Highlights this week…
- Public Safety and Transportation …discussing the City’s response to ICE
- School Committee …holding a Special Meeting on the FY27 Budget
- Newton Affordable Housing Trust …discussing reports on Site Feasibility Project and the Newton Housing Priorities Task Force
- Councilor David Micley …holding an office hour on Tuesday at the Cooper Center
City Council
City Council will meet on Monday regarding the following items from the Reports Docket:
- Special permit to allow an oversized secondary sign at 199 Boylston Street (The Mall at Chestnut Hill)
- Special permit for three attached single-family dwellings and reduced setbacks at 11 Parsons Street
- Petition to amend Wells Avenue deed restriction to allow a veterinary hospital at 60 Wells Avenue
- Reappointment of M. Ronald Mendes as City Treasurer/Collector
- Accept a $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness 2.0 (MVP 2.0) program
- Accept a $113,956 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Electric Incentive Program (MassEVIP) and appropriate $9,290.85 from the Energy Stabilization Fund to install seven electric vehicle charging stations
The New Docket contains the following:
- Public hearings on March 24 for special permit for:
- Oversized dormer and FAR extension at 25-27 Lewis Street
- Detached accessory building home office extending nonconforming FAR and lot coverage at 199 Otis Street
- Request for pre-budget planning discussion
- Request for resolution to endorse bills supporting access to primary care
- Overview of the Sustainable Materials Management Division
- Overview of the Utilities Division
- Eversource petition for a grant of location on Smith Avenue (public hearing April 8)
- Request for discussion and ordinance requiring energy use reporting by certain residential building owners for buildings not subject to Newton’s BERDO or Massachusetts’ LBER Program
- Transferring $46,500 for accessibility improvements at Walker Street and Proctor Street
- Appropriating $300,000 for the Newton Communications Access Center
- Discussion on improving compliance for street sweeping violations in Nonantum
- Repurposing $150,000 for renovation of the Fire Station 2 bathroom
- Request for discussion on the status of the Newton Highlands Working Group
Public Safety & Transportation Committee will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Discussion on the City’s response to ICE and reaffirmation of the City’s Welcoming City Ordinance
Public Facilities Committee will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Repurposing of $150,000 for renovation of the Fire Station 2 bathroom
- Overview of the Sustainable Materials Management Division
- Overview of the Utilities Division
- Actibump traffic calming assessment
Programs & Services Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday has been cancelled.
Traffic Council will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Parking regulation changes on Everett Street, Greenwood Street, Walnut Street, and Fenno Road
- Stop signs on Fenno Road
- Time limits in the Hartford Street Public Parking Lot to install reserved spaces for EV Charging Stations and/or EV Shared Vehicles
School Committee
School Committee will hold a Special Meeting on Monday on the FY27 Budget, covering the Office of Teaching & Learning, Instructional Technology/Library Services, and Non-Instructional Budget.
Negotiations Subcommittee will meet in Executive Session on Thursday regarding negotiation strategy with the Newton Teachers Association.
School Committee Brown Bag Learning Lunch will meet on Friday to discuss Instructional Technology, Digital Literacy, Media Libraries and the district’s future vision.
School Councils meeting this week:
- Peirce Elementary School Council on Wednesday
- Cabot Elementary School Council on Wednesday
Boards and Commissions
Newton Parks & Recreation Commission will meet on Monday regarding:
- Policy for areas abutting elementary and middle schools
- Waban Common sign
- Newton Centre Plaza discussion
- Upper Falls Trail Improvement Project
Newton Affordable Housing Trust will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Financial Report Review
- Newton Gardens Update
- Dream Collaborative’s Final Report for the Site Feasibility Project
- Newton Housing Priorities Task Force Report
Board of License Commissioners will meet on Tuesday regarding requests for:
- Seasonal alcohol licenses for Newton Yacht Club and Sterling Golf Management
- One-day temporary licenses for upcoming events
- Change of hours for Chipotle at 300 Needham Street
- New wine and malt restaurant and common victualler licenses for Crunch & Boba at 1385 Washington Street
Board of Assessors will meet on Wednesday to approve February 2026 Exemption and Abatement Reports.
Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday regarding Certificates of Appropriateness to:
- Upgrade electrical service, regrade property, repair driveway, and make accessibility improvements at 47 Nancy Road
- Install exterior lights in landscape, install chimney cap, and replace terrace railing to comply with building code at 92 Reservoir Avenue
Conservation Commission will meet on Thursday regarding wetlands decisions for:
- Installation of a sidewalk along the north side from Wells Avenue to Dedham Street
- Addition to single-family house at 171 Concord Street
- Reconstruction of a retaining wall at 160 Pine Street
- Installation of a fence at 160 Pine Street
Urban Tree Commission will meet on Friday regarding tree removal requests and a Forestry Department update.
Other
Councilor David Micley will hold an office hour on Tuesday, 4PM-5PM, at the Cooper Center (375 Walnut Street, Newtonville).
Development Review Team will meet this week regarding the following potential project/proposals:
- 24 Vernon Street: Four single-family attached dwellings
- 222 Winslow Road: Replacing detached garage with attached two-car garage and second-floor ADU
- 34 Waterston: Addition to an existing single-family dwelling, FAR relief, and variance for a rear setback
This week’s road construction schedule has not yet been posted.
