The Public Facilities Committee voted to approve the following (see report and watch the meeting video):
- Appropriation of $225,576 for prevailing wage rate adjustment under the City’s contract with Waste Management (7–0). The Department of Labor Standards increased the required wage for FY2025, and the contract allows for an adjustment based on that change. Approval ensures payment before a new contract begins in July.
- Appropriation of $160,000 for City Hall Elevator Modernization project (7–0). The 1970s-era elevator has become unreliable, and the Commission on Disability strongly supports the project. After an initial vote to hold, the committee voted to approve following concerns about delaying urgently needed repairs.
- Appropriation of $150,000 for Fire Station #1/#2 Living Quarters Improvements (7-0) for two heavily used Fire Stations that have not had renovations or rebuilds. A high-priority item for the City.
The Public Facilities Committee voted to hold the following (held items will be voted on at the June 2nd meeting):
- Appropriation of $4,500,000 to support the City’s Transportation Network Improvement Program (7–0). The funding supports FY2026 paving projects, with most allocated from Free Cash and the remainder from snow and ice reserves. More planning is needed for execution. Councilors were concerned about spending free cash money, as typically done for TNI program, because of school funding needs.
- Appropriation of $43,100 for Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (7–0). The beacons would improve pedestrian safety at crosswalks. A grant is expected to fund the top five locations; this item would fund two more.
- Appropriation of $100,000 for a second trailer at the Rumford Avenue Resource Recovery Center (7–0). The addition would provide needed staff space and hygiene facilities.
- Appropriation of $150,000 for City Hall Boiler Condensate Tank replacement (7–0). The failing tank risks catastrophic damage to the steam system, but additional information was requested before proceeding.
- Appropriation of $100,000 for Inspectional Services HVAC Improvements (7-0) The existing system is approximately 30 years old.
- Appropriation of $250,000 for the Police Headquarters Improvements (7-0) The improvements would not be saved once the major renovation project starts in 8 to 10 years.
- Appropriation of $75,000 for the Newton Centre Tree Lighting project (7-0) Business owners have requested lights for years. Very popular in Nonantum. Funding would be for the lights and electricity to use them. Councilors expressed concerns that money should go to schools instead, that the lights were not solar or over equity between the villages.
- Appropriation of $2,525,000 for priority school facility projects (7-0) Projects:
- $100K to replace fire extinguishers and complete upgrades to fire suppression systems in school kitchens.
- $200K to replace stage curtains and rigging and improve the auditoriums at several schools.
- $150K to replace stationary bikes, machines, and other fitness equipment at several schools.
- $125K to replace a section of the Williams School roof that is beyond useful life and failing.
- $100K to replace old and outdated cafeteria tables at several schools.
- $250K to replace unit ventilators that are beyond useful life in the classrooms at the Mason Rice Elementary School.
- $250K to replace outdated art equipment that is beyond its useful life such as tables, stools, risers, and stands in multiple schools.
- $500K to upgrade eight restrooms at Newton South High School. These improvements include finishes, plumbing fixtures, and accessibility improvements.
- $500K to complete general upgrades to the Newton South High School auditorium, cafeteria, offices, and locker rooms.
- $100K to replace the 55-year-old cafeteria floor at the F.A. Day Middle School.
- $250K to make multiple space improvements in classrooms, offices, and other spaces throughout the Mason Rice and Williams Elementary Schools.
Present: Councilors Albright (Chair), Leary, Kelley, Gentile, Getz, Danberg, and Laredo
Absent: Councilor Kalis
City Staff: Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Yeo, Commissioner of Public Works Shawna Sullivan,
Commissioner of Public Buildings Josh Morse, ADA Coordinator Jini Fairley, Superintendent Anna
Nolin
