Highlights this week…
- Zoning and Planning …reviewing any potential projects using VCOD zoning
- Real Property Reuse …considering sale of City-owned land: the former Walker Center site and 8 parking spaces at the Police Headquarters Annex
- Community Preservation Committee …considering policy on bonding, particularly regarding Jackson Homestead
City Council
Zoning and Planning will meet in person on Monday to consider:
- Appointing Christopher Pitt to the Planning and Development Board
- Possible amendments to retaining wall regulations for Multi-Family / Commercial / Industrial / Civic Buildings
- Possible amendments to the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance to comply with the State’s Zoning Act
- Quarterly update on any potential projects using the VCOD zoning
Finance will meet on Monday to consider expenditures of:
- $183,395 for March 2025 City-wide Special Election for vacant Ward 7 School Committee seat
- $500,000 from MassDOT Complete Streets Program for sidewalks on the north side of Nahanton Street from Wells Avenue to Dedham Street and to improve the Wells Avenue/Nahanton Street intersection for pedestrians
- Up to $250,000 from Newton Little League for sport lighting for Murphy Field at Albemarle Park
- $10,000 for the full and final settlement of Weberson Pinto v. City of Newton.
Public Facilities meeting rescheduled for Wednesday has been canceled.
Real Property Reuse will meet on Thursday regarding sale or lease of two City-owned parcels:
- 8 parking spaces on City-owned property at the Police Headquarters Annex at 25 Chestnut Street
- 36,356 sq. ft. of City-owned land at the former Walker Center site at 169 Grove and 136 Hancock Street
School Committee
School Committee will meet on Monday:
- Recommendation for fee increases
- Recommendation for increased hourly rates
- Long Range Facilities timelines update (BERDO compliance)
- Revised policies for relations with Parent/Booster and Support Organizations and Gifts and Donations
- Yondr Middle Schools Cell Phone Program
Negotiations Subcommittee of the School Committee will meet in Executive Session on Tuesday for a grievance hearing with the Newton Teachers Association.
Boards and Commissions
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees Development Committee will meet on Monday for:
- Development Director Fundraising Report
- Spring Fling Updates
- Planning
Commission on Disability will meet on Monday for:
- Accessible Fines and Operation Access reports
- Mass. Office on Disabilities Grant discussion
- List of areas of concern for snow removal
- CDBG potential Architectural Access Project recommendations
Newton Cultural Council will meet on Monday to discuss how to spend the shortfall from grant total and amounts proposed to be awarded.
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday to review:
- Quarter 2 financials
- Investment policy
- Procurement procedures
- FY26 Budget
Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a heat pump at 387-389 Central Street.
Community Preservation Committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss:
- Debt service projects and policy regarding bonding
- Jackson Homestead – review of recommendation
Economic Development Commission will meet on Tuesday for an update on Economic Development Strategy and year-end business (2024 annual report, 2025 goal planning).
Board of Assessors will meet on Wednesday to approve December 2024 Exemption and Abatement Reports.
Design Review Committee – Franklin School Building Committee will meet on Wednesday for a design update on energy-code compliance and the East Vestibule.
Youth Commission Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday for a discussion with Assistant City Solicitor Jaclyn Zawada.
Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday to consider requests for Certificates of Appropriateness for:
- Replacing siding at 142 Beacon Street, Boston College
- Replacing windows on the right-side sunporch at 160 Chestnut Hill Road
- Building a sauna at 46 Chestnut Hill Road
Urban Tree Commission will meet on Friday for a Forestry Department update and to consider tree-removal requests.
Other
Development Review Team (DRT) is scheduled to meet this week regarding a request to amend an existing Special Permit to allow for retaining walls exceeding four feet at 298-304 Elliot Street (see DRT Snapshot).
Weekly road construction schedule has not yet been posted.
