Highlights this week…
- Zoning and Planning …addressing Climate Action Plan and climate resiliency
- Finance …requesting information on Mayor-elect’s staffing plans for Executive Department
- Commission on Disabilities …speaking with Mayor-elect about its priorities
- Community Preservation Committee …financial presentation by Dan Brody
- Councilor Bixby …office hours Friday
City Council
City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Zoning & Planning Committee will meet on Monday regarding:
- Sustainability Team on the status of implementation of Newton’s Climate Action Plan, including energy efficiency, renewable energy programs, and related zoning measures
- Public Works and Planning on climate resiliency efforts and plans to address flooding, heat waves, severe storms, and follow-up to 2018 Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Action Plan
- Zoning changes to better align with proposed uses in new construction and major renovations, for more consistent lot utilization and building massing within a neighborhood
Chair will recommend refiling these in the next term::
- Removal of minimum parking requirements in the MRT zone
- Newton’s commercial office space—recent leases, vacancies, tenant changes, and strategies for recruiting new office tenants
- Parking needs in commercial village centers, past parking studies, comparisons with neighboring communities, and best practices
- Amending definition of Two-Family Detached
- Amendments to zoning in the Manufacturing district in Nonantum
- Zoning changes to enhance preservation of existing homes and discourage replacement with larger, more expensive structures
- Changing setbacks and other dimensional metrics in MR1, MR2, and MR3 zones to better regulate building size, support more housing options near transit, and encourage preservation
- Potential projects using the Village Center Overlay District
Finance Committee will meet on Monday regarding:
- Accepting $5,000,000 FY2026 MassWorks grant to support the Crafts Street culvert replacement
- Appropriatiing $2,304,983 for Phase 2 of the Pump Station Rehabilitation project
- Transferring $45,000 to cover unused vacation and special-leave for outgoing Mayor and COO
- Transferring $425,000 for settlement of the FY2025–27 Teamsters collective bargaining agreement
- Information on Mayor-elect Laredo’s Executive Department staffing plans, including number of positions, proposed reorganization, salary levels, and how any budget shortfall would be covered
Land Use Committee will meet on Tuesday regarding requests to:
- Raze existing structure and redevelop it into four residential units at 1100–1102 Beacon Street (petitioner has requested withdrawal without prejudice)
- Replace a single-family home with four attached single-family dwellings in two buildings, including garage parking below and dimensional and parking waivers at 11 Parsons Street
- Construct a 19-space surface parking lot with dimensional waivers, and construct a retaining wall over four feet in height at 56 Chapel Street
Financial Audit Advisory Committee will meet on Wednesday regarding Questions/Concerns, Draft financial statements, Draft management letter, and planning next meeting: Single Audit update and FY2026 planning
School Committee
School Committee is not scheduled to meet this week.
Countryside School Council will meet on Thursday.
Boards and Commissions
Commission on Disability will meet on Monday regarding:
- Conversation with Mayor-elect Marc Laredo on Commission on Disability priorities
- Fines Fund vote – Walker/Proctor
- Accessible parking space application – 925 Watertown Street
- AAB variance – 120 Seminary Avenue, McGuire Hall, Lasell Village
- “Ramp It Up Newton” businesses campaign with John Sisson
- NPS field trip accommodation guidelines
- Special January COD in-person meeting – farewell to Jini
- Treasurer’s report
- Co-Chairs Corner: Gath Pool update, January election reminder, Cooper Center event, winter event with UOD, Newtonville Commuter Rail community meeting (December 11 at City Hall)
Newton Cultural Council will meet on Monday regarding adjudication of grants.
Community Preservation Committee will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Financial presentation with Dan Brody
- Public hearing for the Suzuki School elevator project
Economic Development Commission will meet on Tuesday for working group updates on Culture, Zoning, Education, and Licensing & Permitting.
Newton Commonwealth Foundation Board, which operates the municipal golf course, will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Approving $9,500 payment to IW Hasting Construction for tree protection (19 trees)
- Increasing holiday party gift cards from $50 to $75 for 40 guests (total $3,000)
- Issuing an RFP in early 2026 to rebuild #6 green complex, #10 tee, and wall on #7 tee
- $7,062 for permits SWPP, NEPDES, tree removal, and building) for golf course drainage project
- Old business: Golf Course Drainage Project ($1,097, 740) work began on 11/24/25. City of Newton Tree Removal permit ($62,500).
Urban Design Commission will meet on Wednesday regarding sign permits:
- 35–41 Lincoln Street – Kink Pilates
- 66 Winchester Street – Olympia Fencing Center
Conservation Commission will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Wetland Decisions:
- Minor Plan Change to reduce from four to three residential units with all parking under the buildings at 11 Parsons Street
- Certificate of Compliance for a single-family home landscape renovation at 321 Albemarle Road
- Certificate of Compliance for emergency water/sewer replacement work at 32 Bowen Street
- Revising Commission regulations for 53G
- Securing an independent environmental monitor and an independent qualified wetland scientist for the Toll Brothers 528 Boylston Street project
- Pending grant to remove invasive Amur cork trees from Cold Spring Park
Waban Area Council will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Police meet and greet
- Waban Night
- Superintendent Nolan school report
- Waban beautification (lighting, large pot plantings, sidewalk trees)
- Issue debates
- Potential appointments to the Area Council
Newtonville Area Council will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Congratulations on the Opening of the Coopers Center for Active Living
- WinterFEST Ice Sculpture Sponsorship for Bramway
- Washington Street Pilot Survey
- Window Cling Update
- Timeline Confirmation Elections of Open Positions and Executive Roles
Other
Ward 6 Councilor Martha Bixby will hold office hours on Friday, December 12, 9AM-10:30AM at Sandwich Works (827 Beacon Street, Newton Centre).
This week’s road construction schedule has not yet been posted.
Ed. Note: We updated this post to include the Newtonville Area Council meeting.
