Greetings!

Welcome to the weekly newsletter from the Newton City Council.

City Council Newsletter for January 31, 2020.

This newsletter is designed to keep the Newton Community informed about what the City Council is working on and what is coming up in the next week. Stay informed and use the links below to get additional information. 
City Council 
The City Council will meet on Monday, February 3, 2020 at 7:45 pm to discuss the following items:

The President of the City Council will be requesting a roll call vote to go into Executive Session in accordance with the Provisions of Chapter 30A, sec 21(a) to hear from Legal Council on an Open Meeting Law Complaint filed against the City Council.

#16-20  Petition to allow parking waiver and restaurant with more than 50 seats at Piccadilly Sq. - Item Chartered on January 21, 2020.

#66-20  Class 2 Auto Dealer License - PARAGON EXPORTS.
 
#14-20  Petition for parking facility waivers at 287-289 Newtonville Avenue.

#37-20  Amend ordinances by creating a temporary suspension on landmark designation.

#41-20  Appointment of Anna Kusiak to the Youth Commission.

#42-20  Appointment of Anabel Marré to the Youth Commission.

#43-20  Appointment of Andrew Li to the Youth Commission.

#44-20  Appointment of Shiv Sawhney to the Youth Commission.

#46-20  Appointment of Sue Rasala to the Council on Aging.

#45-20  Reappointment of Elizabeth Dugan to the Council on Aging.

#76-20  Eversource Energy petition for a Grant of Location on Claflin Place.

#77-20  National Grid petition for grant of location in Jackson Street.

#78-20  National Grid petition for grant of location in Sargent Street.

#79-20  National Grid petition for grant of location in David Road.

#85-20  Approve $1,000,000 for snow and ice removal.

#87-20  Appropriate $900,000 for Fire Rescue Full Time Salaries.

#82-20  Appropriate $41,869 from E-Rate Funds to fund technology enhancements.

#83-20  Authorization to expend a $3,000 $6,000 US Food and Drug Administration Grant.

#84-20  Authorization to expend a $200,000 Housing Choice Grant.

#53-20  Requesting an amendment to Senior citizen sticker parking ordinance.

T he complete Council Reports Docket for this meeting is available HERE.
Zoning & Planning Committee
The Zoning & Planning Committee met on Monday, January 27, 2020 and recommends approval of the following item:

#37-20  Amend ordinances by creating a temporary suspension on landmark designation.

The complete Committee Report for this meeting is available HERE.
Land Use Committee

The Land Use Committee met on Tuesday, January 28, 2020 and recommends approval of the following items:

#66-20  Class 2 Auto Dealer License - PARAGON EXPORTS.

#14-20  Petition for parking facility waivers at 287-289 Newtonville Avenue.

Applications, Plans and Review Memos for Special Permit petitions are available  HERE .

The complete Committee Report for this meeting is available HERE.

__________________________

The Land Use Committee will meet on Tuesday, February 4, 2020 at 7:00 pm to hold public hearings and discuss the following items:

#68-20  Petition to allow a free-standing sign at 40 Austin Street.
 
#69-20  Petition to amend Order #284-95 to allow a free-standing sign at 84 Needham Street.

#24-20  Petition to allow for-profit educational use at 66 Winchester Street.

#67-20  Petition to allow adult-use marijuana dispensary at 58 Cross St/1089 Washington Street.

#25-20  Special Permit Petition to allow marijuana retailer at 1158 Beacon Street.

Applications, Plans and Review Memos for Special Permit petitions are available  HERE .

The complete Committee Agenda for this meeting is available HERE.
Finance Committee
The Finance Committee met on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 and recommends approval of the following items:

#85-20  Approve $1,000,000 for snow and ice removal.

#87-20  Appropriate $900,000 for Fire Rescue Full Time Salaries.
 
#82-20  Appropriate $41,869 from E-Rate Funds to fund technology enhancements.
 
#83-20  Authorization to expend a $3,000 US Food and Drug Administration Grant.
 
#84-20  Authorization to expend a $200,000 Housing Choice Grant.

The complete Committee Report for this meeting is available HERE.
Programs & Services Committee
The Programs & Services Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at 7:00 pm to discuss the following items:

Chair’s Note: There will be a brief update on item #64-20 requesting that the Mayor submit a new Crescent Street Proposal.
 
#51-20  Request for a discussion on a new staff directory.

#101-20  Requesting a discussion on the 2020 Census.

#103-20  Request to move the Ward 2 Precinct 1 polling location.

The complete Committee Agenda for this meeting is available HERE.
Public Facilities Committee

The Public Facilities Committee will meet on Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at 7:00 pm to discuss the following items:

#109-20  Appointment of Meryl Kessler to the Solid Waste Commission.

#110-20  Appointment of Carl Valente to the Solid Waste Commission.

#55-20  Update on the status of the Solar Phase 3 Projects.

#60-20  Update on the Climate Action Plan.

Chairs Note: The Public Works Department will update the committee on the Accelerated Roads Program.

#114-20  Approve $500,000 for snow and ice removal.

The complete Committee Agenda for this meeting is available HERE.
Friday Packet
Access the Council Calendar and all of the material that the City Council and its Committees will be taking up in the coming week. Review the Friday Packet each Friday which is available through the City of Newton's website.  
    
(Check back after 5 pm each Friday for a complete packet)        
Presidential Primaries
Special Municipal Election
Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Polls Open 7:00 am to 8:00 pm
Presidential Primaries
Includes 5 days of Early Voting - February 24 through 28
Deadline to register to Vote is February 12, 2020
Presidential Primary Ballots available:  Democrat Republican Green-Rainbow Libertarian

Special Newton Referendum Election
Includes 5 days of Early Voting - February 24 through 28
Deadline to register to Vote is February 12, 2020
One Question on Ballot:

Shall the following measure which was passed by the City Council be approved?

A measure which changes the zoning of parcels of land located at 156 Oak Street, 275-281 Needham Street and 55 Tower Road (commonly known as the Northland Project) from Mixed Use 1 District (MU1) to Business 4 District (BU4). The zoning change would allow for the construction of the Northland Project as described in a special permit and site plan approval granted by the City Council.

Yes____
No____


More information on upcoming Elections can be found HERE .
If you would like additional information on any of the items listed in this newsletter, please let us know.
Sincerely,
David Olson
City Clerk
dolson@newtonma.gov
  1000 Commonwealth Avenue, Newton, MA 02459
617-796-1210 | www.newtonma.gov