Highlights this week…
- Zoning and Planning …discussing Inclusionary Zoning changes and training
- Land Use …discussing proposed revisions to the Northland project
- Programs & Services and Finance …meeting jointly on the School Department FY26 Municipal/School Operating Budget and FY26-30 Capital Improvement Plan
- School Committee …discussing process for Superintendent’s evaluation, and budget update
- Rep. Greg Schwartz …holding office hours on Monday at 9:30AM in the Library
City Council
City Council will not meet this week.
Finance will meet on Monday to consider:
- $28,763 for Veterans Services benefit case legal settlement
- Accepting gift of up to $59,400 from the Angier Elementary School PTO for playground improvements
- Comptroller’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report and external audit reports for FY2024
Zoning and Planning will meet on Monday to consider:
- Appointing:
- Andrew Copelotti to the Economic Development Commission
- David Hedison, Mark Clay, and Dante Capasso to the BERDO Advisory Commission
- Discussion with the Planning and Development Department and the Newton Housing Partnership about amending Inclusionary Zoning to include 4-6 units and raising requirements for the number of affordable units in large developments
- Possible amendment to require developers and property managers to provide training for employees regarding bias toward residents of Inclusionary Zoning units and how to mitigate this bias
- Addition of a maximum residential facade build-out ratio to zoning to aid in new development being contextual to the surrounding neighborhood
- Possible amendments to zoning and other ordinances to enhance preservation of existing homes over their replacement by larger and more expensive structures
- Discussion with Planning Department on possible amendments to revise metrics in the multi-residence zones to regulate the size of new buildings better, enable a wider range of housing options close to public transit, and better incentivize preservation and renovation of existing housing
Land Use will meet on Tuesday to consider amending the previously approved special permit for the Northland project to eliminate five buildings, convert Building 1 from office space to residential use, increase the number of residential units by 22 units, modify building designs of certain proposed buildings, and alter surface and structured parking.
Programs & Services and Finance will meet jointly on Thursday regarding the FY26-to-FY30 Capital Improvement Plan and FY26 Municipal/School Operating Budget for the School Department.
School Committee
School Committee will meet in Executive Session on Monday to discuss/strategize labor litigation matters.
School Committee will then hold a regular meeting with public comment and an agenda including:
- Consent Agenda: Grants, donations
- Superintendent’s Update
- Superintendent Evaluation: Review of Evidence, Process Overview
- School Choice Overview
- Vote on Last Day of School
- FY26 Budget
Negotiations Subcommittee of the School Committee will meet in Executive Session on Tuesday for impact bargaining related to structural reorganization with the NTA.
Boards and Commissions
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees – Development Committee will meet on Monday regarding Spring Fling and CWM25 Appeal Analysis.
Newton Commonwealth Foundation Greens Subcommittee will meet on Tuesday regarding Hole #13 renovations and hiring a consultant to review the golf maintenance program.
Design Review Committee/Franklin School Building Committee will meet on Wednesday regarding 60% CD review, interiors update, exteriors, renderings, photometrics, and energy code.
Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Wednesday regarding interpretation of zoning ordinances for a change in grade at 9 Forest Street.
Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday regarding requests for Certificates of Appropriateness to:
- Install underground electrical with pedestal mounted meter and disconnect panel at 155 Chestnut Hill Road
- Replace existing wood railing with PVC railing at 67 Old Orchard Road
- Replace metal stairs with stone stairs from driveway, install two stone retaining walls, bluestone patios, stone gas fire pit, masonry built-in grill, two masonry pillars with Bluestone caps at driveway entrance, and new six-foot cedar tongue-and-groove privacy fence; repair and restore stone wall under rear deck, add a step to rear lawn, convert lattice panel to a gate for yard access from basement, correct drainage, and add lighting at 61 Gate House Road
- Incorporate second egress from garage ADU at 61 Gate House Road
- Install bathroom vent located in two possible locations, and change entry door hardware at 61 Gate House Road
Urban Tree Commission will meet on Friday to review a Forestry Department update and tree-removal requests.
Other
Rep. Greg Schwartz will hold office hours on Monday, 9:30AM-11AM, in Room 2H of the Newton Free Library (330 Homer Street).
This week’s road construction schedule.
Ed. Note: We updated this post to include the meeting of the Urban Tree Commission, which came in after publication.
