Highlights this Week: See below for details about…
- Public Safety and Transportation discussing with Chief Carmichael: School safety, traffic enforcement, and body cameras
- Public Facilities discussing networked geothermal energy and mapping gas leaks
- School Committee holding a public hearing on FY2025 budget and discussing School Choice
- Zoning Board of Appeals holding a public hearing on proposed Chapter 40B, 16-unit residential development at 41 Washington Street
- Two virtual community meetings: Cooper Center for Active Living and Memorial Playground in Oak Hill Park.
- City’s Tax Collector taking 21 properties on Friday unless taxes and assessments are paid.
City Council
City Council Committee Chairs will meet on Monday to discuss best practices for running meetings, hosting virtual meetings, providing for public comment, and committee reports, as well as a review of City Councilors’ recent visits to school and municipal buildings.
City Council will meet on Monday and is expected to vote on the following (see Reports Docket):
- Special Permits to:
- Extend nonconforming FAR and lot coverage at 157 Baldpate Hill Road
- Allow oversized dormers in a detached accessory building at 20 Wachusett Road
- Exceed FAR at 27 Cross Hill Road
- Allow retaining walls over four feet in height at 161 Pine Ridge Road
- Extensions of time for Special Permits at 296 Watertown Street and 162 Middlesex Road
- Appointment of Ramzi Elfekih and Hedy Jarras, and reappointment of Charles Tanowitz, to the Economic Development Commission
- Reappointments of Matthew Volpi and Sandra Lingley to the Commission on Disability
- Accept and expend at grant of $25,600 from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to improve operations of Newton’s Emergency Operations Center
- Discussion on amendments to update fees related to special permits, zone changes, and site plan reviews
The New Docket includes the following requests:
- Submission of FY2025 Annual Action Plan for Newton’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds and the WestMetro HOME Consortium
- Appointment of Edward J. Dailey to the Planning and Development Board
- Reappointment of Brooke Lipsitt to the Zoning Board of Appeals
- Discussion regarding hoarding and refuse on private property
- New public auto license for AB Inc. at 159 Washington Street #1
- Discussion with the Police Department on the work of the Dedication to Community consultants
- Grant of Location to Eversource to relocate two poles at 150 Jackson Road
- Reappointment of James Pellegrine as a Constable
- Discussion regarding a contract for audit services
- Acceptance Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism grants: $75,000 to improve three trails in Kennard Park, Kessler Woods, and the Upper Falls Greenway, and $50,000 for Farlow Park
- Acceptance of Massachusetts MOTT FY24 budget grant: $42,500 to improve stormwater management and beautification of Cheesecake Brook alongside Albemarle Park
- Discussion and possible ordinance change regarding forms of payment for resident parking permits
- Discussion regarding the Framingham Networked Geothermal Project
- Authorization to transfer $165,000 from Current Year Budget Reserve for resurfacing tennis courts at Newton South High School
- FY2025 proposed Water, Sewer and Stormwater Rates
Land Use will meet on Tuesday to consider Special Permits for:
- Vacation day camp (for-profit educational use) at 2 Wells Avenue
- Retaining walls over four feet in height at 54-56 Indiana Terrace
- Raise roof and add dormers of nonconforming two-family dwelling at 265-267 River Street
Programs and Services regularly scheduled meeting has been cancelled.
Public Safety and Transportation Committee will meet on Wednesday to consider:
- Two new public auto licenses: Vali Bros Transportation LLC and AB Inc.
- Accept Massachusetts General Law to provide for payment of funeral and burial expenses, not exceeding $2,000 of any firefighter or police officer killed while in the performance of their duty
- Discussion with Chief Carmichael and Newton Public Schools personnel regarding current school safety protocols and best practices, such as ALICE training.
- Discussion with Chief Carmichael regarding the City’s approach to traffic enforcement
- Discussion with Chief Carmichael on the current status of the use of body cameras
Public Facilities Committee will meet on Wednesday for:
- Public Hearing on relocation of two poles at Pearl Street in Jackson Road.
- Discussions with:
- Audrey Shulman, co-Executive Director of HEET, regarding Networked Geothermal Energy as an alternative to fossil fuels
- Eversource and Framingham’s Sustainability Coordinator about the Framingham Networked Geothermal Project
- Newton Gas Pipes team about graphic database of gas leaks, reduction of leaks over time, and proximity of leaks to trees
- Newton’s Sustainability Team and the Department of Public Works on reducing methane gas leaks and coordinating with National Grid to transition away from methane gas to electric heating and cooling solutions
School Committee
School Committee will meet on Monday with an agenda including:
- Public Hearing on the FY2025 Budget
- Budget Review – See Budget Review Timeline and FY2025 Budget
- Food Service Vendor Discussion and Possible Vote – See FY2024 ood Service Award Contract Approval and Food Service Award Justification
- Continued School Choice Discussion
Boards and Commissions
Planning and Development Board will meet on Monday:
- Annual Action Plan Review Presentation
- City Council Zoning and Planning Committee Update
- Public hearing April 8 for retaining walls zoning amendment
- Public hearing April 8 for zoning ordinance clean-up items
- Preserving existing homes
- Developing list of ways Council can better support small business
- Inclusionary zoning update
Newton Human Rights Commission will meet on Tuesday:
- Student Reports
- Newton Police Department Reports
- Complaints Received
- Programming for 2024: HRC engaging with NICA, meeting with Mayor Fuller, Newton Together, Pride Flag Raising Event, HRC Card & Response Call, Book Banning program April 29, Days of Remembrance Honoring Victims of Genocide – April City Hall 1st Floor gallery
Newton Citizens Commission on Energy will meet on Wednesday:
- Rachel White’s update on conversation with Charles River Regional Chamber president Greg Reibman
- Peter Barrer update on meeting with Mayor Fuller regarding natural gas leaks
- BERDO Update: Conversations with ZAP members
Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Wednesday to conduct a public hearing on a proposed Chapter 40B, 16-unit residential development at 41 Washington Street.
Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council will meet on Thursday to discuss Highlands Village Day, Christina Street Bridge bidding, 2023 Annual Report.
Newtonville Local Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday:
- Proposed garage demolition, house renovation, addition, and two new, connected units behind the existing house at 75 Prescott Street
- Discussion about new construction and infill in the district
Other
Two virtual community meetings this week:
- Cooper Center for Active Living (formerly NewCAL): Tuesday, April 2 at 6PM (Zoom link). See Meeting Notice.
- Memorial Playground in Oak Hill Park: Thursday, April 4 at 6PM (Zoom link). See Meeting Notice.
Newton’s Office of Collector of Taxes has issued this notice of Notice of Tax Taking for 21 properties that will take place in person (City Hall, Room B15) on Friday, April 5, 2024 at 10AM unless unpaid taxes and other assessments are paid before then.
This week’s road construction schedule.
