The Public Facilities Committee approved the following (see the report and watch the meeting video):
- Newton Highlands Village Improvement Project – advance to final design, with conditions and a working group. (5–0, subject to the condition of creating a 6-month working group with public meetings) Consultants from Apex presented a high-level, order-of-magnitude cost (~$14M, with Lincoln & Walnut together about $11M) covering roadway reconstruction, sidewalks/ramps, traffic-calming tables, streetscape/landscape, and optional green-infrastructure features sized for stormwater and phosphorus removal. The committee asked for a stakeholder working group (including the Highlands Area Council) to refine scope, phasing, and undergrounding questions before construction dollars are committed. American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding for the design is at risk if not used by December 2026. Undergrounding of utilities was contentious. Councilor Laredo discussed the Town of Weston’s 8/10ths-of-a-mile undergrounding in 2019. Eversource was challenging to deal with. Weston residents overwhelmingly approved a bond measure for the project.
Present: Councilors Albright (Chair), Danberg, Getz, Kalis, and Kelley
Absent: Councilors Gentile, Leary, and Laredo
Also present: Councilors Farrell, Bixby, Malakie, and Humphrey
City Staff: Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Yeo, Commissioner of Public Works Shawna Sullivan,
Deputy Commissioner of Public Works Bernie McDonald, Director of Planning & Development Barney
Heath, Director of Transportation Planning Jenn Martin
Consultants Jim Fitzgerald and Margot Spiller from APEX
