Highlights this week…
- Zoning and Planning …considering amendments to the Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance
- Land Use …continuing discussion about zoning and special permit for 386-390 Watertown Street in Nonantum
- School Committee …meeting twice this week about the School Committee Budget (see Fig City News article)
- Newton Centre Pilot Plaza …holding an open house on Wednesday to gather public input
- Rep. Jake Auchincloss …holding a virtual update and Q&A session on Tuesday
City Council
City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Finance will meet on Monday to consider:
- Appointment of Patrick Song to the Financial Audit Advisory Committee
- Five-year contract related to City’s Deferred Compensation Plan
- $94,000 from Sewer Maintenance Repair Full-Time Wages to settle two Worker’s Compensation Claims
Zoning and Planning will meet on Monday to consider:
- Amendments to Newton’s Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) Ordinance, to comply with state law and for other purposes
- Zoning amendments to allow certain routine residential alterations by right to streamline City processes for property owners
- Reappointments:
- Ann Houston and Peter Sargent to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust.
- Jennifer Pucci to the Zoning Board of Appeals
Land Use will meet on Tuesday to consider requests to:
- Rezone 386-390 Watertown Street from Business 1 to Mixed Use 4
- Construct a four-story, mixed-use building with 13 residential units with 14 at-grade parking stalls at 386-390 Watertown Street.
Traffic Council will meet on Thursday to consider these requests:
- One additional accessible parking space (totaling two) in front of Trinity Church, 11 Homer Street
- Install stop signs in either two directions or in all four directions at the intersection of Oakwood Road at Upland Road in Newtonville
- Install a RRFB on Lowell Avenue at Page Road
- Restrict parking on both sides of Lowell Avenue, from Page Road and heading 100 southerly
School Committee
School Committee will hold its regular meeting on Monday, with no public comment, to discuss:
- Superintendent’s Presentation of NPS FY26 Budget
- Elementary Education FY26 Budget Presentation
- Teaching & Learning FY26 Budget Presentation
School Committee will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, with no public comment, to discuss:
- Budget review – Secondary Education
- Budget review – Special Education & Student Services
Boards and Commissions
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees Development Committee will meet on Monday to discuss Spring Fling, Fundraising report, and Naming Opportunities and plaques.
Commission on Disability will meet on Monday to address:
- Disability Policy Consortium Update on Legislative Priorities and Funding
- Gath Pool Accessible Equipment Project Review and Approval
- Inclusive Design Newton (IDN) Report and Discussion
- Accessible Parking Space Application at Trinity Church, 11 Homer Street
- Potential CDBG Funding for Pathway to Possible Accessibility Improvements at 1301 Centre Street
- Updates on Disabilities Dialogue Book Group, City Hall Elevator, and Fair Housing Commission
- Co-Chairs Corner
- Disability Pride Event Update
- Anti-Ableism Curriculum Working Group Meeting
- NPS DAG Update
Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday to consider requests to:
- Remediate violation for work done to install fencing at 71 Studio Road
- Install solar panels at 329 Central Street
- Change approved azek fence to cedar fencing at 113 Grove Street
- Install a gate across driveway, install walkways/pathways, patio near garage for outdoor kitchen, outdoor dining area patio and seating area patio and garden wall at 245 Grove Street
- Discuss possibility of demolishing 134 Hancock Street (Joint Advisory Planning Group)
Economic Development Commission will meet on Tuesday to discuss:
- EDC meetings and engagement
- EDC’s goals and priorities for 2025
- 2024 Annual Report
- Northland project: update and timeline
- Economic strategy update
- Web page previews and communication ideas
Board of License Commissioners will hold a special meeting on Wednesday to consider:
- One-Day Temporary All-Alcohol and Entertainment License for March 16 fundraiser at the War Memorial Newton City Hall
- Violation Requested Appearance issued for failure to submit a valid and current certificate of inspection for Mia’s Bakery at 49 Boylston Street and Limani at 33 Boylston Street
Youth Commission Advisory Board will meet on Wednesday to discuss update from Youth Commission, events upcoming and past, and mental health and youth opportunities.
Youth Commission will meet later on Wednesday for a debrief on the Youth Commission Advisory Board meeting.
Walker Center Joint Advisory Planning Group will meet on Thursday for an executive summary presentation by Josh Morse and member discussion of outreach to City departments, boards, and commissions.
Conservation Commission will meet on Thursday to consider:
- Minor plan change request regarding installation of lights at Murphy Field, 250 Albemarle Road
- Determinations of Applicability regarding:
- Removal of invasive plants at 791 Walnut St (Newton Cemetery)
- Removal of invasives from the swale at 330 Homer St (Newton Library)
- Continued Public Hearings:
- Chapter 40B development multi-family residential building at 528 Boylston Street
- Repaving of a parking lot at 300 Hammond Pond Parkway
- Stormwater management associated with a subdivision at 85 Dudley Road
- Informal discussion about a new fence, not permitted at Wallace Street (Charles River Country Club)
- Frank Barney Conservation Area Fairy House Project Proposal
Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday to consider a request to add full shed dormer to rear of building, rebuild existing (nonoriginal) shed, add second-floor addition above reduced shed and replace existing windows at 331 Elliot Street.
Other
Rep. Jake Auchincloss will hold a virtual update and Q&A session on March 11, 6PM-7PM. RSVP at that link.
Newton Center Pilot Plaza Open House will be held March 12, 5:30PM-8PM at the City’s Cultural Development Building (1294 Centre Street, Newton Centre). See Fig City News article.
Development Review Team (DRT) is scheduled to meet this week regarding:
- 15 Clinton Place: Remodel of a single-family home – waiting on more details
- 200-204 Sumner Street: VC2 project
- 11-15 Suban Place: Attached singles or multi-family
This week’s road construction schedule has not yet been posted.
