Highlights this week…
- Finance Committee …reviewing proposed transfer of $300,000 for increased staff in Mayor’s Office
- Zoning and Planning …reviewing reorganization of Newton’s Economic Development functions
- Economic Development Commission …discussing the 2025 economic strategy update
- Newton Affordable Housing Trust …reviewing Housing Priorities Task Force draft report
- Rep. Greg Schwartz …holding office hours on Monday at 10AM at City Hall
- National Fig Newton Day …on Friday, celebrating the cookie named for our city.
City Council
City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Finance Committee will meet on Monday regarding the transfer of $300,000 from multiple accounts to Executive Office, Full Time Salaries to fund two new management positions (Chief of Community Services and Chief of Staff) and temporary funding for an overlap period for a new Chief Financial Officer
Zoning & Planning Committee will meet on Monday to discuss:
- Zoning and Planning Committee’s work plan for the 2026-2027 term
- Possible ordinance amendments to change oversight of the Economic Development Commission
- Transition of the City’s economic development functions and staff to the Mayor’s Office
Traffic Council will meet on Thursday regarding requests to:
- Designate accessible parking spaces at 925 Watertown Street, 10 Langley Road, 839 Washington Street
- Extend the current parking prohibition (except Sundays and Holidays) on the north side of Suffolk Road from its current terminus, further westerly, to 10 feet west of the fire hydrant, in front of 47 Suffolk Road
- Extend the two-hour parking limit, 7AM-6PM, on the north side of Homer Street, from Grafton Street west to Cedar Street
- Post a parking restriction on the south side of Dedham Street, to the east of Andrew Street, to improve sightlines
- Install a stop sign at the “T” intersection of Leighton Road and Williston Road
School Committee
School Committee is not scheduled to meet this week.
Newton North School Council will meet on Monday.
Peirce Elementary School Council will meet in person on Wednesday.
Countryside School Council will meet in person on Thursday.
Boards and Commissions
Newton Retirement Board will meet on Monday to review edits to the draft Actuarial Services agreement.
Commission on Disability will meet on Monday regarding:
- Accessible Parking Space Applications for 10 Langley Road and 839 Washington Street
- Meeting with Inclusion Trainer Laura Grunfeld-Debrief
- Winter Event – March film screening with UOD at the library
- Physical Disabilities Monologue Project
- Field Trip Guideline Meeting with Casey Ngo-Miller
- Jini’s Farewell
Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday regarding a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish existing garage and construct new garage at 107-109 Grove Street.
Community Preservation Committee will meet on Tuesday for a pre-proposal meeting for City Hall Cupolas and Window Restoration.
Economic Development Commission will meet on Tuesday to discuss the 2025 economic strategy update.
Newton Affordable Housing Trust will meet on Tuesday to review:
- Housing Priorities Task Force Draft Final Report
- Dream Collaborative’s Final Report for the Site Feasibility Project
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees will meet on Wednesday regarding the search for a new Library Director.
Urban Design Commission will meet on Wednesday regarding sign permits for:
- 261-275 Centre Street – Bricks N Minifig
- 49-51 Winchester Street – Third Space Kitchen
- 230 Needham Street – Visual Comfort and Co.
- 323-335 Walnut Street – Beacon Bank
- 10 Langley Road – Beacon Bank
Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday regarding requestsfor Certificate of Appropriateness to replace existing bow window and exterior light above garage at 6 Reservoir Avenue.
Urban Tree Commission will meet on Friday regarding a Forestry Department update and tree removal requests.
Other
National Fig Newton Day is Friday, celebrated every year on January 16. Newton has no particular historical connection to that date, but it’s a reminder that, on some date in 1891, the cookie was named for Newton, MA — which calls forth the answer to that question, Why “Fig City?”
State Rep. Greg Schwartz will hold office hours on Monday, 10AM-11:30AM, at City Hall, Room 211.
Development Review Team is not scheduled to meet this week.
This week’s road construction schedule.
