On April 2nd, the School Committee correctly approved Superintendent Nolin’s recommended Level Service Plus budget proposal – a compromise plan to maintain our schools’ quality amid rising costs. Mayor Fuller’s current allocation of $293 million, however, falls up to $4.5 million short of this bare minimum budget. It is imperative that the…
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As an Upper Falls resident supporting the Northland development and its recent permitting amendment, I would like to both expose one fallacy in the opponents’ arguments, and offer one proposal for a compromise. The fallacy concerns the alleged higher taxes from offices vs. residences. This might be the case at current…
We are, yet again, at a crossroads regarding the funding of Newton’s schools. We can choose to take the path identified by Mayor Fuller and continue to sacrifice both academic excellence and equity on the altar of perceived fiscal prudence. Or we can take the path outlined by Superintendent Nolin…
I disagree totally with Councilor Leary. Her position on Land Use petitions in Nonantum does not reflect the serious concerns of people in her ward. The request for spot rezoning on Watertown Street is a proposal that threatens the livelihood of many small business owners. What a colossal mistake that…
On Saturday, well more than 100 people came together in Newton Centre to protest the manyviolations of American democracy committed by the Donald Trump administration since January20, 2025. The DOGE czar was singled out for some of the most virulent criticism. The largeenthusiastic crowd gathered at the intersection of Centre…
The March 11 meeting of the Land Use Committee was a good one for residents and businesses of Nonantum. The owner of 386-390 Watertown Street withdrew their request to rezone it as MU4 (mixed use 4), as well as the application to construct a four-story building after a public hearing in…
Tuesday night was difficult for me as a member of the Land Use Committee. I witnessed a very promising, small infill development proposed for a vacant lot in the heart of a Nonantum be withdrawn by the applicant after months of meetings and negotiations. The proposed building included thirteen very modest-sized…
I read about the NPS future budget dilemma. Any type of override is not the solution. School leaders must reevaluate their spending demands and focus on the type of education system Newton can actually afford. Newton middle class residents can not continue to pay the present 3.5% increase in property…
Forty years after efforts to clean up the Charles River began, we still cannot safely swim in its waters. The only swimming in the Lower Basin — between Watertown and Boston Harbor — occurs through special permits, and these events are often canceled due to poor water quality. Now, we…
We all enjoy the former Walgreens parking lot between Langley and Lyman streets. It daily hosts an ‘overflow’ of 50-60 cars. However, the current success of parking in the Newton Centre Triangle lot depends entirely on this overflow. Have the proposed plans for a plaza considered what will happen when we…