Highlights this week:
- Finance …considering appropriating $4.7 million of Free Cash for various projects
- Finance …considering accepting $4.3 million low-interest loan from state for stormwater projects at Cold Spring Park, Cabot Dog Park, and potentially Braceland Park
- Traffic Council …reviewing parking programs allowing free parking at Austin Street Parking Lot
City Council
City Council is not scheduled to meet this week.
Zoning & Planning Committee will meet Monday regarding:
- Public Hearing: Zoning change to allow raised beds in the front and rear setback
- Information on expiring deed restrictions and options to maintain them as affordable units
- Amend the MR zones to encourage preservation of existing buildings
- Presentation on Town of Brookline Rezoning at Route 9 & Hammond Street
Finance Committee will meet Monday regarding:
- Appropriations from Certified Free Cash:
- $3,000,000 for Transportation and Paving Improvement Program
- $577,175 for two multipurpose Trackless vehicles and two Snowrator machines
- $550,000 for SAN replacement
- $225,000 for Police firearm equipment replacement
- $150,000 for netting at the Halloran Sports Complex Multi-Purpose Field
- $135,000 for upgrades to fuel stations at Crafts Street and Elliot Street Yards
- $105,000 to support the Police Department
- Other appropriations:
- $4,329,664 low-interest loan from the Massachusetts Clean Water Trust State Revolving Fund for Fiscal Year 2027 stormwater projects at Cold Spring Park, Cabot Dog Park, and potentially Braceland Park
- Up to $2,792,700 from Water Budget Reserves for Fiscal Year 2027 water main improvements
- $347,534.91 in CPC funding for War Memorial Stairs
- $150,000 grant from the MassDOT Complete Streets Funding Program for traffic calming improvements in Newton Highlands
- $3,275.15 grant from the Department of Fire Services to purchase smoke and CO detectors for Newton’s older adults
- Transfers:
- $900,000 for improvements to roadways, sidewalks, and ramps
- $277,499 from the Energy Stabilization Fund for heat pumps at Fire Station 2
- $100,000 for increased water and sewer usage
Traffic Council will meet Thursday regarding:
- Accessible parking space in front of 17–19 Beech Street
- Parking restriction on Cynthia Road at the corner of Greenwood Street
- Extend the “No Parking Except Sundays and Holidays” restriction on the north side of Suffolk Road
- Change parking regulations on north side of Otis Street between Lowell Avenue and Walden Street
- Trial or permanent change to parking on one side of Lowell Avenue between Elm Road and Highland Avenue
- Possible change to parking regulations along both sides of Highland Avenue between Lowell Avenue and Walnut Street, and parking programs within the Austin Street Municipal Lot
- Continue the Traffic Council trial allowing vehicles displaying TIGER permits to park in the Austin Street Lot without payment on school days
School Committee
School Committee is not scheduled to meet this week.
There are no school council meetings this week.
Boards and Commissions
Commission on Disability will meet Monday to discuss:
- COD Goals
- ADA Coordinator Update
- Disability Pride Update
- MOD Grant Update
- Monologue Project Review
Joint Planning & Development Board and Zoning & Planning Committee will meet Monday to discuss a zoning change to allow raised beds in the front and rear setback.
Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet Tuesday regarding Certificates of Appropriateness to:
- Convert garage into ADU, enclose screened-in porch, install new front porch with ramp, and new rear deck at 8 Leighton Road
- Build new construction on side lot at 30 Cheswick Road
Community Preservation Committee will meet Tuesday for a pre-proposal meeting for Bike Share at Recreation Sites and administrative items.
Newton Free Library Board of Trustees Finance Committee will meet Tuesday to discuss:
- Proposed FY27 budget review
- Fiscal 2027 Priorities
Parks & Recreation Signage and Naming Committee will meet Tuesday to review Zoning Ordinance sections regarding signs in Open Space/Recreation and Public Use Districts.
Newton Affordable Housing Trust will meet Wednesday to discuss:
- Declaration of Trust Documents for Future Mortgages
- Financial Report Review
- Discussion of Project Pipeline
- Trust Resources
- Current Project Updates
- Review of Revised Trust Funding CPA Application
Newton Historical Commission will meet Wednesday to review:
- Violation of Demolition Ordinance: 17 Emerson Street
- Preservation Restriction Review: 391 Walnut Street
- Local Landmark Reviews: 236 Islington Road and 391 Dedham Street
- Total demolition applications: 7 Westland Terrace, 44 Rowe Street, 48 Miller Road, and 1801 Beacon Street (garage and partial demolition of house)
- Partial demolition applications: 374 Winchester Street and 58 Country Club Road (with waiver of total demolition delay of house)
- Waivers of demolition delay: 11 Frances Street (partial) and 395 Lexington Street (total)
Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet Thursday regarding an addition on the existing building and a new building on the rear of the lot at 981 Chestnut Street.
Newtonville Area Council will meet on Thursday regarding:
- Washington Street: Future Project Impacts on Quality of Life along Washington Street
- Highland Ave. concerns: Swedenborgian church construction
- Bullough’s Pond Dam
- Newtonville Village Day, Sept. 20
Other
State Rep. Amy Sangiolo has had to cancel office hours previously scheduled for Friday, June 12.
Development Review Team will meet this week regarding the following potential project/proposals:
- 4 Rockledge Road: Addition to single family home.
- 155 Lake Avenue: Accessory dwelling unit/extension of nonconforming setbacks.
This week’s road construction schedule has not yet been posted.