Finance will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, April 8 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Request authorization to accept Massachusetts General Laws (MGL) Chapter 41, Section 100G to provide payment of funeral and burial expenses, not exceeding $2,000, of any firefighter or police officer killed while in the performance of their duty
- Request to accept and expend a $42,500 Massachusetts MOO FY2024 budget grant to improve stormwater management and beautification of the Cheesecake Brook section that runs alongside Albemarle Park
- Request to accept a $75,000 Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism FY2024 State Budget earmark grant to make improvements to 3 trails: Kennard Park, Kessler Woods, and the Upper Falls Greenway
- Request to accept at $50,000 Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism FY2024 State Budget earmark grant for Farlow Park
- Request to transfer $165,000 from Current Year Budget Reserve for resurfacing of the tennis courts at Newton South High School
- Request for a discussion regarding new contract or extension for audit services
- Reappointment of James Pellegrine as Constable
- Request that the Mayor through the Law Department solicit proposals from outside special counsel to assist the City in the analysis of the City’s rights and remedies to ensure compliance with, and enforcement of, applicable permits and approvals at the Turtle Lane site in Auburndale.
Zoning and Planning will meet in person (Council Chamber) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, April 8 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
Chair’s Note: The committee will be joined by the Planning & Development Board and taking public comment on the following three items:
- Request for discussion and possible ordinance amendment to Chapter 30, to require a special permit for all retaining walls over four (4) feet on a site. See Planning Memo.
- Request for amendments to the Newton Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 30, in order to clarify definitions, edit missing or incorrectly transcribed provisions, and revise inconsistencies in the zoning ordinance and inconsistencies between the zoning ordinance and general ordinances. See Planning Memo.
- Request for discussion and amendments to the Newton Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 30, in order to incentivize and promote small businesses by allowing home businesses in all residence districts by right, modifying the definition and regulation of educational uses, modifying the definition and regulation of personal services, and including a definition and regulations for personal instruction uses. See Planning Memo.
Chair’s Note: The following item needs approval by the City Council to submit the Annual Action Plan to HUD, but the City Council is not able to amend the attached plan. See Draft FY2025 (FFY24) Annual Action Plan.
- Request authorization, pursuant to the 2023 Revised Citizen Participation Plan, to submit the FY25 Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the City of Newton Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) funds and the WestMetro HOME Consortium. Supporting documents can be found attached to back of the agenda.
- Request for an update on the short-term rental ordinance compliance and enforcement.
- Request for discussion and possible amendments to enhance the preservation of existing homes. See Planning Memo.
- Request to amend the setbacks in the MR zones to encourage the preservation of existing buildings. See Planning Memo.
Programs and Services will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, April 10 at 8PM. The agenda includes the following requests:
- Discussion and amendment to Chapter 20 Section 3 or sections as appropriate to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the young people in Newton by creating a prohibition of sales such that No person, firm, corporation, establishment, or agency shall sell tobacco or e-cigarette products to anyone born on or after 1/1/2000.
- Transfer $165,000 from Current Year Budget Reserve for the purpose of resurfacing the tennis courts at Newton South High School.
- Request revisions and amendments to Chapter 21, Art III Trees (Sec. 21-60 through 21-89) to further clarify recent revisions to tree protection ordinances and requesting updates from the Tree Warden on the progress of implementation of the recent revisions.
Financial Audit Advisory Committee will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, April 11 at 8AM. The agenda includes the following (see City of Newton FY23 Single Audit; City of Newton FY 23 ACFR; City of Newton FY 23 Management Letter):
- Discuss the FY23 Single Audit Report
- Vote to send the item the FY23 Audit Report to the Finance Committee
- Discuss plan for FY24 Audit
- Questions/Concerns
Traffic Council will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, April 11 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following requests:
- Discussion and possible change to parking regulations on Russell Road
- Safety Zone on Park Street between Church Street and Tremont Street
- Move the accessible parking space at 304 Walnut Street, to another location on Walnut Street in Newtonville. NOTE: The Newton Commission on Disability voted to maintain the current location of the accessible parking space at 304 Walnut Street on 03/11/24.
- Add RRFBs into the TPR at the following locations: Needham Street at Industrial Place; 150 Needham Street (north of Jaconnet Street); 40 Needham Street (south of Easy Street); Oak Street at the Upper Falls Greenway; Elliot Street at Linden Street; Elliot Street at Cottage Street; and Hammond Pond Parkway (north of the Boston College Driveway).
- Add a stop sign at the end of Stony Brae Road as it intersects with Walnut Street and at the end of Solon Street as it intersects with Walnut Street. Note that this item does not seek to add stop signs on Walnut Street itself.
Administrative Changes to TPR since the last Traffic Council Meeting:
- 7 Commonwealth Avenue: Corrected TPR to reflect that the RRFB at Commonwealth Avenue at Manet Road is located to the east of Manet Road – not to the west.