Highlights:
- Finance …considering $2,000,000 in CPA funding for a grant to the First Baptist Church for the restoration of its bell tower
- Zoning and Planning …considering possible ordinance requiring owners of large properties (campuses and large commercial buildings) to report energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions annually
- School Committee …preparing to negotiate the Superintendent’s contract
- Newton Historical Commission …reviewing requests for 1 Local Landmark and 9 Total Demolitions
- MassDOT …holding a virtual public meeting about immediate safety improvements for Newton Corner
City Council
City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Finance will meet on Monday to consider:
- Appointments of Christopher di Bonaventura as a trustee of the Other Post-Employment Benefits Trust Fund and Meghan Kennedy to the Horace Cousens Industrial Fund
- Appropriations:
- $25,000 for Inspector Training
- $2,000,000 in CPA funding for a grant to the First Baptist Church for the restoration of its bell tower
- $650,000 in CPA funding for a grant to the Newton Family Access for the renovation of the historic former Davis School Building, to allow for necessary code-related upgrades
- Accepting a $1,240,000 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness State grant to address flooding challenges around Cheesecake Brook by Albemarle Park
Zoning and Planning will meet on Monday to consider:
- Possible ordinance requiring large property owners (campuses and large commercial buildings) to report energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions annually to the City of Newton
- Possible amendment to the Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance to require developers and property managers to provide training for their employees regarding bias toward residents of the IZ units
- Possible amendments to Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance to include 4-6 units, including raising the requirements for the number of affordable units in large developments
- Possible amendments to retaining wall regulations for Multi-Family / Commercial / Industrial / Civic Buildings
- Possible amendment to the definition of “Garage” in Garage Design Standards
Schools
School Committee will meet on Monday in Executive Session to discuss strategy regarding negotiation of the Superintendent’s contract.
[UPDATE] School Committee will then meet on Monday in Open Session, and its agenda includes:- Consent Agenda
- Second Read and Vote:
- ACE Policy: Non-Discrimination including Harassment & Retaliation – 2nd Read and Vote
- ACA/ACAB Policy: Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Sex, including Sex-Based Harassment & Retaliation Under Title IX – 2nd Read and Vote
- NPS Rights & Responsibilities Handbook, NNHS Student Handbook, NSHS Student Handbook – 2nd Read and Vote
- Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) w/Newton Educational Secretaries Association (NESA)
- Second Read and Vote:
- Superintendent’s Report: Superintendent’s Goals
- Discussion: JB-B Policy Gender Identity Support Policy
- Discussion: Guidance on Basis of Gender Identity
- District Goals -2nd Read and Vote
- Fiscal/Ops and Facilities FY24 Recap
- Review Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) – 1st Read
Special Early-Release Day on Thursday. NECP at 11:45AM, Elementary at 12:10PM, Oak Hill at 10:50AM, Bigelow & Day at 10:55AM, Brown at 11:20AM, High Schools at 12:45PM
Boards and Commissions
Newton Commonwealth Foundation, which runs the municipal golf course, will meet on Monday to review the Sterling Gold report, discuss and vote on hiring consultants, vote on a revised RFP, possibly review drainage project bids, establish a Greens Committee to review the Master Plan, and establish a by-laws review committee.
Newton Housing Partnership will meet on Tuesday for:
- EMPath team presentation on Newton Thrive
- Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance review with Planning Staff presentation and a conversation with RKG Associates
- Discussion of possible in-person Strategic Planning Session
- Project updates on Northland (Needham Street), Riverside, and West Newton Family Navigation Center (Family Aid)
Newton Retirement Board will meet on Tuesday.
Newton Citizens Commission on Energy will meet on Wednesday and discuss strategy related to BERDO, the Zoning and Planning Electric Grid item, and City Sustainability staffing.
Council on Aging will meet on Wednesday to consider:
- Cooper Center update (Community Project Update scheduled for October 1)
- Ordinance and By Laws update
- Department of Older Adult Services 2024-2025 Priorities.
Newton Historical Commission will meet on Thursday to consider requests for:
- 1 Local Landmark review: 19 Highland Avenue
- 9 Total Demolitions: 196-198 Sumner Street, 283 Woodland Road, 76 Lexington Street, 340 River Street, 123-125 Waban Street, 45 Bonnybrook Road, 56 Parsons Street, 383 Cherry Street, 58 Bourne Street
- 2 Partial Demolitions: 399 Waltham Street, 471 Washington Street
- 3 Waivers of Demolition Delays: 148 Waverley Avenue, 28 Chandler Place, and 10 Crescent Street
Newtonville Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday to review a request to replace a chain link fence with a wood fence and gates at 167 Lowell Avenue.
Other
MassDOT will hold a virtual public meeting about immediate safety improvements for Newton Corner on Wednesday, September 25, 6:30PM to 7:30PM. Email questions or comments to MassDOT at NewtonCornerImprovements@dot.state.ma.us.
The Development Review Team will meet to consider:
- Eliminating office use and buildings, reconfiguring parking and amending conditions around required Transportation and TDM measures at Northland’s development at 156 Oak Street and Tower Road
- Constructing a detached garage at 100 Bellevue Street
This week’s road construction schedule has not yet been posted.
Ed Note: We revised this post to include the School Committee’s Open Session.