The Programs & Services Committee approved the following (see the report and watch the meeting video):
- Appointment to the Council on Aging – Ellen Penso (5–0-2, Councilors Baker and Farrell not voting; previously held 6–0). Her term ends 10/20/2027. Ms. Penso described service on the prior advisory board and involvement with senior programs, including ombudsman work at a local nursing home. Councilors asked about student–senior connections and governance distinctions (the advisory board has dissolved; the Council on Aging remains). Members thanked her for serving.
- Home Rule Petition for online publication of legal notices for public hearings (5-0-2, Councilors Baker and Farrell not voting). Law and the City Clerk outlined shifting from newspaper-only publication to allow posting on a local newspaper website, a statewide notices repository, and/or a City-maintained repository (e.g., the Electronic Posting Board), aligning with special acts granted to Arlington, Lexington, and Lincoln. Discussion covered cost (the Herald has been used due to price; local options like Fig City News/The Beacon may be cheaper), repository compliance, and a wording change from “one or more” to “two or more,” which the Administration supports.
- Created Older Adult Services Gift Account up to $1,000,000 (6–0-1, Councilor Farrell not voting). The account would accept public and private gifts to support scholarships, programs, events, supplies, and critical social services for older residents. Topics included whether it’s revolving (it is not), tax deductibility (yes), potential policies for accepting and spending gifts, naming-rights precedent (library example; future policy work anticipated), and assurance that this supplements—does not replace—the department’s regular budget.
- Approved City Council Code of Conduct (6-0-1, Councilor Baker abstaining; earlier held 6–0–1 with Councilor Humphrey abstaining). Draft Newton City Council Code of Conduct as approved by Programs & Services:
- Why Our Code of Conduct Exists
a. Elevating pre-existing but informal norms and expectations into formal,
written standards helps maintain a continuity of expectations for those who
are elected long after any current City Councilor has departed from office.
b. Having an official Code of Conduct reduces the chances of inadvertent
offense by creating clear standards that all members have agreed to uphold
in advance.
c. The Councilors wish to protect the integrity of the institution of the City
Council in the eyes of the public by promoting respect, civility, a welcoming
atmosphere, and accountability for conduct. - Acknowledgment of this Code
a. Upon taking the oath of office, each City Councilor shall sign a statement
that they have received and read this Code of Conduct. - Expected Conduct and Prohibitions
a. This Code of Conduct exists in addition to the conduct expectations set forth
in the City Council Rules and Orders, including Article III Section 3, which
governs expected conduct in full City Council meetings. The Code also exists
to supplement existing expectations required by state laws, including but not
limited to the Conflict of Interest Law and the Open Meeting Law.
b. Conduct in Relation to City Staff
i. City Councilors are expected to treat all staff as professionals and
respect the abilities, experience, and dignity of each individual.
ii. City Councilors should avoid disrupting City staff from performing
their jobs and limit requests for assistance to reasonable amounts.
iii. While policy disagreements are certainly the domain of reasonable
debate and discussion, Councilors should refrain from criticizing an
individual employee during public meetings, whenever possible, and
limit public criticisms to the policies or performance of official duties.
c. Conduct in Relation to Other Councilors
i. Councilors should treat all members of the City Council with respect,
despite differences of opinion; keeping in mind that professional
respect does not preclude honest differences of opinion but does
require respect within those differences.
ii. Councilors should consistently use formal titles for referring to or
addressing colleagues during public meetings.
iii. Councilors should avoid making comments on other councilors’,
staff’s, or the public’s personal appearances or attire during or in
relation to meetings.
iv. Councilors should participate and interact in official meetings with
dignity and decorum fitting those who hold a position of public trust.
v. Councilors should recognize their responsibility to attend meetings or
coordinate with the President or Committee Chair if unable to attend
a meeting. If a Councilor is unable to attend a majority of meetings for
an extended period of a term, that Councilor should initiate
conversations with the Council President or the Clerk of the Council
about the Councilor’s future plans.
d. Harassment Prevention: It is the goal of the City Council to promote an
institution that is free of any harassment, including because of one’s race,
color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex or gender, religious creed, sexual
orientation, disability (physical or mental), active or veteran’s military status,
gender identity and expression, genetic information, or any other
characteristic protected by Federal, state or local law, as well as sexual
harassment.
e. Safeguarding the Institution of the Council and Respecting the Public Trust
i. Councilors shall strive to be well informed about the duties and
responsibilities of the office.
ii. While the Council recognizes that expansive rights to freedom of
expression continue when elected to office, City Councilors are
expected to maintain civility in all discussions and debates and avoid
speech that is belligerent, disrespectful, threatening, abusive, or
disparaging.
iii. Councilors shall demonstrate respect for the public that they serve,
including during public comment and public hearing processes.
iv. Councilors shall safeguard confidential information.
v. Councilors shall conduct themselves so as to maintain public
confidence. - Addressing and Remediating Violations
a. It is the duty of all elected officials to self-police and hold themselves
accountable to the Code of Conduct.
b. The enforcement of the Code of Conduct is summarized as follows:
i. Every Councilor is encouraged, as part of a bystander intervention
approach, to speak up about perceived violations of the Code of
Conduct and to offer support to affected colleagues, City Staff, or
members of the public.
- Why Our Code of Conduct Exists
Attendees: Councilors Krintzman (Chair), Humphrey, Oliver, Baker, Malakie, Farrell, and Lobovits; absent: Micley. City staff: Director of Older Adult Services Mignonne Murray; City Clerk Drew Willison; Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Yeo; Senior Assistant City Solicitor Andrew Lee.
