Highlights this week…
- Zoning and Planning… reviewing $1,997,000 grant to West Newton Cinema Foundation
- Land Use… reviewing 71-unit project at 85 Dudley Road
- Public Facilities… reviewing Newton Highlands Village Improvement (Enhancement) Project
- Newton Highlands Area Council… reviewing the Newton Highlands Village Enhancement Project
- Council on Aging… planning for Cooper Center opening on December 5
- Newton Fair and Affordable Housing Partnership… reviewing projects for 85 Dudley Road, Riverside, and 793-821 Washington Street
City Council
City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Finance Committee’s regularly scheduled meeting has been canceled.
Zoning and Planning will meet on Monday regarding theses requests:
- Update on short-term rental ordinance compliance and enforcement
- Possible revisions to the fee structure for initial estimated construction costs
- Appropriating $1,997,000 in CPA Historic Resource funding, recommend by the CPC, for the West Newton Cinema Foundation for their Building Stabilization project
- Re-evaluation and possible amendments to Inclusionary Zoning Ordinance to include 4-6 units, including raising the requirements for the number of affordable units in large developments
- Periodic progress reports on establishing the Municipal Affordable Housing Trust
- Possible amendment to require developers and property managers to provide training for employees regarding bias toward residents of the Inclusionary Zoning units and how to mitigate this bias
- Possible ordinance amendments relative to aiding small businesses impacted by development
Land Use will meet on Tuesday regarding these requests:
- Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct additions to the second and half stories of the building all within the existing footprint at 64-66 Dalby Street
- Allowing 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
- Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to relocate the detached accessory building to a more central location on the lot and construct a connection to the dwelling at 156 Highland Street
- Rezoning 3 parcels on Dudley Road and Brandeis Road from Single Residence 1 and Single Residence 2 to Multi Residence 1 at 85 Dudley Road
- Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct 70 single-family, attached dwellings in 26 buildings and maintain the existing single-family dwelling for a total of 71 units in 27 buildings at 85 Dudley Road
Public Facilities will meet on Wednesday regarding these requests:
- Review and discussion of the conceptual plan for the Newton Highlands Village Improvement Project prior to advancing to the final design phase
- Discussion of the “two-foot rule,” which allows street openings for utility work without a grant of location
School Committee
School Committee has canceled the Executive Session Meeting for Monday for a grievance hearing with the Newton Teachers Association.
School Committee Policy Subcommittee will meet on Friday regarding:
- Meal Modification Policy
- Visitors to Schools/Security (2 policies)
- Revenue/Advertising Policies
Boards and Commissions
Newton Cultural Council will meet on Monday regarding:
- Treasurer report
- Kay Sloan’s resignation
- Arts Planning/Recommendations
- New grant cycle – application deadline closed: Planning for adjudication
Youth Commission Advisory Board will meet on Monday regarding:
- Overview of Newton’s Municipal Government
- Guest Presenter: Shin-Yi Lao, Newton Health & Human Services Commissioner
Youth Commission will meet on Monday to discuss the Strategic Planning Retreat.
Council on Aging will meet Tuesday regarding:
- Cooper Center: Ribbon Cutting Friday, December 5, 2025, and opening plans
- Department of Older Adult Services
- Director’s Report
- Assisted Living Residences Commission, Virtual Public Hearing, November 5, 2PM-4PM
Health Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Staffing updates
- Metro Public Health Collaborative
- Recovery coach/RIZE Grant
- Flu/COVID vaccines
- Advisory Council input requested on Extreme heat response measures, Regulating synthetic cannabinoids, Issues seen in the community
Newton Commonwealth Foundation, which manages the municipal golf course, will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Report on Robert McNeil’s initial plan for revised hole #13; w/ new putting green , hitting bays, chipping area
- Discuss 2026 greens fees and season ticket pricing: Revised Lead time for tee times, NO more season tickets for Non-Residents
- Old Business: Golf Course Drainage Project, Hole #10 tee and Wall on #7 tee
Newton Fair and Affordable Housing Partnership will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Project Update Chart
- 85 Dudley Rpad Presentation
- Riverside Presentation
- 793-821 Washington Street Presentation
Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council will meet on Tuesday regarding the Newton Highlands Village Enhancement Project, including letter to City Council / Public Facilities Committee.
Newton Retirement Board will meet on Wednesday.
- Accidental disability retirement applications from 2 firefighters
- 3 single physician medical panel certificates in connection with 2 police officers’ application for accidental disability retirement
- Proposals for Actuarial Services
- PRIM Private Equity Vintage Year 2026
- Retirement deduction adjustment
- Resumes for Newton Retirement Board Director position
- Temporary personnel to support retirement office staff
- Payment of election postage
- Monthly Financial Reporting for month ending August 2025
- Approval of new members
Conservation Commission will meet on Thursday regarding
- Update on planting area re: Enforcement Order for 1 Malvern Terrace
- Minor Plan Change request for 140 Dartmouth Road
Other
Development Review Team (DRT) is scheduled to meet this week regarding:
- 21 Harvey Place: Three-unit multifamily
- 46 Holly Road: Extension of existing FAR nonconformity
This week’s road construction schedule has not yet been posted.