The Public Safety & Transportation Committee approved the following (see the report and watch the meeting video):
- Appeal of Traffic Council Decision TC50-25 – Islington Road parking (Commonwealth Ave ↔ Ryder Terrace) (7–0, Councilor Bixby not voting) and directed a new parking restriction on one side of Islington Road: restrict parking on the west side (partially restricted on the east side) to improve emergency vehicle access and safety on the narrow, curving segment. Deliberations reviewed roadway width (generally 22–24′), utility/fixed objects (poles and hydrants on the east side), fire-truck access video, and extensive resident input citing sight-line and congestion concerns. Members considered—but did not adopt—remand or peninsula-only restrictions; any different configuration would require a new docket at Traffic Council.
The Committee denied the following:
- Appeal of Traffic Council Decision TC44-25 – 15 staff permits at the Austin Street Municipal Lot (Cooper Center) (6–2, Councilors Wright and Lucas opposed), thereby upholding Traffic Council’s 5–0 approval. Staff clarified: no spaces are reserved; permits simply allow staff to park anywhere in the lot (short- or long-term spaces) without paying during enforcement hours; eight existing staff permits on Walnut Place remain; utilization is currently low and will be monitored with adjustments possible (including reducing permit count or relocating staff if demand tightens). Committee discussion weighed business turnover near the Cooper Center, proximity to senior users, student permits in the area, the lack of a formal utilization study (staff to provide occupancy counts), and the feasibility of scattering permits on nearby streets; members ultimately favored flexibility and monitoring over overturning the Traffic Council vote.
Present: Councilors Grossman (Chair), Downs, Lucas, Bixby, Block, Greenberg, Wright and Lipof
City Staff: Jonathan Yeo, Chief Operating Officer, Captain Daniel Devine, Newton Police Department; Ashley Shaheen, Deputy Director of Older Adult Services, and David Koses, Transportation Coordinator, DPW
