What’s Up in Newton – Week of 6/9/2024

Highlights this Week:

Zoning and Planning holding a public hearing about requiring owners of large properties (campuses and large commercial buildings) to report energy use (BERDO)
Finance addressing funding for water meters, water mains, street paving, IT infrastructure, and police overtime
Real Property Reuse considering the sale or lease of 169 Grove Street and 136 Hancock Street, as well as eight parking spaces at Police Headquarters Annex on Chestnut Street
School Committee considering strategy for current and future buildings for elementary schools
Economic Development Commission hearing talk by Eric Turner, President of Lasell University
Community Preservation Committee holding a public hearing on renovation of Family Access Davis School

City Council

Zoning and Planning will meet on Monday:

Public Hearing on requiring building height to be measured from the original grade instead of finished grade
Public Hearing on requiring owners of large properties (campuses and large commercial buildings) to report energy use (BERDO).
Ordinance amendments to aid small businesses impacted by development
Reappointment of Jason Korb to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust
Reappointment of Debora Jackson to the Economic Development Commission

Finance will meet on Monday to consider:

Appropriations:
- $5 million for Water Meter System Replacement Project, rescinding $5 million of $10 million previous bond authorization
- $3.2 million for Water Main Repair and Replacement Project, funded by general obligation bonds, rescinding $3.2 million of previous bond authorization
- $2,888,274.38 for street paving supplies Transportation Network Improvement Program
- $500,000 for IT infrastructure improvements
- $450,000 for Police Patrol Regular Overtime
- $296,312 for student transportation
- $200,000 for stormwater management at Myrtle Street and McGrath Park
Transfers
- $2 million of DPW funds for paving supplies for the City’s Accelerated Roads Program
- $125,000 to the Library Building Maintenance – Electricity
- $200,000 to Newton Communications Access Center (NewTV)
Rescinding bond authorizations no longer required for:
- Zervas Elementary School Construction: $1,505,182
- Countryside Feasibility Study: $1,250,000
- Bigelow Boiler Replacement 2019: $319,860
- FA Day Boilers: $131,484
- Newton Early Childhood Program: $3,776

Real Property Reuse will meet on Wednesday to consider recommendations to sell or lease:

8 City-owned parking spaces at 25 Chestnut Street (Police Headquarters Annex)
City-owned land at 169 Grove Street and 136 Hancock Street (36,356 sq. ft.)

Traffic Council will meet on Thursday to consider requests for:

An accessible parking space in front of 8 Mechanic Street
Parking prohibition on one side of Keyes Street
Simplifying the parking regulations on east side of Walnut Street, 300 feet north of Washington Street to Turner Street
Modifying time limits in municipal off-street parking areas, and possibly parking regulations for particular streets, toward a long-term trial of a parking permit plan for Newton Centre employees
Adding one accessible parking space in the Cypress Street Parking Lot in Newton Centre
Adding stop signs:
- At the T intersection at the end of Adams Avenue as it intersects with Cherry Street
- At the Locksley Road eastbound approach to Hereward Road
- Where Drumlin Road intersects with Dudley Road and Hartman Road
- At the T intersection at the end of Lincoln Road intersecting Crafts Street

School Committee will meet on Monday in Executive Session to discuss strategy for pending litigation.

School Committee will then hold its regular meeting on Monday:

Public Comment
Superintendent’s Report
Consent Agenda: Transfer CTE Scholarship Funds, Donation to NSHS from William James College
Legal Firm Recommendation, Discussion, and Vote
Strategy and Guiding Statements on Current Elementary Buildings and Process of Future Buildings
District Goals Update

Newton Free Library Development Committee will meet on Monday to discuss Spring Fling Wrap Up, Friends-related Items, and FY25 Planning.

Commission on Disability will meet on Monday:

Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday to consider requests to:

Demolish existing garage at 197 Grove Street
Install solar panels at 56 Woodland Road
Enclose a screened porch at 248 Grove Street
Amend the previously approved design for the former Walker Center at 136-144 Hancock Street

Guest Speaker: Eric M. Turner, President of Lasell University
Business-Friendly Zoning
BERDO
EDC Discussion & Subgroups: Public engagement, Economic Strategy, Business Listings, rDNA Permitting

Urban Design Commission will meet on Wednesday to consider sign permits:

Conservation Commission will meet on Thursday:

Wetlands Decisions
- Confirm the City Floodplain line for 51 Oak Avenue
- 5-lot subdivision and road at 3, 5, 7, 9, and 11 Farwell Circle
- 184-unit multi-family residential development at 528 Boylston
- New single-family home, driveway, and utilities at 0 Irwin Road
- Teardown/rebuild of a single-family home at 40 Albemarle Road
Informal Discussions
- Violation of plans at 71 Harwich Road
- Violations at 1 Malvern Terrace
- Friendly Enforcement Order at 30 Selwyn Road

Newton Commonwealth Foundation, which operates the municipal golf course, will meet on Thursday regarding the Maintenance Building Project.

Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday to provide feedback on project at 16-20 Winter Street, and to consider Certificates of Appropriateness to:

Development Review Team meetings this week: 115-17 Playstead Road, 3 Curtis Street, and 250 Waltham Street.