The Public Safety & Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, April 8. See the report and meeting video.
No Action Necessary
- Street sweeping compliance in Nonantum — 7-0. The pilot street-sweeping program covers 10 streets in Nonantum on the second Tuesday of each month between 9 AM and 1 PM, with a $25 fine — the same as any restricted parking violation. The police have noted increased non-compliance. Captain Devine noted that the police cannot track the exact number of street-sweeping tickets because the violation code is shared across all restricted parking areas. The committee discussed raising fines, escalating fines for repeat offenders (the department confirmed its system can do this), towing (Captain Devine was opposed, noting it is not a harmful violation), and better resident education and notification systems. Two new docket items were announced: one to potentially raise fines, and one to implement a resident notification subscription program.
Held
- Overnight Parking Ban ordinance change — 7-0. The committee established goals for an updated Overnight Parking Ban Ordinance, including equity, climate impact, street safety, ease of enforcement, and readiness for implementation on December 1, 2026. The committee agreed to form an Overnight Parking Ban Working Group of 5–7 members, including a Transportation Advisory Group member, a Traffic Council member, and residents with relevant data and transportation expertise.
Present: Councilors Lucas (Chair), Greenberg, Wright, Block, Irish, Roche, and Silber.
Absent: Councilor Golden.
Also present: Councilor Leary.
City staff: Captain Daniel Devine, Newton Police Department.
