Highlights this week…
- Budget Reviews …of Assessing, Financial Services, Executive/Sustainability, Human Resources, Public Buildings, Information Technology, Museum, Library, Arts & Culture, Veterans, Parks & Recreation
- Finance …reviewing appropriations from Free Cash totaling $9,713,094.82
- School Committee …considering Math Curriculum Adoption and participation in School Choice
- State Rep. Greg Schwartz …holding office hours on Monday
City Council
City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Budget Reviews: City Council committees are reviewing aspects of these proposals:
- FY2027–FY2031 Capital Improvement Plan
- FY2027–FY2031 Supplemental Capital Improvement Plan
- FY27 School Committee Budget Book
City Council’s Budget Calendar (see calendar)
- May 11: Finance: Assessing, Financial Services, Executive/Sustainability, Human Resources
- May 13: Public Facilities: Public Buildings
- May 14: Programs & Services: Information Technology, Museum, Library, Arts & Culture, Veterans, Parks & Recreation
Zoning & Planning Committee will meet Monday regarding:
- Discussion with the Newton Housing Authority
- Discussion of established Uses within Chapter 30
- Zoning amendment to allow electrical transformers to project into the setback
- Reappointment of Marcela Merino to the Economic Development Commission
Finance Committee will meet Monday regarding:
- Appropriations from Certified Free Cash:
- $3,200,000 for snow and ice expenditures – ($2,319,875 from June 30, 2025 Certified Free Cash and $880,125 from Inclement Weather Reserve Fund with $750,000 to Regular Overtime Account and $2,450,000 to Contractors Account)
- $1,250,000 for NSHS feasibility design phase
- $1,250,000 for Police facility feasibility design phase
- $1,250,000 for Elementary Schools feasibility design phase
- $1,000,000 for SCBA Harnesses
- $833,948.85 repurposed for Burr School and Newton South High School roofs
- $500,000 for Full Day Kindergarten Aides
- $500,000 repurposed for multiple small projects at NPS
- $345,697.55 for North and Crafts Streets
- $325,000 for NPS science curriculum
- $75,000 for Jaws of Life
- $63,573.42 for Underwood security cameras
- Appropriation of $142,370 from Energy Stabilization Fund for LED Project at Day Middle School
- Authorization to accept a grant of $52,000 from Massachusetts Department of Environment Protection Sustainable Materials Recovery Program
- Requesting Ordinance Amendment to allow reorganizing of the Purchasing Department under the Financial Services Department (Public Hearing)
- Department Budget discussions: Assessing, Financial Services, Executive/Sustainability, Human Resources
Land Use Committee will meet Tuesday regarding requests for Special Permits to:
- Raze existing dwelling and construct new two-story single-family dwelling with relief for FAR at 11 Richfield Road (Petitioner has requested to withdraw without prejudice)
- Raze existing structure and construct a three-story building containing four live/work units with relief for stories, height, and parking waivers at 1100-1102 Beacon Street
- Raze existing buildings and construct 16 single-family attached dwellings with relief for setbacks, parking, and related dimensional requirements at 93, 103 and 0 Thurston Road
- Allow a system of retaining walls exceeding four feet in height at 43 Kenwood Avenue
- Construct an attached garage further extending the nonconforming FAR at 104 Eldredge Street
- Construct a detached two-car garage and rear addition exceeding the maximum FAR and façade ratio at 19 Saxon Road
Public Facilities Committee will meet Wednesday regarding:
- CPC recommendation to appropriate $347,534.91 for War Memorial Stairs
- Department Budget discussions: Public Buildings
Programs & Services Committee will meet Thursday regarding:
- Appropriations from Certified Free Cash:
- $550,000 for SAN replacement
- $150,000 for Netting
- Department Budget discussions: Information Technology, Parks & Recreation, Veterans, Arts & Culture, Museum, Library
School Committee
School Committee will meet Monday with a Public Hearing on FY27 School Choice Participation at 6PM, followed by the regular meeting at 6:30PM regarding:
- Superintendent’s Update
- Self-Study Reports: ELA, Phonics Curriculum recommendation, Social Studies
- Math Curriculum Adoption Recommendation
- School Choice
Negotiations Subcommittee will meet in Executive Session on Monday and again on Thursday to discuss impact bargaining with the Newton Teachers Association.
School Committee Policy Subcommittee will meet Friday regarding:
- Background Check/Fingerprinting Policy
- Wellness Policy
- ETO Seclusion Policy & protocol
- Homework Policy
- Electronic Device in Elementary Policy
- Revenue Raising Policies
School Councils meeting this week:
- FA Day Middle School Council on Tuesday
- Peirce Elementary School Council on Wednesday
- Lincoln-Eliot School Council on Thursday
Boards and Commissions
Library Board of Trustees Executive Screening Committee will meet Monday in Executive Session to interview candidates for the position of City Librarian.
Commission on Disability will meet Monday regarding:
- Parking Application at 17-19 Beech Street
- ADA Coordinator Position Advocacy Letter
- ASL Funding for Monologue Project
- Disability Pride Event Update and Funding
Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet Tuesday regarding requests for Certificates of Appropriateness to:
- Build rear addition, widen driveway, alter driveway wall, and replace windows at 30 Cheswick Road
- Build new construction on side lot at 30 Cheswick Road
- Shrink window opening on rear second floor at 304 Central Street
- Replace windows and doors at 26 Fern Street
- Build a new construction ADU in back yard at 65 Grove Street
Community Preservation Committee will meet Tuesday regarding:
- Financial Presentation
- Current Projects Updates
- Staff Update
- Vice Chair Position
Economic Development Commission will meet Tuesday regarding:
- City Planning Department Update on EDC’s Suggested Zoning Rule Changes
- Discussion and Agreement on Potential 2026 EDC Working Group Topics
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees Finance Committee will meet Tuesday regarding Draft FY27 budget review.
Urban Design Commission will meet Wednesday regarding sign permit applications for:
- Crunch & Boba at 1385-1389 Washington Street
- Wells Park at 199 Wells Avenue
- J. Crew Factory at 131-181 Needham Street
- Bank of America at 11-21 Commonwealth Avenue
- Glowbar at 200-220 Boylston Street
- Eastern Bank at 200-220 Boylston Street
- Drybar at 200-220 Boylston Street
Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet Thursday regarding requests for Certificates of Appropriateness to:
- Install solar panels at 347-349 Elliot Street
- Replace retaining wall and steps at 88 High Street
Waban Area Council will meet Thursday featuring a Q&A with Superintendent Nolin.
Other
State Rep. Greg Schwartz will hold office hours in person on Monday, 10AM-11:30AM at Newton City Hall, Room 211.
Development Review Team will meet this week regarding the following potential project/proposal:
- 191 Linwood Avenue: Single-family addition, relief to exceed FAR.
This week’s road construction schedule has not yet been posted.