Highlights this week…
- Zoning & Planning …reviewing Brookline’s rezoning on Route 9 and the Newton Housing Priorities Task Force report
- School Committee …budget presentations, the Underwood/Ward MSBA Statement of Interest, and requested funding for Kindergarten aides
- Commission on Disability …reviewing concerns about snow clearance
- CPC public hearings …on restoration of City Hall stairs, cupolas, and windows
- Mayor Laredo …holding the last of a series of in-person listening sessions on Thursday
City Council
City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Finance Committee will meet on Monday regarding:
- Reappointing M. Ronald Mendes as City Treasurer/Collector
- Accepting a $113,956 grant from the Mass. Dept. of Environmental Protection’s Electric Incentive Program (MassEVIP) and appropriating $9,290.85 from the Energy Stabilization Fund to install seven electric vehicle charging stations
- Accepting a $50,000 MVP 2.0 grant from MassEVIP in which Newton will convene a project team including community members, complete the MVP 2.0 planning steps, and develop a Seed Project
Zoning & Planning Committee will meet on Monday regarding:
- Proposed Brookline rezoning on Route 9/Boylston Street between Hammond Street and Hammond Pond Parkway
- Report of the Newton Housing Priorities Task Force
Land Use Committee will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Amending the Wells Avenue Deed Restriction to allow a veterinary hospital at 60 Wells Avenue
- Public hearings on applications for Special Permits to:
- Raze existing dwelling and construct four attached single-family dwellings at 60 Brookside Avenue
- Raze existing dwelling and construct three attached single-family dwellings in two buildings at 11 Parsons Street
- Amend existing Special Permit to allow an oversized secondary sign at 199 Boylston Street
School Committee
School Committee will meet on Monday in Executive Session to discuss litigation strategy regarding imminently threatened and demonstrably likely impending litigation matter.
School Committee will hold a special meeting on Monday regarding:
- Superintendent’s Update: FY27 Budget Presentation
- FY27 Elementary and Secondary Budget Presentations
- Policy on Parent Advisory Council
- Underwood and Ward Statement of Interest
- Request City Council to docket K-Aides funding to NPS
School Councils meeting this week:
- Lincoln-Eliot on Thursday
- Countryside on Thursday
Boards and Commissions
Commission on Disability will meet on Monday, regarding:
- Discussion of snow clearance concerns for sidewalks and street corners
- Review of AAB variance request for Boston College’s Voute Hall
- Roberts Rules and Zoom etiquette discussion
- Procedure for reporting automatic door issues in city buildings
- Initial discussion on housing advocacy priorities
- Creation of new interpretation services account
- Ideas for Disability Pride Event 2026
- Co-chair’s Corner:
- Recruiting speakers for Newton Theater Company’s Monologue Project in May
- March 24 film screening of The Littlest Dwarf
- Disability Advocacy Group update — Williams Elementary School Playground Site Visit
Youth Commission Advisory Board will meet on Tuesday for a discussion with representatives from Boston’s Office of Youth Engagement and Advancement (OYEA).
Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding requests for Certificates of Appropriateness to:
- Demolish existing garage and construct new garage at 107-109 Grove Street
- Build rear addition and replace windows at 30 Cheswick Road
- Replace windows and doors at 26 Fern Street
- Make window opening smaller on rear and demolish chimney at 304 Central Street
- Revise previously approved plans at 29 Lasell Street
Community Preservation Committee will meet on Tuesday for public hearings on:
- War Memorial Stairs Construction full proposal
- City Hall Cupolas and Window Restoration full proposal
Economic Development Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- Education and Advocacy Working Group report review
- EDC priorities relative to the priorities of the Economic Development Team
Youth Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding:
- March 10 Youth Commission Advisory Board meeting: Action items and next steps
- SparkShare discussion from March 5 meeting and determining direction
Urban Design Commission will meet on Wednesday regarding sign permits for:
- Luna’s Cake + Coffee at 1261-1269 Centre Street
- Falcetti Pianos at 2282 Washington Street
- The Village Bank at 319 Auburn Street
Newton Parks & Recreation Commission Signs & Naming Committee will meet on Thursday to edit new policy with clarification about notifying abutters, and regroup and prioritize next steps.
Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday regarding a Certificate of Appropriateness to install solar panels at 207-209 Elliot Street.
Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Q&A with Officer Lau and Leo
- Spark Newton Crystal Lake mural
- 2026 meeting dates
- Village Day
- Village parking district
- Village Enhancement Project: Working group meeting report
Newtonville Area Council will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Guest Speaker: Lauren Berman, Director, Economic Development
- Newtonville Village Day Committee
- Washington Street Survey Outcomes
- Marketing & Communication: Website, Newsletter, Social Media
- Area Council Guides: Service Area Expansion Sample
- Bullough’s Pond Dam Working Group
- Mayor Laredo’s Listening Hours Ward 2
- Craft Street Project ZBA Letter Draft Approval
Other
Mayor Marc Laredo will hold a listening session on Thursday, March 12 at 7PM at the Newton Community Stage at Lincoln Eliot Elementary School (150 Jackson Road).
Development Review Team will meet this week regarding the following potential project/proposals:
- 38 Morseland Avenue: Addition to single-family which will exceed FAR
- 191 Sumner Street: 4.5-story, 20-unit, multi-family residential with underground parking -VC3
- 43 Kenwood Avenue: Single-family home. Relocation and reconstruction of series of existing and new retaining walls over four feet in height
This week’s road construction schedule has not yet been posted.
