Newton Cultural Council will meet in person (1294 Centre Street) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, March 24 at 6PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Approval of meeting minutes: February 24, 2025
- Election of Officers
- Modification request: Suzuki School
- Brief report on grantee events attended by council members
- Planning for Spring Arts and Culture Summit
- New business
- Next meeting April 28, 2025
Planning and Development Board will meet in person (Council Chamber) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, March 24 at 7PM, jointly with the Zoning and Planning Committee. The agenda includes the following:
- Request to amend Chapter 30 Zoning Ordinances to add a maximum residential facade build out ratio to aid in new development being contextual to the surrounding neighborhood.
For additional information, see Zoning and Planning agenda.
Newton Retirement Board will meet in person (Room 211) on Tuesday, March 25 at 9AM. The agenda includes the following:
- New Agenda items:
- Board to conduct public hearing to discuss FY26 retiree cost-of-living increase.
- Michael Abbruzzese’s request for one additional month (until April 2025 retiree payroll) to consider repayment agreement.
- Receipt of an accidental disability retirement application from firefighter Mark Dezso.
- Receipt of an accidental disability retirement application from firefighter Brian McNamara.
- Receipt of an accidental disability retirement application from firefighter Joseph Ciccone.
- Receipt of an accidental disability retirement application from Joseph Ratta.
- Board to review regular session minutes of meeting held February 25, 2025.
- Administrative items:
- Monthly financial reporting for month ending January 2025.
- Board to approve new members as indicated on list provided in Board Member’s monthly packet.
- New application(s) for superannuation & termination retirement.
- Board to approve expense warrants.
- Pending items:
- System Actuary Kathleen Riley of Segal to attend 4/22/25 meeting to discuss preliminary results of the January 1, 2025 actuarial valuation of the Newton Retirement System.
- Scott Perella –5 year repayment plan; oral agreement with member to mail payment on the 25th of each month- repayment to be completed by May 2029.
- Dori Zaleznik’s Needham Bill waiver request and refund of elected official service credit purchase – tabled pending resolution of all litigation.
- Employee Handbook.
- Michael Abbruzzese, James McCarthy, and Thomas McCarthy-repayment agreement regarding 2023 excess earnings.
- Payroll Detail History Report – 2024 Retiree earnings.
- Current status of pending appeal cases.
- Director’s Report:
- Submission of Pre-Audit Planning responses to PERAC on 3/12/25. Audit period will be 1/1/19 12/31/22.
- Annual MACRS Spring Conference is scheduled for June 1, 2025 – June 4, 2025 at the Emerald Resort, Hyannis, MA.
- Retirees’ March 2025 Notice of Deposits will include a reminder that there are limitations on the number of hours and earnings a post-retirement employee can earn and perform for a government entity in MA. Reference to the link to access PERAC’s Working & Receiving a Public Retirement Benefit Guide will also be provided.
- Correspondence:
- PERAC Memo #10, 2025 Tobacco Company List.
Newton Housing Partnership will meet in person (Room 204) and virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, March 25 at 5PM. The agenda includes the following (see Meeting Materials):
- Review and Approval of February Minutes
- Review of Project Review Chart
- Fair Housing Committee Integration with NHP
- Review redlined proposal, discussion, and next steps
- Update on Revision to ADU Ordinance
- Staff Items
- FY26 Annual Action Plan
- Open Meeting Law Training
- Federal policies, cutbacks, etc.
- April Meeting Date – April 22 or April 29
- For Future Meetings:
- Setting Strategic Goals
- Recommendations for Resident Services
- Meeting with Mayoral Candidates
- Mitigation Fees
Youth Commission Advisory Board Mental Health Subcommittee will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, March 25 at 6:30PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Introductions
- Name, pronouns, school/work
- Review/Discuss Goals
- Short term, long term
- Topics we are looking to address
- General layout of the event
- What school? Both NNHS and NSHS?
- Table format? General speaker?
- Assigning roles
- Brief planning of next meeting
- What do we want to focus on next time?
- Time/Date for next meeting?
- Closing
Newton Commonwealth Foundation will meet in person (Room 204) and virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, March 25 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Agenda Items:
- Approval of February 2025 Meeting Minutes.
- T reasurer’s Report.
- Sterling Golf Report.
- Old Business:
- Review and vote on 2025 Budget Plan including Capital Improvements.
- Review 2026-2029 Capital Improvement Plan.
- Review status of Foundation By-laws.
- New Business:
- Review and Vote to Remove onsite Intern Room from Maintenance Building renovation plans.
- Discuss insurance replacement value of maintenance building and clubhouse. Operator provides insurance coverage.
Council on Aging will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Tuesday, March 25 at 7:30PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Approve minutes of last COA meeting
- Newton Department of Older Adult Services Annual Report
- Community Outreach Plan
- Cooper Center
- Furnishings, Fixtures and Equipment Procurement
- Community Project Update Tuesday, April 1, 6 PM
- Department of Older Adult Services
Director’s Report - Other Business
Newton Citizens Commission on Energy will meet in person (Room 205) and virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, March 26 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Approval of past minutes
- Latest on Garland Road
- Community Survey
- Chestnut Hill Towers
- Docket #322-24 and Smaller Buildings
- Review & Feedback: Case Studies
- Where should we focus the discussion/efforts (Potential: Grid capacity, Available technologies, Mass Save & limitations, Incentives & financing, Eversource & smart grid/smart meters, Education & Outreach program effectiveness)
- Who does what and when
- Council committee relationships
- ZAP & liaison
- Public Facilities and liaison
- Updated Climate Action Plan
Zoning Board of Appeals will meet in person (Council Chamber) and virtually (Zoom link) on Wednesday, March 26 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following (see Meeting Packet):
- Appeal of November 1, 2024 determination of the Comminssioner of Inspectional Services regarding a change in grade at 9 Forest Street.
- Request for a determination on whether proposed changes a previously granted Comprehensive Permit that would allow for changes to the exterior buidling matierals and location of a retaining wall for the project located at 1185 Washington Street are substantial or insubstantial.
- Approval of meeting minutes for May 1, 2024; May 8, 2024; May 15, 2024; July 11, 2024; July 16, 2024; and February 26, 2025.
- Adjournment
Newton Historical Commission will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, March 27 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following (see Staff Memo):
- Total Demolition
- 78 Manchester Road – House and Garage
- 132 Brandeis Road
- 518 California Street
- 250 Webster Street
- 65 Levbert Road
- Partial Demolition
- 16 Chaske Avenue: Partial Demolition of House and Total Demolition of Garage
- 72 Indiana Terrace
- 55 Exeter Street
- Waiver of Demolition Delay
- Administrative Items:
- Approval of Minutes for February 27, 2025, NHC Meeting
Sustainable Materials Management Commission will meet virtually (Zoom link) on Thursday, March 27 at 7PM. The agenda includes the following:
- Approval of the Feb 27 minutes
- Discussion with Amber Schmidt, Rethink Disposables/Clean Water Action re: examples of what school districts outside of Newton are doing in regards to:
- Share Tables
- Food Donation
- Reusables
- Zero-waste cafeterias
- SMMD – Waneta Trabert
- education planning
- consultant update and input re: public feedback
- SMMD updates
- Public comments/open announcements