Rampur is a small city four hours north of Delhi that many Indians have never heard of. A well-constructed highway loops around the city, which means travelers on their way to more popular destinations need not stop. And why would they? The city has the highest Muslim population in Uttar…
Fig City News
With the controversy around the siting and permitting of the Newton Center for Active Living (NewCAL) now behind us, it is time for the community to focus on the interior design of the building, specifically its accessibility to older adults, including those who are visually impaired. Newton’s Senior Center has…
Interim Superintendent Kathleen Smith and Assistant Superintendent Liam Hurley met with Fig City News to review two versions of the NPS budget for the next school year (FY24) — with and without the $4.5 million that would be provided by approval of the operating override proposed by the Mayor. Approval…
The January 23 School Committee meeting contained a busy agenda, beginning with several Asian-American constituents, including NPS parents and students making public comments to voice their support for making Lunar New Year a public school holiday. An additional commenter supported the same for Diwali. The main topic discussed was the proposed…
On the two-year anniversary of the police killing of our neighbor, Michael Conlon, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller sent a city-wide email that regrettably did not center Michael as a person, celebrate his life or mourn his death. Nor did the email talk about the importance of mental health or offer…
On a snowy Monday, Rep. Ruth Balser’s colleagues and environmental allies gathered in the State House Library to celebrate her success in passing the Public Lands Preservation Act, after leading the effort for nearly quarter of a century. Former Governor Charlie Baker signed the bill into law on November 17.…
Seen in Cold Spring Park, just in time for WinterFEST this coming weekend… This abode seems to abide by regulations for setbacks and floor-area ratio.
At the January 23 Zoning and Planning (ZAP) Committee meeting (watch video on NewTV), Jenn Caira, Deputy Director of Planning, briefed the committee on the current status of the Planning Department’s work on Village Center Zoning. Ms. Caira’s presentation included a recap of the seven information sessions that were held…
A ballot-question committee, No Override Newton, was formed two weeks ago to advocate against the approval of three override proposals totaling $14.9 million. The three questions will be decided in an election in March. The No Override Newton committee is chaired by Traute Marshall, and Lynne LeBlanc is treasurer. (As reported earlier,…
For years, members of Mothers Out Front, 350Mass Newton, and Green Newton watched in frustration as the DPW and Newton’s Public Facilities Committee agreed to National Grid’s whack-a-mole scattershot approach to gas pipelines. They have not reduced the many high volume and dangerous leaks nor curbed methane emissions. At the…
On January 18, the MassDOT hosted its third public hearing on the multi-faceted analysis of land use options along 128/I-95 — from Newton to Lexington — for housing, transportation, and economic development. According to the project fact sheet, “The study will develop and analyze alternatives, present policy and infrastructure recommendations…
Moody’s Investors Service assigned a Aaa general obligation limited tax (GOLT) rating today to the City of Newton’s $20.3 million General Obligation Municipal Purpose Loan of 2023 Bonds. According to Moody’s, “The issuer rating reflects the city’s ability to repay debt and debt-like obligations without consideration of any pledge, security,…