Ahead of the January 21 City Council vote on whether to ban the sale of tobacco and e-cigarette products in Newton to those born after March 1, 2004, some officials and advocates for both smokers’ rights and for teens made impassioned pleas on both sides of the proposal. On January…
Fig City News
On January 8, the Newton Programs and Services Committee met to discuss Mayor Ruthanne Fuller’s nomination of W. David Power for the upcoming vacant Republican seat on the Newton Election Commission (see Fig City News article). Members of the Committee include Councilor Josh Krintzman (Chair), Councilor Bill Humphrey (Vice Chair),…
Newton’s Director of Parks & Open Space, Luis Perez Demorizi, recently announced that construction has begun on Phase 1 of the improvements scheduled for Albemarle Field. When he presented updated plans for Albemarle and other fields in a webinar last March (see Fig City News article), he indicated that construction…
Amy Mah Sangiolo (11th Middlesex District) and Greg Schwartz (12th Middlesex District) were among nineteen new House legislators taking the oath of office at the State House on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Governor Maura Healey administered the oath, after thanking members for their commitment to serve the Commonwealth. “It’s not…
A research team at UMass Boston has delivered a 109-page report — Aging in Newton: A Community Needs Assessment — to assist the City’s strategic planning in preparation for the opening of the Cooper Center for Active Living, which is expected in the fall of 2025 as a replacement and…
Hospitality Homes is a nonprofit arranger of short-term housing for out-of-town families and caregivers of patients at Boston medical facilities. For years, several Hospitality Homes hosts in Newton have welcomed and housed patients and their families, as Newton is particularly well located for access to Boston’s world-class medical facilities. Since…
Even before Lauren Comando’s work was chosen to be part of FenceArt — a Newton outdoor art initiative marking its 10th anniversary in 2025 — she was a fan of the program. “I … have always thought [FenceArt was] a really great, accessible public art display showcasing the diversity of…
State Representative John Lawn was named Legislator of the Year by the Massachusetts Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA), “for going above and beyond in supporting legislation that protects the rights and improves the lives of seniors and individuals with disabilities.” Waban resident Jason Paul has secured sufficient signatures…
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the focus of this month’s main exhibit at the Newton Free Library, offering a unique opportunity to dive into this ancient practice through a captivating display in the entrance hallway. The exhibit features a fascinating collection of items, including Chinese herbal medicines, tools for preparing…
The Newton Election Commission, responsible for administering and enforcing election laws, has four members: two each from the Democratic and Republican parties, to promote bipartisanship. Current Commission members include Democrats Marjorie Ann Butler (Chair) and Nancy M. Levine, and Republicans Jan Huffman and John P. McDermott. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller has…
The adoption by the City Council of BERDO, Mayor Fuller’s landmark sustainability legacy, is a major step toward reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Newton. It also changes how we think about energy use in buildings. It is more than an unavoidable expense; rather, long-term energy planning is now an integral…
After the sudden deaths of an entire local family due to carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning at their vacation home in New Hampshire on Christmas, the Newton Theatre Company has announced it will honor their memories with a special Monologue Project this spring. The Goldstein family — Matthew, 52; his wife…