Highlights this week…
- City Council …acting on the appointment of Catherine Feerick as Director of Planning
- Public Facilities …considering $232,000 for the City Hall cupolas and windows
- Design Review …reviewing feasibility studies for a new Police Headquarters, Newton South High School, Ward and Underwood Elementary schools
City Council
City Council will meet on Monday to act on the Reports Docket and New Docket.
The Reports Docket includes:
- Appointments:
- Catherine M. Feerick as Director of Planning
- Synthia Wayne to the Human Rights Commission
- Christopher Brezski to the John C. Chaffin Educational Fund
- Ryan McGlothlin to the Financial Audit Advisory Committee
- Reappointments:
- Alexander B. Jablon to the Financial Audit Advisory Committee
- Michael Alperin and Judy Weber to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust
- Grants accepted:
- $218,708 from the Commonwealth’s Community Compact Municipal Fiber Grant Program for repair and maintenance of the City’s fiber optic network
- $19,500 from AARP (American Association of Retired Persons) for a design competition to create permit-ready Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) plans
- Special permits to:
- Raze and construct a three-story, four-unit building at 1100-1102 Beacon Street
- Construct rear and side additions at 33 Aspen Avenue
- Construct rear and side additions at 43 Newell Road
- Eversource grant of location to install underground conduit terminating at 75 Prescott Street
- Early voting hours for the September 1 State and Federal Primary and the November 3 State and Federal General Election
- Request to withdraw without prejudice a request for a new public auto license for Fredik, LLC
The New Docket contains the following:
- Special Permit requests (all with Public Hearing 8/25):
- Partial demolition and three-story addition exceeding FAR at 99 Oakdale Road
- Raze and construct four residential units at 395 Lexington Street
- Retaining walls exceeding four feet at 83 Commonwealth Park West
- Appointments:
- Kevin Mendik to the Conservation Commission
- Valerie Pontiff and Victor Lebovici to the Newton Commonwealth Foundation
- Susan Eaton to the Human Rights Commission
- Stacy Roman to the Design Review Committee
- Reappointments:
- Kathryn Cade, Susan Lunin, and Jeffrey Zabel to the Conservation Commission
- David Gillespie, Peter J. Barrer, and Carol S. Schein to the Design Review Committee
- CPC recommendations to appropriate:
- $1,900,000 for a grant to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust for FY27 funding
- $35,032 for permanent bike share infrastructure on two recreation sites
- Authorization to purchase 492 Waltham Street for $2,972,982, funded by general obligation borrowing
- Grant acceptance of $23,040 from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency Emergency Management Preparedness Grant
- National Grid grant of location for a new regulator station at Commonwealth Avenue @ Washington Street (Public Hearing 8/19)
- Ban on cryptocurrency ATMs, kiosks, and self-service machines
- Discussion and straw vote on the Bullough’s Pond Project
- Discussion on creating a Newton City Hall Conservation Management Plan
- Discussion to clarify intended benefits and costs of preservation referenced in single-family and multi-family zoning items
- Transfer of $623,130.15 in excess debt exclusion bond proceeds from Cabot Construction to Franklin Construction
- Transfer of $600 for the Commission on Disability’s Disability Pride Event
- Settlement of Case No. 217268 for $11,691.81
Public Facilities will meet on Monday regarding the CPC recommendation to appropriate $232,000 in Community Preservation Act funding for the cupolas and windows at City Hall.
School Committee
School Committee is not scheduled to meet this week.
Negotiation Subcommittee will meet in Executive Session on Tuesday to discuss collective bargaining strategy regarding the Newton Teachers Association, Units A-E.
Boards and Commissions
Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding Certificates of Appropriateness to replace gas-powered street lamps with solar LED street lamps at 53 Vista Avenue, 21 Vista Avenue, and 118 Windermere Road, and to install a new door at 26 Fern Street.
Design Review Committee will meet on Wednesday regarding:
- Draft Sustainability Guidelines 2026 Update
- Feasibility study updates for the Police Headquarters and Training Facility, Newton South High School, and Ward and Underwood Elementary Schools
Urban Design Commission will meet on Wednesday regarding sign permits for 13 businesses, including the West Newton Armory and Sonesta Global Headquarters at 235-241 Washington Street.
Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday regarding Certificates of Appropriateness to replace brick-style stamped concrete with brick-style asphalt pavement at Pettee Square (approximately 1215-1223 Chestnut Street) and to install 9 replacement windows at 51 Pettee Street.
Other
Laredo Listens — Mayor Marc Laredo’s listening tour, at Farlow Park (129 Church Street) on Wednesday, August 12, 1PM-2PM.
Development Review Team will meet this week regarding the following potential project/proposals:
- 399 Grove Street (Riverside): Riverside amendments to Special Permits — 2 sessions.
This week’s road construction schedule.