When METCO (the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity) program began in 1966, organized opposition emerged in Brookline, Wellesley, Needham, and other neighboring suburbs, but not in Newton. METCO had “a smooth start here” without “incident or fanfare.” Instead of protesting METCO, Newton’s parents were protesting lunchtime. Between 1940 and 1970,…
Posts published by “Lucia Dolan”
The Land Use Committee met on January 27, 2026, regarding the following. See report and meeting video. Approved Approved (Withdrawal Without Prejudice) Present: Councilors Kelley (Chair), Leary, Block, Farrell, Golden, Irish, Lucas, Roche. Also Present: Councilor Wright. City staff: Sondria Berman, Senior Planner; Cat Kemmett, Deputy Chief Planner; Jonah Temple,…
The Joint Zoning & Planning and Finance Committees met on January 26, 2026. See report and meeting video. Approved No Action Necessary Held Present (Zoning & Planning): Councilors Baker (Chair), Wright (Vice Chair), Oliver, Albright, Dahmubed, Getz, Gordon, Kalis. Present (Finance): Councilors Grossman (Chair), Bixby (Vice Chair), Greenberg, Charm, Krintzman,…
The Programs & Services Committee met on January 21, 2026 regarding the following. See report and meeting video. Held Present: Councilors Krintzman (Chair), Malakie (Vice Chair), Bixby, Oliver, Baker, Charm, Farrell, Micley. Also Present: Councilors Leary and Roche. City staff: Mark Welch, Acting Commissioner of Parks & Recreation; Jennifer Wilson,…
The Public Facilities Committee met on January 21, 2026, regarding the following. See report and meeting video. Approved Held Present: Councilors Kalis (Chair), Albright, Dahmubed, Getz, Gordon, Grossman, Kelley. Absent: Councilor Leary. City staff: Josh Morse, Chief Operating Officer; Shawna Sullivan, Commissioner of Public Works; Bernie McDonald, Deputy Commissioner of…
The Public Safety & Transportation Committee met on January 21, 2026, regarding the following: Approved Approved as Amended No Action Necessary Repealed Traffic Council Decisions Present: Councilors Lucas (Chair), Greenberg, Wright, Block, Irish, Roche, Golden, Silber. Also Present: Councilors Kelley and Dahmubed. City staff: Josh Morse, Chief Operating Officer; John…
The Traffic Council met on January 15, 2026, regarding the following. See report and meeting video. Approved Held Denied Present: Ned Codd, Captain Devine, Mitchell Fischman, David Koses, Councilor Lucas. Also Present: Councilors Baker, Roche, Silber, and Wright, and alternate resident member Margot Spiller. City staff: Jini Fairley, ADA Coordinator;…
Newton’s economy has changed over the last 25 years. In 2000, commercial property taxes were 20% of total property taxes; in 2026, they are less than 8%. Recognizing that “economic development is critical for the health of our city,” Mayor Laredo has asked the City Council to move economic development…
The Finance Committee met on January 12and took the following actions (see the report and watch the meeting video): Approved Present: Councilors Grossman (Chair), Bixby, Charm, Greenberg, Krintzman, Malakie, Micley, and Silber. City staff: Chief Financial Officer Maureen Lemieux, Chief Operating Officer Josh Morse, Comptroller Steve Curley, Director of Cultural…
The Zoning & Planning Committee met on January 12, 2026 and took the following actions (see the report and watch the meeting video): Approved Held Present: Councilors Baker (Chair), Wright, Albright, Gordon, Oliver, Dahmubed, Getz, and Kalis. Also Present: Councilors Roche, Block, Farrell, Greenberg, and Malakie. City staff: Katie Whewell,…
The Programs & Services Committee met on January 7 and took the following actions (see the report and watch the meeting video): Approved Present: Councilors Krintzman (Chair), Malakie, Farrell, Charm, Micley, Oliver, Bixby, Baker. Also Present: Councilors Wright and Gordon. City staff: Chief Community Service Officer John Rice, Assistant City…
The Public Facilities Committee met on January 7 and took the following actions (see the report and watch the meeting video): Held Present: Councilors Kalis (Chair), Albright, Dahmubed, Getz, Gordon, Grossman, Kelley, and Leary.