Tuesday is the Primary Election. Polls are open 7AM-8PM.
City Council
City Council will meet on Monday and is expected to vote on the following (see Reports Docket):
- Request to allow three single-family attached dwellings in two buildings, to waive certain dimensional requirements and two parking stalls at 199 Church Street
- Request to allow a non-profit educational use and to waive 3 parking stalls at 14 Collins Road
- Request to amend Special Permit #67-20 to allow a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center at 1089 Washington Street
- Request to construct a two-story rear addition and dormers which will further extend the nonconforming FAR, nonconforming number of stories, and nonconforming front setback at 442-444 Lowell Avenue
- Request to allow a series of retaining walls which exceed four feet in height with the rear setback at 12 Clark Street
- Discussion and possible amendments to update project review fees
- Reappointment of Lei Reilley and Denise Chicoine to the Zoning Board of Appeals
- Establishment of a NPS Educational Stabilization Fund
- Appropriation of a total of $22 million funds to a NPS Educational Stabilization Fund (Overlay Surplus ($18,200,000), interest income that has accumulated as part of the $18.2 million Overlay Surplus ($800,000) which can be allocated from Free Cash, and June 30, 2023 Certified Free Cash ($3,000,000).
- Appointment of Daniel Green to the Newton Commonwealth Foundation (golf course)
- Appropriation of $1,191,000 for the replacement of Newton Free Library’s HVAC System
- Transfer $446,104.67 to Opioid Mitigation Special Revenue Fund
- Issuance of refunding bonds to refund all or any portion of the City’s general obligation bonds
- Appropriation of $2.3 million from the Overlay Surplus and $5.5 million from the ATB Interest and Penalties account to NewCAL, reducing bonding authorization
- Acceptance of $35,000 from the Firefighter Safety Equipment Grant for Firefighter Safety Equipment
- Authorization for the Newton Public Schools to issue an RFP with a food service management company, for a contract duration of up to five years
- Acceptance of a $30,785 grant from Massachusetts Office on Disability for Williams Elementary School Playground Accessibility Improvements
- Appropriation of $125,500 in Community Preservation Act funding from the FY24 Historic Resource Reserve Funds for a grant to the Second Church in Newton for the restoration
- Acceptance of $27,500 from National Environmental Health Association (NEHA) Grant to improve the City’s conformance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Retail Program Standards
Recommendation by the Zoning and Planning Committee No Action Necessary on the following:
- Request for a discussion with the Law and Planning departments regarding the process going forward for 40B projects since meeting the 10% ‘Safe Harbor’ designation
The Programs and Services Committee voted against approval of the following:
- Request for Amendments to Council Rules and Ordinance Regarding Start Time of City Council Meetings from 7:45PM to 7:30PM.
The New Docket includes the following:
- Request for a Class 2 Auto Dealer License for New England Motor Mart, Inc., 1211 Washington Street
- Request to amend a previously special permit/site plan approval to raze the detached garage and construct an attached garage with an accessory apartment above as well as a rear addition which exceeds the allowable FAR at 432 Dedham Street
- Request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct additions to a 2.5 story two family dwelling, resulting in a three story building, to vertically extend a nonconforming side setback, modifying the front porch entry, and constructing rear decks exceeding maximum FAR at 86 Floral Street
- Request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct basement and first story additions which will further extend the nonconforming FAR and lot coverage at 157 Baldpate Hill Road
- Request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct additions to the rear of the structure as well as within the footprint exceeding the FAR at 27 Cross Hill Road
- Request to construct oversized dormers in the detached accessory building at 20 Wachusett Road
- Requesting discussion and amendments to Newton Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 30 for clarification and correct inconsistencies
- Request discussion and amendments to the Newton Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 30, in order to incentivize and promote small businesses
- Reappointment of Judy Weber to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust
- Reappointment of John Downie to the Urban Design Commission
- Reappointment of Jennifer Pucci to the Zoning Board of Appeals
- Reappointment of Sandra Lingley and Matthew Volpi to the Commission on Disability
- Requesting a regular discussion with the Police Department
- Requesting a discussion with the Fire Department
- Requesting a discussion regarding the traffic calming process, plans, and adequacy of resources
- Requesting a discussion to review traffic data collected by the Department of Public Works
- Requesting a discussion to review city-wide traffic analysis
- Request for an update on plans and projects for the Stormwater System in Newton
- Requesting a discussion of metrics for the Washington Street Pilot
- Request for an update on plans for remaining ARPA funds
- Request to accept and expend a $25,600 Emergency Management Preparedness Grant to improve operations of Newton’s Emergency Operations Center
Programs and Services regularly scheduled meeting has been canceled (see Cancellation Notice).
Public Safety and Transportation will meet on Wednesday:
- Appointment of Margot Schoenfelder to the Newton Traffic Council
- Reappointment of Mitchell Fischman to the Newton Traffic Council
- Request to amend Chapter 26-19 of Newton Ordinances to allow play and other community activities on minor streets, as is the practice currently.
- Request for a discussion with the Newton Fire Department on year-over-year data, which may include fires, injuries, inspections, hiring, and overtime.
Public Facilities will meet on Wednesday:
- Updates from Department of Public Works (DPW) on status of Border Street culvert, MWRA easement, potential engineering solutions, and other measures to mitigate risk of flooding, and knowledge gained from stormwater studies.
- Update from DPW on plans and projects to improve the stormwater system in Newton.
- Discussion with the Department of Public Works, the Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture and the Conservation Commission regarding the condition of, and potential improvements to the stormwater infrastructure in Edmands Park.
City Council will meet as a Committee of the Whole on Thursday 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.
School Committee
Negotiations Subcommittee of the School Committee will meet on Monday to discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the Newton Educational Secretaries Association (NESA) and conduct collective bargaining session with the NESA.
School Committee will meet in person (Room 210) and virtually (Zoom link) and enter into Executive Session and move to Room 304 on Monday, March 4 at 6PM. The agenda includes the following:
- To conduct a strategy session in preparations for negotiations with non-union personnel listed: Superintendent of Schools; Assistant Superintendents; Directors; Managers; General Counsel; Human Resources Generalists; Confidential Executive Assistants; Executive Assistants; Analysts and Coordinators; Budget Analysts; Specialists
- To discuss strategy with respect to collective bargaining with Newton Educational Secretaries Associations (NESA)
- Return to Work Agreement
School Committee will meet again on Monday in public session:
- Public Comment
- Consent Agenda
- Approval of 2/26/2024 Regular Minutes and 2/26/2024 Special Meeting Minutes – see Draft Minutes
- International/Out-of-State Overnight Field Trips – see Field Trips Memo
- Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent’s Update
- Action Items/Discussions/Updates
- Fiscal & Operational Update #3 FY24
- Facilities Update (includes Discussion and Vote on Horace Mann) – see Facilities Memo and Horace Mann Space Summary
- Perkins Eastman Update – Space Utilization & Facility Conditions – see School Committee Update and Perkins Eastman Presentation
- Discussion and Vote: Newton Educational Secretaries Association (NESA) Return to Work Agreement
- Discussion and Vote: Non-Aligned Staff Salary Increases
A previously scheduled Special Meeting/Working Session of the School Committee to discuss the Elementary Long Range Planning Decision Framework has been canceled (see Cancellation Notice).
Boards and Commission
Newton Library Board of Trustees will meet on Monday:
- Director Evaluation from Staff interviews; Director Evaluation from Trustee Questionnaires; Upcoming Meeting with Mayor Fuller; and Summary
Planning and Development Board will meet on Monday:
- Site Plan Review Workshop with Utile
- City Council Zoning and Planning Committee Update
- Presentation on Issues with Grade Changes and Retaining Walls
- Possible Amendments to Preserve Existing Homes
- Key Metrics and Reporting Process on Planning Projects
- Proposed Zoning Amendment Clarification / Small Business Items
- Staff Updates
Human Rights Commission will meet on Tuesday:
- Superintendent Ana Nolin
- Student Reports
- Newton Police Department Reports
- Complaints Received
- Programming for 2024: 13 Villages Survey – Online option; Meeting with Mayor Fuller; Newton Together; Days of Remembrance Honoring Victims of Genocide – April City Hall 1st Floor gallery; Pride Flag Raising Event – Nominee
- Public Comment
Newton Fair Housing Committee will meet on Wednesday:
- 528 Boylston FH Project Review
- Affordable Housing Priorities Task Force Discussion
- Fair Housing Training for Landlords and Tenants
- Fair Housing Training for Community Policy Makers
- Resident Experience & Training for Owners/Managers/Leasing Agents
- Subcommittee Updates
- Lottery Results & Lease-ups Sub-Committee
- Membership & Nominating Sub-Committee
- Fair Housing Award Sub-Committee
- Fair Housing Committee Priorities Discussion
Newton Highlands Area Council will meet on Thursday:
- Substantive topics:
- Appointment to vacancy
- 1149-1151 Walnut Street consistency ruling for condos
- Village Day
- Village Enhancement Project updates
- Discussion of City Council use of webinar format – potential vote/letter
- Potential authorization of expenditures to recognize Nathaniel Lichtin
- Administrative items: Review and approval of February meeting minutes and review and approval of 2023 Annual Report
- New Business
- Treasurer’s report
Election Commission will meet on Friday to certify the March 5 Primary Election.
Other
This week’s road construction schedule.