The Public Safety & Transportation Committee met on January 21, 2026, regarding the following:
Approved
- Three Class 2 Auto Dealer Licenses (8-0) Old Time Garage at 1960 Washington Street, Auction Direct Preowned Inc. at 1545 Washington Street, and Stan’s Automotive Inc. d/b/a Newton Automotive and Sales at 249 Centre Street
Approved as Amended
- Appeal of Traffic Council Decision on Newton Centre Plaza. The committee amended the trial extension from October 31, 2026, to May 31, 2026 (6-2, Councilors Greenberg and Roche opposed). The plaza will end on May 31, 2026, before its last proposed end-of-summer date. The administration working with the Parks and Recreation Commission to explore relocating the plaza to Newton Centre Green. Residents at the public hearing preferred more parking. Councilors expressed concern about more traffic in the future from the nearby planned Asian grocery store.
No Action Necessary
- Traffic Council Annual Report for 2025 (8-0) The Traffic Council heard 85 items in 2025, took action on 76 of the items, 9 of which are still being held. Two items were denied. Nine administrative changes to traffic and parking regulations were approved. The backlog from 2025 consists of new items and trails being held. The Council requested Wards be noted on the report.
Repealed Traffic Council Decisions
- Appeal of Traffic Council Decision TC58-25 regarding left turn prohibition from Beacon Street eastbound into Langley Road municipal parking lot. (8-0) Committee repealed the trial, which leaves the “no left turn into parking lot” sign in place to keep traffic flowing through Newton Centre.
- Appeal of Traffic Council Decision TC43-25 “no-parking zone” on Bristol Road (8-0) The committee repealed the parking prohibition from a point 55 feet north of Commonwealth Avenue to Commonwealth Avenue. Neighbors were opposed to the no-parking zone. It was deemed unnecessary, as Bristol Road is a quiet street.
Present: Councilors Lucas (Chair), Greenberg, Wright, Block, Irish, Roche, Golden, Silber.
Also Present: Councilors Kelley and Dahmubed.
City staff: Josh Morse, Chief Operating Officer; John Rice, Chief of Community Services; David Koses, Transportation Planner; Zach LeMel, Chief of Long Range Planning; Nora Masler Colello, Senior Planner; Lauren Berman, Economic Development Director; Hannah Sternburg, Outreach Coordinator.
