On Thursday, May 9 at 6PM, the Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold a virtual public meeting (Zoom link) to update the community on the Newton Highlands Village Enhancement Project.
During the meeting, DPW is expected to present its preferred concept for street design of Lincoln and Walnut Streets. According to Mayor Ruthanne Fuller’s Newton Update, the goals of the project include “improving sidewalks and roadways with a focus on better accessibility and safety, providing improved community gathering spaces, and making the village center even more attractive and inviting with benches, art, lighting, historic markers and landscaping.”
Some community members have expressed two concerns:
- That the meeting will be held virtually, rather than in-person in the community itself, and
- That the online meeting may be in a “webinar” format that would not display all attendees (as a regular Zoom meeting would).
Jeremy Freudberg, on behalf of the Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council, has expressed these concerns in a letter to the City’s DPW and Planning Staff, “reiterating the Area Council’s strong opposition to fully virtual format for the upcoming meeting.” In addition, Mr. Freudberg noted that “It should go without saying that the ability to attend in person promotes inclusivity and transparency,” and that “we re-emphasize the importance of engagement on the most local level, and so urge that future meetings take place in person in the village of Newton Highlands itself.”
Freudberg also asked that the City post the plans and other relevant materials in advance of the meeting so that people can have time to review the content and be able to provide high quality feedback at the meeting. As of this writing, such materials have not been posted on the City’s project web page.
Mr. James McGonagle, Commissioner of Public Works for the City of Newton, had responded to earlier requests for an in-person meeting by writing that Newton DPW has moved public meetings to an online format for a number of reasons, citing advantages such as increased participation and equity, flexibility and convenience, enhanced efficiency, improved work-life balance, environmental sustainability, and reduced overhead costs.
The Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council will host a “Webinar Watch Party” on May 9, 5:30PM-8PM at the Brigham House (20 Hartford Street, Newton Highlands) for residents to learn about and discuss the latest updates to the Village Enhancement project. The event will start with discussion at 5:30PM, followed by group viewing of the DPW’s webinar at 6PM. The meeting flyer notes that “There will be plenty of pizza!”
