The Public Facilities Committee met on Wednesday, April 8. See the report and meeting video.
Approved
- Eversource grant of location on Smith Avenue — 6-0-2 (Councilors Grossman and Leary not voting). Relocation of one pole approximately 16 feet southwest of its current location. Application
- National Grid grant of location on Clarendon Street — 7-0-1 (Councilor Leary not voting). The project replaces aging steel and cast iron gas mains with plastic pipe due to water work by the City of Newton. Application
- Sidewalk installation ordinance change — 8-0. Ordinance change to require new sidewalk installation only if the existing sidewalk is damaged during construction, rather than whenever renovations exceed 50% of the exterior walls.
No Action Necessary
- Transportation Network Improvement Plan — 8-0 Newton’s road pavement condition index has improved. A newly paved road is 100%. Local roads rated 59.3% in 2017 are now at 71.4% and arterials and collector roads have gone from 69.5% to 82%. Last year 4.9 miles of sidewalk and 180 curb ramps were installed. The Department of Public Works listed planned improvements for 2026.
Held
- Newton Highlands Enhancement Project Working Group findings and recommendations— 8-0. Discussed near-term safety improvements, the first phase of the working group’s work. The working group is seeking the Committee’s support to move forward with the $3 million in near-term safety improvements. The project has been going on for over 3 years. The improvements would be at four intersections: Bowdoin and Lincoln St (bumped out sidewalks, a raised traffic table, and flashing pedestrian light to access the Hyde Center); Hartford and Lincoln St (a U-Turn high spot with a long crosswalk, improvements would include a flashing pedestrian light, replacing uneven sidewalk, new plantings, and sidewalk bump outs); Station Ave and Walnut (sidewalk bump outs); and Floral Ave and Walnut St. (sidewalk bump outs, mid-street island and flashing pedestrian light). Plus, improved lighting on Lincoln Street will increase the safety and appeal. The Working Group is seeking community feedback. The Working Group hopes to bond the safety project and finish it by 2027. It would be one part of the area’s master plan. Committee gave a 8-0 straw vote of Department of Public Works continuing to work with the Consultants on the safety project.
Present: Councilors Kalis (Chair), Albright, Getz, Gordon, Dahmubed, Grossman, Kelley, and Leary.
Also present: Councilors Bixby and Irish.
City staff: Chief of Community Services John Rice; Commissioner of Public Works Shawna Sullivan; Deputy Commissioner of Public Works Bernie McDonald; Associate City Engineer John Daghlian; City Engineer Alfredo Vargas.
Frank Marinaccio, APEX Engineering Design Consultant.
