In the spring of 1975, the School Committee approved a budget with an 8.7% increase, when inflation was at 11%, due in part to the 1973-4 oil embargo during the Arab-Israeli War. In the local election that November, four School Committee members were ousted by candidates from a new political…
Posts published by “Lucia Dolan”
The Land Use Committee met on Tuesday, March 24. See the report and meeting video. Approved Present: Councilors Kelley (Chair), Leary, Irish, Block, Farrell, Golden, Lucas, and Roche.Also present: Councilor Malakie.City staff: Senior Planner Sondria Berman; Deputy Chief Planner Cat Kemmett; Deputy City Solicitor Jonah Temple; Planning Associate Zach Melcher.
The Finance Committee met on Monday, March 23. See the report and meeting video. Approved No Action Necessary Present: Councilors Grossman (Chair), Bixby, Charm, Greenberg, Krintzman, Malakie, Micley, and Silber.City staff: Chief Financial Officer Maureen Lemieux; Comptroller Steve Curley; Commission on Disability Co-Chair Jack Lovett.
The Zoning & Planning Committee met on Monday, March 23. See the report and meeting video. Note: Vice Chair Wright served as chair pro tem for this meeting. No Action Necessary Acting Director of Planning & Development Katie Whewell and Commissioner of Inspectional Services Anthony Ciccariello joined the committee to…
The Traffic Council met on Thursday, March 19. See the report, Traffic Council Actions document, and meeting video. Approved Approved items can be appealed through the close of business on April 8, 2026. No Action Necessary Held Present: Ned Codd (DPW), Captain Devine (Police), Mitchell Fischman (Resident Member), David Koses…
The Public Facilities Committee met on Wednesday, March 18. See the report and meeting video. No Action Necessary Approved Present: Councilors Kalis (Chair), Albright, Getz, Gordon, Dahmubed, and Kelley.Absent: Councilors Grossman and Leary.Also present: Councilors Malakie and Silber.City staff: Commissioner of Public Buildings Alex Valcarce; Commissioner of Public Works Shawna…
The Public Safety & Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, March 18. See the report and meeting video. Held City Solicitor Alissa Giuliani presented an overview of Newton’s Welcoming City Ordinance, passed by City Council in February 2017, and Mayor Laredo’s executive order signed in February 2026. The ordinance prohibits city…
For the third time in four years, the Newton Public Schools (NPS) spring budgeting process has brought up the possibility of cuts across several departments, sparking concern and advocacy from educators and community members. These challenges come after COVID-19 relief funds have been exhausted and the March 2023 operating override failed…
In the 1970s, strife over the Newton Public School budget intensified as the 1970 recession deepened, enrollment continued to decline, teachers gained collective bargaining rights, and the State changed educational mandates and funding. The battle moved from City-versus-School Committee to school-versus-school. “Education as a right to be claimed, not a…
The Finance Committee met on Monday, March 9. See report and meeting video. Approved Present: Councilors Grossman (Chair), Bixby, Charm, Greenberg, Krintzman, Malakie, and Silber.Absent: Councilor Micley.City staff: Maureen Lemieux, Chief Financial Officer; Steve Curley, Comptroller; Trevor Goehring, Financial Analyst II; Alex Valcarce, Commissioner of Public Buildings; Ron Mendes, City…
The Zoning & Planning Committee met on Monday, March 9. See the report and meeting video. Held Present: Councilors Baker (Chair), Wright (Vice Chair), President Oliver, Albright, Gordon, Kalis, Getz, and Dahmubed.Also present: Councilors Block, Roche, Bixby, and Malakie.City staff: Katie Whewell, Acting Director of Planning; Nora Colello, Chief of…
The Programs & Services Committee met on Wednesday, March 4. See the report and meeting video. Held The March 17 P&S meeting is canceled so members can attend the Public Safety and Transportation meeting on ICE enforcement in Newton. Present: Councilors Krintzman (Chair), Malakie (Vice Chair), President Oliver, Farrell, Baker,…