Highlights this Week: See below for details about…
- Public hearings:
- Zoning and Planning and Planning & Development Board on allowing home businesses in all residence districts by right
- Community Preservation Committee on Spears Park Community Garden
- Zoning Board of Appeals on 40B proposal at 528 Boylston
- Virtual public meetings:
- MBTA Commuter Rail Stations Accessibility Improvements
- Washington Street Pilot
- School Committee discussing Understanding Our Differences and bullying
- Finance considering the City’s rights and remedies regarding the Turtle Lane site in Auburndale
- Programs and Services considering prohibiting sale of tobacco and e-cigarettes to everyone born in this century
- Traffic Council considering adding 7 more RRFBs (flashing beacons) at pedestrian crosswalks
- Monday’s solar eclipse …and just in case, a rain date for it
City Council
Finance will meet on Monday to consider:
- Authorizing Massachusetts law 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
- Accepting $42,500 grant to improve stormwater management and beautification of the Cheesecake Brook alongside Albemarle Park
- Accepting $75,000 grant to make improvements to 3 trails: Kennard Park, Kessler Woods, and the Upper Falls Greenway
- Accepting $50,000 grant for Farlow Park
- Transferring $165,000 from Current Year Budget Reserve for resurfacing of the tennis courts at Newton South High School
- Discussing new contract or extension for audit services
- Reappointing of James Pellegrine as Constable
- Requesting Mayor via Law Department to solicit proposals from outside special counsel to assist in the analysis of the City’s rights and remedies regarding permits and approvals at the Turtle Lane site in Auburndale (see Fig City News article)
Zoning and Planning will meet jointly with the Planning & Development Board on Monday to hold public hearings on possible ordinance amendments to:
- Require a special permit for all retaining walls over four (4) feet
- Clarify definitions, make corrections, and revise inconsistencies in ordinances
- Promote small businesses by allowing home businesses in all residence districts by right
…and will also consider:
- Authorizing submission of the FY25 Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the City of Newton Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant funds, and the WestMetro HOME Consortium
- An update on the short-term rental ordinance compliance and enforcement
- Possible amendments to enhance the preservation of existing homes
- Amending setbacks in MR zones to encourage the preservation of existing buildings
Programs and Services will meet on Wednesday to consider:
- Prohibition on sales of tobacco or e-cigarette products to anyone born on or after 1/1/2000.
- $165,000 from Current Year Budget Reserve for resurfacing tennis courts at Newton South HS
- Clarifying recent revisions to tree protection ordinances and request updates from the Tree Warden
Financial Audit Advisory Committee will meet on Thursday on the FY23 Single Audit Report and plans for the FY24 Audit.
Traffic Council will meet on Thursday to consider requests for:
- Possible change to parking regulations on Russell Road
- Safety Zone on Park Street between Church Street and Tremont Street
- Moving the accessible parking space at 304 Walnut Street
- Adding RRFBs: 3 locations on Needham Street (at Industrial Place, north of Jaconnet Street and south of Easy Street); Oak Street at the Upper Falls Greenway; Elliot Street (at Linden Street and at Cottage Street); and Hammond Pond Parkway (north of the Boston College Driveway).
- Two stop signs where Stony Brae Road and Solon Street intersect with Walnut Street (not on Walnut Street)
School Committee
School Committee will meet on Tuesday for public comment, Superintendent’s report, and:
- Understanding Our Difference (OUD) Resolution
- Calendar/Last Day of School Vote
- JICFB Policy (Bullying Prevention and Intervention)
- Superintendent Evaluation Process
Boards and Commissions
Commission on Disability will meet on Monday to consider:
- Accessible Fines Reports
- CDBG Report & Project Guidelines
- City-Funded Accessible and Affordable Housing Programs
- AP3-24 Petition: 8 Mechanic Street
- Treasurer’s Report
- ADA Coordinator’s Report
- 2024 COD New & Continued Goals
- Co-Chairs’ Corner
- 2024 COD Awareness Event
- Project Ideas for MOD Grant
Economic Development Commission will meet on Tuesday:
- Jerry A. Bazata of Cambridge Trust speaking about financing and supporting small businesses
- City Updates
- EDC Subgroups: Economic Strategy, business listings, rDNA permitting
Community Preservation Committee will meet Tuesday:
- Public hearing for Spears Park Community Garden Full Proposal (see Fig City News article)
- Review of Existing and Potential Future Projects, Current Finances
Design Review Committee/Franklin School Building Committee will meet on Wednesday:
- Working Group Exterior Decisions: Pop Out Panel/Stair Tower Color, Canopy / Signage
- Exterior Tour of Building
- Exterior Option Studies: Stair Fenestration, Gym Windows
- Carbon Analysis
- Site & Building Plans
Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Wednesday to conduct public hearings on:
- Comprehensive Permit under Chapter 40B for a six-story, all-residential development with 244 residential units (including 61 affordable units and 385 parking stalls) at 528 Boylston Street and nearby properties on Route 9. See Planning Memo and Fig City News article.
- Allow narrower frontage at 0 Moody Street
- Appeal of a building permit issued for a new single-family home at 11 Edgefield Road
Conservation Commission will meet on Thursday (see Packet documents):
- Wetlands Decisions
- Confirm Floodplain line shown on the plans at 51 Oak Avenue
- Add a dormer and deck at 345 California Street
- MBTA Commuter Rail 5-year vegetation management plan
- Two-classroom addition at Countryside Elementary School
- Modular unit, drainage, and compensatory storage at Countryside Elementary School
- Modular Classrooms at the Countryside Elementary School
- Removal of invasive plants, planting of native plants at the Countryside Elementary School
- Tear-down/rebuild of the Countryside Elementary School: 191 Dedham St Plans, 191 Dedham St NOI App, 191 Dedham St Stormwater, 191 Dedham St Flood Storage. 191 Dedham St O and M
- Tree removal at 544 Quinobequin Road
- Unpermitted tree removal at 448 Quinobequin Road and discussion about riverfront regulations and application protocols
- Revised mitigation planting plan and walled seating area at 70 Kingswood Road
- Redevelopment of the Albemarle Field Complex (northern portion)
- 2-year extension on an Order of Conditions at 24 Williams Street
- 3-year extension at 42 Hyde Avenue
- Certificate of Compliance (COC) for work at the Hammond Brook Culvert
Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday regarding replacement of all windows as part of a de-leading project at 14 Summer Street.
Other
The MBTA will hold a Newton Commuter Rail Stations Accessibility Improvements Public Meeting virtually (Zoom link – registration required) on Wednesday, April 10 at 6PM. The project consists of providing new, fully-accessible platforms for three existing Worcester Line Stations in Newton: Auburndale, West Newton, and Newtonville. The meeting will include: project overview, existing conditions, project update, reduced scope, Newtonville station, grant funding opportunities, and next steps. (Fig City News announcement)
Washington Street Pilot Public Meeting will be held virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, April 11 at 6PM. The current design will be presented by the City’s consultant, Howard Stein Hudson, DPW, and Planning staff. See Planning Memo.
This week’s road construction schedule.`
Tami Gambiza, treasurer and director of Fig City News, is running the 128th Boston Marathon to raise $5,000 to expand FCN’s payments to local reporters and student interns. He’s 93% of the way to his goal. That’s like having two more miles to go in the Marathon. You can donate here to accompany him to the finish line!
A partial solar eclipse on Monday will be visible in Newton 2:15PM-4:39PM (weather permitting), with maximum coverage (93%) at 3:29PM. Rain dates: March 29, 2025 (53%) and May 1, 2079 (total! right here in Newton).