Highlights this week:
- Programs and Services …reviewing compliance with leaf-blower noise ordinance
- Public Safety and Transportation …reviewing Dudley Road safety issues
- Newton Affordable Housing Trust …considering housing opportunities created by VCOD
- Economic Development Commission …hosting guest speaker Dante Capasso of Capasso Realty
- Zoning Board of Appeals …public hearing about a 307-unit residential development at 78-84 Crafts Street
- Walker Center Joint Advisory Planning Group …considering historic preservation and potential site plans
City Council
City Council will meet on Monday is expected to vote on the following (see Reports Docket):
- Unfinished Business
- Request to amend an approved Special Permit to allow additional parking 20 feet of a lot line at 120 Norwood Avenue (postponed from the last City Council meeting)
- Extensions of Time
- A rear lot subdivision to construct a single-family dwelling, relocate the existing dwelling forward and waive the definition of “rear-lot” at 113 Grove Street
- Razing of the dwelling and constructing a four-unit three-story multi-family dwelling with garage parking for seven vehicles at 107-109 Elliot Street
- Razing the existing dwelling and constructing a three-story, three-unit multi-family dwelling with surface parking for three vehicles at 43 Crafts Street
- Special Permits/Site Plans
- Construct a second-story addition over an existing sunroom at 228 Grove Street
- Construct basement, first- and second-story additions, and reconstruct the roof of the detached garage and add a roof deck at 35 Hood Street
- Construct a larger front landing and new steps at 98 Parker Avenue
- Recommendation to appropriate $650,000 for a grant to Newton Family Access for renovation of the historic former Davis School Building, enabling necessary code-related upgrades.
- Petition for Grant of Location on Chase Street to accommodate a new driveway
- Petition for Grant of Location on Commonwealth Avenue to support the MWRA Tunnel Boring Machine project
- Appropriate $105,253 from the Energy Stabilization Fund for an LED Lighting Project at Newton South High School
- Transfer $215,000 from Trio mitigation funds for new traffic signal equipment at the Lowell Avenue/Washington Street intersection
- Borrow $4,403,000 in an interest-free, 10-year loan from the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) for design and construction of Sewer CIP Project 10
- Borrow $19,573,000 in an interest-free, 10-year loan from the MWRA to replace aging water infrastructure and enhance water quality (NOTE: Amount requested was originally “$1,957,300” and later amended to be “$19,573,000.”)
- Appropriate $121,734.56 in CPA funding from the FY24 Open Space Reserve Funds and $28,265.44 from the CPA unrestricted funds to create Spears Park Community Garden (NOTE: The original amounts before amendment were $121,621.62 and $28, 378.38.)
- Reappointment of Jeffrey Silton as a Constable
- $302,922 grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security to assist with 911 operations
- $93,376 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protections for Drinking Water Lead Service Line Replacement Planning Project program. [Approved subject to 2nd call]
- $7,416.12 for the settlement of A.M. (a minor) v. City of Newton claim due to a rear-end collision involving a DPW vehicle
- $60,000 grant from the Executive Office of Public Safety & Security’s Office of Grants and Research
The New Docket includes the following:
- Extension of Time to Exercise Special Permit for constructing an attached garage with living space above at 39 Floral Street
- Construct a single story rear addition and an attached garage at 15 York Road
- Establish an accessory apartment at 6 Lowell Avenue
- A mix of for-profit education, personal instruction, non-accessory parking, wholesale bakery, vehicle storage and vehicle repair, and waive 41 parking stalls at 28-30 Riverdale Avenue
- Appointments of Caitlin Cusick to the Parks and Recreation Commission and Meghan Kennedy to the Horace Cousens Industrial Fund
- $1,240,000 State grant to address flooding challenges around Cheesecake Brook by Albemarle Park
- Updates from School Committee and Newton Public Schools to increase information sharing
- Discussion with Department of Public Works on upgrading water, sewer, and storm water infrastructure
- Possible ordinance amendment on how water movement between properties is assessed, monitored, and tracked
- Installation of solar panels at Brown and Oak Hill Schools and potential pause of the installation
- Review/Acceptance of the FY 2026 – FY 2030 5-year Financial Forecast and Long-Range Financial Plan
- Eversource petition to install and maintain approximately 242 feet of conduit at Wells Avenue
- Submission of the FY2026 to FY 2030 Capital Improvement Plan
- Review/Acceptance of the FY 2026 – FY 2030 5-year Financial Forecast and Long-Range Financial Plan
Land Use will meet on Tuesday to consider:
- Extension of Time to construct an attached garage with living space above at 39 Floral Street
- Construction of a detached garage and modifications to a two-family dwelling (enclosing the rear porches, a covered front porch, raising the roof, adding a dormer) resulting in a three-story structure at 52-54 Hatfield Road
- Reconfiguring the parking facility and reducing the number of stalls at 386-394 Watertown Street
- Demolition of existing structures, combining lots into one, and constructing four residential dwelling units in one three-story building greater than 24 feet in height at 340 River Street and 76 Lexington Street
- Extending a nonconforming front setback and relocating the building toward the street, and converting three garage stalls to carports at 290 Watertown Street
- Discussion with the Planning Department about the status of all designated but unspent mitigation funds received by the City
Programs and Services will meet on Wednesday to consider:
- Appointing Mary Fitzgerald, Mark Feldhusen, and Caitlin Cusick to the Parks and Recreation Commission
- Securing compliance with the leaf-blower provisions of Newton’s noise ordinance
- Protecting abutters of construction projects from repetitive impulsive sound such as that produced by rock drills and pile drivers
- Reviewing the City Council’s Rules and recommending revisions to be adopted before the next term
Public Facilities has canceled its meeting for this week.
Public Safety and Transportation will meet on Wednesday to consider:
- Dudley Road safety issues regarding speeding, accidents, and safety of pedestrians and bikers
- Policy related to on-street parking and parking in municipal lots
Rules Subcommittee will meet on Thursday to begin reviewing City Council Rules.
Schools
School Committee has no meetings scheduled for this week.
Boards and Commissions
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees – Development Committee will meet on Monday to consider the Development Director’s Update, Spring Fling 25, Red Sox and Mini Golf events, and upcoming planning.
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees – Nominating and Governance Committee will meet on Monday to consider officer nominations, policy update, Art program, Director evaluation, etc.
Parks and Recreation Commission will meet on Monday to consider updates on Albemarle Playground, Burr Elementary School, Spears Park, Walker Park, and committee reports.
Newton Affordable Housing Trust will meet on Tuesday to consider:
- Update on FY25 CPA funding request
- Status report on existing and proposed housing developments, potential projects which could be future Trust funding opportunities, and next steps for Trust
- Potential Development Sites Discussion:
- Planning staff report on opportunities created by VCOD and other ongoing Planning projects
- Review of potential City and NHA sites
- Discussion and Vote on funding for a consultant to study the sites
- Approaches to Marketing Potential Development Opportunities
- Report on the Housing Priorities Review
Economic Development Commission will meet on Tuesday, and its agenda includes:
- Guest Speaker: Dante Capasso of Capasso Realty Corp.
- Economic Assessment and Strategy project
- Proposed Newton Cultural District
Board of License Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, and its agenda includes:
- Health and Human Services Commissioner’s presentation on CBD/THC in food and beverage and how the Health and Human Services department is conducting enforcement
- One-day temporary entertainment license for a cello concert on September 27 at Newton City Hall
- One-day temporary wine and malt licenses for:
- Receptions on November 3 and 24 at Church of the Redeemer
- Parent cornhole cocktail party on October 19 at Mount Alvernia Academy Gymnasium
- Reception for Newton filmmakers of the film festival on September 29 at the West Newton Cinema
- Reception for fall exhibition on October 10 at the New Art Center
- Art talk/donor event on October 24 at the New Art Center
- Alumni homecoming tailgate on October 25 at the O’Neill Plaza and Lyons Hall
Board of Assessors will meet on Wednesday to approve August exemption and abatement reports.
Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Wednesday for a public hearing regarding a 307-unit residential development including 62 affordable units and 263 parking spaces at 78-84 Crafts Street and adjoining properties.
Walker Center Joint Advisory Planning Group will meet on Thursday, and its agenda includes:
- Conversation with Barbara Kurze, Senior Preservation Planner, regarding Auburndale Historic District and listings on National Register of Historic Places
- Presentation by Weston & Sampson on drafted materials and potential site plans
- Site Visit Debrief: potential future uses of the site
Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday to consider:
- Repair and retrofit of windows and doors at 61 Gate House Road
- Replacing windows at 25 Nancy Road
Urban Tree Commission will meet on Friday and its agenda includes a Forestry Department update, tree-removal requests, and discussion of mission.
Other
The Development Review Team will meet to consider proposed campus and building renovations and alterations for “Newton East” campus at 790 Centre Street and the addition of a front porch encroaching in the front setback at 287 Hartman.
This week’s road construction schedule.