Highlights this week…
- Winter storm …On Monday:
- Closed: Schools, City Hall, Newton Free Library, Cooper Center, Jackson Homestead, Durant-Kenrick House, Resource Recovery Center at Rumford Avenue
- Canceled: All school evening activities, all Parks & Recreation programs
- Public meetings moved to Zoom.
- Recycling/trash collection delayed by one day all week.
- School Committee …discussing budget guidelines, fees for next year, and mid-year goals update
- Parks and Recreation …discussing Newton Centre Plaza
- Zoning Board of Appeals …reviewing proposed 234-unit residential development on Court and Crafts Streets
City Council
City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Zoning & Planning will meet on Monday regarding requests for:
- CPC recommendation to appropriate $600,000 in CPA Historic Resource funding for the Suzuki School elevator project (Finance will join for this discussion.)
- Discussion and possible amendments to enhance the preservation of existing homes over their replacement by larger and more expensive structures
- Discussion on whether VCOD should be suspended or changed in Auburndale and West Newton until work has been done to address accessibility of the Commuter Rail Stations there
- Zoning ordinance change to allow raised beds in the front and rear setback under certain conditions
Land Use Committee will meet on Monday regarding:
- Request to exceed FAR and to extend a nonconforming front setback at 355 Walnut Street
- Consistency ruling request for relocation of memory care terrace and decorative wall at 11 Florence Street
- Request for a Special Permit to waive 38 parking stalls at 1135 Walnut Street (petitioner has requested to withdraw without prejudice)
School Committee
Due to the winter storm, on Monday, Newton Public Schools will be closed, evening activities will be canceled, and public meetings will be virtual.
School Committee will meet on Monday in Executive Session to discuss:
- Negotiation strategy with respect to collective bargaining with the NTA – all Units
- Strategy regarding ongoing litigation and potential litigation that is clearly and imminently threatened or otherwise demonstrably likely
School Committee‘s regular meeting on Monday will be virtual and will address:
- Superintendent’s Update
- Custodial – Portrait of a Custodian
- FY27 Fee Recommendations
- Policies: Building and Grounds Access, Visitors to School
- Sub-Committee Assignments
- Budget Guidelines
- District and Superintendent’s Mid-Year Goals Update
Horace Mann Elementary School Council will meet virtually (Google Meet) on Wednesday, January 28 at 3PM. The agenda includes:
- Nevada St. Project Update
- School Improvement Review
Newton South High School Council will meet in person (Principal’s Conference Room) on Thursday, January 29 at 5PM. The agenda includes:
- Energizer
- PTSO Updates
- Competency Determination Updates
Boards and Commissions
Newton Cultural Council will meet on Monday regarding:
- Meryl Kessler, Director of Arts and Culture to share vision and priorities of the new department
- Recommendations for establishment of an Arts Commission
- Debrief on 2025 Funding Cycle
- Next steps for Council engagement with grantees
Newton Parks & Recreation Commission will meet on Monday regarding:
- Tom Cahill Plaque – Gath Pool
- Newton Centre Plaza Discussion
- Newton Centre Clay Courts Fees and Rules & Regs
- William C. Brewer Playground / Newton Centre Playground
- Committee Reports:
- Community Preservation Committee
- Urban Tree Commission
- Farm Commission
- Commonwealth Golf Foundation
- PRC Signage and Naming Committee
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees Finance Committee will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Review Q2 Budget vs. Actual
- Grants and Donations
- Online payments
- Quicken Online and Quickbooks conversion
- City Coordination
Newton Fair and Affordable Housing Partnership will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Project Update Chart
- Mitigation Report Next Steps and Vote
- Sheila Mondshein Award Update
- Priorities Task Force Report and Vote
Newton Commonwealth Foundation Board will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- $68,587 for replacing fuel tanks at maintenance building
- $7,339 for Field Change Order on drainage project
- Update on progress of 10th hole drainage project
- Status of clubhouse doors & windows project
Council on Aging will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Massachusetts Assisted Living Ombudsman Program presentation by Maura Donahue, Regional Assisted Living Ombudsman
- Department of Older Adult Service Update
Newton Human Rights Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Newton Police Department Reports
- Student Comment
- Neighboring HRC Event
- Know Your Human Rights Event
- Meeting Dates for 2026
- HRC Commissioners
- Next Event: Building Connections: Effective Tools for Community Conversations – 3/01 & 3/08
Newton Retirement Board will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Bill Keefe Executive Director of PERAC introduction to the Newton Retirement System
- Ordinary and accidental disability retirement application
Newton Community Education Commission will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Highlights from Director’s report
- Q2 finances, enrollments, and promotions
- ASAP, new registration system and program highlights
- Fundraising
- City of Newton program lanes and coordination
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Accept twenty pieces of art by Marie Anthony Andre from the Friends of the Newton Free Library
- New Business:
- Introduction of City Officials
- John Rice, Chief Community Service Officer
- Michelle Pizzi O’Brien, Director of Human Resources
- Ritu Biswas, Senior HR Generalist
- Director Transition and Search Committee
- Reports:
- Review 2nd quarter investment performance
- Review financial results v. budget
- Library and Building Updates
- Development Director Consultant
- Second quarter review
- Events-Spring Fling
Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Request for a Comprehensive Permit to construct a 234-unit residential development (including 59 affordable units and 290 parking spaces) on eight parcels comprising 2.7 acres on Court and Crafts Streets
- Appeal of Notice of Violation at 85 Baldpate Hill Road
Conservation Commission will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Notice of Intent – invasive tree removal, amur cork: Cold Spring Park
- Request for Amended Order of Conditions – changes to hardscape, plantings: 140 Dartmouth St
- Enforcement Order update – mitigation planting area: 1 Malvern Terrace
- COC Request – addition, planting: 370 Quinobequin Rd
- Conservation Areas: Old Deer Park Beekeeper Update and License Renewal
WestMetro HOME Consortium will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Monitoring Update
- HOME-ARP Mini Proposal Funding Recommendations and Vote
- Consolidated Pool & CHDO Proposal Funding Recommendations and Vote
- FY27 Annual Action Plan: Budget Update and Timeline
- FY26 Subrecipient Agreements
Other
Development Review Team is scheduled to meet regarding the following potential project/proposal:
- 392 Cherry St: Addition to attic, increasing FAR
This week’s road construction schedule has not yet been posted.
