The Public Facilities Committee voted to vote no action necessary for the following (see report and watch the meeting video):
- Discussion on the Transportation Network Improvement Plan (6–0, Councilor Gentile not voting). Commissioner Shawna Sullivan and Deputy Commissioner Bernie McDonald of the Department of Public Works, along with APEX consultants Conrad Ledger and Frank Marinaccio, presented the annual update. Key points included:
- The city’s Pavement Condition Index (PCI) rose to 73.3 in 2024 (up from 62 in 2018).
- Maintenance and paving efforts have included assessment of 279 miles of roadway and ADA-related improvements, with 25,000 potholes patched and major sidewalk/curb ramp work underway.
- 2025 paving projects include Beacon, Homer, Winchester, Auburn, and Church Streets (estimated at $10.8M), plus overlay work on 131 roads covering 14.58 miles ($4.9M).
- The city continues to expand beyond pavement to include traffic calming measures, improved drainage, painted bike lanes, and pedestrian enhancements (e.g., rapid flashing beacons).
- Challenges include cost increases, busier contractors, and coordination with utilities such as National Grid and Eversource to avoid re-digging recently paved roads.
- Questions from councilors addressed funding for bike lanes, PCI scoring methodology, the Franklin at Waverley timeline, use of hot-in-place recycling, and coordination with the Disability Commission for ADA ramps.
- Residents offered public comments on the quality of pothole repairs, the scheduling of Newton Centre projects, the impact of sidewalk tree removal, and the need for improved coordination of paving and utility work. Staff responded with explanations of current planning tools, coordination practices, and project timelines.
For more details, see Fig City News article: Newton’s Transportation Network Annual Update
Present: Councilors Albright (Chair), Getz, Kelley, Leary, Laredo, Kalis and Gentile
Absent: Councilor Danberg
City Staff: Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Yeo Commissioner of Public Works Shawna Sullivan and Deputy Commissioner of Public Works Bernie McDonald