday:
- Designation of an authorized signatory to execute contracts and other documents
- Review of Application Process and potential updates to the Underwriting and Subsidy Analysis Process
- Review of Potential Funding Categories
- Discussion of VCOD status and next steps
- Discussion of potential impacts of Safe Harbor on Trust and future 40B development in Newton
- Update on Walker Center and other potential affordable housing developments
- Report on the Housing Priorities Review
Conservation Commission will meet on Thursday:
- Pedestrian footbridge over Cheesecake Brook
- Addition and landscaping at 264 Islington Road
- “Friendly Enforcement Order” at 51 Oak Avenue
- Informal discussion regarding noncompliant grading and planting at 190 Upland Avenue
Other
The Economic Feasibility Analysis regarding the City’s MBTA Communities Act compliance submission is now available. See Planning Memo and VCOD Economic Feasibility Analysis Excel Workbook.
Curbside collection of yard waste will resume on March 25.
This week’s road construction schedule.