Highlights this week…
- Finance and City Council… voting on salary for City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council
- Public Facilities… reviewing:
- Including Walk, Roll and Bike Network Plan into City’s Comprehensive Plan
- Newton Highlands Village Improvement Project prior to final design
- Programs and Services… considering Home Rule requests to enable City to:
- Affix penalties for violations of its local ordinances in an amount up to $2000
- Impose a lien on real property for any charge, fee, or fine that is not paid by due date
- Public Safety and Transportation… looking at parking fines
- School Committee… reviewing Preliminary Enrollment Update, schedule of Ward/Underwood community meetings, and Long Range Planning Recommendations for School Buildings
City Council
City Council will meet on Monday and is expected to vote on the following (see Reports Docket):
- Recommendation by the Real Property Reuse Committee that the Mayor retain 169 Grove Street and 136 Hancock Street and transfer the properties to the School Department for educational purposes. (Item postponed from last Full Council meeting).
- Special Permits to:
- Raze existing dwelling and construct a four-unit, multi-family dwelling with garaged parking, allowing for ground floor residential use at 1062 Beacon Street
- Allow three attached single-family dwellings with dimensional relief at 16-20 Winter Street
- Extend the nonconforming rear setback at 30 Kingsbury Road
- Addition of a maximum residential facade build out ratio to Zoning ordinance to aid in new development being contextual to the surrounding neighborhood
- Appointments:
- Christopher Steele to the Economic Development Commission
- Eric Hilman, John Pelletier, Robert Pierson, and Judith Gordon to the Council on Aging
- Reappointments:
- Robert Imperato, Susana Lannik, Scott Aquilina, and Rick Wetmore to the Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission
- Charles Eisenberg and Deb Crossley to the Zoning Board of Appeals
- Leigh Gilligan to the Conservation Commission
- Randall Johnson to the Parks and Recreation Commission
- Marjorie Butler to the Newton Election Commission
- Licenses:
- New public auto license for EF&M LLC
- Six (6) renewal bus licenses for Mass General Brigham
- Appropriate $152,255 for a LED Lighting Project at the Newton Education Center
- CPC recommendation to appropriate $2,154,544 in CPA funding to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust for its FY26 funding
- No Action Necessary:
- Discussion about possible responses to reduced federal funding for Newton Public Schools
- Discussion with the Police on Body Cameras in the Newton Police Department
- Discussion about water from the conservation planning perspective.
The New Docket includes the following:
- Special Permit/Site Plan Approval/Rezoning Requests to:
- Allow a three-unit, multi-family dwelling and a zone change from Limited Manufacturing to Multi-Residence 2 at 41 Farwell Street
- Rezone 41 Farwell Street to Multi Residence 2
- Raze the existing dwelling to construct a new larger dwelling that exceeds the maximum allowed FAR at 136 Gordon Road
- Raze the existing building and construct a four-unit residential dwelling at 1100-1102 Beacon Street, relocate the detached accessory building to a more central location on the lot, and construct a connection to the dwelling at 156 Highland Street
- Allow a series of retaining walls at the rear of the property with a combined height exceeding the four-foot maximum height allowed at 121 Hartman Road
- Construct additions to the second and half stories of the building, all within the existing footprint at 64-66 Dalby Street
- Renaming 18 roadways in Oak Hill Park to honor fallen veterans.
- Appropriating $1,650,000 from Certified Free Cash for Vehicle Replacement Program
- Reappointing of Shawn Murphy as a Constable
- CPC recommendation to appropriate $1,997,000 in CPA Historic Resource funding for a grant to the West Newton Cinema Foundation for its Building Stabilization project
- Home Rule Petition to allow the City of Newton to post legal notice of public hearings online in lieu of publishing legal notice in a newspaper
- Reaffirming City Council vote from April 2022 that approved a Home Rule Petition to extend the residential boundary for uniformed personnel working in the Police and Fire Departments from 15 to 35 miles
- Review of the Conceptual Plan of the Newton Highlands Village Improvement Project
Finance will meet on Monday to set salary for City Clerk/Clerk of the City Council.
Programs and Services will meet on Monday regarding reaffirming its April 2022 vote approving a Home Rule Petition to extend the residential boundary for uniformed personnel working in the Police and Fire Departments from 15 to 35 miles.
Land Use will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Joint meeting with the Planning & Development Board regarding:
- Rezoning a portion of 41 Farwell Street from Limited Manufacturing to Multi Residence 2
- Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to divide the two lots to construct a three-unit, multifamily dwelling with Lot 2 remaining as a parking lot, legitimizing the existing conditions at 41 Farwell Street
- Special Permit/Site Plan Approvals to:
- Raze the existing dwelling to construct a new two-family dwelling and a retaining wall exceeding four feet in height at 82-84 East Side Parkway
- Raze the existing building and construct a four-unit residential dwelling at 1100-1102 Beacon Street
- Raze the existing dwelling to construct a new larger dwelling which exceeds the maximum allowed FAR at 136 Gordon Road
- Construct a mixed-use development of six primarily residential buildings and with Building 6 featuring an attached multi-level garage with associated waivers from the Zoning Ordinance at 355,399, 0 Grove Street (Riverside)
- Rezone 399 Grove Street to Mixed Use 3 and amend sections of the Mixed Use 3/Transit Oriented Development District (Riverside)
Public Facilities will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Approval of the Walk, Roll, and Bike Network Plan as part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan
- Discussion with Department of Public Works regarding the robustness of the current stormwater system and future plans for it
- Discussion of the conceptual plan for the Newton Highlands Village Improvement Project prior to advancing to the final design phase
Programs and Services will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Appointing Laxmi Rao, Gloria Mastrocola Gavris, and Sam Tackeff to the Council on Aging
- Home Rule Petition to authorize the City of Newton to affix penalties for violations of its local ordinances in an amount up to $2,000 and increase the maximum fine amount once every five (5) years to account for inflation.
- Home Rule Petition to allow the City of Newton to impose a lien on real property in Newton for any charge, fee, or fine that is not paid by the applicable due date.
Public Safety and Transportation will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Amending City ordinances to modernize parking fines in line with surrounding communities and to deter unsafe parking
- Possible ordinance change on residential parking programs and fee structures and whether these need adjustment
- Possible ordinance change on the categories and levels of parking fines and whether these need adjustment.
School Committee
School Committee will meet in Executive Session on Monday to discuss negotiation strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the NTA – all Units.
School Committee will meet on Monday regarding:
- Superintendent’s Update
- Preliminary Enrollment Update
- Ward / Underwood Community Meetings
- Long Range Planning Committee recommendations for School Buildings
- Policy Revisions
- Competency Determination
- Career & Technical Education Revised Admission Policy/Proposed Middle School Pathways
- Draft 2026 -2027 School Year Calendar w/Proposed Pre-Labor Day Start
- School Improvement Plans
- MASC Resolutions
Boards and Commissions
Commission on Disability will meet on Monday regarding:
- Operation Access 2025
- Proposed Accessibility Campaign for Newton Businesses
- AAB Variance – 60 Stein Circle
- Ideas for winter event with Understanding Our Differences
- Co-Chairs Corner: AARP Walk, Playground Advocacy, Gath Pool Equipment Update, Harvest Fair, NPS-DAG update, Fines Fund Announcement
Parks and Recreation Commission will meet on Monday regarding:
- PRC summer wrap-up- Linda Berger, Director of Recreation & Community Programs
- Committee Reports: Community Preservation, Urban Tree, Farm, Commonwealth Golf, PRC Signage and Naming
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday to review Q1 budget vs. actual.
Board of License Commissioners will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- One-Day temporary entertainment license requests for:
- Play on November 19 at Newton City Hall, War Memorial Auditorium
- Professional wrestling fundraiser on November 22 at Newton Elks Lodge #1327, 429 Centre Street
- Birthday party on December 6 at the Windsor Club, 1601 Beacon Street
- One-Day temporary wine and malt license requests for:
- Dinner and cocktails on December 5 at the Church of the Redeemer, 379 Hammond Street
- Art event/craft event/party on December 7 at the New Art Center, 61 Washington Street
- Opening of the season party on November 12 at the Longwood Covered Courts, 28 Middlesex Road
- Concert fundraisers on November 7 and 22 at The Allen Center, 35 Webster Street
- Wedeman Gallery Exhibition Opening Reception on November 7 at the Wedeman Gallery, 47 Myrtle Avenue
- Figure draw events on November 14 and December 12 at the New Art Center, 61 Washington Street
- One-Day temporary wine-malt license and entertainment license request:
- Boxing exhibition on November 8 at the John M. Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton, 375 Watertown Street
- New Common Victualler and annual entertainment license for Just Salad, 33 Boylston Street
- New Common Victualler License for Wally’s Wicked Good Ice Cream & Treats, 419 Lexington Street
- Change to Officers/Directors/LLC Managers and On-Site Manager for Nonantum Post #440, 295 California Street
- Change of Officers/Directors/LLC Managers and Ownership Interest for GoPuff, 82-84 Needham Street
- Change to Management Agreement to be exercised for Boston Marriott Newton Hotel, 2345 Commonwealth Avenue
- Transfer of All-Alcohol Restaurant License, a new Common Victualler and new Annual Entertainment License Dumpling House, 870 Walnut Street
- New All-Alcohol Restaurant, New Common Victualler and Annual Entertainment Licenses for CircleBack Kitchen & Bar, 292 Centre Street
Community Preservation Committee will meet on Tuesday regarding for a Pre-proposal Meeting for Suzuki School Elevator.
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday regarding MBLC Financial Report, Ciociaro Club Lease, Meeting Room Policy, Development Director Search, Advocacy, Library and Building Updates, Signage, Q1 Investment Performance, Q1 Financial Results v. Budget.
Newton Community Education Commission will meet on Wednesday regarding highlights from Director’s report, finances, next steps for volunteers, and upcoming community events for outreach.
Newton Energy Commission will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- GSEP/Electrification: access to complete street address information, Integrated Energy Planning update on including dead-end streets, and state-level issues impeding electrification
- Smaller Buildings
- Laminar Collective
Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Approval of the legal use of the residence is a two-family dwelling at 158 Adams Street
- Determining whether proposed changes to the details of Comprehensive Permit for 1135-1137 Washington Street (43 affordable housing units) are substantial or insubstantial
Newton Historical Commission will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Total Demolition requests: 24 Orris Street, 61 Broadway, 42 Palmer Road, 18 Cappy Circle, 70 Pond Brook Road
- Partial Demolition Requests: 105 Annawan Road, 315 Crafts Street
- Waiver of Demolition Delay: 126 Russell Road
Sustainable Materials Management Commission will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Review letter to Mayor and City Council, including 2-page update summary re: 2021 SMMC report “A Path to Zero Waste”
- Proposed letter to School Committee
- SMMD update – Waneta Trabert
- Recycling composition audit, if available
Other
State Rep. Greg Schwartz will hold office hours on Monday, October 20, 9:30AM-11AM at City Hall, Room 211.
This week’s road construction schedule.
