What’s Up in Newton – Week of 3/16/2025

Highlights this week…

School Committee …reviewing IT, Library, and Non-Instructional budgets on Monday, followed by a public hearing on the proposed budget on Wednesday
Rep. Jake Auchincloss …holding a telephone Town Hall on Tuesday at 5PM . Call 866-756-5916.
City Council …voting on disposition of requests for rezoning and special permit at 386-390 Watertown Street

City Council

City Council Committee Chairs will meet on Monday to discuss current practices and Open Meeting Law issues.

City Council will meet on Monday to vote on the following requests (see Reports Docket):

Allow a free-standing sign at 7 Hereward Road
Allow a system of retaining walls exceeding four feet in height at 124 Neshobe Road
Create a second-story sunroom in footprint of existing second-story deck at 16 Pine Ridge Road
Allow four attached single-family dwellings in two buildings at 49 Dalby Street
Rezone 386-390 Watertown Street to Mixed Use 4 and construct a four-story, mixed-use building with 13 residential units (Land Use Committee recommends withdrawal without prejudice.)
Amend ordinance to update the description of the City Seal
5-year contract related to the City’s Deferred Compensation Plan
$94,000 to settle two worker’s compensation claims
Reappoint Ann Houston and Peter Sargent to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust
Reappoint Jennifer Pucci to the Zoning Board of Appeals
Appoint Patrick Song to the Financial Audit Advisory Committee

The New Docket includes the following requests:

Raze the dwelling and construct a new single-family dwelling at 35 Village Circle
Expand a Personal Instruction use (2-story addition) to further reduce nonconforming open space and waive 8 parking stalls at 1615 Beacon Street
Allow four attached single-family dwellings at 75 Prescott Street
Appoint:
- James O’Connell to the Planning and Development Board
- Sean Macamaux to the Conservation Commission
- Andrew Copelotti to the Economic Development Commission
- Michael Alperin to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust
Reappoint:
- Scott Friedman to the Newton Historical Commission
- Tamirirashe Gambiza to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust
Resolution recognizing the Newton Cultural Council
Main drain extension at 132 Homer Street
$122,834 Mass. Dept. of Public Health grant related to homelessness programs and solutions
$750,000 for engineering/design of stormwater control measures for City’s Phosphorus Control Plan

Programs and Services regularly scheduled meeting has been canceled.

Public Safety and Transportation‘s regularly scheduled meeting has been canceled .

Public Facilities will meet on Wednesday to consider:

Appointing Daniel Manning to the Sustainable Materials Management Commission
A main drain extension at 132 Homer Street for overflow connections to the proposed on-site infiltration system for new dwellings
$750,000 for engineering/design of stormwater control measures for City’s Phosphorus Control Plan

Rules Subcommittee will meet virtually on Thursday to discuss:

The referral of a rezone petition when it accompanies a special permit
The start time of City Council meetings when the Council is to receive a presentation from the Mayor
A policy to honor longest-serving Councilors

School Committee will hold a special meeting on Monday to review the proposed FY26 budgets for:

School Committee will hold a public hearing on Wednesday for public comment on the proposed FY2026 School Budget.

Public Hearings on:
- Nonantum Village Day, June 1
- St. Mary of Carmen Society Festival, July 16-20
- Angier Playground Swing Proposal
- Wellington Playground Sign Proposal
Naming and sign/donor policies
Committee Reports: Community Preservation, Urban Tree , Farm, Commonwealth Golf

Seasonal Alcohol Licenses for Newton Yacht Club and Sterling Golf Management
One-Day Temporary Wine and Malt Licenses for BBQ Cookoff (May 4) and Reception (May 2) at the Church of the Redeemer
One-Day Temporary All Alcohol License and Entertainment License for reception (April 28) at the Arnow Campus Center, 131 Woodland Road
New Common Victualler License for Madras Dosa, 9 Boylston Street
Change of Officers/Directors/LLC Managers, and Stock Interest for Otake Sushi Bistro, 15 Lincoln Street
Change to On-Site Manager for Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, 199 Boylston Street
Alteration of Premises for Ninebark, 1391 Washington Street, to serve alcohol on city’s sidewalk
New All Alcohol, Restaurant, New Common Victualler and Annual Entertainment Licenses for Rox Diner, 2-8 Hartford Street
Violation Requested Appearance for Juice Press, 33 Boylston Street

Board of Assessors will meet on Wednesday to review and approve February 2025 Exemption and Abatement Reports.

Waban Area Council/Friends of Quinobequin Committee will meet on Wednesday to discuss an Earth Day opportunity.

Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday to consider requests to:

Replace lower and upper driveways and install heating components under the driveway; reset stone edging along driveway and replace as needed and replace bluestone entry landing at 160 Chestnut Hill Road.
Replace windows on sides, rear, and a few on the front facade; and replace sliding patio doors at 116 Chestnut Hill Road

Newton Upper Falls Area Council will meet on Thursday. The agenda is not yet posted.

Urban Tree Commission will meet on Friday to review a Forestry Department update and tree-removal requests.

Rep. Jake Auchincloss will hold a telephone Town Hall on Tuesday, 5PM-6PM. Call to join: 866-756-5916.