The Programs and Services Committee voted to approve the following (see Report and watch the video on NewTV):
- Request for amendments to City Ordinance Sec. 11-5 to require permitted haulers to provide bundled Trash & Recycling service. Adoption of the proposed ordinance would bring the City in compliance with the updated state waste ban laws. According to Report, there would be a phase-in of the ordinance beginning with a requirement for corrugated cardboard collections services and requiring bundled trash and recycling services as of July 1, 2024. Councilor Leary noted that the Charles River Chamber President described concerns regarding the cost and labor needed to separate the recycling, and not having space for added recycling bins.
- Three Reappointments:
- Susan Lunin and Jeffrey Zabel to the Conservation Commission
- Elizabeth Wilkinson to the Urban Tree Commission
The Programs & Services Committee voted No Action Necessary on the following:
- A request for an ordinance to require universal recycling services.
The Programs & Services Committee voted to hold the following:
- An update regarding the Gath pool design. Priorities and focus group feedback were presented. The design includes an updated bathhouse, a spray deck (two levels for toddlers and pre-teens), a recreational pool, and a lap pool (8 lanes with a depth of 4 ft in the shallow end sloping to 12 ft in the deep end). The pool deck with have a ramp and stair access from the south side and there will be increased space on the deck for seating and better accessibility. The Chair noted that there were concerns raised regarding the 4 ft. shallow end of the lap pool, and Commissioner Banks said that they met with the swim teams, amended the shallow depth from 3.5 ft. to 4 ft. She added that the shallow-end design would severely limit the number of uses outside of the competitive swimming uses and that Newton North’s pool, where the swim team will practice off-season, has a 4 ft. shallow depth and a 12 ft. depth in the deep end. In response to safety concerns raised by Councilors, Commissioner Banks said that the shallow end would be marked as no diving and enforced by lifeguard staff and that diving in the shallow end will be allowed only after the member has received proper instruction.
- Request for discussion and possible amendment to Section 12-72 “Sustainable Containers, Packaging, and Single-Use Ordinance” to further reduce the amount of single-use plastic in Newton. Two members of the Sustainable Materials Management Commission were present to discuss the proposed amendments, and the President of the Charles River Chamber of Commerce provided comments and concerns: reduction in revenue with a plastic water bottle ban, supply chain concerns, health concerns, and increased labor needs.
- Request for discussion and ordinance to prohibit deceptive advertising by limited-service pregnancy centers. The item was held to provide Councilors an opportunity to review a confidential memo submitted to them from the Law Department.
