The Public Facilities Committee voted to approve the following (see the report and watch the meeting video):
- Authorization to Negotiate Leases for Installation of Solar Panels on City Properties (7-0, Councilor Gentile not voting) Granted approval for the City to begin negotiations for leasing certain City properties for the installation of solar panels, which third-party firms would manage. Newton has more photovoltaic arrays on municipal buildings than any other community in Massachusetts. Potential properties for new arrays include the Pellegrini Park Fieldhouse, the Cooper Active Living Center, and Lincoln-Eliot, Mason-Rice, Peirce, Countryside, Franklin, and Bigelow schools. No trees will be cut down for the projects. Two arrays at Newton South High School and Oak Hill School are twenty years old and need to be replaced. The City estimates they save about one million dollars by using solar energy.
The committee voted no action necessary for the following:
- Discussion of Metrics for the Washington Street Pilot (7-0, Councilor Gentile not voting) Project start date is April 2025, weather-dependent, with an estimated completion date of August 2025. The contract was awarded to IW Harding. There was only one bidder, whose price came in close to the estimated cost. Councilors requested baseline data and specific goals and targets be identified. The City said they would supply these things and that outreach would be conducted with neighbors and advocates. The Planning Department, Department of Public Works and Police Department will be responsible for making “immediate safety decisions.”
The committee voted to hold the following:
- Discussion with Public Works about Residential Water Bills, Non-Working Water Meter Transponders and Billing Issues (8-0) “90% of the total new water meters as of January 16th, 2025 which totals 26,814 meters with 2,947 meters left to go. There are 1,026 meters that have issues including electrical or construction related problems.” Residents are encouraged to sign up for Neptune 360 to see their water use and get alerts about high water usage. The City uses Neptune 360 on the back end to verify the new water meters are working properly. The new meters are expected to last 10 to 12 years. The Department of Public Works (DPW) has sent notices, placed door hangers, and sent staff to knock on the doors of nonresponsive residents who need their meters changed. “They will now be sending certified mailings as well.” When asked why residents are not responding, DPW Commissioner Sullivan said that often these residents have something on their property that they do not want the City to know about, so they just do not respond. She said at some point DPW will have to shut water off to these residents because they must finish this project but if they respond to any of the City’s efforts, they will not shut the water off.” The Commissioner said very large bills are occurring at a less frequent rate. Residents have a year to set up a payment plan for them. The Commissioner anticipated the project would be completed within a year.
Present: Councilors Albright (Chair), Getz, Kelley, Gentile, Leary, Laredo, Danberg, and Kalis
City Staff: Commissioner of Public Works Shawna Sullivan, Deputy Commissioner of Public Works
Bernie McDonald, Director of Transportation Planning Jenn Martin, and Commissioner of Public
Buildings Josh Morse