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Posts published in “Letters to the Editor”

We publish here Letters to the Editor with the intent to reflect a broad range of opinions and insights of Newton residents. Please note our submission guidelines and send letters (maximum of 300 words) to [email protected].
All views expressed in any signed article, letter, column, or post
on Fig City News are those of the writer and not Fig City News.

Freeman: Why Newton should be concerned that our Police may assist ICE

Former mayoral candidate Al Cecchinelli suggests that City employees “should welcome, comply, and assist any federal agency.” City employees assisting any federal agency would include Newton Police assisting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and similar federal agents from the larger Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Perhaps the 13% of Newton…

Brodt: Budget choices are failing our students

The persistent budget shortfall facing Newton Public Schools is no longer a temporary hurdle; it is the fiscal crisis that remains the unspoken backdrop of every discussion about NPS.  While the constraints are real, the way our leadership handles them is a choice, and currently, those choices are failing our…

Bhardwaj: New weather site by Newton student

I am Meer and I’m a 5th grader at Countryside Elementary. I have created a weather site called Nubo Weather with the help of my parents. I have been interested in weather forecasting from a young age. This site I made compares different sites and shows the median of various site forecasts.…

Lewis: More housing won’t hurt home’s value

If you live in Newton, you’re likely a homeowner — and your home’s value likely has risen dramatically in the past decade. Many longtime residents now have more than $1 million in paper net worth, much of it tied to their home’s appreciation. Naturally, people want to protect that investment…

Newton Conversations: Let’s talk!

We are writing to introduce Newton Conversations, a group that envisions a city where civil discourse thrives, and diverse perspectives are respected with open minds and thoughtful engagement. Newton Conversations evolved from discussions among residents over the past several years about how to foster civil discourse on issues facing the…

Lee: Hopeful climate progress is happening in schools

Watertown’s new school building has sustainability built into the design. Energy-efficient systems, modern ventilation, and reduced emissions mean healthier classrooms and lower long-term costs.  Brookline has taken meaningful steps in a different but equally important area: school cafeterias. Waste reduction, composting, and sustainable food practices cut environmental impact while helping…

Rosero: Make NPS great again

There is a persistent longing in Newton for the golden days of Newton Public Schools—seemingly a time when every student was above average and the district produced alumni of the stature of Joe Rogan (NNHS ‘85).  But as we bemoan NPS’s drop in rankings, we must ask: Was excellence sacrificed…

Goodwill CEO: Thank you, Newton residents!

I am writing to thank the residents of Newton for demonstrating their community spirit and commitment to sustainability by donating nearly 400,000 pounds of clothing and household goods to Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries in 2025. Goodwill is a community-based nonprofit that relies on these donations to support its mission. Each…

Mirfendereski: City charging for online bill payments

On the one hand, the City’s bills (property tax, excise tax, water and sewer charges) encourage the payers to pay online, but then you go online and right at checkout they charge a fee for paying online by credit card. This is OUTRAGEOUS! The utility bills that I pay online…

Block: Globe misses key point about Riverside development

The December 21 Boston Globe editorial (Fewer Meetings, More Housing) criticized Newton for taking 18 years to approve the plan for Riverside. This shows how little the Globe understands Newton’s Riverside development. The real story is how quickly Newton moved to review and approve the latest plan for Riverside. The…

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