The Programs & Services Committee and Finance Committee voted to approve the following (see report and watch the meeting video):
- Appropriation of $1,170,612 to reduce one-time Newton Public Schools expenditures (P&S 8–0, Finance 7–0). from certified Free Cash for one-time expenditures. The funds will reduce the FY26 budget gap between the School Committee and the Mayor. $945,612 directly offsets items in the School budget and supports consulting and professional development. The Mayor’s “Administration had asked for a list of one-time expenditures in the budget to try to reduce the gap” between the City and NPS budgets.
The Committees voted to hold the following:
- Appropriation of $150,000 for Newton Free Library data wiring improvements (P&S 6-0-2 Councilors Baker and Humphrey abstaining, Finance 6-0-1 Councilor Humphrey abstaining) from Free Cash for 78 new lines in the building and allow for improved connectivity in the meeting and study rooms. Some library spaces are still using the original 1991 Cat 3 wiring. The Library will wait until funding is available.
Finance Committee Members Present: Councilors Gentile (Chair), Humphrey, Malakie, Greenberg, Grossman, Bixby, and Micley
Programs & Services Committee Members Present: Councilors Krintzman (Chair), Humphrey, Oliver, Micley, Lobovits, Farrell, Malakie, and Baker
Also Present: Councilors Lucas, Albright, and Getz
Absent: Councilor Lipof
