School Committee will meet in person (Education Center, Room 210) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, December 15 at 6:30PM. The agenda includes: Memorial Spaulding School Council will meet in person (Memorial Spaulding) on Tuesday, December 16 at 3:05PM. The agenda includes: Zervas Elementary School Council will meet in person…
Posts published in December 2025
Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will hold a site visit in person on Monday, December 15 at 4PM at 6 Reservoir Road. The agenda includes the following: Newton Cultural Council will meet in person (1294 Centre Street, Newton Centre) and virtually (Zoom link) on Monday, December 15 at 6PM. The…
Development Review Team (DRT) will meet this week regarding the following potential project/proposal (see DRT Snapshot):
On December 9, the Community Preservation Commission voted unanimously to recommend a $600,000 grant to the Suzuki School of Music toward building an accessible rear addition at 1615 Beacon Street. Approval depends on votes by the Zoning and Planning and Finance Committees and the full City Council in 2026. “When…
At the end of two decades of rapid growth in enrollment after World War II, Newton Public Schools (NPS) was led by a pioneering Superintendent who oversaw major changes in curriculum that drew nationwide attention. Back then, the NPS had more power in determining its budget allocation, and the budget…
Three crashes involving electric bicycles and turning vehicles this year have prompted Newton Police to emphasize traffic safety as use of e-bikes surges in the city. “We’ve had three accidents this year specifically that involved e-bikes,” said Newton Police Lt. Amanda Henrickson. “And in all three of those crashes, it…
The MBTA gave an update on the Newtonville Commuter Rail Accessibility Project on December 11 at City Hall. The new station’s $50 million funding is fully committed, including $7 million from the Federal Government thanks to Congressman Auchincloss. The project is anticipated to be completed by early 2029. The project…
Hundreds of Newton seniors have joined protests and lobbied state legislators over the past 18 months, organizing in local nonprofits to oppose policies of the Trump administration as well as state and local issues. Meg Holland, 72, who has been a member of the First Unitarian Universalist Society in Newton…
Moviegoers packed West Newton Cinema to watch Hamnet, a reimagining of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes as they confront the love and loss that inspired Hamlet. Shakespeare scholar Michelle Ephraim sat down with historian, writer, and Newton native Stephen Greenblatt to unpack the film and its place within modern…
We updated Councilor Gentile asks if Mayor-elect’s staff increase fits within current City budget to reflect the results of the December 8 Finance Committee meeting.
The recent approval of the Riverside project highlights an issue in how Newton approaches major developments. Rather than beginning with a clear, city-centric vision for what would best serve our long-term economic, social, and environmental goals, the process began — and largely stayed — with what developers proposed. Public debate…
Paula Hammond, an MIT Institute Professor and MIT’s executive vice provost, has been named dean of MIT’s School of Engineering, effective January 16. From 2015 to 2023, she was head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and has also served as MIT’s vice provost for faculty. She is a member…