馬惠美- week of 7/2

Good Morning Newton Residents, Here's my weekly update on Newton's community and local government.  Click on any of these titles or scroll through all the notices below. Events and Announcements this Week Recodification Committee to Meet – Monday, July 2nd City Council Committee Reports – Now Available Tax Taking Notice Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested. Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind. With warm regards, Amy Mah Sangiolo   Events and Announcements this Week Families Belong Together Vigil –  Monday, July 2nd – 6:30 p.m. in front of Newton City Hall The Newton Clergy Association along with the Cooperative Metropolitan Ministries and the Newton Human Rights Commission, are leading a Families Belong Together Prayer Vigil on Monday, July 2nd at 6:30 p.m. in front of Newton City Hall. “We believe that faith is relevant to the soul of our nation. The separation of families is not a partisan issue. It’s a moral one. Along with the rallies being held in Boston and cities across the nation next weekend, we invite people of faith, or no faith, to come together, and lift your voices, in our various traditions, in prayer for our country, our leaders and those seeking refuge from the violence of their countries. Please bring an electric candle or the light on your cell phone to help us shine a light in the darkness.” Fourth of July Celebration – Celebrate the 4th of July here in Newton!  Beginning at 10 a.m. at the Newton Centre Playground, there will be a Pet Parade, Teddy Bear Parade, Doll Carriage Promenade and Foot Races with a bonus scoop of ice cream provided by Cabot’s! Then head over to Albemarle Playground from Noon – 9 p.m. for the Open Air Market, Amusement Rides and Music by the Bill Winiker Band. And then the Grand Finale:  Fireworks! Please note that these free events have been sponsored by the Newton Pride Committee.  Please consider donating to the Newton Pride Committee to keep these events free.  Information on donating can be found here. Gath Pool Closure:  A water leak was discovered at the Gath Pool which is forcing closure of the pool from Thursday, July 5th until Sunday, July 8th.  Folks can still enjoy swimming at Crystal Lake during this hot spell.  Day pass information for Crystal Lake can be found here. [back to top] Recodification Committee to Meet – Monday, July 2nd The Recodification Committee, chaired by Councilor Lisle Baker, will meet on Monday, July 2nd at 8:30 a.m. in the Clerk’s Office.  The agenda includes the following: Historic District Commission Ordinances Status of City Seal Ordinance Status of Purchasing Section of Ordinances Engineering’s Stormwater Management Policy Revolving funds Ordinance to Meet Municipal Modernization requirements Rules change for Law Department Review of Ordinance changes by Council Parking on Municipal Property Shrubs and Overhanging Vegetation Removal Charges [back to top] City Council Committee Reports – Now Available The following Committee Reports are available: Programs and Services Committee Meeting – June 20, 2018:  The Programs and Services Committee met on June 20th and voted to recommend approval on the following items: Appointment of John Castellot to the Institutional Biotechnology Committee Three appointments to the Human Rights Committee:  Elizabeth Ingraham, Tamika Olszewski, and and David Kuppenheimer Re-appointment of Michelle Freshman to the Health and Human Services Advisory Council Three Re-appointments to the Human Rights Commission:  Bryan Barash, Hattie Kerwin Derrick, and Jane Brown Request to increase the salary of the City Clerk/Clerk of the Council to $135,619 to match the percentage increase included in the FY2019 budget for H-grade employees Amended Ballot Question regulating the number of recreational marijuana establishements to no fewer than 2 and no more than 4 Click on the Programs and Services Committee Meeting – June 20, 2018 link to read the report.  Please note:  attached to the report, is an opinion from the Health and Human Services Commissioner and testimony from the Police and Fire Chief. Public Safety and Transportation Committee Meeting – June 20, 2018:  The Public Safety and Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, June, 20th and voted to recommend approval of the following: Walnut Street Newtonville Enhancement Project All other items were held.  Click on the Public Safety and Transportation Committee Meeting – June 20, 2018 link to read the report. [back to top] Tax Taking Notice The following Tax Taking Notice has been posted. The Treasurer intends to take the following properties on July 5th: 31 Sargent Park 1874 Commonwealth Avenue 53 Hyde Avenue 196 Melrose Street The Notice can be found here. [back to top] Here's my weekly update on Newton's community and local government.  Click on any of these titles or scroll through all the notices below. Marijuana Update Reminder – Rove the Cove Race – Saturday, June 23rd Summer Food Program Open Meeting Law Complaint and Best Practices for City Councilors Full Council to Meet – Monday, June 18th City Council Committee Reports Charter Subcommittee to Meet – June 20th Programs and Services Committee to Meet – June 20th Public Safety and Transportation Committee to Meet June 20th Public Facilities Committee to Meet – June 20th Development Review Team Meetings – Week – June 17th Board and Commission Meetings – Week of June 17th School Committee to Meet Monday, June 18th Lincoln-Eliot Elementary School and Newton Early Childhood Program School Building Committee Meeting – Thursday, June 21st Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested. Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind. With warm regards, Amy Mah Sangiolo   Marijuana Update On June 5th, the Land Use Committee held public hearings on two petitions:  a request by Garden Remedies – a permitted medical marijuana dispensary located at 697 Washington Street (See Planning Department Memo)- to allow retail sale of marijuana and a request by Cypress Tree Management to allow for medical marijuana dispensary at 24-26 Elliot Street (See Planning Department Memo) The public hearings for both requests were continued- Garden Remedies will be taken up on June 26th and Cypress Tree Management’s petition will be taken up on July 10th.  The report on these public hearings can be found here. On June 6th, the Programs and Services Committee held a public hearing on a 50 person signature petition (as allowed for by our City Charter) to request the City Council to place a ballot question on the retail sale of recreational marijuana in the City of Newton. A detailed report on the hearing can be found here. The Programs and Services Committee voted 3-1-2 (Councilor Albright opposed, Councilors Krintzman and Brousal-Glaser abstaining and Councilor Baker not voting) to recommend placing that question on the ballot to the Full Council. The Full Council is scheduled to take that up TONIGHT, Monday, June 18th at it’s Full Council Meeting. Mayor Fuller announced her support for placement of the Opt-Out ballot question in her most recent newsletter. But…the Council also has the following on its new docket: The Planning Department’s long awaited zoning amendments regulating the operation of marijuana establishments and zoning districts where retail sales of marijuana may be located, and Request filed by Councilors Albright and Krintzman to place a ballot question as to whether the City should limit the number of retail marijuana establishments operating in Newton to no fewer than 2 and no more than 6. Stay tuned…… [back to top] Reminder – Rove the Cove Race – Saturday, June 23rd Rove the Cove, June 23rd – The race will be held on Saturday, June 23rd, starting and ending at the picnic area of The Cove in Auburndale.  All proceeds from the race will be donated to the Auburndale Community Library. For more information and to register,  see  http://www.active.com/auburndale-ma/running/distance-running-races/rove-the-cove-5k-2018-46319818. [back to top] Summer Food Program The City of Newton is partnering with the FUEL program and area organizations to provide a Summer Food Program. The program is designed to provide Newton residents with children 18 years old and younger FREE backpacks of non-perishable food to ensure families have extra food during the summer months.  Please click on the link for more information and please forward this information on to friends and neighbors. Summer Food for Families Flyer [back to top] Open Meeting Law Complaint and Best Practices for City Councilors Last week, the City Solicitor conducted a review of an anonymous Open Meeting Law Complaint that was filed with the City Clerk regarding a gathering of 11 City Councilors on May 20th.  According to this memo from City Council President Laredo, the Law Department concluded that no violation had occurred. In addition, Council leadership met two weeks ago to discuss draft Guidelines regarding Best Practices for City Council Chairs and City Councilors in general.  Council President Laredo has now released Best Practices for City Councilors which can be found here. [back to top] Full Council to Meet – Monday, June 18th The Full City Council will meet on Monday, June 18th at 7:45 p.m. in the Council Chamber.  The Reports Docket can be found here and the New Docket can be found here. [back to top] City Council Committee Reports Below are the City Council Committee Reports filed for this week’s Full City Council Meeting. Please click on the meeting links to see the full report. For land use petitions, click on the address to find draft Council orders. Land Use Committee – 6/5/2018:  The Land Use Committee met on June 5th and voted to recommend approval of the following special permit/site plan approval requests: Request to enclose front entrance and further extend a non-conforming setback for property located at 12 Acorn Drive Request to allow a detached accessory apartment in an existing detached structure for property located at 1224 Boylston Street Request to allow a rear lot subdivision to create two lots and demolish the existing single-family structure and construct single-family dwellings on each lot for property located at 156 Otis Street All other items were held. Programs and Services Committee Report – 6/6/2018:  The Programs and Services Committee met on June 6th and voted to recommend approval of the following items: Appointment of two new Library Trustees:  Bharat Bhushan and Chris Kirby Request to transfer $75,000 from the Main Library Full-time Salaries Account to the Main Library Building Improvements Account to install a public address system Request to appropriate $100,000 from Free Cash to fund fence repairs throughout the City damaged by storms Request for Home Rule Legislatiion to give the City the ability to modify the local 41A tax deferral program for seniors by increasing the income limit to qualifying and participating property owners All other items were held. Public Facilities Report – 6/6/2018:  The Public Facilities Committee met on June 6th and voted to recommend approval of the following items: Request to relocate a city drain and sewer easement on the Boston College Middle Campus Petition for a grant of location to install and maintain a gas main in Short Street from an existing main in Montclair Road to service 1521 Beacon Street Request to appropriate $150,000 from Free Cash for repairs to 1294 Centre Street (former Health Department Building) Request to appropriate $338,000 from bonded indebtedness to rehabilitate the Forest Grove Pump Station Request to transfer $150,000 from Current Year Budget Reserve to fund repair and replacement of streetlights All other items were held. Public Safety and Transportation Committee Report – 6/6/2018:  The Public Safety and Transportation Committee met on June 6th and voted to recommend approval of the following: Request to transfer $100,000 from Current Year Budget Reserve to purchase an Incident Command Vehicle for the Police Department Bus license renewals for Boston College Bus license renewals and license for one new bus for Trip Advisor Reports of semi-annual taxi license and public auto inspections Request to appropriate $121,770 from Free Cash to replace 120 bottles for the Self-contained breathing apparatus Request to appropriate $33,739 from Free Cash to purchase an extractor and gear dryer for Fire Stations 1 and 2 Finance Committee Report – 6/11/2018:  The Finance Committee met on June 11th and voted to recommend approval of the following: Request for authorization to accept a Mass Housing grant of $85,000 to fund a fiscal impact team to analyze financial impacts from potential developments along Washington Street, Needham Street, Riverside and exam the proposed new Zoning Ordinance Request to transfer $120,000 from Budget Reserve to Public Works Vehicle Maintenance Account to replace three vehicles in the Inspectional Services Department and one vehicle for the Inspector of Weights and Measures Request to appropriate $75,000 from Free Cash to replace the Elliot Street generator and related electric service upgrade Request to transfer $100,000 from Human Resources Full-time Salaries Account to the Public Buildings Repairs and Maintenance Account to fund assorted year-end building improvements Request authorization to transfer $150,000 from the Stormwater Current-Year Budget Reserve to a capital project account to fund a storm water retention system for Franklin Elementary School Request authorization to appropriate $400,000 from the Water Fund Surplus – Available for Appropriation Account for the purpose of making hte FY2018 MWRA Lead Pipe Replacement Program loan payment Request authorization to appropriate $100,000 from Free Cash for fence repairs throughout the City Request authorization to transfer $10,000 from Veteran’s Services Benefits Account to fund War Memorial Veterans Museum improvements Request to transfer $75,000 from Main Library Full-time Salaries Account to Main Library Building Improvements Account to install a new public address system Request to appropriate and expend $150,000 from Free Cash for repairs to 1294 Centre Street, the formerHealth Department Building Commissioner of Public Works requesting approval of various sidewalk/driveway apron/curbcut betterments Request to appropriate $338,000 from bonded indebtedness to fund the rehabilitation of the Forest Grove Pump Station Request authorization to transfer $150,000 from Current Year Budget Reserve to fund repair/replacement of streetlights Request authorization to transfer $40,000 from Police Department Full-time Salaries Account to the Police Department Computer Server Software Account to fund a time and attendance software Request authorization to transfer $100,000 from Current Year Budget Reserve to purchase an incident command vehicle for the Police Department Request to appropriate $121,770 from Free Cash to replace 120 bottles for the self contained breathing apparatus Request to appropriate $33,739 from Free Cash to purchase an extractor and gear dryer for both Fire Stations 1 and 2 Request to transfer $100,000 from the Fire Department Full-time Salaries Account to the Fire Department Electricity Account to cover the increase cost of electricity from the Station 3 addition Request to transfer $10,000 from the Current Year Budget Reserve Account to the Law Department’s Full-time Salaries Account to provide funding for a few week overlap in the Office Manager’s position Request to transfer $30,000 from the Current Year Budget Reserve Account to the Executive Office Consulting Account for the purpose of developing a cultural strategy for the City Request to transfer $25,000 from the Current Year Budget Reserve Account to the Executive Office Consulting Account for the purpose of hiring a consultant to assist the Permit Software Working Group as they prepare to search for new permitting software Request for authorization to transfer $260,000 from the Treasury Long Term Interest Account and $10,000 from the Treasury Advanced Refunding Contribution to cover the costs of the December advanced refunding Zoning and Planning Committee Report – 6/11/2018:  The Zoning and Planning Committee met on June 11th and voted to recommend approval of the following items: Three appointments to the Planning and Development Board (Sudha Maheshwari, Kevin McCormack, and James Robertson and one re-appointment to the Planning and Development Board (Peter Doeringer) All other items were held. Land Use Committee Report – 6/12/2018: The Zoning and Planning Committee met on June 11th and voted to recommend approval of the following items: Request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct a 455 sq. ft. two-story addition, creating an FAR of .58 where .39 exists and .45 is allowed at 39 Summit Street Request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to extend the hours of operation and increase the number of customers at one time, requiring an amendment to Special Permit Board Order #257-13(4) at 145 Wells Avenue Request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to allow a restaurant with greater than 50 seats, a waiver for 12 parking stalls and allow the re-use of an existing non-conforming sign at 342-344 Watertown Street Request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to allow a multi-family development in a business district with greater than 20,000 gross floor area, with a four-story structure 41’ in height, containing an 18-unit dwelling with ground floor units, to allow an FAR of 1.31, to allow a density bonus to reduce the lot area per unit and increase the number of inclusionary units, to allow a reduction of the requirement for parking to 1.25 stalls per unit, to allow parking in the setback, to allow parking within 5’ of a building containing dwelling units, to waive minimum stall dimension requirements, to allow a reduction in the minimum width of a entrance/exit drive, to allow a reduction in the minimum width of maneuvering aisles, to waive lighting requirements and to waive perimeter landscape screening requirements in Ward, 1, Newton, at 189-193 Adams Court (Note:  The petiton was reduced to 15 units of housing) Traffic Council Report – 6/14/2018:  The Traffic Council met on June 14th and voted to approve the following: Addition of Upland Road (Mill to Pheasant) to the Newtonville Neighborhood Parking District adding a two-hour parking restriction 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. school days, both sides, except by Newtonvile Parking permit Addition of Pheasant Road to the Newtonville Neighborhood Parking District adding a two-hour parking restriction 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. school days, both sides, except by Newtonvile Parking permit Prohibition of right turn on red  from the Angier School driveway, southbound, onto Beacon Street, and prohibits right turns on red from Manitoba Road, northbound onto Beacon Street between the hours of 8:00am to 9:00am, 12:00pm to 1:00pm, and 2:30pm to 3:30pm, school days Expansion of Auburndale Village Parking District to include:  Woodland Road (Grove to Windermere), Hawthorne Avenue (Woodland to Aspen), and Aspen Avenue (Hawthorne to Washington), creating a one-hour limit Sept 1 to May 15, except holidays or by Auburndale Permit, onto the west side of Hawthorne Avenue (Woodland to Aspen), and creates a one-hour limit, all days, all times, except by Auburndale Permit on the north side of Aspen Avenue (Hawthorne to Washington) Expansion of Auburndale Village Parking District to iinclude:   Windermere Road (Woodland to Commonwealth Avenue) creating No parking, 8:00am to 10:00 am except Saturday, Sunday and Holiday; Resident Parking Only, Monday-Friday September 1 to May 15 Creation of parking restrictions along sections of Crafts Street (Watertown Street to Waltham Street) and along sections of Waltham Street (Crafts Street to the Waltham City Line). All other items were voted No Action Necessary. [back to top] Charter Subcommittee to Meet – June 20th The Charter Subcommittee will meet on Wednesday, June 20th at 6:00 p.m. in Room 211.  The agenda includes discussion of the following: Article 7 – Planning Article 8 – Nominations and Elections Article 10 – Free Petition, Initiative and Referendum The Charter Subcommittee consists of 4 City Councilors:  Councilor Baker (Chair), Councilor Albright, Councilor Krintzman (former Chair of the Charter Commission) and Vice Chair Kalis.  The Subcommittee grew out of a docket item filed by 14 City Councilors last term, to reduce the size of the Council to 16 – 8 elected at-large and 8 elected by ward only – after the Charter Commission’s recommendation to eliminate the ward only elected Councilors and reduce the size of the Council to 12 – among other charter amendments – failed to achieve the support of Newton voters (see Election Results here). The charge of the subcommittee and a memo from the Chair can be found here. Reports of the sub-committee can be found below. February 26, 2018 March 21, 2018 April 9, 2018 April 30, 2018 [back to top] Programs and Services Committee to Meet – June 20th The Programs and Services Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 20th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 211.  The agenda includes the following: Appointment of John Castello to the Institutional Biotechnology Commission Three Appointments to the Human Rights Commission:  Elizabeth Ingraham, Tamika Olszewski, and Davd Kuppenheimer Re-appointment of Michelle Freshman to the Health and Human Services Commission Three re-appointments to the Human Rights Commission:  Bryan Barash, Kerwin Derrick and Jane Brown Request to increase the salary of the City Clerk/Clerk of the Council to $135,619 Request to place a question on the ballot to limit the number of recreational marijuana establishments in Newton to no fewer than 2 and no more than 6. [back to top] Public Safety and Transportation Committee to Meet June 20th The Public Safety and Transportation Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 20th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 204 (Note Late Start Time and Room Change).  The Committee will meet jointly with the Public Facilities Committee and the agenda includes the following: Discussion/Review of the Street Design Guide and how it will inform the Accelerated Roads Program Request for approval for the Walnut Street Newtonville Enhancements Project [back to top] Public Facilities Committee to Meet – June 20th The Public Facilities Committee is scheduled to meet on June 20th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda includes the following: Public Hearing for Grant of Location to install and maintain a gas main in Gay Street to 10 Clyde Street Public Hearing for Grant of Location to install a new regulator traffic  control box at 367 California Street Appointment of Robert Hnasko to the Design Review Committee Appointment of Amy MacKrell to the Designer Selection Committee Two Appointments to the Citizens Commission on Energy – Puja Vohra and Jonathan Klein Re-appointment of Peter Barrer to the Design Review Committee Two re-appointments to the Citizens Commission on Energy: Halina Brown and Jonathan Kantar The Public Facilities Committee will meet jointly with the Public Safety and Transportation Committee to discuss the following: Discussion/Review of the Street Design Guide and how it will inform the Accelerated Roads Program Request for approval for the Walnut Street Newtonville Enhancements Project [back to top] Development Review Team Meetings – Week – June 17th The following potential projects will meet with the Development Review Team this week: 37 Duffield Road – Special Permit to extend nonconforming front setback 63 Cherry Street – Possible special permit for expansion of existing single-family dwelling including dormers 184 Spiers Road – Addition to rear/side on a lot with three fronts 12 Garden Road– Proposed garage for single-family dwelling [back to top] Board and Commission Meetings – Week of June 17th Newton Parks and Recreation Commission:  The Newton Parks and Recreation Commission will meet on Monday, June 18th at 8:00 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda can be found here. The Parks and Recreation will grant their annual Youth Awards at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers. Newton Free Library Board of Trustees:  The Library Trustees will meet on Tuesday, June 19th at 9:00 a.m. in the Trustee’s Room of the Main Library.  The agenda can be found here. Newton Center for Active Living (NewCAL) Executive and Advisory Building Committee Meeting: The NewCAL Building Committee will hold its first meeting on Tuesday, June 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street.  The agenda can be found here. Newton Retirement Board:  The Newton Retirement Board will meet on Wednesday, June 20th at 3:00 p.m. in Room 211.  The agenda can be found here. Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission:  The Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday, June 21st at 7:30 p.m. in Room 205.  The agenda includes the following requests for Certificate of Appropriateness Request to install a fence at 108 Reservoir Avenue Request for approval of cobblestone edging installed along driveway and for stone walls installed at the left front corner of the house and a Request to install wrought iron gate and three sections of wood panel fencing at 28 Chestnut Hill Terrace Request to amend previously approved project to make changes to materials, products, finishes, roof line, and to remove south elevation bay at 48 Reservoir Road Request to renovate a garage at 32 Suffolk Road Request to replace all windows and the garage doors; install a new window, a condenser unit, and a dormer on the front elevation. at 96 Suffolk Road Request to replace decking and deck railing, repair latticework, replace window with a door, install basement window and do exterior repairs at 61 Gatehouse Road Request for approval of as-built and proposed design changes at 46 Woodman Road Request to demolish house, garage and shed and build new house and garage at 45 Old England Road Community Preservation Committee:  The Community Preservation Committee will meet on Thursday, June 21st at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda includes the following: Presentation and discussion of independent analysis of project financials and CPC working session for Crescent Street proposal committee business [back to top] School Committee to Meet Monday, June 18th The School Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, June 18th – first, in Executive Session at 5:30 p.m. in Room 304 at the Ed Center to discuss strategy related to Collective Bargaining and then at 7:00 p.m. in Room 210 at the Ed Centerto hold its regularly scheduled meetng.  The agenda includes: Update on High School Start Times Fiscal and Operational Update Facilities Update Discussion and Vote on Equity Policy Guidelines Superintendent Assessment [back to top] Lincoln-Eliot Elementary School and Newton Early Childhood Program School Building Committee Meeting – Thursday, June 21st The Lincoln-Eliot Elementary School and Newton Early Childhood Program School Building Committee will hold it’s first meeting on Thursday, June 21st at 4:00 p.m. in Room 210 of the Ed Center. The agenda can be found here. [back to top] Good Morning Newton Residents,    Here's my weekly update on Newton's community and local government.  Click on any of these titles or scroll through all the notices below. Upcoming Events – Week of June 10th Finance Committee to Meet Monday, June 11th and will meet jointly with Public Facilities Zoning and Planning Committee to meet Monday, June 11th Crescent Street Working Group Meeting – Monday, June 11th Commission on Disability to Meet on Monday, June 11th School Committee to Meet on Monday, June 11th Development Review Team Meetings – Week of June 10th Land Use Committee to Meet on Tuesday, June 12th Economic Development Commission to Meet on Tuesday, June 12th Auburndale Historic District Commission Meeting – Tuesday, June 12th Board of Assessor’s to Meet Wednesday, June 13th Newton Housing Authority to Meet Wednesday, June 13th Traffic Council to Meet on Thursday, June 14th Designer Selection Committee to Meet on Thursday, June 14th Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission to Meet Thursday, June 14th Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested. Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind. With warm regards, Amy Mah Sangiolo Upcoming Events – Week of June 10th “Hello Washington Street” continues its week-long planning events on Monday, June 11th from 8:30 a.m. – 9:00 p.m. at 1239 Washington Street and then again on Tuesday, June 12th from 8:30 – 2:30 p.m.  There will also be “Chili Cook-off and Wrap-up” and Presentation and Conversation beginning at 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at the Former Aquinas School/150 Jackson Road. Tour de Newton- June 17th – The 6th annual Tour de Newton is being transformed into something totally new – the Magical Mystery Tour de Newton.  There will be four 8 mile routes.  Along each of the routes, riders will encounter a series of “magical mysteries”. To sign up to ride or to volunteer – please go to www.bikereg.com/38816 Rove the Cove, June 23rd – The race will be held on Saturday, June 23rd, starting and ending at the picnic area of The Cove in Auburndale.  All proceeds from the race will be donated to the Auburndale Community Library. For more information and to register,  see  http://www.active.com/auburndale-ma/running/distance-running-races/rove-the-cove-5k-2018-46319818. [back to top] Finance Committee to Meet Monday, June 11th and will meet jointly with Public Facilities The Finance Committee will meet on Monday, June 11th at 7:00 p.m. The Finance Committee’s agenda includes the following: Request for authorization to accept a Mass Housing grant of $85,000 to fund a fiscal impact team to analyze financial impacts from potential developments along Washington Street, Needham Street, Riverside and exam the proposed new Zoning Ordinance. The Committee will be joined by the Public Facilities Committee to discuss the following items: Request to transfer $120,000 from Budget Reserve to Public Works Vehicle Maintenance Account to replace three vehicles in the Inspectional Services Department and one vehicle for the Inspector of Weights and Measures Request to appropriate $75,000 from Free Cash to replace the Elliot Street generator and related electric service upgrade Request to transfer $100,000 from Human Resources Full-time Salaries Account to the Public Buildings Repairs and Maintenance Account to fund assorted year-end building improvements Request authorization to transfer $150,000 from the Stormwater Current-Year Budget Reserve to a capital project account to fund a storm water retention system for Franklin Elementary School Request authorization to appropriate $400,000 from the Water Fund Surplus – Available for Appropriation Account for the purpose of making hte FY2018 MWRA Lead Pipe Replacement Program loan payment The Finance Committee will then continue to meet to discuss the following: Request authorization to appropriate $100,000 from Free Cash for fence repairs throughout the City Request authorization to transfer $10,000 from Veteran’s Services Benefits Account to fund War Memorial Veterans Museum improvements Request to transfer $75,000 from Main Library Full-time Salaries Account to Main Library Building Improvements Account to install a new public address system Request to appropriate and expend $150,000 from Free Cash for repairs to 1294 Centre Street, the formerHealth Department Building Commissioner of Public Works requesting approval of various sidewalk/driveway apron/curbcut betterments Request to appropriate $338,000 from bonded indebtedness to fund the rehabilitation of the Forest Grove Pump Station Request authorization to transfer $150,000 from Current Year Budget Reserve to fund repair/replacement of streetlights Request authorization to transfer $40,000 from Police Department Full-time Salaries Account to the Police Department Computer Server Software Account to fund a time and attendance software Request authorization to transfer $100,000 from Current Year Budget Reserve to purchase an incident command vehicle for the Police Department Request to appropriate $121,770 from Free Cash to replace 120 bottles for the self contained breathing apparatus Request to appropriate $33,739 from Free Cash to purchase an extractor and gear dryer for both Fire Stations 1 and 2 Request to transfer $100,000 from the Fire Department Full-time Salaries Account to the Fire Department Electricity Account to cover the increase cost of electricity from the Station 3 addition Request to transfer $10,000 from the Current Year Budget Reserve Account to the Law Department’s Full-time Salaries Account to provide funding for a few week overlap in the Office Manager’s position Request to transfer $30,000 from the Current Year Budget Reserve Account to the Executive Office Consulting Account for the purpose of developing a cultural strategy for the City Request to transfer $25,000 from the Current Year Budget Reserve Account to the Executive Office Consulting Account for the purpose of hiring a consultant to assist the Permit Software Working Group as they prepare to search for new permitting software Request for authorization to transfer $260,000 from the Treasury Long Term Interest Account and $10,000 from the Treasury Advanced Refunding Contribution to cover the costs of the December advanced refunding The Public Facilities Committee agenda can be found here. [back to top] Zoning and Planning Committee to meet Monday, June 11th The Zoning and Planning Committee will meet on Monday, June 11th at 7:00p.m. in Room 205.  The agenda includes the following: Three appointments to the Planning and Development Board (Sudha Maheshwari, Kevin McCormack, and James Robertson and one re-appointment to the Planning and Development Board (Peter Doeringer) Director of Planning providing monthly update on Washington Street corridor plan Director of Planning requesting discussion and adoption of the Needham Street Vision Plan Director of Planning requesting requesting review, discussion and direction regarding the Zoning Redesign project and specifically on a draft policy content outline on the new Zoning Ordinance [back to top] Crescent Street Working Group Meeting – Monday, June 11th The Crescent Street Working Group will meet on Monday, June 11th at 4 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda includes the following: Preparation for the Community Preservation Committee Meeting Discussion of the Third Party Review [back to top] Commission on Disability to Meet on Monday, June 11th The Commission on Disability will meet on Monday, June 11th at 6;30 p.m. in Room 204. The agenda includes the following: CDBG Report Information on the APS Installation at 1600 Washington Street Accessible Fines Report Treasurer’s Report ADA Coordinator’s Report Event Sponsorship:  “Silent Child” movie showing COD Applicant Submission:  Lakshmi Kadambi [back to top] School Committee to Meet on Monday, June 11th The School Committee will meet in Executive Session on Monday, June 11th at 5:30 p.m. in Room 304 at the Ed Center to discuss strategy related to Collective Bargaining. The School Committee will then meet in Open Session at 7:00 p.m. in Room 210 at the Ed Center.  The agenda includes the following: Superintendent’s Report Public Comment End of the Year Report – System Wide Goals 2017-2018 Student Services Update End of the Year Report – Superintendent’s Goals 2017-2018 Equity Guidelines Discussion Vote on EDCO Board Member Vote to approve Field Trips Vote to approve minutes Communications [back to top] Development Review Team Meetings – Week of June 10th The following potential projects will be discussed at Development Review Meetings this week: 1440-1450 Washington Street –  Proposed day care facility 1114 Beacon Street –  Possible 45 unit residential project 61 Forest Street –  Special permit to exceed FAR by constructing dormers on the attic level 156 Oak St, 55 Tower Rd, 275-281 Needham St, 260 Needham St, 160 Charlemont St (a.k.a. “Northland”) – Proposed mixed use development [back to top] Land Use Committee to Meet on Tuesday, June 12th The Land Use Committee will meet on Tuesday, June 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber.  The agenda includes the following: Request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct a 455 sq. ft. two-story addition, creating an FAR of .58 where .39 exists and .45 is allowed at 39 Summit Street Request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to extend the hours of operation and increase the number of customers at one time, requiring an amendment to Special Permit Board Order #257-13(4) at 145 Wells Avenue Request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to allow a restaurant with greater than 50 seats, a waiver for 12 parking stalls and allow the re-use of an existing non-conforming sign at 342-344 Watertown Street Request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct a three-story addition in the BU1 district to be used for mixed uses, to allow a building in excess of 20,000 sq. ft., to extend the existing non-conforming structure with regard to height, to extend the existing non-conforming structure with regard to side setback, to allow a restaurant with more than 50 seats, to waive the requirement of using the A-B+C parking formula, to allow a reduction in the overall parking required by 1/3, to waive 27 parking stalls, to allow parking in the front and side setback, to allow reduced parking stall dimensions, to waive end stall maneuvering space requirements, to allow reduced aisle width, to waive perimeter screening requirements, to waive interior landscaping requirements, to waive requirements for interior planting area, tree planting, and bumper overhang area landscaping, to waive lighting requirements, to waive off-street loading facility requirements in Ward 3, West Newton, at 1314 Washington Street, 31 Davis Street and 33 Davis Street (Santander Bank – Mark Development proposal) Request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to allow a multi-family development in a business district with greater than 20,000 gross floor area, with a four-story structure 41’ in height, containing an 18-unit dwelling with ground floor units, to allow an FAR of 1.31, to allow a density bonus to reduce the lot area per unit and increase the number of inclusionary units, to allow a reduction of the requirement for parking to 1.25 stalls per unit, to allow parking in the setback, to allow parking within 5’ of a building containing dwelling units, to waive minimum stall dimension requirements, to allow a reduction in the minimum width of a entrance/exit drive, to allow a reduction in the minimum width of maneuvering aisles, to waive lighting requirements and to waive perimeter landscape screening requirements in Ward, 1, Newton, at 189-193 Adams Court [back to top] Economic Development Commission to Meet on Tuesday, June 12th The Economic Development Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 12th at 7:30 p.m. at the Newton Innovation Center, 124 Vernon Street.  The agendaincludes the following: Economic Development Updates Chair Update – Introduction of New Members Review of the Camoin Economic Development Strategy/Recommendations and decide the role of the EDC in Implementing the plan Review of the proposed new program for the EDC to engage with Newton’s business community [back to top] Auburndale Historic District Commission Meeting – Tuesday, June 12th The Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday, June 12th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205. The agenda includes the following: Request to repair and change the rear entry porch at 304 Central Street Request for feedback on changes to front and rear entry porches at 115 Windermere Road Request to build an accessible unit addition and deck, and build an accessible ramp and entrance at 25 Hancock Street The staff memo can be found here and the packet documents can be found here. [back to top] Board of Assessor’s to Meet Wednesday, June 13th The Newton Board of Assessor’s is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 13th at 9:00 a.m. in Room 108.  The agenda can be found here. [back to top] Newton Housing Authority to Meet Wednesday, June 13th The Newton Housing Authority is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 13th at 3:00 p.m. at 82 Lincoln Street, Newton Highlands.  The agenda can be found here. [back to top] Traffic Council to Meet on Thursday, June 14th The Traffic Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday, June 14th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211.  The agenda includes the following: Request for No Parking – Tow Zone on Upland Road on the odd side of the roadway between Mill and Pheasant Road to be in effect Monday-Friday, School Days only, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) and to have a discussion on incorporating this section of roadway into the Newtonville Neighborhood Parking District Request for No Parking- Tow Zone on Pheasant Road on the even side of the roadway between Upland Road and Kirkstall Road to be in effect Monday-Friday, School Days only, 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays) and to have a discussion on incorporating this roadway into the Newtonville Neighborhood Parking District Request for a  “No Turn on Red” signs at the following locations: (a) end of the school driveway that exits onto Beacon Street (b) corner of Manitoba Road and Beacon Street to enhance safety Request to expand the  Auburndale- Village Parking District to include the following street segments: (1) Woodland Road between Grove Street and Hawthorne Avenue; (2) Hawthorne Avenue between Woodland Road and Aspen Avenue. Note that no changes to the parking regulations are proposed to occur along this section of Woodland Road, where no parking is allowed at any time. The following restriction is proposed for consideration along one or both sides of Hawthorne Avenue between Woodland Road and Aspen Avenue: 1 or 2-hour limit, Monday-Friday, except by Auburndale Permit Request to expand the Auburndale- Village Parking District to include the following street segments: (1) Woodland Road between Hawthorne Avenue and Windermere Road; (2) Windermere Road between Woodland Road and Commonwealth Avenue. Note that no changes to the parking regulations are proposed to occur along this section of Woodland Road, where no parking is allowed at any time. The following restriction is proposed for consideration along one or both sides of Windermere Road between Woodland Road and Commonwealth Avenue: 1 or 2- hour limit, Monday-Friday, except by Auburndale Permit Request to expand the Auburndale Village Parking District to include the following street segment: Aspen Avenue between Washington Street and Hawthorne Avenue. Note that no changes to the parking regulations are proposed to occur along this section of Aspen Ave except by Auburndale Village Parking District Permit Request to change the official parking regulations on Woodland Road in order to make it consistent with the signage currently posted on the street Request for Resident Permit Parking Only, Monday through Sunday, except legal holidays on Windermere Road between Woodland Road and Commonwealth Avenue to deter student parking Request to modify the parking regulations on Crafts Street (Watertown Street to Waltham Street) and on Waltham Street (Crafts Street to the Waltham City Line), in order to facilitate traffic calming and to create bicycle lanes. The amount of parking on the street would be reduced, with parking generally alternating between the north and south side, by block, along Waltham Street and a portion of Crafts Street [back to top] Designer Selection Committee to Meet on Thursday, June 14th The Designer Selection Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday, June 14th at 6:00 p.m. in the Trustee’s Room at the Newton Free Library.  The agenda includes the following: Newton Center for Active Living Facilities Program Study OPM Interviews [back to top] Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission to Meet Thursday, June 14th The Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, June 14th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205.  The agenda includes the following: Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace 9 windows at 74 Rockland Place, Unit 3 Request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to convert an historic barn/garage into a dwelling unit at 1272 Boylston Street The staff memo can be found here and packet documents can be found here. [back to top] Good Morning Newton Residents,    Here's my weekly update on Newton's community and local government.  Click on any of these titles or scroll through all the notices below. Notable Events – Week of April 22nd Boston College Neighborhood Council Meeting – April 26th Financial Audit Subcomittee Meeting – Tuesday, April 24th Solid Waste Commission to Meet on Tuesday, April 24th Licensing Commission to Meet, Tuesday, April 24th Council on Aging and Advisory Board Meeting – Tuesday, April 24th Board of Library Trustees Meeting – Wednesday, April 25th Newton Citizens Commission on Energy Meeting – April 25th Conservation Commission to Meet on April 26th Newton Historical Commission Meeting – April 26th City Council Committee Meetings – Week of April 22nd – FY2019 Budget Discussions Begin MBTA Community Meeting – Monday – April 30th – Proposed Newton Highlands Green Line Station Improvements Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested. Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind. With warm regards, Amy Mah Sangiolo Notable Events – Week of April 22nd Here are a few events you might find interesting: Needham Street Vision Plan –  TONIGHT, April 23rd from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at 27 Christina Street.  After a short presentation, there will be an open house format with 6 stations (overall process, environmental health, transportation, land use, design, and implementation) for the public to visit and share their views.  More information can be found here. Austin Street Design Competition:  There’s a design competition going on now until 4:00 p.m. on May 1,2018 for the garden at the Austin Street Development. If your ideas are used, you could win $100 gift certificate to the Craft Beer Cellar (for those who are 21 and up) or a $100 gift certificate to Cook, Aji, Brewer’s Coalition or Rox’s Diner.  Up to three winners may be selected.  Austin Street Partners is also hosting an event at the Paint Bar TONIGHT, April 23rd from 6:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.to make dioramas of your favorite gardens.  More information can be found here and go here to sign up or enter your design. Zoning Redesign Drop-in Session-Wednesday, April 25th from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. in Room 106 at Newton City Hall. [back to top] Boston College Neighborhood Council Meeting – April 26th The Boston College Neighborhood Council will meet on Thursday, April 26th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 106.  The Council will discuss Boston College’s application to install wireless communications equipment on buildings along the Centre Street and Commonwealth Avenue campuses. [back to top] Financial Audit Subcomittee Meeting – Tuesday, April 24th The Financial Audit Subcomittee will meet on Tuesday, April 24th at 8:14 a.m. in Room 211.  The agenda includes a meeting with the Auditor to review Committee goals for the audit as well as have the auditor alert the committee to any new issues . [back to top] Solid Waste Commission to Meet on Tuesday, April 24th The Long-Term Sustainable Materials Management Goals Subcomittee of the Solid Waste Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, April 24th from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the Newton Free Library in Room A.  The agenda includes the following: Discussion of subcommittee’s goals to evaluate and prepare for a long-term strategy for trash and recycling policies Discuss the Department of Public Work’s Sustainable Materials Management Framework Report that was done in June, 2017 and other data Develop a preliminary timeline [back to top] Licensing Commission to Meet, Tuesday, April 24th The Newton Board of License Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, April 24th in Room 204.  The Meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. with a discussion about enacting the Lodging House Regulations, followed by it’s regular meeting beginning at 7:30 p.m. The agenda includes a discussion about the possibility of hosting a Craft Beer Tasting at the West Newton Farmer’s Market, a number of one-day wine and malt license requests, several entertainment license requests, 2 new common victualler and annual entertainment license requests (District 118 Ktichen and Bar and Tri-City Wings and Grill) and one all new alcohol license request(55 Boylston Street – Tender Greens). [back to top] Council on Aging and Advisory Board Meeting – Tuesday, April 24th The Council on Aging and Advisory Board will meet on Tuesday, April 24th at 7:30 p.m. at the Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street.  The agenda includes the following: Report from the Chair/Director –  Status of appointment of new chair and new CAL process update Membership Report Springwell Report Senior Citizens Fund Report Working Group reports on housing, transportation, and engagement Legislative Report – FY19 Formula Grant process [back to top] Board of Library Trustees Meeting – Wednesday, April 25th The Board of Library Trustees will meet on Wednesday, April 25th at 9:00 a.m. in the Trustees Room at the Newton Free Library.  The agenda includes the following: Reports from the President, Treasurer, Library Director, Development, Friends and Committee 2019 Budget Renovation Design Planning Visitor’s Discussion [back to top] Newton Citizens Commission on Energy Meeting – April 25th The Newton Citizens Commission on Energy will meet on Wednesday, April 25th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205.  The agenda includes the following: Membership changes Update on Power Choice Improving Performance of Buildings Climate Action Plan [back to top] Conservation Commission to Meet on April 26th The Conservation Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, April 26th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda includes the following (note abbreviations – RDA:  Request for Determination of Applicability; NOI:  Notice of Intent): 73 Beaconwood Road – Request for a release from an enforcement order for 2011 violation City of Newton -DPW –  various locations throughout the City – RDA- annual roadway maintenance and water main replacement 270 Islington Road – RDA for hazardous tree removal, replacement of impervious patio with pervious surface, and dock repairs 2345 Commonwealth Avenue (Marriott Hotel) – RDA for replacement of gazebo and staircase 56 Farwell Street – NOI to construct six single-family homes and driveways, construct a new private road, increase flood storage capacity, and implement restoration planting plan 79 Staniford Street – NOI to demolish single-family home and accessory uses and replace with new single-family home 96 Suffolk Road – Request for an amendment to Order of Conditions issued in 2017 100 Upland Avenue – Request for a Certificate of Compliance for completed work Packet information supplementing the agenda can be found here. [back to top] Newton Historical Commission Meeting – April 26th The Newton Historical Commission will meet on Thursday, April 26th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205.  The agenda includes the following: 46 Walnut Park – Request for Landmark Designation- CLG Eligibility Report 193 Lake Avenue – Request for Landmark Designation- CLG Eligibility Report 128 Chestnut Street – (National Register property) – Request for Local Landmark Designation 79 Staniford Street – Request for full demolition 27 Orris Street – Request for full demolition 14 Orris Street – Request for partial demolition (add second story and enclose porch) 39 Summit Street – Request for partial demolition (additions to front and rear) 919 Walnut Street – Request for partial demolition (side and rear) 145 Warren Street – (National Register property) – Request for partial demolition (preserve house, demolish shed/garage and add 3 units of single-family housing units to the rear) Packet documents supplementing the agenda (it is very long and may be slow to load) can be found here and staff memo can be found here. Please also note:  some properties are granted demolition approval administratively (without a public hearing) reviewed by staff and by the Chair of the Newton Historical Commission.  A listing of those administratively approved properties are found every month at the end of the Newton Historical Commission minutes. [back to top] City Council Committee Meetings – Week of April 22nd – FY2019 Budget Discussions Begin Finance Committee:  The Finance Committee will meet on Monday, April 23rd at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211.  The agenda includes the following: Request for authorization to appropriate and expend $350,000 from Free Cash to the Rainy Day Stabilization Fund Submission of Investment Policy (on behalf of the Investment Advisory Committee) for the Rainy Day Stabilization Fund Discussion with City’s Procurement Officer regarding criteria for hiring consultants Budget and CIP Review of the following departments: Information Technology Human Resources Financial Information Systems Comptroller Request to rescind previous order authorizing bond issuance of $75,000 for funding library renovations and instead transferring $75,000 from the Library’s Full-time Salaries Account to the Library Consultants Account Re-appointment of James Mnookin to the Investment Advisory Committee Appointment of Ward 4 Councilor Chris Markiewicz to the Twombly House Fund The CIP can be found here and the Supplemental CIP can be found here. Zoning and Planning Committee:  The Zoning and Planning Committee will meet on Monday, April 23rd at 7:15 p.m. in Room 205.  The agenda includes the following: Budget and CIP Review of the following departments: Inspectional Services CPA Administration Planning and Development Discussion with the Planning Department regarding the Zoning Redesign Event series The CIP can be found here and the Supplemental CIP can be found here. Joint Finance Committee/Programs and Services Committee:  Both Committees will hold a special budget meeting on Tuesday, April 24th in the Council Chambers to review the FY2019 School Department Budget and CIP.  See Superintendent’s Proposed FY2019 Budget,and the Budget Summary from the Mayor’s FY2019 Budget book. The agenda can be found here. The CIP can be found here and the Supplemental CIP can be found here. Programs and Services Committee:  The Programs and Services Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 25th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211.  The agenda includes the following: Appointment of Leland Fisher as a Trustee to the Jackson Homestead Budget and CIP Review of the following departments: Veteran’s Services Newton Free Library Historic Newton/Newton History Museum Parks and Recreation The CIP can be found here and the Supplemental CIP can be found here. Public Facilities Committee:  The Public Facilities Committee will hold a special budget meeting on Thursday, April 26th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 to review the following: Budget and CIP Review of the Public Buildings Department Request to transfer $650,000 from the Capital Stabilization Fund to replace the Lincoln-Elliot HVAC system The CIP can be found here and the Supplemental CIP can be found here. The agenda can be found here. [back to top] MBTA Community Meeting – Monday – April 30th – Proposed Newton Highlands Green Line Station Improvements The MBTA will be hosting a community meeting on Monday, April 30th at the Women’s Club of Newton Highlands, 72 Columbus Street, to discuss proposed pedestrian accessibility improvements to the Newton Highlands Green Line MBTA Station.  These improvements include: reconstruction of existing ramps from Walnut Street and from Station Avenue a new pedestrian ramp from Hyde Street to the “Inbound” Platform side of the tracks reconstruction of both the inbound and outbound platforms to be raised to provide easier access to the Green Line cars new lighting new covered bike rack new benches new trash receptacles More information can be found here. [back to top] Happy Holidays!   Below you will find this week's City Council and other Board and Commission Meetings.  A few things to note: Lincoln-Eliot proposal/project was rejected by the MSBA (For more information, ask your School Committee members) There is a request for a consistency ruling on the Austin Street project which will be taken up by the Land Use Committee TONIGHT (see below) TONIGHT will be the last full City Council meeting of the year - with 7 members retiring from the Council. Last Full City Council Meeting of the Year – TONIGHT The 2015-2017 City Council will meet for the last time TONIGHT at 7:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers.  The reports docket can be found here. Please note:  Retiring members of the City Council will be given 5 minutes to give their final remarks. [back to top] City Council Committee Meetings Week of December 17th The following City Council Committees are scheduled to meet this week: Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee will meet TONIGHT at 6:45 p.m. in Room 205 to discuss the following:  request for an extension of time to exercise a special permit to demolish a 2 story building and construct a 3-story multi-family structure with 13 units at 429 Cherry Street; request to withdraw a special permit request to relocate an existing dwelling, add a unit to the rear of the building and construct two additional single family dwellings in an MR-1 District at 336 Newtonville Avenue, request for a Consistency Ruling for the Austin Street project (see Planning Memo) and 15 Class 2 Auto Dealer License Renewals.  The agenda and supporting information (including the Austin Street Council Order) can be found here. Finance Committee:  The Finance Committee will meet TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 to discuss the following:  reappointment of the Comptroller, Sue Dzikowski; a request authorization to accept a $50,000 grant from the Massachusetts Preservation Project Fund for the East Parish Burying Ground project; a request for an ordinance amendment requiring seasonal water users not eligible for an outdoor water meter to pay a surcharge for the use of sewerage works in proportion to water consumption; and request for authorization to settle a claim against the Newton Public Schools for $10,000 to be taken from the School Department Budget.  The agenda can be found here. [back to top] Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of December 17th The following City Boards and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week: Parks and Recreation Commission:  The Parks and Recreation Commission is scheduled to meet TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and is expected to discuss the following:  Commissioner reports on Programs, Forestry and Maintenance,  proposal for renaming the Waban Hill Reservoir, and Committee Reports on the following:  Community Preservation Committee, Farm Commission, Cabot Redesign Committee, Commonwealth Golf Course, Off-Leash Area Working Group, Crystal Lake Working Group, Athletic Fields Working Group, and the Nahanton Park Committee.  The agenda can be found here. Community Preservation Committee:  The Community Preservation Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, December 19th at 7:00 p.m. in the Cafeteria – located in the Basement of Newton City Hall and is expected to discuss the following:  The Jackson Road/Haywood House Senior Housing proposal request for $2,500,000 in CPA off-cycle funding,  A public hearing on proposed revisions for funding guidelines (including: percentage of funding targeted for each CPA-eligible resource (affordable housing, historic resources, open space/outdoor recreation land); principles for prioritizing projects that are CPA-appropriate as well as CPA eligible; expectations for matching, non-CPA funds in different project categories),  originally announced for the December 14th meeting , has been rescheduled.  But, you can still submit comments or questions to aingerson@newtonma.gov.  The agenda can be foundhere. Council on Aging:  The Council on Aging is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, December 19th at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street and is expected to discuss the following:  Chair/Director’s report on Conversations with Mayor Elect Fuller and the transition team; submission of paper on Goals; changes in the administration; the Needham Street Visioning Committee and the Council on Aging Structure moving forward.  In addition, the COA will its usual reports from membership, Springwell, Senior Citizens Report Fund, Working Groups (Housing – including safety check list, Newton Centre Housing meeting, recommendation for senior housing, new member to housing group), Transportation, Engagement, Legislative Report and an update on the Jackson Road/Haywood Housing Development proposal.  The agenda can be found here. Licensing Commission:  The Board of Licensing Commission will meet on Tuesday, December 19th at 6:30 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda can be found here.  Of note:  continued discussion of the Lodging House Regulations and a new Common Victualler License for  Eleven Eleven Health Bar located at 87 Union Street.  The agenda can be found here. Newton Free Library Board of Trustees:  The Newton Free Library Board of Trustees are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, December 20th at 9:00 a.m. in the Trustees Room at the Newton Free Library.  The agenda can be found here. Newton Board of Assessors:  The Newton Board of Assessors are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, December 20th at 9:00 a.m. in Room 108. The agenda can be found here. Urban Design Commission:  The Urban Design Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, December 20th at 7:00 p.m. in the Planning Department Conference Room – B10 and is expected to review the following requests for sign permits: 47 Lincoln Street – Aer Nailbar 60 Needham Street – Burn Boot Camp 1507 Washington Street – Learning Prep School 67 Crafts Street – Hearty Teriyaki 42-44 Langley Road – Yosemite Eyewear 141 Needham Street – AAA Piccadilly Square – Comprehensive Sign Package The agenda can be found here. Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission:  The Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, December 21st at 7:30 p.m. in Room 205 and is expected to discuss the following requests for Certificate of Appropriateness:  request to replace 20 windows at 32 Acacia Avenue, request for approval of existing utility boxes at 100 Suffolk Road, review of 2nd story railing system design and request for approval of vent pipes, mounted speakers and changes to window location on left elevation of rear bump-out at 46 Woodman Road, and a request to build a two-car and one-car garage at 152 Suffolk Road. The agenda can be found here. Conservation Commission:  The Conservation Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, December 21st at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and is expected to discuss the following:  Notice of Intent and request for infrastructure improvements to support the development of 8 single-family lots on a new and improved driveway at Carlson Road, informal discussion of possibility of installing benches at Ware’s Cove, and a Notice of Intent regarding demolition of Single Family Home to construct a duplex with drainage, landscaping, grading and a 12″ culvert to create a hydraulic connection between mitigation storage area and the Cold Spring Park Wetland Complex at 73 Beaconwood Road.  The agenda can be found here.Packet documents can be found here. Newton Historical Commission:  The Newton Historical Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, December 21st at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 and is expected to discuss the following requests for demolition of houses:  96 East Side Parkway, 106 Pine Ridge Road (National Register Property), 24 Morseland Avenue, 42 Greenough Street, 69 Charles Street, and 11 David Road.  There is also a request to replace a front porch and add a rear addition to property located at 133 Park Street ( a National Register property).  The agenda can be found here. Staff memo can be found here and packet documents can be found here. Waban Area Council:  The Waban Area Council will hold its December meeting on Thursday, December 21st at 8:30 p.m. in the Waban Library.  The Notice of the Meeting can be found here. [back to top] Development Review Team Meetings – Week of December 17th, 2017 The following potential projects and proposals will be discussed with the Development Review Team this week: 184 California Street –  Special Permit to construct multi-family dwelling (MAN)(2nd meeting) 175-199 Boylston Street –  (The Shops at Chestnut Hill) Possible special permit amendment and parking waiver to allow use of 260 spaces in parking structure for potential hospital and Newton Centre shuttle service 1238 Chestnut Street –  Discussions regarding property and potential upgrades to buildings and parking areas (MAN) The agenda can be found here. [back to top] Traffic Council Actions – December 13th Meeting The Traffic Council met on Wednesday, December 13th and approved the following:  creation of a no parking zone anytime on Oak Hill Street between Brookline Street and Puddingstone Lane, addition of a stop sign on Trowbridge Street at Norwood Avenue in the westbound direction, extension of a no parking zone on both sides of Norwood Avenue – creating a no parking zone around the bend and reduce the length of the two-hour parking zone on the south side of the street, the addition of a school zone on Crescent Avenue in front of the Newton Montessori School, the addition of language to current signage adding a 6:00 a.m. to an 8:00 a.m. element to the existing two-hour time limit regulations along Crescent Avenue, and the election of David Koses as Chair of the Traffic Council.  The following items were denied:  request for a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Gibbs Street and Sumner Street to address safety concerns.  The following items were voted No Action Necessary:  request the addition of 30 feet of no parking opposite the church parking lot entrance on Norwood Avenue, request a 3 car parking prohibition across from #44 Norwood Avenue in the 6 existing unrestricted parking area, and a request for a change in the direction of traffic flow on Bram Way in order to accommodate reconstruction of the Austin Street parking lot. Please note:  that an item requesting the allowance of flexibility in terms of the location, duration, and pricing of public parking spaces as well as potential changes to traffic circulation within and proximate to the Austin Street parking lot, in order to provide for the reconstruction of the Austin Street parking lot was held with a trial instituted that will provide the flexibility requested that will impact spaces in the Austin Street lot, on Bram Way, on Austin Street between Walnut and Lowell, and within any portion of the Star Market Lot that is under the City’s control. The report can be found here. [back to top] Elementary School Projects – Update The November 2017 Monthly Update on the Elementary School Building Projects can be found here. Please note:  The City Council was informed by the School Committee Chair that the MSBA had rejected the City’s project proposal for the Lincoln-Eliot School renovations. [back to top] Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested. This is the last newsletter that you will receive from me as a Newton City Councilor.  It has been an honor and privilege to serve you over the past 20 years.  I look forward to future communications and work with you in the coming years. Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind. Wishing you and your families, the happiest of holidays and a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year! With warm regards, Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4 I hope you all weathered the snow! Below you will find this week's City Council and other Board and Commission Meetings. A quick update: The City Council voted to reduce it's size and composition from 24 to 16 - 8 elected at-large from each Ward and 8 elected by the Ward last Monday evening by a vote of 17 - 6.  The Mayor quickly sent a letter refusing to sign and forward the request for Home Rule Legislation adding that even if the Council voted to override the veto - the request would still not move forward because he will not sign it.       City Council Committee Meetings – Week of December 10th The following City Council Committees are scheduled to meet this week: Zoning and Planning Committee: The Zoning and Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, December 11th at 7:45 p.m. in Room 205 to discuss the following:  appointment of Sandra Lingley to the Commission on Disability, appointment of Robert Maloney as a Ward 2 member of the Community Preservation Committee, public hearing on a proposed zoning amendment to increase the inclusionary zoning requirement from 15% to 25% requiring some affordable housing units to be designated towards middle income households and create a new formula to calculate payments in lieu of affordable units (see Planning Memo) , and an update on zoning redesign (see Zoning Redesign Update).  The agenda can be found here. Traffic Council:  The Traffic Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, December 13th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 and is scheduled to discuss the following;  request for review and possible changes to parking regulations on Oak Hill Street between Brookline Street and Puddingstone Lane, request for a four-way stop sign at the intersection of Gibbs Street and Sumner Street, request for a three way stop sign at the intersection of Norwood Avenue and Trowbridge Street, request for an addition of thirty feet of no parking opposite the church parking lot entrance, request for parking prohibitions – 3 spaces in the area of the six existing unrestricted parking space area across from #44 and the addition of 3 unrestricted parking spaces across from #56 Norwood Avenue – removing 3 two-hour parking spaces, request for a flashing school zone/speed limit sign be installed on Crescent Avenue between the rectory and school to address safety concerns, request for no parking signs on Crescent Avenue be changed to LIVE pick up and drop off during school hours, request to allow flexibility in terms of the location, duration, and pricing of public parking spaces as well as potential changes to traffic circulation within and proximate to the Austin Street parking lot, in order to provide for the reconstruction of the Austin Street parking lot, request for a change to the direction of traffic flow on Bram Way, in order to accommodate the reconstruction of the Austin Street parking lot, and nomination, election and term length of Traffic Council Chair.  The agenda can be found here. City Council Caucus:  The new City Council will hold a caucus on Thursday, December 14th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211, to vote on a new President and Vice President of the City Council.  The agenda can be found here.  In the running are Susan Albright, Cheryl Lappin and Marc Laredo for Council President and Vicki Danbert and Rick Lipof for Vice President.  The agenda can be found here. [back to top] Other City Board and Commission Meetings week of December 10th The following City Board and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week: Planning and Development Board:  The Planning and Development Board will meet jointly with the Zoning and Planning Committee TONIGHT at 7:45 p.m. in Room 205 to hold a public hearing on the proposed , amendment to increase inclusionary zoning units from 15% to 25% for larger projects, and requirement that some affordable units be designated for middle income households; and to hear updates on Zoning Redesign.  The agenda can be found here. Commission on Disability:  The Commission on Disability will meet TONIGHT at 6:30 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Jini Fairley by phone at:  617-796-1253 or by email at:  jfairley@newtonma.gov. School Committee:  The School Committee will meet TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m. at the Ed Center, 100 Walnut Street, Room 210.  The agenda can be found here. Economic Development Commission:  The Economic Development Commission will meet on Tuesday, December 12th 7:30 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda can be found here. Community Preservation Committee:  The Community Preservation Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, December 14th – has been rescheduled to Tuesday, December 19th.  The revised agenda can be found here. Crescent Street Working Group:  The Crescent Street Working Group is scheduled to meet on Thursday, December 14th at 4 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda can be found here. Upper Falls Historic District Commission:  The Upper Falls Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, December 14th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205 and is expected to discuss the following:  request for feedback on proposed landscape plan demolition of shed and garage for property located at 109 High Street, request for Certificate of Appropriateness for a request to install a dormer for property located at 65 Oak Street, request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace three windows at 51 Pettee Street Unit 42, request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace a front free-standing sign at 280 Elliot Street, request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to rebuild chimneys at 75 High Street, and a request for approval of installed window decals at 1007 Chestnut Street.  The agenda can be found here. [back to top] Development Review Team Meetings – Week of December 10th The Development Review Team will meet on the following potential development projects this week: 156 Otis Street –  Special permit for rear lot subdivision (SR2) 11 East Boulevard Road – Possible variance to construct garage addition to single family dwelling (SR3) 180 Wells Avenue –  Special permit to amend the existing plan of record to reconfigure the parking on site (LMD) [back to top] Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community.  Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4 I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving! Below you will find this week's City Council and other Board and Commission Meetings. Just a few things to note: Appraisal in for Webster Woods.  Recount for Ward 4 Councilor set for December 2nd - 10 a.m. in the Newton North High School Cafeteria.  See Notice.  West Newton Enhancement Project Drop-in is scheduled on Tuesday, November 28th from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at L’Aroma Café at 15 Spencer Street, West Newton.  More information can be found here.  Zoning Redesign: Discussion/Workshop: “Cracking the Code: Understanding Zoning for Homeowners” will be held at the Newton Free Library on Wednesday, November 29th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.  Topics include additions, accessory buildings, garages, fences and retaining walls. RSVP at www.courbanize.com/newtonzoning. 1294 Centre Street: Neighborhood Meeting is scheduled on Thursday, November 30th from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at 1310 Centre Street (Lutheran Church of the Newtons). Conceptual plans for the redevelopment of this property and an adjacent rear property can be found here.      City Council Committee Meetings – Week of November 26th The following City Council Committees are scheduled to meet this week: Real Property Reuse Committee:  The Real Property Reuse Committee is scheduled to meet TONIGHT at 6:00 p.m. in Room 211 and is scheduled to discuss a proposed amendment to clarify how properties are classified in regards to purpose, use, and ownership; the procedure to handle reused properties; and to address any other changes that might be needed.  The agenda can be found here.  Please note:  This item was discussed and voted 3 – 0 for approval at the previous meeting of the Real Property Reuse Committee. Finance Committee:  The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 and will first, meet jointly with the Programs and Services Committee to discuss the following:  transfer of $109,200 from Budget Reserve Snow and Ice to fund overtime staffing and tree service incurred because of severe wind storms.  The Finance Committee will then take up the following:  request to appropriate $1,507,105 from bonded indebtedness to upgrade the City’s financial system to Tyler Technology’s Munis Software, request to appropriate and expend $215,000 from bonded indebtedness for the purpose of purchasing a bucket truck for the Forestry Division of the Parks and Recreation Department, request to appropriate and expend $213,000 from bonded indebtedness for the purpose of renovating three tennis courts at McGrath Park, request to appropriate and expend $192,000 from bonded indebtedness for the purpose of replacing the current Parks & Recreation trash truck with two F-550 6-cubic yard packers – one for trash and one for recycling, request for an abatement of a curb betterment assessment in the amount of $3,400, which improved 321 Central Street Auburndale, request to appropriate $5,000,000 from the November 13, 2017 Overlay Surplus Declaration to fund the Accelerated Roads Program, request to accept and expend a $44,000 grant from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection as part of the Recycling Dividends Grant Program, request to appropriate $35,674.65 from the Judgments and Settlements Account to fund an indemnification award, request to appropriate $2,000,000 from the November 13, 2017 Overlay Surplus Declaration to the Rainy Day Stabilization Fund, and a request to transfer $26,000 within the Comptroller’s budget from the Staffing Reserve Account to the Full-time Salaries Account to support changes in the Comptroller’s Office.  The agenda can be found here. Programs and Services Committee: The Programs and Services Committee is scheduled to meet TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 to meet jointly with the Finance Committee to discuss the following:   to discuss the following:  transfer of $109,200 from Budget Reserve Snow and Ice to fund overtime staffing and tree service incurred because of severe wind storms.  The agenda can be found here. Zoning and Planning Committee:  The Zoning and Planning Committee is scheduled to meet TONIGHT at 7:15 p.m. in Room 205 to discuss the following:  request to acquire land at 300 Hammond Pond Parkway (see Appraisal), request for an amendment to the Zoning Ordinance and create a lodging house ordinance which would allow for annual fire, safety and health inspections and licensing of buildings, request to amend the Zoning Ordinance to establish licensing requirements and criteria for lodging houses, and a request to increase the Inclusionary Zoning requirement from 15% to 25%.  The agenda can be found here. Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, November 28th in the Council Chambers and is expected to discuss the following:  request for a Consistency Ruling regarding a previously issued special permit/site plan approval for property located at 37 Hamlet (Houghton Village) in order to replace an existing maintenance shed and add 159 sq. feet to extend a community room, request for an extension of time to exercise a special permit/site plan approval granted for property located at 157 Herrick Road to rehabilitate Farwell Hall, construct an addition and grant a parking waiver and associated relief from parking lot requirements, request to rezone five parcels at the Northland site and a request for a special permit/site plan approval to allow for non-accessory parking at the Northland site, special permit/site plan approval to legalize a third unit and non-compliant lot area per unit in the existing non-conforming two-family at 69-71 Cherry Street, request for a special permit/site plan approval to relocate an existing dwelling, add a unit to the rear of the dwelling and construct two additional single-family attached dwellings in an MR-1 district, requiring a special permit at 336 Newtonville Avenue, request to rezone three parcels on Langley Road and a special permit/site plan approval to develop 20,000+ sq. ft. of gross square area by razing the existing two-family at 400 Langley and constructing a three-story, 20-unit multi-family apartment building, legitimize a nonconforming deck and setback at 402-404 Langley Road, a reduction of parking to 1.25 stalls per unit or 83 stalls, parking in the side setback, a waiver of dimensional requirements for parking, a waiver for requirements for end stalls, a waiver for the minimum aisle width, a waiver of perimeter screening and interior landscaping requirements, a waiver for lighting and surfacing requirements and a waiver to allow multi-family dwellings in the MR-3 zone, at 392-396, 400, 402-404 Langley Road, request to extend the notification area for special permit petitions, request for a discussion on fees for special permits, and a request for a report from the Planning Department regarding  how many of the affordable units developed at Commonwealth Avenue, Pearl Street, and Eddy Street qualify for inclusion on the State’s Subsidized Housing Inventory List; if a property is not on the list, what can be done to make it eligible.   The agenda can be found here. Public Faciities Committee:  The Public Facilities Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 29th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and is scheduled to meet jointly with the Public Safety and Transportation Committee on the following items:  request for approval of the West Newton Enhancement Project on Washington Street from Chestnut Street to Lucas Court, request for updates on the Washington Street design, and a request to extend the trial for the sidewalk snow shoveling ordinance.  The Public Facilities Committee will then continue its meeting and discuss the following:  petition for a grant of location to install a new pole on Bellevue Street, a request for a Section 5-58 schematic design and site plan approval for the creation of mixed-use housing, redevelopment of the Reverend Ford Playground, and expand open space by at least 20,000 square feet at 70 Crescent Street, update on the Accelerated Roads Program, update on the Cabot Elementary School construction project, request for an update on the Library Expansion Project and a request for an update on the Archives Expansion Project.  The Public Hearing Notice for the Crescent Street project can be found here and the agenda can be found here. Public Safety and Transportation Committee:  The Public Safety and Transportation Committee will meet on Wednesday, November 29th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205 and is scheduled to meet jointly with the Public Facilities Committee on the following items:  request for approval of the West Newton Enhancement Project on Washington Street from Chestnut Street to Lucas Court, request for updates on the Washington Street design, and a request to extend the trial for the sidewalk snow shoveling ordinance.  The agenda can be found here. Recodification Committee:  The Recodification Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, November 29th at 8:30 a.m. in the Clerk’s Office.  The agenda can be found here. [back to top] Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of November 26th The following City Boards and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week: Crescent Street Working Group:  The Crescent Street Working Group is scheduled to meet TODAY, Monday, November 27th at 4:00 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda can be found here. Council on Aging:  The Council on Aging is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, November 28th at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street.  The agenda can be found here. School Committee:  The School Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, November 28th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 210 at the Ed Center, 100 Walnut Street.  Prior to the School Committee meeting, the School Committee will meet at 6:00 p.m.in Room 304 and hold a caucus to elect new officers.  The Caucus Notice can be found here and the agenda can be found here. Committee on Community Preservation:  The Community Preservation Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, November 28th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 204 and is expected to discuss the following:  request to submit an off-cycle proposal for $2,640,000 in additional CPA funding for design and construction of the 70 Crescent Street mixed-use housing and playground expansion project.  The agenda and pre-meeting packet can be found here. Conservation Committee:  The Conservation Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, November 30th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and is expected to discuss the following:  request to amend an Order of Conditions to allow for installation of a blue stone patio and a fire pit for property located at 19 Patten Circle, request for a Notice of Intent for infrastructure improvements to support development of 8 single family dwellings at Carlson Avenue (near Mt. Ida College), ex post facto request for a Notice of Intent for emergency culvert repair and dredging of a detention pond for property located at 77 Florence Street (Hampton Place condominiums), Notice of Intent for demolition of a single-family home to construct a duplex at 73 Beaconwood Road.  The agenda can be found here, and the packet info can be found here. Energy Commission:  The Citizens Commission on Energy is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, November 29th at 7:30 p.m. in the Cafeteria and is scheduled to discuss the following;  Community Choice Aggregation, update on the Rumford Solar project (including the proposed and approved fence) and other related solar projects, and an update on Eversource’s proposal to change the net metering rates.  The agenda can be found here. [back to top] Development Review Team Meetings – Week of November 26th The following Development Review Team meetings are scheduled for this week for the following potential projects: 12 Acorn Drive – Special permit to Increase FAR for porch addition to single‐ family dwelling (SR3) 2095 Commonwealth Avenue – Special Permit to allow exceptions from the sign ordinance 26 Owatonna Street –  Proposed rear addition to single‐family dwelling (existing 1953 variance) (SR3) [back to top] Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community.  Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4

Good Morning Newton Residents,    Happy October!! Please note:  the Planning Department will be hosting Zoning Redesign Drop-In sessions. Drop-In on TONIGHT, Monday, October 2nd and Wednesday, November 15th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. For more information, please contact James Freas by email at:  jfreas@newtonma.gov or at:   zoningredesign@newtonma.gov with questions. Below you will find this week's City Council and other Board and Commission Meetings. Development Review Team Meetings – Week of October 1st The Development Review Team will meet this week and discuss the following potential projects: 330 Walnut Street – Possible special permit for existing bank to expand into adjoining space (BU1) [back to top] Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of October 1st The following City Boards and Commissions will meet this week: Planning and Development Board:  The Planning and Development Board is scheduled to meet on Monday, October 2nd, at 7:30 p.m. in Room 204 and will discuss the following:  public hearing and discussion of a proposal to develop 83-85 West Street as a housing development project by the Newton Housing Authority and will hear a presentation and hold public comment on the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for FY2017.  The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Rachel Powers by phone at: 617-796-1125 or by email at:  rpowers@newtonma.gov School Committee:  The School Committee is scheduled to meet TONIGHT at 7:00 p.m. at the Ed Center Frasier Room 210.  The Notice of the Meeting can be found here and the agenda can be found here. Crescent Street Working Group:  The Crescent Street Working Group is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, October 4th at 4:00 p.m. in Room 204 and is expected to discuss the following:  Recap of the Community Meeting, Property Management, Project Budget, and schedule.  The agenda can be found here. Fair Housing Committee:  The Fair Housing Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, October 4th the Committee will meet at 8:00 a.m. in Room 205 to review the Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) for FY2017 draft and discuss amendments to the inclusionary zoning ordinance. The agenda can be found here. For more information, please contact Malcolm Lucas by phone at:  617-796-1149 or by email at:  mlucas@newtonma.gov. [back to top] City Council Committee Meetings – Week of October 1st The following City Council Committees are scheduled to meet this week: Public Facilities Committee:  The Public Facilities Committee will hold a special meeting TONIGHT at 7:30 p.m. in Room 211 to review a petition for a grant of location on Carlson Avenue.  The agenda can be found here. Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, October 3rd at 7:00 p.m. and is expected to discuss the following:  request for a special permit/site plan approval to legalize third unit and non-compliant lot area per unit in the existing non-conforming two-family at 69-71 Cherry Street, request for a special permit/site plan approval to construct three additions including a mudroom, a second floor addition over an existing porch and extension of a kitchen, further extending the nonconforming FAR from .40 to .44 where .39 is allowed at 715 Commonwealth Avenue, request for a special permit/site plan approval to construct a 764 sq. ft. rear addition to allow for new living space and creating an FAR of .60 where .44 exists and .46 is allowed at 115 Nonantum Street, a request to rezone five parcels at: 156 Oak Street (Parcel 1), 55 Tower Road (Parcel 2), 275-281 Needham Street (Parcel 3), 260 Needham Street(Parcel 4), 160 Charlemont Street(Parcel 5) to BU4 from MU1 (NORTHLAND petition), and a request for a special permit/site plan approval to develop off-site, non-accessory, single-level parking on the parcel at 55 Tower Road (Parcel 2) to serve the existing office building at 156 Oak Street (Parcel 1), requiring a waiver of 84 parking stalls, a waiver to allow nonaccessory parking on a lot separate from the principal use, waivers to allow parking within setbacks, waivers to dimensional requirements for parking stalls, waivers to the maximum width for entrance and exit drives, waivers for perimeter screening requirements for parking facilities, a waiver to interior landscaping requirements for parking facilities, waivers to lighting requirements for parking facilities, and waivers to the requirement for curbing, wheel stops, guard rails, and bollards at 156 Oak Street and 55 Tower Road.  The agenda can be found here. Please note that other items on the agenda have been postponed. Also please note that the Planning Department has issued a memo regarding developing a Vision for Needham Street which can be found here. Recodification Committee:  The Recodification Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, October 3rd in Room 211 at 8:00 a.m. and will review Chapters 17 and 20 and other fees and fines. The agenda can be found here. Programs and Services Committee:  The Programs and Services Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, October 4th beginning at 7:30 p.m. in Room 211 and then in the Council Chambers and is expected to discuss the following:  appointment of Ethan Tieger to the Newton Commonwealth Foundation, re-appointment of Bethel Charkoudian  Arthur Magni Peter Kastner, Byron Dunker, Andrew Stern, Richard Tucker, Patrick Palmer, Jack Neville, Michael Clarke, and Sam Figler to the Newton Parks and Recreation Commission, and will hold public hearings on the following:  citizens petition requesting requesting a Resolution from the City Council acknowledging the scientifically documented benefits of a later school time and supporting the Newton Public Schools to take action to delay high school start times and a citizens petition requesting adoption of measures ensuring the City Council on deal with local issues.  In addition, the Chair will entertain public comment on a request for an amendment to the City Charter to reduce the size of the City Council to 16 – 8 at-large and 8 Ward only should the Charter Commission’s proposal fail.  The agenda can be found here. Public Facilities Committee:  The Public Facilities Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, October 4th beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and will discuss the following:  petition for a grant of location to locate a pole on Windsor Road, update on progress and design of the Washington Street corridor (will meet jointly with Public Safety and Transportation) request for approval of the “City of Newton – Public Buildings Department – Building Design and Construction Sustainability Guidelines, request for a resolution from the City Council in support of H.2683/S.1845 that seeks to protect consumers from leaked gas while providing economic incentive to providers to repair infrastructure so as to reduce methane leaks into the environment, request for a discussion on how the City currently charges residents for sewer extensions and a re-appointment of Marian Rambelle to the Solid Waste Commission.  The agenda can be found here. Public Safety and Transportation Committee:  The Public Safety and Transportation Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, October 4th beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205 and will discuss the following:  update on progress and design of the Washington Street corridor (will meet jointly with Public Facilities), and a request for a discussion with the Fire Department and ISD on how he city may implement a policy and/or ordinance, which clearly states when a sprinkler system is needed in any new construction projects. The Chair will entertain a motion for No Action Necessary on the following items:  a request for a discussion of and possible ordinance change regarding fines associated with a) reducing the fines with parking at a curb cut and  b) increasing the fines when parking at a fire hydrant, and a request for a letter in support of for the redesign of the Auburndale, West Newton and Newtonville Commuter Rail stations. The agenda can be found here. [back to top] City Council Committee Reports – Now Available Real Property Reuse Committee:  The Real Property Reuse Committee met on September 19th and discussed an amendment to the Reuse Ordinance to clarify how properties are classified in regards to purpose, use, and ownership; the procedure to handle reused properties; and to address any other changes that might be needed. The item was held.  The report can be found here. Finance Committee:  The Finance Committee met on Monday, September 25th and voted to approve the following:  request from the Community Preservation Committee to appropriate $300,000 for historic rehabilitation and $677,700 for affordable housing for a total of $977,000 from the Community Preservation Fund, to the Planning & Development in Newton (CAN-DO), to create 8 units of permanently affordable rental housing at 236 Auburn Street, Auburndale, including 5 units in a congregate home to be owned and operated by the Barry L. Price Rehabilitation Center, and a request for special legislation to increase the number of years the City of Newton is authorized to lease the Weeks House from the current period of sixty-five years.The report can be found here. Programs and Services Committee:  The Programs and Services Committee met jointly with the Finance Committee on Monday, September 25th and voted to approve the following:  a request for special legislation to increase the number of years the City of Newton is authorized to lease the Weeks House from the current period of sixty-five years.  The report can be found here. Zoning and Planning Committee:  The Zoning and Planning Committee met on Monday, September 25th and voted to approve the following:  request to amend the zoning of certain residential parcels related to school building projects including 1316, 1330, and 1338 Beacon Streets for the Zervas Elementary School Building project, 23 Parkview Avenue for the Cabot Elementary School Building project and 15 Walnut Park for the Aquinas School Building Project, re-appointment of Jane Ives, Stephen Feller, Howard Barnstone, Joyce Plotkin, Phillip Plottel, and  Peter Kai Jung Lew.  All other items including the request for the estabishment of the Newton Highlands and West Newton Local Historic Districts were held.  The report can be found here. Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee met on Tuesday, September 26th and voted to approve the following:  request for withdrawal without prejudice for a special permit/site plan approval request for to use a portion of the legally nonconforming wholesale site to cut and fabricate stone countertops, further extending the nonconforming use to manufacturing at 966 Watertown Street, request for a special permit/site plan approval to construct a single-story rear addition extending the existing non-conforming two-family use at 893 Watertown Street, a request for a special permit/site plan approval to construct three new dormers and increase the size of one existing dormer, exceeding the allowable size of dormers and increasing the FAR to .48 where .46 is required and .42 exists at 18 Meredith Avenue, and a request for a special permit/site plan approval to  to create a third commercial space for ground level health club use and to allow a waivers for 15 parking stalls or to allow required stalls off site at 60 Needham Street.  All other items were held.  The report can be found here. [back to top] City Council to meet on Monday, October 2nd The Full City Council is scheduled to meet on TONIGHT, October 2nd at 7:45 p.m.  The Reports Docket can be found here , the New Docket can be found here and the Docket Addendum can be found here. [back to top] Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community. Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4

I hope you had a great back to school week! I can't believe how fast the summer went by!  Tuesday is the Preliminary Election for Mayor of Newton to narrow the field of candidates from 7 to 2.  Please go out and vote!  Polls open a 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.  Polling locations can be found here.

Below you will find this week's City Council and other Board and Commission Meetings.

City Council Meetings – Week of September 10th

The following City Council Committee meetings will be held this week:

Zoning & Planning Committee:  The Zoning and Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, September 11th at 8:00 p.m., in Room 205 to discuss the following:  a proposed zoning amendment for the lodging houses; a proposal to amend ordinances to add licensing requirements and criteria for lodging houses;  a proposed ordinance to allow food trucks on Wells Avenue;  and a proposed discussion of the proposed economic development strategy. The agenda can be found here.  Please contact James Freas by phone at:  617-796-1137 or by email at:  jfreas@newtonma.gov.

Programs and Services Committee:  The Programs and Services Committee is scheduled to meet jointly with the Finance Committee  on Monday, September 11th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 and discuss the following: request by the City Clerk to place the  question of the new proposed charter on the ballot, a request to appropriate $6,400 from Budget Reserve to mail the Charter Commission’s report, and a request to increase the number of years the City is authorized to lease the Weeks House.  The agenda can be found here.

Finance Committee:  The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet jointly with the Programs and Services Committee on Monday, September 11th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 to discuss the following:  request by the City Clerk to place the  question of the new proposed charter on the ballot, a request to appropriate $6,400 from Budget Reserve to mail the Charter Commission’s report, a request to increase the number of years the City is authorized to lease the Weeks House, a request to accept and expend the Assistance
to Firefighters’ grant, which is a 90/10 reimbursable grant in the amount of seventy-six
thousand ninety-one dollars ($76,091) for the purchase of Personal Safety/Bailout
systems, a request to accept and expend the Green Communities Grant in the amount of $196,157 for energy  efficiency improvements to the Franklin, Underwood, Williams, and Memorial Spaulding Elementary Schools, a request for approval of the following mentioned sidewalk/driveway apron and/or curb betterments; said betterments to be levied under the provisions of MGL Chapter 83, Sec. 26, authorizing the assessment of betterments for construction, a request for authorization to accept and expend a grant of up to $147,500 from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation offered as part of their Complete Streets Program, recommendation for appropriation of $300,000 for historic rehabilitation and $677,700 for affordable housing for a total of $977,000 from the Community Preservation Fund, to the Planning & Development in Newton (CAN-DO), to create 8 units of permanently affordable rental housing at 236 Auburn Street, Auburndale,
including 5 units in a congregate home to be owned and operated by the Barry L. Price
Rehabilitation Center, as described in CAN-DO’s proposal submitted to the Community
Preservation Committee in May 2017, request to enter into an up to 5-year contract
for ambulance services, re-appointed of Rosemary Larking as a member
of the Newton Taxation Committee for a term of office to expire April 30, 2018, and re-appointment of Doris Breay, as a Trustee of the Horace Cousens Industrial Fund for a term to expire June 1, 2020. The agenda can be found here.

Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee meeting has been cancelled.  The Notice of Cancellation can be found here.

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Development Review Team Meetings – Week of September 10th

The Development Review Team will meet to discuss the following proposals:

• 2 Wells Avenue –  Special permit to install secondary sign larger than allowed
  by-right (LM)
• 458 Woodward Street –  Special permit to modify non-conforming single-family
  dwelling by enclosing rear porch (SR2)

[back to top]

Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of September 10th

The following City Boards and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week:

Commission on Disability:  The Commission on Disability will meet on Monday, September 11th at 6:30 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda can be found here.

Licensing Commission:  The Licensing Commission will meet on September 11th at 8:15 a.m. The agenda can be found here.  

Crescent Street Working Group:  The Crescent Street Working Group is scheduled to meet on September 12th at 4: 00 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda can be foundhere.

Preliminary Election:  Yes – an opportunity to vote for me!  The Preliminary Election will be held on Tuesday, September 12th.  Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m.  The Notice can be found here.

Economic Development Commission:  The Economic Development Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, September 13th at 7:30 p.m. The agenda can be found here.

Human Rights Commission:  The Human Rights Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, September 13th at 7:00 p.m. The agenda can be found here.

Design Review Committee:  The Design Review Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 13th at 6:00 p.m. in the Trustee’s Room of the Library and will discuss the Crescent Street Housing and Reverend Ford Playground Expansion Project.  The agenda can be found here.

Committee on Community Preservation:  The Committee on Community Preservation will meet on Thursday, September 14th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and will have a pre-proposal discussion on 1615 Beacon Street – $600K request by the Suzuki School of Music for historic rehabiliiation, a discussion on – request to apply a portion of remaining unspent CPA funds to expanded scope of work by Historic Newton for the Historic Burying Grounds and  will have a discussion of potential revisions to funding guidelines and a review of current CPC proposal forms & instructions.  The agenda can be found here.

Traffic Council:  The Traffic Council will meet on Thursday, September 14th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211.  The agenda can be found here.

Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission:  The Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday, September 14th and will discuss the following:  request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install two additional skylights on rear roof for property located at 2 – 4 Shawmut Park, a request for feedback on a proposed second story addition and second story balcony for property located a 7 Hale Street/336 Elliot Street, and a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to demolish a shed and install a front walkway for property located at 109 High Street.  The agenda can be found here.

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Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe.

As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community.

Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind.
Remember to vote on Tuesday!!

Amy Mah Sangiolo
Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4

Happy Labor Day! I hope you all enjoying this last week of summer and having a great weekend and for those with children, getting ready to go back to school! Below you will find this week's City Council and other Board and Commission Meetings. Charter Commission – new language for ballot question The Charter Commission met last week and voted to amend the language summarizing the proposal on the ballot from:  “Effective with the 2019 municipal election, the City Council will be reduced from 24 to 12 with one member representing each of the 8 wards and 4 members who can live anywhere in the City.” to “Effective with the 2019 municipal election, the City Council will be reduced from 24 to 12 with one member from each of the 8 wards and 4 members who can live anywhere.”  The new language can be found here. [back to top] Full City Council to Meet- Tuesday, September 5th This week, the City Council will meet on Tuesday, September 5th at 7:45 p.m. in the Council Chamber.  The Reports Docket can be found here and the new Docket can be found here. [back to top] City Council Committee Meetings – Week of September 3rd The following City Committees are scheduled to meet this week: Public Facilities Committee:  The Public Facilities Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, September 5th at 7:15 p.m. in Room 204 to discuss the following:  grant of location request to install two poles – one at a the corner of Needham and Christina Street and another pole #604/5-1 with guy and anchor on the northerly side, 40’ northerly of pole #604/5; grant of location request to relocate five poles (#604/1, #604/2, #604/3, #604/4 and #604/5) laterally in a southerly direction on Christina Street, grant of location request to install conduit in Needham Street to a proposed relocated Pole #113/31 across from 300 Needham Street and to install conduit southwesterly in Needham Street from Manhole # 47/301 thence turning northwesterly on to Oak Street to proposed relocated Pole #25/1 on Oak Street, and a Mayoral re-appointment of Seth Parker to the Solid Waste Commission. The agenda can be found here. Programs and Services Committee:  The Programs and Services Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, September 5th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 to discuss the following:  request to recognize September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Mayoral appointment of Karl Munger and reappointment of Edward Marple and John Schwartz to the Biosafety Committee, Mayoral appointment of Julie Norstrand, Chryse Gibson, and Donna Murphy to the Council on Aging, Mayoral re-appointment of Dana Hanson as a Library Trustee, and a request to appropriate $350,000 from Overlay Surplus for the to construct a new combined Parks & Recreation and Police Department facility to be located at the Elliot Street DPW yard.  The agenda can be found here. Recodification Committee:  The Recodification Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, September 6th at 8:30 a.m. in Room 211.  The agenda can be found here. Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday, September 7th in the Council Chamber and is expected to hold public hearings on the following:  petition for Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct a single-story rear addition extending the existing non-conforming two-family use at 893 Watertown Street, Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to use a portion of the legally nonconforming wholesale site to cut and fabricate stone countertops, further extending the nonconforming use to manufacturing at 966 Watertown Street, Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to amend Board Order #229-14 to allow a swing set on Lot 40 at 93 Bellevue Street, a request for a Class 1 Auto Dealer License by Flaherty Equipment Sales Corporation, and a request for a Class 2 Auto Dealer License by the City of Newton, request for a Consistency Ruling regarding modifications to an existing right of way for 103 Court Street, request for $977,000 from Community Preservation funds for an 8- unit affordable housing development at236 Auburn Street, petition for Special Permit/Site Approval to replace the existing non-conforming detached garage with an expanded, connected garage, continuing the non-conforming front setback of 11.4’ where 25’ is required at 155 Monadnock Road. petition for Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to expand the existing auto service business to allow the sale and service of up to ten used cars and waivers to requirements for parking facilities at 454-458 Watertown Street, petition for Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct a second story addition over an existing sunroom on the side of the house, extending the non-conforming side setback at 191 Grant Avenue, (or here) petition for Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to  construct a three-story rear addition, further increasing the non-conforming three-story dwelling where 2.5 is the maximum allowed by right at 170-172 Sumner Street, petition for Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct a three-story building, up to 36’ high, allow an FAR of 1.5, waivers to allow parking in the side setback, waiver to allow parking within 5’ of a building or structure containing dwelling units, waivers to allow a reduction in the parking requirement to 1.25 per dwelling unit, relief from parking facility landscaping, and a waivers to the lot area per unit in a multifamily dwelling by 25% to allow for an affordable unit at 386-394 Watertown Street,petition for Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to amend Board Order #437-03 to create a third commercial space for ground level health club use and to allow a waivers for 15 parking stalls or to allow required stalls off site at 60 Needham Street.  The agenda can be found here. Programs and Services Committee:  The Programs ad Services Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, September 6th at 7:45 p.m. in Room 211 and is expected to discuss the following:  Mayor’s Request to increase the number of Library Trustees from 5 – 7 members, request to allow food trucks in the City of Newton – initially at Wells Avenue, request to place a non-binding question on the ballot:  “Do you support rezoning village center to allow 4 and 5 story mixed use buildings near public transit with retail on the first floor and apartments above as the City is recommending in to update Newton’s Zoning Ordinance for future growth?”, a public hearing on a citizen’s petition to discuss and repeal the Welcoming City Ordinance, Mayoral re-appointments to the Parks and Rec Commission  for the following members:  Bethel Charkoudian, Arthur Magni, Peter Kastner, Byron Dunker, Andrew Stern, Richard Tucker, Patrick Palmer, Jack Neville, Michael Clarke, and Sam Figler. The agenda can be found here. Public Facilities Committee:  The Public Facilities Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, September 6th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and is expected to discuss the following:  Mayoral appointment of Brita Lundberg to the Solid Waste Commission; five public hearings: petition for grant of location to install conduit in front of 25 Maple Avenue,  petition for a grant of location to install conduit to a pole at the corner of Newtonville Avenue, petition for a grant of location to install conduit to upgrade the existing service at 413 Hammond Street, petition for a main drain extension in Park Avenue to a proposed manhole located in front of 94 Park Avenue, and a petition for a main drain extension in Suffolk Road to a proposed drain manhole located in front of 46 Suffolk Road; and an update on the FY2018 Accelerated Roads Program. The agenda can be found here. Public Safety and Transportation Committee:  The Public Safety and Transportation Committee meeting has been cancelled.  The Notice of Cancellation can be found here. [back to top] Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of September 3rd The following City Boards and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week: Fair Housing Committee: The Fair Housing Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, September 6th at 8:00 a.m. in Room 205 and will review a proposed amendment to Kesseler Woods special permit and will discuss next steps for auditing for housing discrimination in Newton.  For more information, please contact Malcolm Lucas by phone at 617-796-1149 or by email at:  mlucas@newtonma.gov. The agenda can be found here. School Committee:  The School Committee will meet on Wednesday, September 6th at 8:00 a.m. at the Ed Center, Room 210.  The agenda can be found here. Conservation Commission:  The Conservation Commission will meet on Thursday, September 7th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and discuss the following:  Request to remove 4 dead trees from landscaped slope, lower yard, & front yard at 57 Kingswood Road,  request to demolish parts of an existing single-family home & rear deck/stairs; construct 1 and 2-story additions and new deck/stair and include mitigation landscaping at 64 Selwyn Road, request for demolition of an existing single-family home to construct a duplex with drainage, landscaping,grading, and 12” culvert at 73 Beaconwood Road, and a request for a Certificate of Compliance for an addition, deck, mitigation plantings at 20 Parsons Street.  The agenda can be found here and the packet documents can be found here. Newtonville Historic District Commission:  The Newtonville Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday, September 7th at 7:30 in Room 205 and will discuss the following:  request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to expand driveway and replace curbing for property located at 161 Lowell Avenue and request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to replace a fence and gate for property located at 47 Prescott Street. The agenda can be found here. [back to top] Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community. Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4

Mailing address: Amy Mah Sangiolo 389 Central Street Auburndale, MA 02466 Add us to your address book

I hope you all had a great week!  I just returned from dropping my daughter off to school!  I was so moved by the President's Lee Bollinger's Convocation speech to the Class of 2021.  I am proud to be an alumna of the University and very proud that my daughter and the Class of 2021 will have an opportunity to learn and grow under his leadership! There are no City Council meetings this week. Below you will find a listing of other city boards and commissions and additional announcements for this week.    Charter Commission to meet Tuesday, August 29th Additional Notices   Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community. Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind. Enjoy the rest of your summer!! Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4 Charter Commission to meet Tuesday, August 29th The Charter Commission will meet this Tuesday, August 29th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211.  After the Commission reviews and approves the minutes and receive public comments, the Commission will take up the Ballot Question Summary.  The agenda can be found here. [back to top] Additional Notices Election Commission Ballot Testing:  The Election Commission will conduct testing on the ballot machines for the Preliminary Election beginning on Monday, August 28th through Wednesday, August 30th in the Basement in Room B09. The Notice can be found here. Cabot School School Building Committee and Design Review Committee:  There is a Cabot School Building Committee and Design Review Committee meeting scheduled for August 31st.  The link for the agenda will not load.  Please contact the Public Buildings Department for more information by phone at:  617-796-1600. Planning Department Notice of Intent to Release Funds:  The Planning Department issued a Notice of Intent to Request to Release Funds as part of their management of the Housing Rehabilitation and Development program because they are required to do an environmental review for each project and may require consultation regarding existence and removal of lead paint.  Written Comments will be accepted by August 31st and then the City of Newton will submit to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development  which will accept comments up to 15 days following submission.  The Notice can be found here. August 31st Deadline to submit Comments on Proposed NStar rate increases: The deadline to submit comments regarding  the proposed NStar Rate increases is August 31st.  Written comments and petitions for leave to intervene or to participate should be addressed to: Mark D. Marini, Secretary, Department of Public Utilities, One South Station, 5th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. Receipt by the Department, not mailing, constitutes filing. In addition to the above filing requirement, one (1) copy of all materials flied with the Department should be ·sent to- each of the following: (1) Marc J. Tassone, Hearing Officer, Department of Public Utilities, One South Station, 5th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110; (2) Cheryl M. Kimball, Keegan Wedin LLP, 265 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110 (counsel for the Companies); and (3) Joseph W. Rogers, Assistant Attorney General, Office of Ratepayer Advocacy, One Ashburton Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02108. Further, in addition to paper filings with the Department, all documents also must be submitted to the Department in electronic format using one of the following methods: (1) bye-mail attachment to dpu.efiling@state.ma.us and the Hearing Officer, Marc.Tassone@state.ma.us; or (2) on a CD-ROM. The text of the e-mail or CD-ROM must specify: (1) the docket number of the proceeding (D.P.U. 17-05); (2) the name of the person or company submitting the filing; and (3) a brief descriptive title of the document. The electronic filing should also include the name, title, and telephone number of a person to contact in the event of questions about the filing. Documents filed with the Department will be available for public inspection at its offices during business hours and through its website by looking up the docket by its number in the docket database at: http: I /web 1. env. state. ma. us/DPU /File Room/ dockets/bynumber (insert 17-05). A copy of the Companies’ revised rate design proposal is available for inspection during regular business hours at the following locations: (1) the Companies’ offices, 24 7 Station A venue, Westwood, Massachusetts 02096; (2) the· Moise’ Institute Library, 14 E.Central St, Natick, Massachusetts 01760; (3) the Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116; (4) the Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138; (5) the Sturgis Library, 3090 Main Street, Barnstable, Massachusetts 02630; (6) the New Bedford Free Public Library, 613 Pleasant Street, New Bedford, Massachusetts 02740; (7) the Plymouth Public Library, 132 South Street, Plymouth, Massachusetts 02360; (8) the Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Avenue, Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201; (9) the Springfield City Library, 220 State Street, Springfield, Massachusetts 01103; (10) the Vineyard Haven Public Library, 200 Main St, Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts 02568; (11) the Greenfield Public Library, 402 Main Street, Greenfield, Massachusetts 01301; and (12) the Department’s offices, One South Station, D.P.U. 17-05 Page 10 5th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. In addition, ·the revised rate design proposal is also available on the Department’s website at: http://web1.env.state.ma.us/DPU/FileRoom/dockets/bynumber (enter·”17-05″). Notice can be found here. [back to top]

Mailing address: Amy Mah Sangiolo 389 Central Street Auburndale, MA 02466

Happy end of August!  For those of you taking your kids off to college - wishing you good luck!  Sending my daughter off this weekend!

Below you will find a listing of the City Council Committee Meetings for this week as well as meetings of other city boards and commissions.
  

• City Council Meetings – Week of August 19th
• Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of August 19th

Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe.

As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community.

Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind.
Enjoy the rest of your August too!


Amy Mah Sangiolo
Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4

City Council Meetings – Week of August 19th

There are no City Council meetings scheduled for this week.

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Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of August 19th

The following City Boards and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week:

The Crescent Street Working Group:  The Crescent Street Working Group is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, August 22nd at 4 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda can be found here.

Newton Historical Commission:  The Newton Historical Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, August 24th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205 and is scheduled to discuss the following requests for full demolition:  2163 Commonwealh Avenue, 31 Jacobs Terrace, 46 Exeter Street, 121 Arlington Street, 85 Waban Hill Road North,5 Harwich Road and 189‐193 Adams Street.

The Commission will also discuss the following requests for partial demolition:  85 Otis Street, NR, 185 Franklin Street, 432 Cherry Street, LL and 16 Fountain Street, NR.

The following requests for a waiver to be heard includes:  5 Chester Street and 240 Otis Street.

A detailed agenda can be found here. For more information, please contact Katy Hax Holmes by phone at:  617-796-1143 or by email at:  kholmes@newtonma.gov.

Urban Design Commission: The Urban Design Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, August 24th at 7:00 p.m. inthe Planning Department’s Conference Room (B10) and is scheduled to discuss the following sign requests:  55 BoylstonStreet – The Container Store, 335 Boylston Street – Newton Surgery, 335 Boylston St – The Spiegel Center, 290 Centre St – Newton Dental Group, 300 Boylston St – Dana Farber, 97M Union St – Erin Gates Design, 790 Beacon St – LYMBR, 105‐119 Elm St – Constantine Place, Two Wells Avenue – Two Wells Avenue, 4‐6 Lincoln St – Grape Leaf, 200 Boylston St – Precision Running.  The agenda can be found here,the packet of information can be found here and the staff memo can be found here. For more information, please contact Rachel Blatt by phone at:  617-796-1127 or by email at:  rblatt@newtonma.gov .

Upcoming Events

Events List Navigation

Ellison Road Meet and Greet with Amy Sangiolo and Anping Shen for School Committee

Saturday, August 5, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

55 Ellison Road, Newton Centre

Yongqi Deng invites you to a meet and greet with mayoral candidate Amy Sangiolo and Ward 3 School Committee candidate Anping Shen at his home at 55 Ellison Road, Newton Centre. Please join us to meet Amy and find out about her vision for Newton’s future. We look forward to seeing you there! Saturday, August 5, 3:00pm

Find out more »

Briar Lane Meet & Greet

Wednesday, August 16, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm

7 Briar Lane, Newtonville

Fred Arnstein and Pamela Geib invite you to a meet and greet with Amy Sangiolo at their home at 7 Briar Lane, Newtonville. Please join us to meet Amy and find out about her vision for Newton’s future. We look forward to seeing you there! Wednesday, August 16, 7:30pm

Good Morning Newton Residents,

Good Morning Newton Residents,
  
Happy Summer everyone!  Crazy weather but hope you're having fun!

Below you will find a listing of the City Council Committee Meetings for this week as well as meetings of other city boards and commissions.

Please note:

• The Planning Department will be popping up at local Farmers Markets and will be at the Cold Springs Farmers Market on Tuesday, August 8th from 1:30 - 6:00 p.m.Find out more about the new Accessory Apartment ordinance,  the upcoming Zoning Redesign events, and the new street designs for West Newton and Walnut Streets! 
• The Department of Public Works has released a list of City streets listed alphabetically containing the length, width and PCI - all in preparation for an update that will be provided to the Public Facilities on this year’s road maintenance program and their 5 year plan on September 6th.

  

• City Council Meetings – Week of August 6th
• Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of August 6th
• Development Review Team Meetings – Week of August 6th

 

Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe.

As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community.

Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind.


Amy Mah Sangiolo
Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4
Happy mid-August!  

Below you will find a listing of the City Council Committee Meetings for this week as well as meetings of other city boards and commissions.
  

• Announcements
• City Council Meetings – Week of August 13th
• City Council Committee Reports
• Other Board and Commission Meetings
• Additional Information

 

Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe.

As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community.

Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind.
Enjoy the rest of your summer too!


Amy Mah Sangiolo
Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4

 

Announcements

Please note the following:

Picnic and Play in the Park:  On Monday, August 14th from 5:30 p. m. – 8:00 p.m. at the Newton Centre Playground , 69 Tyler Terrace, for the launch of Newton: A City Built with History, A Future Built with Vision.  Family friendly event! Free Cabot’s Ice Cream! For more details visit our website at www.newtonma.gov/vision.

Zoning Redesign:  The Planning and Development Department is continuing with their Zoning Redesign Drop-In sessions this summer. Drop‐In on Wednesdays, August 16th and August 30th from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Newton City Hall Room 106 to share your ideas with staff and ask questions about the City’s project redesign the zoning ordinance. All are welcome. On September 27th, 2017 the “Zoning Redesigning Event Series,”  a nine-part series will
launch and will run to May, 2018. Each event is about a different topic and will be held at Newton Free Library, 300 Homer St. from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. You can find the series online and RSVP at http://courbanize.com/newtonzoning.  For additional information, please contact James Freas by email:  at jfreas@newtonma.gov org or zoningredesign@newtonma.gov .

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City Council Meetings – Week of August 13th

The City Council will meet tonight, August 14th at 7:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers.  The Reports Docket can be found here and the New Docket can be found here.

Please note:

The Programs and Services Committee and the Finance Committee will meet jointly tonight on August 14th at 6:45 p.m. in Room 211 to discuss the submission of the Charter Commission’s Report, request for $6400 from Budget Reserve to mail the Charter Commission’s Report, request to place the question of the proposed new charter on the ballot, recommendation to approve the Neighborhood Area Council’s election date to November 7th, Mayor’s request to reappoint Jan Huffman to the Election Commission, Mayor’s request to to reappoint Marjorie Butler to the Election Commission, President Lennon’s request to reappoint Carl Cohen to the BioSafety Committee, and a proposal to place a non-binding advisory question on the ballot – “Do you support rezoning village centers to allow four-and five- story buildings near public transit with retail on the first floor and and apartments above, as the City is recommending to update Newton’s Zoning Ordinance for future growth?”.  The agenda can be found here.  Please see the City Clerk’s memo to the Council regarding the various docket items – here.

The Public Facilities Committee will meet tonight on August 14th at 6:30 p.m. in Room 211 to discuss a petition for a grant of location to install a pole in front of 559 Centre Street and an anchor guy 100’+ in a northerly direction to upgrade existing service and a petition for a grant of location to install and maintain 200’+ of conduit from a pole to a manhole in Needham Street.  The agenda can be found here.

The Recodification Committee will meet on Tuesday, August 15th at 8:30 a.m. in Room 205 to discuss the following:  Review of Chapters 17 and 20 and other fees and fines and any other business.  The agenda can be found here.

Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee has scheduled a site visit on Thursday, August 17th at 8:00 a.m. at the gate just past 50 Tower Road (Bigelow Oil) to review the special permit application filed by Northland to rezone five parcels and to develop off-site, non-accessory, single-level parking on the parcel at 55 Tower Road to serve the existing office building at 156 Oak Street.  The Notice of the Site Visit can be found here.

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City Council Committee Reports

The following City Council Committee Reports are now available:

Land Use Committee: The Land Use Committee met on Tuesday, July 11th and voted to approve the following:  a request for a special permit/site plan approval to raze and replace a two-family structure and allow a 4% reduction to the required lot area after combining lots at 19-21 Beaconwood Road, and a request for a special permit/site plan approval to demolish a portion of the rear dwelling, front porch and detached garage and construct a two-story rear addition and attached garage for more than three vehicles and in excess of 700 sq. ft. increasing the FAR to .28 where .27 is allowed and .19 exists at 164 Highland Avenue.  All other items were held.  The report can be found here.

Public Facilities Committee:  The Public Facilities Committee met on Wednesday, July 12th and voted to approve the following:  request for a grant of location to install a pole in front of 559 Centre Street and one anchor guy 100’+ in a northerly direction to upgrade
existing service, request for a grant of location to install 60’+ of conduit from
manhole 9423 in a westerly direction to provide new service to house 111 Bigelow
Road, request for a grant of location to install 37’+ of conduit in Walnut Street from manhole in a westerly direction onto Austin Street and ending at a proposed manhole in front of Philip Bram Way, and a request for a grant of location to relocate a oik approximately 57’+ westerly as part of the undergrounding of existing service, request to approve a taking of an easement at 19 – 33 Needham Street. The Committee voted No Action Necessary on the following items:  request for an update on funds acquired from voluntary contributions from Special Permits in Newton Centre, which can be made available to complete a safe pedestrian crossing at 714-724 Beacon Street via
Special Permit Board Order #1-15, and a request that the Department of Public Works provide an update on the creation of a strategic plan for the improvement of streets and sidewalks in the City. The report can be found here.

Zoning and Planning Committee Report:  The Zoning and Planning Committee met on Monday, July 17th and voted to approve the following:  Mayor’s Appointment of Katherine Cade to the Conservation Commission, request by the Director of Planning and Development for a technical amendment to the Newton Zoning Ordinances regarding restoration of density bonus zoning incentives related to an increase in inclusionary units for residential use in Business and Mixed Use Districts which was indavertently left out of the revised ordinances.  The Committee also voted No Action Necessary on a request to restructure and increase for permits charged by the Inspectional Services Department, the Planning Department and the City Clerk to ensure that the fees are sufficient to cover the costs of the services provided.  All other items were held.  The report can be found here.

Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee met on Tuesday, August 8th and voted to approve the following:  a request for a special permit/site plan approval to construct a two-story addition and porch to the rear and side of the house and rebuild the existing front porch, continuing the non-conforming front setback and increasing the FAR from .54 to .64 where .48 is allowed at 11 Fairview Street. All other items were held or postponed.  The report can be found here.

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Other Board and Commission Meetings

The following other City Boards and Commission will meet this week:

Board of Licensing Commissioners:  The Board of Licensing Commissioners will meet on August 15th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda can be found here.

The Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission: The Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet on Wednesday, August 16h at 6:30 p.m., on Kingsbury Road to conduct a site visit to review the existing road conditions and the options for
berms and curbing. Please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at 617-796-1129 or by email at:  bkurze@newtonma.gov.

Newton Board of Assessors:  The Newton Board of Assessors will meet on Wednesday, August 16th at 9:00 a.m. in Room 108.  The agenda can be found here.

Urban Design Commission:  The Urban Design Commission originally scheduled to meet on Wednesday, August 16th has been rescheduled to August 24th.

The Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission:  The Chestnut Hill Historic District will on Thursday, August 17th, the Commission will meet at 7:30 p.m., in Room 205 and will discuss the following requests for a Certificate of Appropriateness:  request to install curbing and edging at property located at 109 Old Orchard Road, a request  to install a fence at 314 Hammond Street, Boston College, and a request to demolish the basement wing and replace a garage at 152 Suffolk Road.  Please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at 617-796-1129 or by email at:  bkurze@newtonma.gov.

Conservation Commission:  The Conservation Commission meeting originally scheduled for August 17th has been cancelled.

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Additional Information

The Law Department transmitted the following to the City Council regarding a Special Permit/Site Plan approval made on June 6, 2017.  Please see this memo for more information.

City Council Meetings – Week of August 6th

The following City Council Committees are scheduled to meet this week:

Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, August 8th at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chambers and is scheduled to hold public hearings on the following:  request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct a single-story rear additional extending the existing non-conforming two-family use at 893 Watertown Street, request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to use a portion of the non-conforming wholesale site to cut and fabricate stone countertops and further extending the nonconforming use at 966 Watertown Street, Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to amend a previously approved board order to allow a swing set on Lot 40 at 93 Bellevue Street, request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct a two-story addition and porch to the rear and side of the house and rebuild the existing front porch, continuing the non-conforming front setback and increase the FAR from .54 to .64 where .48 is allowed at 11 Fairview Street, request for a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct a 3-story building up to 36 feet high, allow an FAR of 1.5, waivers to parking and waivers
to the lot area per unit in a multifamily dwelling at 386-394 Watertown Street,  request to rezone land currently zoned as MR 2 to Business 2 and a Special Permit/Site Plan Approval to construct elderly housing with services in excess of20,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area, consisting of 85 living units in a 4-story structure not to exceed 48’ in height and Floor Area Ratio not to exceed 2.0, and extend the existing nonconforming front setback and construct a retaining wall greater than 4’ in a setback at 431 Washington Street, 29 Hovey Street, and the adjacent unnumbered lot to the north on Hovey Street, and a request to amend Special Permit #102-06(15) at Kesseler Woods to allow relocation of the inclusionary zoning units by use of the Off-Site Development Option in conjunction with the rehabilitation of the apartment building at 219 Commonwealth Avenue resulting in an increase in the number of affordable units from the approved site of 179 Kesseler Way.  The agenda can be found here.

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Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of August 6th

The following other City Boards and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week:

Planning and Development Board:  The Planning and Development Board is scheduled to meet on Monday, August 7th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 204 and will have a discussion and vote on Zoning Ordinance Technical Amendments (#204-17) to restore reference in the Newton Zoning Ordinance for the density bonus incentives related to an increase in inclusionary units in Business and Mixed-Use districts. For more information, please contact Rachel Powers by phone at:  617-796-1125 or by email at: rpowers@newtonma.gov.

Auburndale Historic District: The Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday, August 8th, at 7:00 p.m., in Room 205. The agenda includes a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install two 70-foot tall stadium light poles at 70 Studio Road, and a request to install parking lot lights at 204-220 Woodland Road, Lasell College, requesting a Certificate of Appropriateness to install parking lot lights. The agenda can be found here. For more information, please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at 617-796-1126 or by email at:  bkurze@newtonma.gov and Katy Hax Holmes by phone at:  617-796-1143 or by email at:  kholmes@newtonma.gov.

Economic Development Commission: The Economic Development Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, August 8th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 204 and is scheduled to discuss the following:  updates from the Economic Development Director, the Economic Development Commission Chair, discussion of draft food truck ordinance and discussion of expiring membership terms and re-appointments. The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Kathryn Ellis by phone at:  617-796-1122 or by email at:  Kellis@newtonma.gov.

Community Preservation Committee: The Community Preservation Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, August 9th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and is scheduled to discuss the New Art Center project and the pending proposal for the Newton Cemetery’s Whipple-Beal Cast Iron Fence and will hold a Public Hearing on the Newton Housing Authority’s $2 million request for its Jackson Road New Senior Housing (Haywood House)
project in Newton Corner. The agenda can be found here and the packet of information can be found here.  For more information, please contact Alice Ingerson by phone at: 617-796-1144 or by email at:  aingerson@newtonma.gov.

Zoning Board of Appeals: The Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, August 9th, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, Room 207 and discuss the following request to change the details of the projects authorized by a previously issued Comprehensive Permit to Waban AA Realty Ventures LLC for the construction of 8 rental units (6 market rate and 2 affordable) located at 1521 Beacon Street. The proposed
change is a change from rental to ownership. The purpose of this public hearing is
for the Board to review the change and make a determination on whether the project may be approved with the change. The agenda can be found here.  Please contact Adrianna
Henriquez by phone at:  617-796-1133 or by email at:  ahenriquez@newtonma.gov.

Design Review Committee:  The Design Review Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, August 9th at 6:00 p.m. in the Library Trustees Room in the Newton Free Library and is scheduled to discuss the current preliminary design for the Crescent Street project.  Notice of the meeting can be found here and the agenda can be found here.

Newton Upper Falls Historic District:  The Newtonville Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, August 10th at 7:00 p.m., in Room 205 and is scheduled to review a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to nstall two additional
skylights on rear roofs for property located at 2-4 Shawmut Park and a Certificate of Appropriateness to install a fence section, arbor, patio, retaining walls and walkway for property located at 20 Shawmut Park.  The agenda can be found here. For more information, please contact Valerie Birmingham at 617-796-1132 or by email at:  vbirmingham@newtonma.gov.

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Development Review Team Meetings – Week of August 6th

The Development Review Team is scheduled to meet this week to discuss the following potential projects:

• 36 Cummings Road – Special permit to extend the nonconforming use by
  constructing an addition (SR2)
• 18-22-26 Goddard Street –  Proposed subdivision/redrawing of lot lines into two lots
  (SR3)
• 21 & 25 Gardner Street –  Special permit to create four attached dwellings (MR2)
• 82-84 Needham Street –  Possible medical marijuana facility (MU2)

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Happy Summer! There are no City Council meetings this week but there are a few Board and Commission meetings.    Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of July 30th   A few highlights: The Department of Public Works recently presented the Accelerated Pavement Management Program to the Public Facilities Committee July 12th.  The presentation can be found here. There is also a list of Preventative Maintenance Roads, a notice about the different treatment that will be used to address our roads and information on the Crack/Seal program. I am EXTREMELY PLEASED to Announce the City will be piloting a curbside organics pick-up program!! YAY. General information can be found here and the presentation on the curbside program by Waneta Trabert can be found here. The Planning Department will be "popping-up" at our local Farmers Markets this summer. This is your opportunity to get information about the new Accessory Apartment zoning rules,  details on the upcoming Zoning Redesign event series, obtain information on how West Newton and Walnut Streets will have street safety makeovers and connect with economic development resources. They will be at the West Newton Farmers Market on Elm Street on Saturday, August 5th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.and at the Cold Springs Farmers Market on Tuesday, August 8th from 1:30 – 6:00 p.m. (A great place to meet candidates, too!) Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community. Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4 Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of July 30th The following City Boards and Commission will meet this week: Fair Housing Committee: The Fair Housing Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, August 2nd t 8:00 a.m. in Room 205 and is expected to review a proposed amendment to the Kesseler Woods special permit and remove all affordable housing units to a new location on Commonwealth Avenue and will discuss the next steps for auditing for housing discrimination in Newton. For more information, please contact Malcolm Lucas by phone at:  617.796.1149 or by email at:  mlucas@newtonma.gov. Newtonville Historic District Commission: The Newtonville Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, August 3rd at 7:30 p.m. in Room 205 and will discuss the following requests for Certificate of Appropriateness:  to install a landscaping wall and irrigation, to replace the front walkway, to install steps, and to change the driveway at 142 Lowell Avenue. For more information, please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at: 617-796-1129 or by email at: bkurze@newtonma.gov. [back to top]

Mailing address: Amy Mah Sangiolo 389 Central Street Auburndale, MA 02466 Add us to your address book

I hope you all had a great week!  The St. Mary of Carmen Festival was fun.  Went with family to the carnival and enjoyed the music and then went back this afternoon to march in the processional and then again tonight.  We also enjoyed another great concert in Newton Center!

Below you will find this week's City Council and other Board and Commission meetings.
  

• City Council Meetings – Week of July 16th
• Other Board and Commission Meetings – Week of July 16th
• Development Review Team Meetings – Week of July 17th

 

Please note:  There will be a  Zoning Redesign Drop‐In on Wednesday, July 19th, Please to share your ideas with staff and ask questions about the City’s project redesign the zoning ordinance. Everyone is welcome!  Contact James Freas at jfreas@newtonma.gov with questions. For more information on Zoning Redesign visit http://courbanize.com/newtonzoning or email zoningredesign@newtonma.gov.

Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe.

As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community.

Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind.


Amy Mah Sangiolo
Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4

 

City Council Meetings – Week of July 16th

The following City Council Committees are scheduled to meet this week:

Zoning and Planning Committee:  The Zoning and Planning Committee will meet tonight at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205 and will discuss the following:  appointment of Kathryn Cade as an alternative member of the Newton Conservation Commission, public hearing on a technical amendment to a zoning amendment to restore a reference to a density bonus incentives to an increase in inclusionary units for residential units in a Business or Mixed Use districts that were apparently inadvertently omitted from the ordinance (see Planning Memo), proposed zoning amendment to expand the definition of exempt lots to include lots changed in size or shape as a result of an adverse possession claim (see Planning Memo), discussion to consider mix of uses at Wells Avenue (see Planning Memo) and a request to restructure and increase fees (Note:  Committee likely to vote No Action Necessary).  The agenda can be found here.

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Other Board and Commission Meetings – Week of July 16th

The following City Boards and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week:

Lasell Neighborhood Council:   The Lasell Neighborhood Council is scheduled to meet on Monday, July 17th the Council will meet at 8:00 a.m. at Lasell College – Irwin Annex, 5 Cheswick Rd. The Council is scheduled to discuss the following:  parking, construction updates, litter clean-up initiatives, supporting green initiatives in the neighborhood, community participation and support. For more information, please contact Barney Heath by phone at: 617-796-1120 or by email at:  bheath@newtonma.gov.

Board of License Commissioners:  The Board of License Commissioners are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, July 18th at 7:30 p.m.  The agenda can be found here.

School Committee:  The School Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 18th at 8:00 a.m. in Room 210 at the Ed Center located at 100 Walnut Street and will meet in Executive Session to discuss the TAP MOA Agreement.  Notice of the meeting can be found here.

School Committee:  The School Committee will meet on Tuesday, July 18th at 8:15 a.m. in Room 210 at the Ed Center located at 100 Walnut Street .  Notice of the meeting can be found here.

Newton Biosafety Committee:  The Newton Biosafety Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 19th at 7:00 p.m. in Conference Room 106c and is expected to discuss the following:  an rDNA permit application, the rDNA amended ordinance, review of applications and procedures, and setting an annual meeting date with community representatives in September or October.  The agenda can be found here.

Board of Assessors:  The Newton Board of Assessors are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 19th at 9:00 a.m. in Room 108 at City Hall and is expected to discuss the following:  approval of the 2017 Exemption and Abatement Report.  The agenda can be found here.

Newton Retirement Board:  The Newton Retirement Board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 19th at 3:00 p.m. in Room 211.  The agenda can be found here.

SEPAC Meeting:  The SEPAC will have an open meeting on Wednesday, July 19th from 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. in Room 304 at the Ed Center, 100 Walnut Street.  The agenda can be found here.

Urban Design Commission: The Urban Design Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 19th at 7:00 p.m. in the Planning Dept Conference Room (B10) and is expected to discuss the following sign requests:

• 55 Needham Street – T‐Mobile,
• 55 Needham Street – B.Good,
• 275-281 Needham Street – New England Mobile Book Fair,
• 1637 Centre Street – 7‐ Eleven,
• 55 Boylston Street – The Container Store

The Commission will also conduct a conceptual design review for 392-404 Langley Road and also discuss Zoning Redesign (Zoning Reform Phase 2).

For more information, please contact Shubee Sikka by phone a:t 617-796-1139 or by email at:  ssikka@newtonma.gov .

Zoning Board of Appeals:  The Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to meet on Thursday, July 20th at 7:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers, Room 207 and will discuss and review the following petition: #01‐16, 1521 Beacon Street, LLC’s request, to change the details of the project authorized by a previously issued Comprehensive Permit to Waban AMA Realty Ventures LLC for the construction of eight rental units (6 market rate and 2 affordable) located at 1521 Beacon Street. The proposed change is a change in the tenure of all eight units from rental to ownership. The purpose of this public hearing is for the Board to review the change and determine anew whether the project may be approved with the change. For more information, please contact Adrianna Henriquez by phone at:  617-796-1133 or by email at:  ahenriquez@newtonma.gov .

Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission:  The Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, July 20th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 205 and is expected to vote on the following requests for Certificate of Appropriateness:

• 109 Old Orchard Road, to approve curbing installation; to install a gate; Kingsbury Road, to install asphalt berms;
• 44 Old England Road, to replace fence and install mesh;
• 135 Essex Road, to replace fence; and
• 20 Malia Terrace, to repair garage and fence.

For more information, please contact:  Barbara Kurze at 617-796-1126 or bkurze@newtonma.gov.

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Development Review Team Meetings – Week of July 17th

The Development Review Team is scheduled to meet this week on the following proposals:

• 58 Rochester Road:  Special permit for floor area ratio (FAR) relief to expand single-family dwelling (SR3)
• 336 Elliot Street:  Special permit to extend nonconforming residential use (BU1)

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I hope you all had a great week and a great Fourth of July!  I brought my pug, Frank, to the Pet Parade at the Newton Center Playground, and then it was a full day meeting so many wonderful residents at Albemarle.  The fireworks were spectaculor - as always!!  Last night, I brought my 92 year old mother with me and my husband to the Newton Center Green to enjoy the music of Jah Spirit.  My mother LOVED the music, the crowds and the dancing!  Thank you Newton Community Pride!  To find out about upcoming events, please go here.

Below you will find this week's City Council and other Board and Commission meetings (there are a lot of other Board and Commission meeting this week!).
  

• Accessory Apartment Information Session – July 13th, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. – Post 440
• City Council to Meet tonight, July 10th – 7:45 p.m.
• Two Council Committee Reports – now available
• Council Committee Meetings – Week of July 9th
• Other Board and Commission Meetings – Week of July 9th
• Development Review Team Meetings – Week of July 9th

 

FYI:  The Citizens Petition requesting the City Council to pass a Resolution to our Federal legislators urging them to support an impeachment investigation on our President will be before the Council tonight.

Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe.

As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community.

Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy, and most of all, please be kind.


Amy Mah Sangiolo
Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4

 

Accessory Apartment Information Session – July 13th, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. – Post 440

Accessory Apartments Informational Session: To learn more about accessory apartments – how to create one and available financing to renovate or bring one up to code, the City’s Planning Department staff will hold an informational session on Thursday, July 13th from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at the American Legion Post 440, 295 California Street.  You can RSVP at:  accessoryapartments@newtonma.gov.  More information on the new accessory apartment ordinance  can be found here.  An informational brochure can be found here.

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City Council to Meet tonight, July 10th – 7:45 p.m.

The City Council is scheduled to meet tonight at 7:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers.  The Council will take up the Citizen Petition request for a resolution for Presidential impeachment investigation which was chartered at the last full Council meeting.  The Reports Docket can be found here and the new Docket can be found here.

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Two Council Committee Reports – now available

Zoning and Planning Committee:  The Zoning and Planning Committee met on Monday, June 26th and voted to approve the following:  Mayor’s appointment of William Winkler to the Urban Design Commission, Mayor’s appointment of Doug Cornelius to the Newton Historical Commission, Mayor’s appointment of Ellen Katzto the Newton Conservation Commission, Mayor’s re-appointment of Jeffrey Zabelto the Newton Conservation Commmission, Mayor’s reappointment of Ira Wallach to the Newton Conservation Commission, Mayor’s reappointment of Susan Lunin to the Newton Conservation Commission, Mayor’s reappointment of Judith Hepburnto the Newton Conservation Commission, Mayor’s reappointment of Dan Green to the Newton Conservation Commission, Mayor’s reappointment of Norm Richardsonto the Newton Conservation Commission, Mayor’s reappointment of Richard Alfredto the Auburndale Historic District Commission, Mayor’s reappointment of Patricia Baker to the Auburndale Historic District Commission, Mayor’s reappointment of Patricia Bottomley to the Auburndale Historic District Commission, Mayor’s reappointment of Italo Visco to the Auburndale Historic District Commission, Mayor’s reappointment of Nancy Grissom to the Auburndale Historic District Commission, Mayor’s reappointment of Nancy Grissom to the Newton Historical Commission, Mayor’s reappointment of Peter Diamond to the Newton Historical Commission, Mayor’s reappointment of Laura Fitzmaurice to the Newton Historical Commission, Mayor’s reappointment of Ellen Klapper to the Newton Historical Commission, Mayor’s reappointment of Jean Fulkerson to the Newton Historical Commission, and Mayor’s reappointment of Mark Armstrong to the Newton Historical Commission. All other items were held.  The report can be found here.

Public Safety and Transportation Committee:  The Public Safety and Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, June 21st and voted to No Action Necessary on the following items:  request to appropriate $350,000 from Overlay Surplus to construct a new combined Parks & Recreation and Police Department facility to be located at the Elliot Street DPW yard, and an appeal of Traffic Council Decision of new yield sign on Walnut Hill Road – stop sign on Woodcliff Road, southbound.  All other items were held.  The report can be found here.

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Council Committee Meetings – Week of July 9th

The following Council Committees are scheduled to meet this week:

Finance Committee:  The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, July 10th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 and is expected to discuss the following:  request to settle a claim for $9,120 from the Law Department’s Judgments and Settlements Account as settlement of a claim against the City for extensive damage to a fence that occurred during snow clearing operations, request to appropriate $338,397 from previously declared Overlay Surplus to cover the costs associated with Eversource undergrounding utilities associated with the Austin Street Parking Lot Redevelopment Parking Lot, request to appropriate $375,000 from previously declared Overlay Surplus and transfer $500,000 from the Publc Works Full-time Salaries Account and Public Works Street Department Health Insurance Accounts, and a request to transfer $10,000 from Budget Reserve to Veterans’ Benefits to provide funding for the final month of this fiscal year.  The agenda can be found here.

Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, July 11th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers and is expected to discuss the following:  request for a special permit and site plan approval to amend Board Order #229-14 to allow a swing set on Lot 40 at 93 Bellevue Street, request for a special permit/site plan approval to construct a two-story addition and porch to the rear and side of the house and rebuild the existing front porch, continuing the non-conforming front setback and increasing the FAR from .54 to .64 where .48 is allowed at 11 Fairview Street, request for a special permit/site plan approval to tear down and replace a two-family structure and allow a 4% reduction to the required lot area after combining lots at 19-21 Beaconwood Road, request for a special permit/site plan approval to amend Special Permit #102-06(15) at Kesseler Woods to allow relocation of the inclusionary zoning units by use of the Off-Site Development Option in conjunction with the rehabilitation of the apartment building at 219 Commonwealth Avenue resulting in an increased number of affordable units from the approved site of 179 Kesseler Way, and request for a special permit/site plan approval to demolish a portion of the rear dwelling, front porch and detached garage and construct a two-story rear addition and attached garage for more than three vehicles and in excess of 700 sq. ft. increasing the FAR to .28 where .27 is allowed and .19 exists at 164 Highland Avenue.  The agenda can be found here.

Recodification Committee:  The Recodification Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, July 11th at 8:30 a.m. in Room 205.  The agenda can be found here.

Public Facilities Committee:  The Public Facilities Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 12th at 7:00 p.m. and will hold public hearings on the following:  petition for a grant of location to install one pole in front of #559 Centre Street and one anchor guy to upgrade existing service, petition for a grant of location to install conduit to provide new service to house #111 Bigelow Road, petition for a grant of location to install conduit in Walnut Street onto Austin Street terminating at a proposed manhole in front of Philip Bram Way, petition for a grant of location to relocate a pole as part of the undergrounding of existing service in Austin Street.  The Committee will then discuss the following:  request for authorization to take a non-exclusive easement from UBC Equity Partners, LLC over and upon a portion of the property known and numbered 19-33 Needham Street, Newton for the purpose of providing passage consistent with the use of the Upper Falls Greenway as a rail-trail, request that the Department of Public Works pilot a curbside food waste collection program, request for an update and discussion with the Department of Public Works and the Solid Waste Commission on the current status of Newton’s solid waste management and recycling program operations and performance objectives, future goals and objectives, staffing, program challenges, and survey data due to be submitted to the Department of Environmental Protection, request for an update from the Department of Public Works’ about the Roads Program Strategy, and a request for a discussion with the Inspectional Services Department to explain the development of short and long term plans to identify and correct buildings, sidewalks, playgrounds, etc…that do not conform to American Disability Act (ADA) standards.  The Committee will entertain a motion for No Action Necessary on the following: update on funds accrued from voluntary contributions from Special Permits in Newton Centre, which can be made available to complete a safe pedestrian crossing at 714-724 Beacon Street via Special Permit Board Order #1-15,  update on the creation of a strategic plan for the improvement of streets and sidewalks in the City.

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Other Board and Commission Meetings – Week of July 9th

The following Boards and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week:

Commission on Disability:  The Commission on Disability is scheduled to meet tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Room 204.  In addition to approval of its previous meeting’s minutes, the Commission will discuss the following:  CDBG Report, identify locations for potential FY18 CDBG funded access projects, discuss potential project(s) for FY18 Municipal ADA Improvement Grant , hear reports on HP Fines , and reports from the Treasurer and the ADA Coordinator and discuss a request for a MAAB Variance for 219 Commonwealth Ave.  The revised agenda can be found here. For more information, please contact Jini Fairley by phone at  617-796-1253 or by email at:  jfairley@newtonma.gov

Planning and Development Board:  The Planning and Development Board is scheduled to meet tonight at 7:45 p.m. in Room 211 and is expected to discuss and possibly vote on the following:  Sunrise Development Rezoning Petition – Request to Rezone 29 Hovey Street from MultiResidence 2 to Business-Use 2 and 236 Auburn Street Housing Development –CAN-DO/Metrowest.  The Board will also discuss the Northland Rezoning petition and have an update on the Zoning Redesign project. The agenda can be found here. For more information, please contact Rachel Powers by phone at:  617-796-1125 or by email at:  rpowers@newtonma.gov.

Zoning Board of Appeals: The Zoning Board of Appeals is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, July 11th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 and is expected to discuss the following:  appeal of the March 31, 2017 Zoning Violation Notice issued by the Commissioner of Inspectional Services for a violation of the storm water management ordinance.  The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Adrianna Henriquez by phone at: 617-796-1133 or by email at:  ahenriquez@newtonma.gov.

Auburndale Historic District Commission: The Auburndale Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, July 11th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205 and is expected to discuss the following requests for Certificate of Appropriateness: request to replace wood gutters at 84 Grove Street, request to replace front porch railing system, decking, column bases, and fascia board; to repair soffit and steps, and to install roof heating coils at 304 Central Street and receive an update regarding landscaping to be installed to mitigate vinyl fence for 304 Central Street.  The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at:  617-796-1129 or by email at:  bkurze@newtonma.gov.

Economic Development Commission:  The Economic Development Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, July 11th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 204. According to the Planning Department’s Friday Report, the EDC is expected to receive updates on the following:  N2 Innovation District, Washington Place Special Permit, Economic Development RFP, the Northland Proposal on Needham Street, the West Newton Square/Walnut Street Streetscapes, Wells Avenue Property Owners Meeting, and Zoning Redesign. The Chair will provide updates on the rDNA Ordinance and EDC Openings. There will also be a Wells Avenue Presentation. For more information, please contact Kathryn Ellis by phone at: 617-796-1122 or by email at:  kellis@newtonma.gov.

Human Rights Commission:  The Human Rights Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, July 11th at 7:00 p.m. and is expected to discuss the following:  debrief on the Pride event, Hate Crimes, Student Reports, Programming for fall, the December Human Rights Award event, the April Genocide exhibit, and co-sponsoring an upcoming event -How to talk about Race in 2017 with Ray Rickman, Thursday, August 10, 2017 @ 6:30 p.m. at the Druker Auditorium.  The agenda can be found here.

Charter Commission: The Charter Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 12th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 and will receive public comments and will then discuss the following:  draft of letter to City Council, Ballot Question summary, and presentation to City Council.  The agenda can be found here.

Fair Housing Committee:  The Fair Housing Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, July 12th at 8:00 a.m. in Room 205 and is expected to discuss the following: discussion of City Hall inaction regarding new members,  review of proposed amendment to Kesseler Woods special permit, discussion on current and other relevant events, discussion about next steps re auditing of housing discrimination in Newton, discussion regarding events/training and publications, and a discussion re Zoning Redesign.  The agenda can be found here.

Community Preservation Committee:  The Community Preservation Committee meeting previously scheduled for July 12, 2017 has been CANCELLED.

Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission:  The Upper Falls Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, July 13th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205 and is expected to discuss the following requests for Certificate of Appropriateness:  request to replace roof on house and shed and install skylight at 2-4 Shawmut Park, and request to expand the front bump out and build a rear addition and a shed at 969 Chestnut Street.  The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at 617-796-1129 or by email at: bkurze@newtonma.gov.

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Development Review Team Meetings – Week of July 9th

The following potential projects are scheduled to be reviewed by the Development Review Team this week:

• 432 Cherry Street:  Special permit to convert existing office building into six dwelling units and construct additional structure with three dwelling units on-site (BU1)
• 1224 Boylston Street:  Special permit for accessory apartment in existing detached structure (SR3).

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Good Morning Newton Residents,
  
I hope you all had a great weekend!  It was a hot one - but enjoyed visiting Nonantum and Newton Center this weekend!

Below you will find this week's City Council and other Board and Commission meetings.
  

• Additional Announcements
• City Council Meetings – Week of July 2nd
• Other Board and Commission Meetings – Week of July 2nd

Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe.

As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community.

Happy Fourth of July!
Please stay safe, be healthy, be happy and most of all, please be kind.


Amy Mah Sangiolo
Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4

Additional Announcements

Happy Fourth of July!

July 4th Celebration in Newton
Kids’ Morning
Tuesday, July 4, 10am – Noon, Newton Centre Playground at Tyler Terrace.
Free event for children ages 3 – 12 years. Children and families are invited to join in the Grande Pet Parade, Decorated Doll Carriage Promenade, Teddy Bear Parade and Foot Races. Free ice cream, candy and drinks complete the morning celebration – courtesy of Cabot’s Ice Cream. Cancelled in the event of rain.

Afternoon/Evening Events
Tuesday, July 4, Noon – 10pm – Albemarle Field/Halloran Sports Complex
The fun continues with kiddie amusement rides, craft vendor booths, food vendor booths, face painting and other childrens’ activities. The entertainment at the Gazebo is provided by Constantine the Magician, the YCCA Band and a Caribbean performance by D’Allegro Band from DESFOB, Inc. Then, the fun moves over to the main stage, with more free music and dancing from 6 – 9pm. Bring lawn chairs, try out the delicious food from the many food trucks and pick up your light-up novelties.  At 9pm, don’t miss the grand finale…a fantastic fireworks display! Visit www.newtoncommunitypride.org for details.  In the event of rain, the band and fireworks will take place on Wednesday, July 5th. 

Accessory Apartment Informational Session:  Learn about the new zoning changes that were made to allow the creation of Accessory Apartments by-right (without a special permit) on Thursday, July 13th from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. at American Legion Post 440, 295 California St., Newton. RSVP accessoryapartments@newtonma.gov

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City Council Meetings – Week of July 2nd

There are no City Council meetings scheduled for this week.

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Other Board and Commission Meetings – Week of July 2nd

The following City Boards and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week:

Newton Conservation Commission:  The Newton Conservation Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, July 6th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and is expected to discuss the following: request to streamline routine maintenance and repair to City infrastructure including roadways, sidewalks, drainage pipes, stormwater drains, sewer and water lines when conducted in compliance with a generic Order of Conditions (OOC) for maintenance on roadways, sidewalks, drainage pipes, stormwater drains, sewer, and water lines at various locations throughout Newton;  request to repair and excavate a failing foundation and walkway at 351 Parker Street; sewer service repairs and other site improvements at 300 Hammond Pond Parkway; addition to a single family home at 42 Hyde Avenue; demolition and construction of a single family home at 5 Vaughn Avenue; demolition of existing garage and handicap ramp; construction of new handicap ramp at 515 Walnut St;Demolition of single family home and construction of duplex at 73 Beaconwood Road. The agenda can be found here and packet documents can be found here. For more information, please contact Jennifer Steel by phone at 617-796-1134 or by email at:  jsteel@newtonma.gov.

Newtonville Historic District Commission: The Newtonville Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on on Thursday, July 6th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 205 and is expected to discuss the following:  approval for work done on side entries for property located at 182 Lowell Avenue. Violation. Continuation.  For more information, please cntact Barbara Kurze by phone at 617-796-1129 or by email at:  bkurze@newtonma.gov.

I hope you enjoyed this past weekend!  I had the honor of serving at the Feast of the Falls and if you haven't had an opportunity to participate - please do!! It was a truly wonderful event!!!

Last Monday, evening, the City Council approved the Orr Block/Washington Place proposal by a vote of 17-7 -1 for both the zone change and the special permit.  The special permit granted was for 160 units but allowed flexibility for the developer to reduce the project to 140 units if the developer was able to work out an agreement with the direct abutters. Please note:  that the developer had previously needed to obtain a supermajority vote of the Board because the abutters had submitted a protest but with a reconfiguration of the lots and the zoning relief requested, the developer was able to provide a buffer strip which may have eliminated the direct abutter's right to protest (This may be litigated in court).

Also, Four City Councilors - Jim Cote, Lenny Gentile, Rick Lipof and Allan Ciccone exercised a 4 person charter which ceased discussion of the Citizen's Petition to Impeach President Trump and prevented the Council from calling a special meeting to discuss and act on the petition within 3 months as called for in the City Charter.  Section 10-2 provides:  

Sec. 10-2. Group Petitions; Action Required. The city council or the school committee shall hold a public hearing and act with respect to every petition which is addressed to it, which is signed by at least 50 voters, and which seeks the passage of a measure. The hearing shall be held by the city council or the school committee or, in either case, by a committee or subcommittee of either the city council or school committee and the action by the city council or school committee shall be taken not later than 3 months after the petition is filed with the city clerk. Hearings on 2 or more petitions filed under this section may be held at the same time and place and the city clerk shall mail notice of the hearing to the first 50 certified signers whose names appear on each petition at least 48 hours before the hearing. Notice by publication of all such hearings shall be at public expense. (Referendum of 11- 04-75.)

The resolution will be taken up at the next regularly scheduled Council meeting on July 10th.

Below you will find this week's City Council and other Board and Commission meetings.
  

• City Council Committee Meetings – Week of June 25th
• Other Boards and Commission Meetings – Week of June 25th
• Development Review Team

 
Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe.

As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community.

Stay safe, be healthy, be happy and most of all, please be kind.


Amy Mah Sangiolo
Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4

City Council Committee Meetings – Week of June 25th

The following City Council Meetings are scheduled for this week:

Zoning and Planning Committee:  The Zoning and Planning Committee is scheduled to meet Tonight at 7:45 p.m. in Room 205 and is scheduled to discuss the following:  appointment of William Winkler to the Urban Design Commission, Mayor’ appointment of Doug Cornelius to the Newton Historical Commission, appointment of Ellen Katz to the Newton Conservation Commission, re-appointment of Jeff Zabel to the Newton Conservation Commission, re-appointment of Susan Lunin to the Newton Conservation Commission, re-appointment of Judith Hepburn to the Newton Conservation Commission, re-appointment of of Dan Green to the Newton Conservation Commission, re-appointment of Norm Richardson to the Conservation Commission, re-appointment of Richard Alfred to the Auburndale Historic District Commission, re-appointment of Patricia Baker to the Auburndale Historic District Commission, re-appointment of Pat Bottomley to the Auburndale Historic District Commission, re-appointment of Italo Visco to the Auburndale Historic District Commission, re-appointment of Nancy Grissom to the Auburndale Historic District Comminssion, re-appointment of Nancy Grissom to the Newton Historical Commission, re-appointment of Peter Dimond to the Newton Historical Commission, re-appointment of Laura Fitzmaurice to the Newton Historical Commission, re-appointment of  Ellen Klapper to the Newton Historical Commission, re-appointment of Jean Fulkerson to the Newton Historical Commission, re-appointment of Mark Armstrong to the Newton Historical Commission, request for an amendment to the City Zoning Ordinances regarding lodging houses, and an amendment to the ordinances regarding licensing requirements and criteria for lodging houses.  The agenda can be found here.

Finance Committee:  The regularly scheduled meeting of the Finance Committee has been cancelled.  The Notice of Cancellation can be found here.

Land Use Committee:  The regularly scheduled meeting of the Land Use Committee has been cancelled  The Notice of Cancellation can be found here.

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Other Boards and Commission Meetings – Week of June 25th

Board of Assessors:  The Newton Board of Assessor will meet on Monday, June 26th at 9:00 a.m. in Room 108 to review Clause 18 Applications for FY 2017.  The agenda can be found here.

Crescent Street Working Group:  The Crescent Street Working Group is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 27th at 4:00 p.m. in Room 204 and is expected to discuss the following:  RFP for Property Management, pro-forma and open discussion. The agenda can be found here.

Elections Committee:  The Elections Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 27th at 5:00 p.m. in Room 211 and is expected to discuss the following:  Approval of minutes of the May 31, 2017 and June 13, 2017 meetings and mailings for the November 7, 2017 Election.  The agenda can be found here.

Recodification Committee:  The Recodification Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 27th at 8:30 a.m. in Room 211 and is scheduled to discuss the following:   Department Head and City Councilor submissions for corrections.  The agenda can be found here.

Zoning Board of Appeals:  The Zoning Board of Appeals on will meet on Tuesday, June 27th at 7:00 p.m., in the Council Chambers and is scheduled to discuss the following items:  ohn Reis of 11 Edgefield Road, appealing the March 31, 2017, Zoning Violation Notice issued by the Commissioner of Inspectional Services for a violation of the storm water management ordinance (Notice improperly issued), and the Comprehensive Permit previously granted to Waban AMA Realty Ventures LLC to construct 8 rental units (6 market rate and 2 affordable) located at 1521 Beacon Street, Newton, Massachusetts. This item will be heard for the purpose of considering whether changes to the Comprehensive Permit are substantial or insubstantial. The proposed changes include changing the tenure of all 8 units from rental to ownership and transfer of the permit to 1521 Beacon Street, LLC. The agenda can be found here.   For more information, please contact Adrianna Henriquez by phone at:  617-796-1133 or by email at:  ahenriquez@newtonma.gov.

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Development Review Team

The Development Review Team is scheduled to meet this week and discuss the following potential development projects:

• 499 Winchester Street – Special permit to allow rear lot subdivision (SR3)
• 19-21 Bonwood Street – Special permit for dormer addition increasing existing nonconforming FAR (MR1)
• 1084 Chestnut Street – Special permit for accessory apartment greater than 1,000 square feet (MR1)
• 27-33 Greenwood Street –  Special permit to allow rear lot subdivision in conjunction to the creation of four single family homes (SR1)

I hope you all had a great week!!  Wonderful events, including the Newton North and Newton South High School graduations (congratulations - students, families, and teachers!), Pride parade, the Oak Hill Neighborhood Association's picnic (complete with an egg toss competition), Firefighter's Memorial Service, Newton Highlands Village Day and wonderful campaign kick-off event for my dear friend, Anping Shen who is running for School Committee!! A few things to note:  The Land Use Committee voted to recommend approval of the Orr Block/Washington Place proposal which included a Council Order which permits the developer to construct 160 unit project or a 140 unit project - at the Developer's discretion.  That Council Order can be found here. The Land Use Chair, Marc Laredo, reported the vote out of Committee but asked to postpone the vote of the full Board until the next meeting - June 19th. A number of questions were asked and the Law Department provided a response memo here and a revised site plan can be found here. Below you will find this week's City Council Committee meetings and other board and commission meetings.      City Council Meetings – Week of June 11th Other City Board and Commissions Development Review Team Meetings for Week of June 11th Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community. Stay safe, be healthy, be happy and most of all, please be kind. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4 City Council Meetings – Week of June 11th The following City Council Committees are meeting this week: Zoning and Planning Committee:  The Zoning and Planning Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, June 12th at 7:45 p.m. in the Council Chamber and is scheduled to discuss the proposed amendments in order to update guidelines and procedures to regulate rDNA technology and remove the requirement for special permit requirement for labs and facilities that utilize rDNA research or technology (see Planning Department memo) and will hold a public hearing on a recommendation by the Newton Historical Commission to create an Historic District Commission in West Newton (see Planning Department memo).  The agenda can be found here. Finance Committee:  The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, June 12hth at 7:00 p.m. and is scheduled to discuss the following: request for authorization to transfer $45,000 from the Law Department’s Full-time Salaries Account to the Law Department’s Claims/Settlements Account to provide funding for claims filed against the City, request authorization to transfer $340,000 from the full-time salaries accounts in various department to fund Police and Fire Department overtime, request authorization to appropriate $80,477 from Cable TV Capital Franchise Fees and $69,523 from Cable TV Operating Franchise Fees for the installation of video cameras on approximately 30 traffic signals in Newton, request authorization to make transfers from the full-time salaries accounts in various departments to fund system enhancements to Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP), improvements to the Storage Area Network, and enhancements to the City’s fiber infrastructure (Executive Full-time Salaries $30,000 Assessing Full-time Salaries $20,000 Treasury Full-time Salaries $10,000 Human Resources Full-time Salaries $50,000 IT Full-time Salaries $100,000), request authorization to appropriate and expend $57,676 from E-Rate reimbursement funds to purchase technology for the Newton Public Schools, request authorization to appropriate $350,000 from bonded indebtedness for the purpose of funding the replacement costs of the Mondo Track at Newton South High School, request authorization to appropriate $500,000 from bonded indebtedness for the purpose of funding renovations at the Newton Free Library to include expansion of the Children’s Room and other improvements to the First Floor, request authorization to accept and expend a grant in the amount of $4,981 from the State Historical Records Advisory Board to support the Newton Talks Project, request authorization to transfer the sum of $15,000  from the following accounts to the Public Building Department for the development of a public information plan regarding the site cleanup at the Horace Mann School for an oil leak that occurred in 1998, request authorization to appropriate the sum of $450,000 from bonded indebtedness for the purpose of funding additional costs for the Dedham/Nahanton/Brookline Streets Intersection Improvements Project including the relocation of utilities and the realigning of Carlson Avenue and Brookline Street, request approval of sidewalk/driveway apron and/or curb betterments – 10 Kilburn Road, 888 Beacon Street, 184 Ward Street, 538 Ward Street and 139 Winchester Street, request for an amendment to Section 29-80 Sewer Use Charge of the City of Newton Ordinances by adding the following sentence at the end of Paragraph (a): Notwithstanding the foregoing, seasonal water takers not eligible for an outdoor meter under said Section 29-24, shall pay a charge for the use of sewerage works in proportion to water consumption, request for authorization to transfer $150,000 from the Public Works Department’s Snow and Ice Control Account to the Public Works Department’s Processing Recyclables to cover costs of removing several years’ worth of soft yard waste in preparation for the Rumford Solar installation, request rescission of Council Order #280-16 authorizing the City to borrow $165,000 for the Elliot Street Bridge Project and rescission of Council Order #271-65 authorizing the City to borrow $530,000 for the Washington Street @ Harvard Street Signalization Project, request authorization to appropriate $71,000 from Free Cash for the purpose of construction an observation deck on the greenway walking corridor, request authorization to appropriate $350,000 from Overlay Surplus for the purpose of funding the construction of a new combined Parks & Recreation and Police Department facility to be located at the Elliot Street DPW yard, and a request for a discussion with the School Department and members of the School Committee regarding the $1.2 million deficit in the School Department budget as outlined in the 2017 Fiscal and Operational Update Memo dated October 24, 2016. The agenda can be found here. Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 13th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber and is expected to discuss the following:  request for a special permit/site plan approval to rezone five parcels at: 156 Oak Street (Parcel 1), 55 Tower Road (Parcel 2), 275-281 Needham Street (Parcel 3), 260 Needham Street(Parcel 4), 160 Charlemont Street(Parcel 5) to BU4 from MU1, to develop off-site, non-accessory, single-level parking on the parcel at 55 Tower Road (Parcel 2) to serve the existing office building at 156 Oak Street (Parcel 1), request for a special permit/site plan approval requiring a waiver of 84 parking stalls, a waiver to allow non-accessory parking on a lot separate from the principal use, waivers to allow parking within setbacks, waivers to dimensional requirements for parking stalls, waivers to the maximum width for entrance and exit drives, waivers for perimeter screening requirements for parking facilities, a waiver to interior landscaping requirements for parking facilities, waivers to lighting requirements for parking facilities, and waivers to the requirement for curbing, wheel stops, guard rails, and bollards at 156 Oak Street and 55 Tower Road (Northland) (see Planning Department memo) ,and a request to amend Special Permit #102-06(15) at Kesseler Woods to allow relocation of the inclusionary zoning units by use of the Off-Site Development Option in conjunction with the rehabilitation of the apartment building at 219 Commonwealth Avenue resulting in an increased number of affordable units from the approved site of 179 Kesseler Way  (see Planning Department memo). The agenda can be found here. Recodification Committee:  The Recodification Committee will convene on Monday, June 12th at 6:00 p.m. in Room 211.  The agenda can be found here. [back to top] Other City Board and Commissions The following City Boards and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week: Commission on Disability:  The Commission on Disability will meet on Monday, June 12th at 6:30 p.m. in Room 204 and will discuss the following: CDBG Report, potential locations for FY18 CDBG funded access projects, issues regarding access at Newton Wellesley Hospital, Handicap Parking fines, Treasurer’s Report, MAAB Variance –Adams & Clinton Curb Cut, ADA Coordinator’s Report, Accessible (HP) parking space request, Ruderman Foundation. The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Jini Fairley at phone at:  617-796-1253 or by email at:  jfairley@newtonma.gov. The Newton Housing Authority:  The Newton Housing Authority Board is scheduled to meet on Monday, June 12th at 7:30 a.m. at 82 Lincoln Street. The Notice of the Meeting can be found here. The Planning and Development Board:  The Planning and Development Board is scheduled to meet on Monday, June 12th at 7:45 p.m. in Room 205 and is expected to discuss the following:  discussion and vote on the proposed amendments to the rDNA ordinance and will join the Zoning and Planning Committee for the Public Hearing on the recommendation by the Newton Historical Commission to create an Historic District in West Newton.  The agenda can be found here. School Committee:  The School Committee will hold a special meeting at 5:30 p.m. in Room 304 to discuss Elementary School after school hours. The Notice of the Meeting can be found here. The School Committee will meet on Monday, June 12th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 210 at the Ed Center.  The agenda can be found here. Auburndale Historic District Commission:  The Auburndale Historic District Commission will meet on Tuesday, June 13th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205 to discuss the following requests for Certificate of Appropriateness:  request to install a fence at 119 Windermere Road, request to replace the bulkhead  and basement windows at41 Hancock Street, request to renovate house; replace windows, siding, gutters, rear roof, garage roof and rear patio; install fence; expand rear dormer and change rear entry area at 33 Hancock Street, request for approval of front retaining wall and other changes to front and rear site plan at 74 Grove Street, (work was done without permission – Violation). The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at:  617-796-1129 or by email at bkurze@newtonma.gov. Election Commission:  The Election Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 13th at 5:00 p.m. in Room 211 and is scheduled to have a conversation with Representatives of the Charter Commission and Law Department regarding required mailings for the November 7, 2017 Election.  The agenda can be found here. Newton Board of Assessors:  The Newton Board of Assessors is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 14th at 9:00 a.m. in Room 108.  The agenda can be found here. Newton Charter Commission:  The Newton Charter Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 14th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211.  The Commission will receive public comments, review a draft letter to the City Council, review the Ballot Question Summary, and review Educational Materials.  The agenda can be found here. Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission:  The Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, June 14th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 205 and is expected to discuss the following applications for Certificate of Appropriateness:  request to replace fence and add fence sections for property located at 19 Reservoir Avenue, request to repair roof slates, replace gutters and install snow guard for property located at 30 Chestnut Hill Road, request to install fence at the front of the property for property located at 119 Old Orchard Road, request to build single-story rear addition with roof deck; change rear grading, existing railing, and garage doors and openings, remove chimney; and replace all existing windows and the roof for property located at 46 Chestnut Hill Road, request to change windows at front and side of house, to remove all shutters and to replace rear addition for property located at 41 Chestnut Hill Road, request to revise window program and garage connector and to install lights on the front for property located at 34 Beacon Street, and continuation of a discussion for a request to pave driveway and to install front parking space, front walkway and landing area for property located at 413 Hammond Street.  The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at:   617-796-1129 or by email at:  bkurze@newtonma.gov. Newton Conservation Commission:  The Newton Conservation Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, June 14th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and is expected to review the following: Request for Determination of Applicability to perform final grading within the 100 foot buffer in order to accommodate for an addition to a single-family home for property located at 76 Webster Park, informal discussion regarding a request amend a planting plan for property located at 55 Wayne Road, informal discussion regarding a request to add a deck that will stick into the 25 foot buffer zone for property located at 31 Harwich Road, Notice of Intent filed by the MBTA to cut and prune trees adjacent to the railroad Right of Way (ROW) within jurisdictional areas and buffer zones. (Note:  There are 59 trees within wetlands jurisdiction proposed to be cut or pruned:  38 – Con Com land, 12 – Parks and Rec land, 7 – private land, 2 – MBTA land. Many others are tagged to be monitored). The affected properties include:  Webster Conservation Area, Webster Pk, 109 Allerton Rd, 1445 Centre St, 34 Renee Ter., 21 Beacon Heights Dr., 29 Beacon Heights Dr., 46 Suffolk Rd., and 32 Suffolk Rd. DCR’s park building used for AA meetings has formalized lawn parking Cutting at Ware’s Cove under the guise of “invasive pull” by a private citizen – A 20’ swath was completely cleared of trees, shrubs and vines, right to the water’s edge discussion of whether there is interest to consider adopting a Vernal Pool Protection Bylaw The agenda can be found here and the packet documents can be found here.  For more information, please contact Jennifer Steel by phone at: 617-796-1134 or by email at:  jsteel@newtonma.gov. I hope you had a great weekend.  Lots of activities and events - including the Cabot School Fair, Nonantum Village Day, the Police Memorial Service and Scholarship Ceremony. Below you will find this week's City Council Committee meetings and other board and comission meetings.  Please note: The Programs and Services Committee will be taking up a citizens petition for a resolution to support impeachment investigations against President Donald Trump on June 7th.    City Council Meetings – Week of June 4th Other City Board and Commission Meeting – Week of June 6th Development Review Team – Week of June 4th   Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community. Congratulations to the Newton North and Newton South High School Class of 2017!! Stay safe, be healthy, be happy and most of all, please be kind. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4 City Council Meetings – Week of June 4th The following Committees are scheduled to meet this week: Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, June 6th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers and is scheduled to discuss the following:  petition for a special permit/site plan approval to construct a single-story rear addition extending the existing non-conforming two-family use for property located at 893 Watertown Street, special permit/site plan approval to convert the existing detached truck storage structure into a residential unit and continue the office use in the front structure, constituting two uses on site at 46 Farwell Street, special permit/site plan approval to amend Board Order #229-13 to allow bank use at 170 Needham Street (see Planning Department memo), special permit/site plan approval to raze and replace a two-family structure and allow a 4% reduction to the required lot area after combining lots at 19-21 Beaconwood Road (see Planning Department memo), special permit/site plan approval to construct a new attached garage at basement level, family room on first floor and bathroom and closet space on the second floor, extending the nonconforming front setback increasing the nonconforming FAR from .52 to .61 where .41 is allowed at 208 Homer Street (see Planning Department memo), special permit/site plan approval to demolish a portion of the rear dwelling, front porch and detached garage and construct a two-story rear addition and attached garage for more than three vehicles and in excess of 700 sq. ft. increasing the FAR to .28 where .27 is allowed and .19 exists at 164 Highland Avenue (see Planning Department memo) , special permit/site plan approval to allow parking within 5’ of the street, in the front setback at 54 Lakewood Road (see Planning Department memo), special permit/site plan approval to expand units at the two family dwelling, claiming basement space for the first floor and attic space for the second floor by adding dormers, increasing the FAR from .90 to .93 where .58 is allowed and relocating a noncompliant deck, further decreasing the existing nonconforming open space at 15 Ricker Road (see Planning Department memo), special permit/site plan approval to demolish an existing garage, structure and deck and to construct an attached two-car garage and indoor sport court, exceeding the maximum allowable FAR to .38 where .33 is allowed and .31 exists at 1016 Centre Street (see Planning Department memo) , and an appointment to the BC Neighborhood Council. The agenda can be found here. Programs and Services Committee:  The Programs and Services Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 7th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 to discuss the following:  proposed ordinance to require notice on gas station pumps that informs consumers that burning gas contributes to climate change, ordinance amendments to update guidelines and procedures regulating recombinant CNA technology. request to appropriate $57,676 from e-Rate funds to purchase technology for schools, request to appropriate $500,000 from bonded indebtedness to fund renovations to the library to include expansion of the Children’s Room and other first floor improvements, citizens petition to adopt a resolution or other measure, such as the Model Local Resolution calling upon the U.S. House of Representatives to open an investigation into the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump, and a resolution to recognize June as Immigrant Heritage Month.  The agenda can be found here. Public Safety and Transportation Committee:  The Public Safety and Transportation Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 7th at 7:00 in Room 205 and will discuss the following: report from the Police Department of semi-annual semi-annual taxi license/public auto licenses for review, request to appropriate $450,000) from bonded indebtedness for the purpose of funding additional costs for the Dedham/Nahanton/Brookline Streets Intersection Improvements Project including the relocation of utilities and the realigning of Carlson Avenue and Brookline Street, request for authorization to transfer the sum $340,000 from the full‐time salaries accounts in various department to fund Police and Fire Department overtime, request to appropriate and expend $80,477 from Cable TV Capital Franchise Fees and $69,523 from Cable TV Operating Franchise Fees for the installation of video cameras on approximately 30 traffic signals in Newton, request for annual renewal of the Boston College Bus Licenses.  There are no changes proposed to last year’s licenses,300 Boylston Street, requesting one (1) new bus license, , appeal filed by Councilor Kalis regarding the Approval of TC19‐17 Traffic Council Decision on April 13, 2017:    TC19‐17 YIGAL AGAM, 198 Woodcliff Road, requesting a) Stop sign on Walnut Hill Road, b) Stop sign on Woodcliff Road for southbound traffic and c) Median on Walnut Hill Road, so cars approach Woodcliff Road at a right angle to address safety concerns and deter speeders, , re‐appointment of a the resident member of the TRAFFIC COUNCIL.  The agenda can be found here. Public Facilities Committee:  The Public Facilities Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, June 7th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and will discuss the following:  petition for a grant of location to install and maintain a gas main in Greenwood Street from the to an existing gas main next to #4 Sevland Road, (joint meeting with Public Safety) request for authorization to appropriate the $450,000 from bonded indebtedness to fund additional costs for the Dedham/Nahanton/Brookline Streets Intersection Improvements Project including the relocation of utilities and the realigning of Carlson Avenue and Brookline Street (see memo), recommendation by the Mayor that the City of Newton take an easement on property owned by Mount Ida College at the southeast corner of the Dedham Street and Carlson Avenue intersection in order to realign the Dedham Street/Brookline Street/Carlson Avenue intersection (note:  that Mount Ida College supports the taking of the easement), a request to approve the abandonment of a portion of a City drain easement in the side and rear properties at 36 and 46 Tamworth Road,  a request for authorization to alter and widen portions of the Homer Street right of way in order to proceed with several safety improvements including  curb extensions, rectangular rapid flashing beacons and crosswalk relocation, request authorization to appropriate 350,000 from bonded indebtedness to fund the replacement costs of the Mondo Track at Newton South High School, request to authorize a transfer of $150,000 from the Public Works Department’s Snow and Ice Control Account to the Public Works Department’s Processing Recyclables to cover costs of removing several years’ worth of soft yard waste in preparation for the Rumford Solar installation, a request for authorization to appropriate $500,000 from bonded indebtedness to fund renovations at the Newton Free Library to include expansion of the Children’s Room and other improvements to the First Floor, and a request for authorization to appropriate and expend $250,000 from the Override Capital Stabilization Fund to renovate the space on the 1st floor of the Ed Center which has been vacated by the relocation of the Pre-K Program to the Aquinas site to house the Central High School Program, additional professional development meeting space, and general office space.  The agenda can be found here. [back to top] Other City Board and Commission Meeting – Week of June 6th The following other City Boards and Commissions will meet this week: Planning and Development Board:  The Planning and Development Board will meet on Monday, June 5th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and will discuss the following: Rezoning of Washington Place – Hearing Continuation/Vote; Board of Survey items pursuant to Estate Drive (Kessler Woods LLC) and Farewell Street (VTP Associates); Discussion and Vote of the Reprogramming of CDBG funds from the FY16 Architectural Access Funding Pool to FY17 Curb Cuts; CAN-DO/MetroWest Presentation on the organizations’ Financials and 2017 outlook; Public Hearing and Possible Vote on 236 Auburn Street by CAN-DO/MetroWest;  Discussion and possible vote on a request to Rezone 29 Hovey Street from Multi-Residence 2 to Business-Use 2.  The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Rachel Powers by phone at 617-796-1125 or by email:  at rpowers@newtonma.gov. Economic Development Commission:  The Economic Development Commission will meet on Tuesday, June 6th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 204 and will discuss the following:  updates on the following:   N2 Innovation District, Washington Place Special Permit, Economic Development Strategy Funding Request, Northland Proposal on Needham Street,  West Newton Square/Walnut Street Streetscapes, and the Wells Avenue Property Owners Meeting – Zoning Redesign.  There will also be an update from the Chair on the following:  rDNA Ordinance Change (June 7 @ 7:00 p.m. City Council Programs and Services, Rm 211 June 12 @ 7:45 p.m. Public Hearing @ City Council Zoning and Planning) – Food Trucks Ordinance Introduction, and the Commission will hear a presentation from the Northland Development.The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Barney Health, by phone at 617-796-1000 or by email at bheath@newtonma.gov. Solid Waste Commission:  The Solid Waste Commission will meet on Tuesday, June 6th from 6:30- 8:30 p.m. at the Newton Free Library in Room B.  The agenda can be found here. Health and Human Services Advisory Council:  The Health and Human Services Advisory Council will meet on Tuesday, June 6th from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. The agenda can be found here. Fair Housing Committee:  The Fair Housing Committee will meet on Wednesday, June 7th the Committee at 8:00 a.m. in Room 205 to discuss the Orr Project/ Washington Place and resources for auditing for housing discrimination in Newton. For more information, please contact Malcolm Lucas by phone at 617-79611149 or by email at:  mlucas@newtonma.gov Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission:  The Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday, June 8th at 7:00 p.m in Room 205 and will discuss the following requests for Certificate of Appropriateness:  request to build one-car garage for property located at 10 Cliff Road, request to replace windows for property located at 48 Pettee Street, request for approval for demolition on barn that exceeded scope of work approved by the Commission (note this was a violation) for property located at 23 High Street and a request to install retaining walls and hardscaping for 23 High Street. The agenda can be found here.  Please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at 617-796-1129 or by email at bkurze@newtonma.gov. Community Preservation Committee:  The Community Preservation Committee will meet on Thursday, June 8th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and will discuss the following: proposal (housing and historic preservation for property located at  236 Auburn Street to create 8 rental units affordable at up to 50% of area median income (AMI) – working session & potential CPC funding vote, pre-proposal discussion of Jackson Road New Senior Housing / Haywood House – Newton Housing Authority for $2 million for 8 rental units affordable at 30% AMI, 24 units affordable at 60% AMI, and 10 units affordable at 80-99% of AMI.  The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Alice Ingerson by phone at 617-796- 1144 or by email at aingerson@newtonma.gov. School Committee:  There will be a special meeting of the School Committee on Thursday, June 8th at 8:00 a.m. to discuss the Policy Manual update.  The agenda can be found here. [back to top] Development Review Team – Week of June 4th The Development Review Team will meet to discuss the following potential projects: 392-396, 400 and 402-406 Langley Road – Discussion on possible increase of units and zone change to MR3 (MR2 & BU1) 70 Crescent Street –  Preliminary discussion on redevelopment of Parks & Recreation site with 8 dwelling units (four affordable) and expanded adjacent playground (PUB) 9 Crofton Road –  Possible home office in detached structure (SR2) 3 Newbury Terr Special Permit to exceed allowed FAR with addition to single family dwelling (SR2) [back to top] Mailing address: Amy Mah Sangiolo 389 Central Street Auburndale, MA 02466 Add us to your address book Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of May 28th   Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community. Stay safe, be healthy, be happy and most of all, please be kind. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4 Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of May 28th The following  City Boards and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week: Community Preservation Committee:  The Community Preservation Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 31st at 7:00 p.m. at the Newton Senior Center and will discuss the following:  brief staff overview of program finances, public hearing on a CAN-DO/MetroWest Collaborative Development/Barry Price Center project to create 8 rental units affordable at up to 50% of area median income (AMI): 3 family units and 5 units in a congregate home for adults with disabilities, by combining modular new construction with rehabilitation of a historic 1860s Italianate home for property located at 236 Auburn Street and hear a pre-proposal for Newton Cemetary/Whipple Beal Historic Railing to restore/reconstruct 1850s railing around the family plot containing the cemetary’s first burial.  The Committee will then brief staff updates on current proposals and projects.  The agenda can be found here. For additional information, please contact Alice Ingerson, Program Manager, by phone at 617-796-1144 or by email at:  aingerson@newtonma.gov. Elections Commission:  The Elections Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 31st at 5:00 p.m. in Room 211 and is expected to discuss the following:  interviews and selection of interns for the Fall of 2017, Neighborhood Area Councils Elections for the Fall as well as other commission business.  The agenda can be found here. Farm Commission:  The Farm Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 31st at 7:00 p.m. in the Planning Conference Room, Basement City Hall and will discuss the following:  update on Farm Operations, Depreciation of buildings, potential changes to the Chicken Coop, event parking waivers and general business and announcements.  The agenda can be found here.For more information, please contact Adrianna Henriquez by phone at 617-796-1133 or by email at:  ahenriquez@newtonma.gov. Newton Biosafety Committee:  The Newton Biosafety Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 31st at 7:00 p.m. and is scheduled to discuss the following:  STC Biologics application for an rDNA permit, and an update on the rDNA ordinance.  The agenda can be found here. Newton Retirement Board:  The Newton Retirement Board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 31st at 3:00 p.m. in Room 211 and will discuss the following:  presentation by Segal Consulting regarding new draft funding schedules, new applications for superannuation retirement, financial reporting for March 31, 2017- April 30th, 2017, PROSPER Account approval application, expense warrants, pension overpayment, an amended supplementary regulation re: school employee enrollment, current status of a pending disability retirement application and current status of pending appeal cases.  The agenda can be found here. School Committee Meeting:  The School Committee will hold a special meeting on Wednesday, May 31st at 5:30 p.m. in Room 304 at the Ed Center to discuss Special Education (see Meeting Notice).  There will be no public comment taken.  The School Committee will recovene at 7:00 p.m. in Room 210 at the Ed Center.  After Public Comment, the Committee will discuss the following:  vote on School Choice, discuss and vote on policy working group recommendations, update on elementary math, updated on security cameras, discuss elementary arrival procedures, EDCO update, approve minutes and discuss communications as well as finish the meeting with a final public comment period. The agenda can be found here. Newtonville Historic District Commission:  The Newtonville Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, June 1st at 7:30 p.m. in Room 205 and will discuss the following requests for Certificate of Appropriateness:  request to expand a rear deck for property located at 70 Page Road, request to install a fence for property located at 51 Page Road, request to demolish a garage and build a deck connection for two porches for property located at 26 Page Road, request for approval of two side entries (violation) for property located at 182 Walnut Street.  The agenda can be found here. For more information, please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at 617-796-1129 or by email at:  bkurze@newtonma.gov. [back to top] Mailing address: Amy Mah Sangiolo 389 Central Street Auburndale, MA 02466 Add us to your address book I hope you had a great Mother's Day weekend! Below you will find a listing of this week's City Council meetings and other City Board and Commission meetings. The Council will spend the next few days discussing and voting on the proposed FY2018 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan as well as setting the Water Rates.    City Council Meetings – Week of May 14th Council Committee Reports – Now Available School Committee Reports and Info now available Other City Board and Commission Meetings Development Review Team Meetings Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community. Stay safe, be healthy, be happy and most of all, please be kind. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4 City Council Meetings – Week of May 14th The Full City Council will meet tonight, May 15th at 7:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The Reports Docket can be found here and the new docket can be found here. Prior to the Full City Council meeting, the Council will meet in Committee of the Whole at 7:00 p.m. with Finance presiding to complete its discussion of the FY 2018 Water, Sewer and Storm Water Rates. The agenda can be found here. The Full Council is also scheduled to meet on Wednesday, May 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers to deliberate on the FY2018 proposed budget and Capital Improvement Plan.  The docket can be found here. The proposed budget can be found here.  A compilation of budget reports can be found here. A memo from Council President Lennon can be found here and memo from the Administration regarding amendments to their submitted budget can be found here. Proposed budget resolutions can be found here (looks like most of them were filed by me!) The Full Council is also scheduled to meet on Thursday, May 18th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers to deliberate on the FY2018 proposed budget and Capital Improvement Plan.  The docket can be found here and the agenda can be found here. [back to top] Council Committee Reports – Now Available The following City Council Committee Reports are now available: Finance Committee:  The Finance Committee met on Monday, May 8th and voted to approve the following:  request to transfer of $45,000 from the Municipal Building Full-time Salaries Account to the Municipal Building Maintenance Repair-Maintenance and Public Building Administration, Consultants Account, a transfer of $15,000  from City Hall Operations Full-time Salaries and $5,000 from the Library Building Maintenance Part-time Salaries account to the Public Building Administration, Consultants Account to provide funding for the Public Buildings Department do additional work including the City Hall computer room air conditioning and window insulation, installation of an HVAC unit at the police annex, plumbing repairs, and solar energy consulting services and a transfer of $5568 from the PC Hardware Account and $18,629 from the Municipal Building Maintenance Full-time Salaries to FY 17 Operating Budget Vehicle Account to purchase a craftsperson vehicle, a request to transfer $75,000 from the Planning Department Full-time Salaries Account to the Planning Department Consulting Services Account to develop a Complete Streets Guidebook, appointment of Emma Watkins to the Newton Taxation Aid Committee and a re-appointment of Matthew Chao to the Newton Taxation Aid Committee.  All other items were held.  The Report can be found here. Zoning and Planning Committee:  The Zoning and Planning Committee met on Monday, May 8th and voted to approve the following:  a request for a technical amendment to the Newton Zoning Ordinance to edit incorrectly transcribed language pertaining to the time periods for special permit lapse and extension.  All other items were held but note there was a discussion about the rDNA technology and research facility siting to remove the requirement for a special permit and a discussion about rezoning the Stanton Avenue Water Tower Site that was declared surplus by the City from Public Use to MR3.  The report can be found here. Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee met on Tuesday, May 9th and voted to approve the following:  the request to withdraw a request for a special permit/site plan approval to rectify an already built garage for property located at 129 Cabot Street, request to withdraw a request for a special permit/site plan approval to construct a 3-story, 6 unit multi-dwelling for property located at 39 Herrick Road, request for an extension of time to exercise special permit  #2-15, granted on April 6, 2015 to repurpose an existing vacant building into a mixed-use commercial facility including general office, medical office, laboratory, retail uses, and restaurants for property located at 300 Boylston Street, request to withdraw request for a special permit/site plan approval to alter the use of the existing nonconforming detached barn by converting it into a residential unit, creating a three-family in two structures for property located at 62 Walnut Park, a request for a special permit/site plan approval to construct a single family dwelling, extending the structure vertically within the nonconforming front setback for property located at 37 Troy Lane, and a request for a special permit/site plan approval to construct a two-story rear addition, increasing the nonconforming two-family use and nonconforming FAR for property located at 49-51 Clinton Place.  All other items were held. The report can be found here. [back to top] School Committee Reports and Info now available The following reports and documents have been forwarded to the City Council: Grants Awards for FY2017 – May 2017 FY2017 Fiscal and Operations Update – May 2017 Summer Projects and Short-Term Space Update and brief update on FY2019 Long Range Plan and FY2019 Capital Improvement Plan Challenge Course at Newton South High School – CORI Policy and Procedure Memo and Policy School Committee Meeting Agenda for Monday, May 15th [back to top] Other City Board and Commission Meetings The following other City Boards and Commissions will meet this week: School Committee:  The School Committee will meet on Monday, May 15th at 5:45 p.m. at the Ed Center in Room 304 and will go into Executive Session to discuss a Memorandum of Agreement with the Newton Teachers Association on coaching stipends. School Committee:  The School Committee will meet on Monday, May 15th at 7:00 p.m. at the Ed Center Room 210 and is scheduled to discuss the following:  Discussion and Vote on a Memorandum of Agreement with the Newton Teachers Association on coaching stipends, discussion and vote on CORI Policy for the Newton South High School Challenge Course, discussion of the CIP for 2018 and 2019, Fiscal and Operations Update, Facilities Update, discussion of long and short-term space needs, and a vote on grants.  The revised agenda can be found here. Parks and Recreation Commission:  The Parks and Recreation Commission will meet on Monday, May 15th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and is scheduled to discuss the following:  Commissioner Reports on Programs, Forestry and Maintenance, and the Nahanton Park Conservation Restriction, the bridge at Nahanton Park, and will hear Committee Reports:  Community Preservation Committee, the Farm Commission, the Cabot Redesign Committee, the Commonwealth Golf Course, the Off-Leash Area Working Group (OLAWG), the Crystal Lake Working Group (CLWG), and the Nahanton Park Committee.  The agenda can be found here. Board of Licensing Commissioners:  The Board of Licensing Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, May 16th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda can be found here. Human Rights Commission:  The Human Rights Commission will meet on Wednesday, May 17th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 106C.  The agenda can be found here. Youth Commission:  The Youth Commission will meet on Wednesday, May 17th at 5 p.m. in Room 6156 at Newton South High School.  The agenda can be found here. Urban Design Commission: The Urban Design Commission will meet on Wednesday, May 17th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Planning Department Conference Room (B10). The Commission will review the following: 1‐27 Boylston Street – Ronsky’s; 1214 Chestnut Street – BrickFire Pizza Co.; 300 Boylston Street – Atrium Wellness Center; 203 Adams Street – Shaking Crab; 200‐220 Boylston Street – Chestnut Hill Square, Bon Me; 55 Boylston Street, Suite 5568 – Barry’s Bootcamp; 320 Washington Street – Social Restaurant & Bar; 1365 Center Street – Shell; 782 Beacon Street – Puzzle Break; 131‐181 Needham Street – Newton Nexus; 386 Watertown Street – Conceptual Design Review for Mixed-Use Design Project. For more information, please contact Shubee Sikka by phone at 617-796-1139 or by email at:  ssikka@newtonma.gov. Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission: The Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday, May 18th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 205 and will review the following requests for Certificate of Appropriateness:  request to install solar panels for property loctaed at 32 Clovelly Road, request to modify previously approved rear elevation and mudroom and to replace second story wood railing with wrought iron railing for property located at 109 Essex Road; request to install radon venting system and  to replace bluestone patio and walls with granite terrace and steps; install counter, barbecue and fireplace and replace walk by garage for property located at 355 Hammond Street; request to build single-story rear addition with roof deck; change rear grading, existing railing, and garage doors and openings, remove chimney; and replace all existing windows and the roof for property located at 46 Chestnut Hill Road; and a request to change the roofline for property located at 34 Beacon Street. There will also be a project update regarding curbing installed at 109 Old Orchard Road. The agenda can be found here. For more information, please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at 617-796-1129 or by email at:  bkurze@newtonma.gov [back to top] Development Review Team Meetings The Development Review Team is scheduled to meet this week regarding the following potential projects: 767-769 Watertown Street – Special permit to increase nonconforming two-family use and create a three-story structure (SR3) 349 Dedham Street – Special permit to amend Board Order #106-07 to increase day care enrollment to more than 16 children (SR1) 1615 Beacon Street – Possible location for Suzuki School of Newton (SR2) 0 Plainfield Street – Potential frontage variance and special permit for rear lot subdivision (SR2) [back to top] Please come to Brunch on Sunday, May 7, 2017 10:30 am – 12:30 pm 46 Hillside Drive, Newton, MA 02465 in honor of Amy Mah Sangiolo馬惠美 Candidate for Mayor of Newton “a tireless advocate for our children, our seniors, the environment, and our future” Having served as an at-large Alderman/City Councilor for 20 years, Amy has the skills and experience to take Newton to the next level of excellence. Let’s help Amy become Mayor of Newton Contributions ($50 - $1000) to Amy’s campaign will be greatly appreciated Please make checks payable to Committee to Elect Amy Mah Sangiolo 389 Central Street, Auburndale, MA  02466 Hosts: Cynthia Ker, Lily Lawn-Tsao, May Lee, Mannwen Liu, Renne Lu, Samuel Yee RSVP: Cynthia.ker@gmail.com, Lily.Lawn-Tsao@steward.org, mlee@grandstream.com, Renne.Lu@gmail.com Good Morning Newton Residents, Wow!  What a weekend!  Jam packed with tons of events: tree planting with Nonantum Road neighbors and the Newton Tree Conservancy, Swap Day at Rumford Avenue, the Climate March on the Boston Common, the METCO 50th Anniversary Celebration, the Rodney Barker Appreciation Gathering, Scotch Tasting event at the new Wellesley Bank and a fundraiser for the Family Access Program at Union Street.  My Sunday was busy too, starting with a welcoming for the Newton Serves program at the War Memorial, a Mayoral Forum sponsored by the Neighbors for a Better Newtonville Association, mulching at Williams Elementary School, a League of Women Voters Meeting regarding the Charter Commission's recommendations and then Ice Cream at City Hall!   Below you will find a listing of this week's City Council meetings and other City Board and Commission meetings.     Announcements City Council Meetings – Week of April 30th Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of April 30th Updated list of Anticipated FY2018 Anticipated Capital Purchases City Council to meet as a Committee of the Whole on Monday, May 1st at 7:00 p.m. prior to Full Council Meeting City Council to Meet on Monday, May 1st City Council Committee Reports Now Available Development Review Team Meetings – Week of April 30th Executive Summary – Elementary School Projects – March 2017   Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community. Stay safe, be healthy, be happy and most of all, please be kind. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4   Announcements Zoning Redesign: The Planning Department will being hosting bi-weekly Zoning Redesign Drop-In Sessions on May 3rd, May 17th and May 31st from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.at the Health & Human Services Conference Room at City Hall. On Thursday May 11th, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. the Planning Department will be presenting the full draft of the Pattern Book, a data‐driven analysis of Newton’s built environment at Wilson Chapel, Andover Newton, 234 Herrick Rd., Newton.  The come to the Zoning Redesign Workshop at Wilson Chapel, Andover Newton, 234 Herrick Rd., Newton. The Planning Department will present the full draft of the Pattern Book.  The event is an opportunity to learn more about the future of zoning in Newton. For more information on Zoning Redesign visit http://courbanize.com/newtonzoning or email zoningredesign@newtonma.gov. FY18 Draft Consolidated CDBG/HOME/ESG Annual Action Plan:  The deadline for submitting comments on the draft report is dated May 2, 2017.  The draft can be found here.  For more information, please contact Rachel Powers by phone at 617-796-1125 or by email at:  rpowers@newtonma.gov. [back to top] City Council Meetings – Week of April 30th The following City Council Committees are meeting this week: Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee will meet on Tuesday, May 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers and will discuss the following:  Consistency Ruling related to 15 South Gate Park (request for a change to reorient the garage door and driveway), request for a special permit/site plan approval to construct a single-story rear addition extending the existing non-conforming two-family use for property located at 893 Watertown Street, request for a special permit/site plan approval to demolish an existing garage, structure and deck and to construct an attached two-car garage and indoor sport court, exceeding the maximum allowable FAR to .38 where .33 is allowed and .31 exists for property located at 1016 Centre Street (see Planning Memo), and change of zone request and a request for a special permit/site plan approval for the Orr/Washington Place project (see Planning Memo).  The agenda can be found here. Programs and Services Committee:  The Programs and Services Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 3rd at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 and will discuss the following departmental budgets:  Senior Services, Health & Human Services, City Solicitor and City Clerk.  The agenda can be found here. Public Facilities Committee:  The regularly scheduled Public Facilities Committee meeting has been cancelled.  The next meeting of the Public Facilities Committee will be on May 8th at 7:00 p.m. with the Finance Committee.  The Notice of Cancellation can be found here. [back to top] Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of April 30th The following City Boards and Commissions will meet this week: Planning and Development Board:  The Planning and Development Board will meet on Monday, May 1, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. in Room 204 to discuss the Northland Redevelopment project and as the Board of Survey to discuss the Carlson Avenue‐Mount Ida College subdivision. The agenda can be found here. For more information, please contact Rachel Powers by phone at 617-796-1125 or by email at: rpowers@newtonma.gov. Newton Historical Commission:  The Newton Historical Commission will meet on Tuesday, May 2nd at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205 and is expected to hold the second of two hearings to address the April cycle of submittals. The Commission will review the following partial demolition request and waiver requests:  Request to add rear and side addition, bump up roof at property located at 10 Pillion Court, request to waive demo delay for property located at 40 Fernwood Road, request to waive demo delay for property located at 65 Chase Street, request to review unpermitted work for property located at 39 Stanton Avenue, request to waive demo delay 16 Dalby Street, and a request to amend waiver for roofing material for property located at 36 Walnut Park. The agenda can be found here. For more information, please contact Katy Hax Holmes by phone at 617-796-1143 or by email at:  kholmes@newtonma.gov. Transportation Advisory Committee:  The Transportation Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, May 2nd at 4:00 p.m. in Room 205 and will discuss the following:  receive an update on crash reports from the Newton Police Department, learn more about the West Newton and Walnut Street/Newtonville design proposals, and receive an update from the Transportation Department.  The agenda can be found here. Fair Housing Committee:  The Fair Housing Committee will meet on Wednesday, May 3rd at 8:00 a.m. in Room 205 and discuss availability of resources for auditing for housing discrimination in Newton and a review of the FY2018 Annual Action Plan suggestions that provided during the comment period. For more information, please contact Malcolm Lucas by phone at 617-796-1149 or by email at:  mlucas@newtonma.gov. Conservation Commission:  The Conservation Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, May 4th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and will discuss the following:  Discussion with the the MBTA about cutting trees on Conservation properties (Houghton Garden and Webster Conservation Area) in wetland jurisdiction along the MBTA right-of-way, discussion with MBTA about cutting trees on Conservation properties (Houghton Garden and Webster Conservation Area) in uplands and discussion with Off Leash Area Working Group (OLAWG) regarding possible use of paved/disturbed portion of Norumbega Conservation Area as an off-leash dog park.  The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Jennifer Steel by phone at 617-796-1134 or by email at:  jsteel@newtonma.gov. Newtonville Historic District Commission: The Newtonville Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, May 4th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 211 and will discuss the following requests for Certificate of Appropriateness:  request to install fence for property located at 51 Page Road, request for approval of side entries and other changes for property located at 182 Walnut Street, request to replace three windows and install one new window for property located at 72-74 Page Road, and a request to install triple windows and skylights for property located at 70 Page Road. Please contact Barbara Kurze vy phone at 617-796-1129 or by email at:  bkurze@newtonma.gov Farm Commission:  The Farm Commission’s meeting originally scheduled for May 4th  has been cancelled. The next regularly scheduled meeting is June 1, 2017. For more information, please contact  Adrianna Henriquez by phone at:  617-796-1133 or by email at:  ahenriquez@newtonma.gov [back to top] Updated list of Anticipated FY2018 Anticipated Capital Purchases The Updated list of Anticipated FY 2018 Capital Purchases can be found here. [back to top] City Council to meet as a Committee of the Whole on Monday, May 1st at 7:00 p.m. prior to Full Council Meeting The City Council will meet as a Committee of the Whole on Monday, May 1st at 7:00 p.m. prior to the Full Council meeting to conduct a Public Hearing on the Mayor’s proposed FY18 Water & Sewer Rates and Storm Water Fees, the Mayor’s Capital Improvement Plan and the Supplemental Capital Improvement Plan. The agenda can be found here. [back to top] City Council to Meet on Monday, May 1st The City Council is scheduled to meet on Monday, May 1st at 7:45 p.m. in the Council Chamber.  The Reports Docket can be found here, the Reports Docket Addendum can be found here,  and the New Docket can be found here. [back to top] City Council Committee Reports Now Available The following City Council Committee Reports are now available: Public Facilities Committee:  The Public Facilities Committee met on April 19th and voted to approve the following:  request to appropriate and expend $528,423 from the Energy Stabilization Fund to a dedicated account for the Newton Public Schools’ Energy Efficiency Projects.  The Report can be found here. Finance Committee:  The Finance Committee met on Monday, April 24th and voted to approve the following:  request to appropriate and expend $600,000 from Overlay Surplus to fund revaluation and litigation cost, request to appropriate and expend $185,000 from Overlay Surplus to cover construction administration and contingency costs associated with the Newton Highlands Playground renovation project, a request to appropriate and expend $528,423 from the Energy Stabilization Fund to a dedicated account for the Newton Public Schools’ Energy Efficiency Projects, and a request to appropriate $539,887 from Overlay Surplus to the Rainy Day Stabilization Fund. All other items were held. The report can be found here. Zoning and Planning Committee:  The Zoning and Planning Committee met on Monday, April 24th and voted to approve the following:  request for authorization to transfer $75,000 from Full-time Salaries Account to the Planning Department Consulting Services Account for the purposes of developing a Complete Streets Guidebook.  The report can be found here. Programs and Services Committee:  The Programs and Services Committee met on Wednesday, April 26th and voted to approve the following:  request for authorization to appropriate $185,000 from Overlay Surplus to cover construction administration and contingency costs associated with the Newton Highlands Playground renovation project.  The report can be found here. Public Facilities Committee:  The Public Facilities Committee met on Wednesday, April 27th and voted to approve the following:  petition for a grant of location to install conduit in Chestnut Street at the Corner of Collins Road, petition for a grant of location to install conduit in Beacon Street at Windsor Street, petition for a grant of location to install and maintain a gas main at Maynard Street from an existing main at Emmons Street, petition for a grant of location to install and maintain a gas main at near 63 Old Farm Road to 41 Old Farm Road, petition for grants of location to install and maintain gas mains in Adams Street from 163 to Wiltshire Road, and in Jones Court from a main in Adams Street, and petition for grants of location to install and maintain new gas main in Adam Street to Wiltshire Road, and new gas main from Adams Street to existing main in Lincoln Street, new gas main from Adams Street to existing main in Middle Street, new gas main from Adams Street to existing main in Clinton Street, and new gas main from Adams Street to tie into Quirk Court.  The report can be found here. [back to top] Development Review Team Meetings – Week of April 30th The Development Review Team is expected to meet regarding the following proposed projects: 386 Watertown Street –  Special permit to replace existing one story structure with a 3-story structure with two floors of residential over commercial space (BU1) 21-25 Gardner Street – Special permit to replace existing one-family dwelling and adjacent two-family dwelling with four single-family attached dwellings (MR2) Newton Commonwealth Golf Course – Proposed construction of accessory maintenance structures (PUB) [back to top] Executive Summary – Elementary School Projects – March 2017 The most recent Executive Summary on our Elementary School Building Projects  is now available and can be found here. Happy Patriot's Day and Happy Marathon Monday! First, here's the info on Road closures for today:   8:30am from the Wellesley Line – Washington Street to Beacon Street 8:00am from Beacon Street at Washington Street to Washington Street at Commonwealth Ave 8:00am from Washington Street at Commonwealth Ave to the Boston line) Parking Restrictions will also be in place along the Marathon route, Commonwealth Ave - Carriage lanes and portions of streets that feed into the Marathon route. Please note that this year’s event will have added security and all bags and coolers are subject to be searched by Police.  Last week, I alerted you to a meeting regarding the Auburndale Commuter Rail Accessibility Project - organized by State Rep. Kay Khan.  Unfortunately, because MassDOT people could not attend, the meeting was postponed.  My sincere apologies if you went and no one was there.  I tried to head off folks who were looking for the meeting - including Councilor Fuller, Transportation Planner David Koses and a representative for Board President Lennon. However, State Rep. Khan recently announced that the meeting has been rescheduled for Thursday, April 20th at 10:30 a.m. in the State House, Room 348.  According to Rep. Khan:  "This meeting is meant to serve as preparation for my upcoming meeting with Secretary Pollack about Auburndale Station. I want to be sure that I am able to bring all of your thoughts and concerns about the station to her. If you plan to join us at this meeting, please RSVP to myself or to Max (Maxwell.Geist@mahouse.gov)" Please contact Rep. Khan's office for more information.     Below you will find a listing of this week's City Council meetings and other City Board and Commission meetings.     Budget Calendar and Budget Memo from Finance Chair Gentile – Review of FY2018 Budget Full City Council to meet Tuesday, April 18th followed by Mayor’s Budget Address City Council Committee Meetings – Week of April 16th City Council Committee Reports – Now Available Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of April 16th   Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community. Stay safe, be healthy, be happy and most of all, please be kind. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4   Budget Calendar and Budget Memo from Finance Chair Gentile – Review of FY2018 Budget The Budget Calendar to review the proposed FY2018 Budget has been released and can be found here and a memo from Finance Chair, Lenny Gentile can be found here, outlining the expected budget process. [back to top] Full City Council to meet Tuesday, April 18th followed by Mayor’s Budget Address The Full City Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, April 18th at 7:45 p.m. in the Council Chamber,  followed by the Mayor’s Budget Address.  The Reports Docket can be found here, the Reports Docket addendum can be found here and the New Docket can be found here.  Following the first call of Reports, the Mayor will present his FY2018 Budget Address. [back to top] City Council Committee Meetings – Week of April 16th The following City Council Committees are scheduled to meet this week: Public Facilities Committee:  The Public Facilities Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 19th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204 and will discuss the following:  request to appropriate and expend $528,423 from the Energy Stabilization Fund to a dedicated account for the Newton Public Schools’ Energy Efficiency Projects (Newton North), discussion of the Fiscal Years 2018 to 2022 Capital Improvement Plan and discussion of the proposed Public Buildings Departmental Budget for FY2018.  The agenda can be found here. Both the Programs and Services Committee and the Public Safety Committee Meetings have been cancelled this week. [back to top] City Council Committee Reports – Now Available The following City Council Committee Reports are now Available: Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee met on April 4th and reviewed a request for a Consistency Ruling for a special permit that was previously issued for 33 Needham Street (most Committee members felt it was consistent but want non-compliance addressed).  The Committee held a public hearing on a request by Sunrise Development to rezone the land and to construct an 86 unit (122 bed) senior housing facility at 431 Washington Street.  The public hearing was continued and the item was held.  The Committee Report can be found here. Programs and Services Committee:  The Programs and Services Committee met on April 5th and held a public comment session on a citizen’s petition to repeal the leaf blower restrictions recently passed.  The item was voted No Action Necessary.  The report can be found here. Public Safety and Transportation Committee:  The Public Safety and Transportation Committee met on April 5th and voted to approve a resolution requesting the speed limit on Quinobequin Road be reduced to 25 mph.  The Committee voted No Action Necessary on a resolution requesting the MBTA repair the pedestrian bridge near the Eliot MBTA station. All other items were held.  The report can be found here. Public Facilities Committee:  The Public Facilities Committee met on April 5th and voted to approve the following:  petition for a grant of location to install conduit at Caldon Path, petition for a grant of location to install conduit at  O’Rourke Path/Hanson Road/Callahan Path, petition for a grant of location to install conduit at Timson Path/Saw Mill Brook Parkway, petition for a grant of location to install conduit at Spiers Road and Shute Path, petition for grant of location to install conduit at Osborne Path/Van Roosen Road, petition for a grant of location to install a manhole at Chinian Path, draft ordinance to enable the City to require peer review of grant of location petitions at the petitioner’s expense, request for an amendment to transfer $232, 931 from the Owner’s Contingency from the Zervas project to Furniture/Fixtures/Equipment line item, the Computer Equipment line item, and to the Moving line item, request for authorization to transfer $130,000 from Public Works Full-time Salaries Account to the Department of Public Works Transportation Electrical Equipment Repairs & Maintenance Account to repair of traffic signals throughout the City, request authorization to appropriate and expend $982,904 from Parking Meter receipts and $3,600,000 from Free Cash to fund the Accelerated Roads Program, and a request for authorization to appropriate $1,400,000 from bonded indebtedness to fund intersection realignments and traffic signalization upgrades at the Dedham and Nahanton Streets intersection and the Dedham, Brookline, and Carlson Streets intersection.  The Committee voted No Action Necessary on a discussion item regarding potential parking opportunities on school properties.  The report can be found here. Finance Committee:  The Finance Committee met on April 12th and voted to approve the following:  request for an amendment to transfer $232, 931 from the Owner’s Contingency from the Zervas project to Furniture/Fixtures/Equipment line item, the Computer Equipment line item, and to the Moving line item, request to accept a $3,000 grant from the Association of Food and Drug Officials to allow conference attendance of Environmental Health Specialists, request to accept a $13,000 grant from the National Association of County and City Health Official to help recruit and train medical reserve corps, request amendment to the ordinances to include a section for illicit discharges to storm drains, request to appropriate and expend $71,800 from the Storm Water Surplus Account for engineering services for the design and construction engineering phases of rehab of the Flowed Meadow Pump Station, request to transfer $25,000 from DPW Full-time Salaries Account to the Other Capital Equipment Account to purchase bike racks across the city, request for authorization to transfer $130,000 from Public Works Full-time Salaries Account to the Department of Public Works Transportation Electrical Equipment Repairs & Maintenance Account to repair of traffic signals throughout the City, request for authorization to appropriate $1,400,000 from bonded indebtedness to fund intersection realignments and traffic signalization upgrades at the Dedham and Nahanton Streets intersection and the Dedham, Brookline, and Carlson Streets intersection, and a request authorization to appropriate and expend $982,904 from Parking Meter receipts and $3,600,000 from Free Cash to fund the Accelerated Roads Program.  All other items were held.  The Committee’s report can be found here. Zoning and Planning Committee:  The Zoning and Planning Committee met on April 12th and voted to approve the following;  appointment of Martin Smargiassi to the Auburndale Historic District Commission and the appointment of Brett Catlin to the Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission.  The Committee voted No Action Necessary on a request for a report from the Planning Department regarding the reason why development projects on Commonwealth Ave, Pearl Street and Eddy Street did not qualify for the Subsidized Housing Inventory List.  The Committee’s report can be found here. Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee met on April 13th and voted to approve the following:  request to withdraw an application for a special permit/site plan approval to convert an existing two-family residence to a single-family unit and construct an 1840 sq. ft. second dwelling addition with a two-car garage for property located at 85 Fuller Street, request for a special permit/site plan approval to raze and replace an existing non-conforming two-family dwelling with an attached garage extending the non-conforming front and side setbacks for property located at 489-491 Commonwealth Avenue (see draft Council Order), and a request for  special permit/site plan approval to allow three-attached single-family dwellings reduce side setback requirements, allow parking within 20 feet of a side lot line, and driveway within 10 feet of a side lot line and allow placement of a retaining wall of 4 feet or more within a setback for property located at 377 Langley Road. (see draft Council Order).  All other items were held. The Committee’s Report can be found here. [back to top] Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of April 16th The following other City Boards and Commissions are meeting this week: Financial Audit Advisory Committee:  The Financial Audit Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, April 18th at 8:15 a.m. in Room 211.  The agenda can be found here. Urban Design Commission:  The Urban Design Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 19th at 7:00 p.m. in the Planning Department Conference Room (B10) and is expected to review the following sign permit applications:  Meridian Care –  628 Commonwealth Avenue;  Your German Kitchen – 308 Walnut Street; Grande Kithchen + Bar – 118 Needham Street; Joseph A. Russo, MD – 575 Boylston Street; Mettler-Toledo Rainin, LLC & Pipette Calibration – 150 Wells Avenue; Newton Nexus – 131-181;  Parking Wells Park – 95 Wells Avenue;  Wells Park – 199 Wells Avenue;  ARCO – 15 Cypress Street;  and Dream Casa – 15 Cypress Street.  In addition, the Commission will review a petition filed by Sunrise of Newton – 31 Washington Street. The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Shubee Sikka by phone at:  617-796- 1139 or by email at:  ssikka@newtonma.gov. Newton Retirement Board:  The Newton Retirement Board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 19th at 3:00 p.m. in Room 211.  The agenda can be found here. Board of Assessors:  The Board of Assessors is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 19th at 9:00 a.m. in Room 108.  The agenda can be found here. Mayor’s Crime Prevention Commission:  The Mayor’s Crime Prevention Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the Police Station Headquarters – 1321 Washington Street.   The featured speaker is Steven Hoffman, Assistant Attorney General and Deputy Chief of the Medicaid Fraud Division.  The topic is Preventing Medicaid Fraud and Patient Abuse.  The agenda can be found here. Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission:  The Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, April 20th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 205 and is scheduled to review the following requests for Certificate of Appropriateness:  request to expand driveway area and to amend previously approved application to install stone walls, stairs and walkway for property located at 28 Chestnut Hill Terrace, request to install condensers, light fixtures, utility meters and vents; change side door and window location; and change grille pattern for rear windows for property located at 34 Beacon Street, request to replace entry with windows, build new entry at the rear, and replace second story storm windows for property located 393 Hammond Street and a rquest to build a two-story addition and a one-story addition for property located at 96 Suffolk Road.  The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at 617-796-1129 or by email at bkurze@newtonma.gov. Urban Tree Commission:  The Urban Tree Commission is scheduled to meet on Friday, April 21st at 7:45 a.m. in Room 205 and is expected to review the following:  Forestry Department update, UTC Newsletter update, unauthorized tree removal at 1110 Chestnut Street.  The agenda can be found here. I hope everyone had a great weekend! Last week, the School Committee approved the FY2018 Budget - which according to Superintendent Fleishman:  "reflects our commitment to improving student achievement and providing strong supports for all students"  and "partially restore(s) program areas we thought we would need to reduce more significantly, most notably library staff at our schools." Note that one-time funding from the City's health insurance fund and absorption of the bus parking costs on the municipal side were instrumental in bridging the gap. The Superintendent's FY2018 Proposed Budget can be found here.  The initial school budget presentation can be found here.  The restoration presentation can be found here. An additional restoration presentation on April 6th can be found here. Also, if you are interested in the Auburndale Commuter Rail Accessibility Project, State Representative Kay Khan is hosting a meeting on Thursday, April 13th at 10 a.m. at the Auburndale Commuter Station to examine issues of accessibility and scheduling as well as the impact on the West Newton and Newtonville Stations.   Below you will find a listing of City Council Committee meetings, other City Board and Commission meetings.     City Council Committee Meetings – Week of April 9, 2017 Other Board and Commission Meetings – Week of April 10th Update on Zervas Elementary School Building Project Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council and our community. Stay safe, be healthy,happy and most of all, be kind. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4 p.s.  I announced last Monday, that I am running for Mayor.  Please visit my campaign website at www.sangiolo.org for more information. It's been an honor and pleasure to serve you as a City Councilor and I look forward to earning your support and vote to serve as your next Mayor. City Council Committee Meetings – Week of April 9, 2017 The following City Council Committees are scheduled to meet this week: Zoning and Planning Committee:  The Zoning and Planning Committee will meet on Wednesday, April 12th at 7:45 p.m. in Room 205 and is expected to discuss the following:  appointment of Martin Smarglassi to the Auburndale Historic District Commission, appointment of Brett Caitlin to the Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission, change of zone request for the 160R Stanton Avenue (water tower) site from Public Use to MR-3, request to change the inclusionary zoning required units from 15% – to 20% with additional 5% to be set aside for middle income units, update from the Planning Department on status of the Zoning Redesign Project (Zoning Reform Phase II), request for a report regarding qualification of certain housing development projects for the Subsidized Housing Inventory list.  The agenda can be found here. Finance Committee:  The Finance Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 12th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 and is expected to discuss the following:  request for an amendment to the Zervas Elementary School Project – Budget by transferring $232,931 from the Owners Contingency to Furniture/Fixtures/Equipment, Computer Equipment, and Moving accounts, request to accept and expend a $3,000 grant from Association of Food and Drug Officials to allow for attendance to a conference for training for the Environmental Health Specialists, requesting to accept and expend a $13,000 grant from the National Association of Country and City Health Officials to recruit and train medical reserve corps members, request to amend the Ordinances to include new sections regarding illicit discharges to storm drains, request to appropriate and expend $71,800 from the Storm Water Surplus Account to fund professional engineering services for the design and construction engineering phases of the rehabilitation of the Flowed Meadow Pump Station, request to transfer $25,000 from the Department of Public Works Full-time Salaries-Transportation Account to the Department of Public Works Other Capital Equipment Account to purchase city-wide bicycle racks, request to transfer$130,000 from the Department of Public Works Full-time Salaries Account to the Department of Public Works Transportation Electrical Equipment Repairs & Maintenance Account to fund the repair of traffic signals throughout the City, request to appropriate $1,400,000 from bonded indebtedness to fund intersection realignments and traffic signalization upgrades for the Dedham and Nahanton Streets intersection and the Dedham, Brookline, and Carlson Streets, request to appropriate and expend $982,904 from the Parking Meter Receipts-14D Accts, $3,600,000 from Free Cash to fund the City’s Accelerated Roads Program, and update from the Planning Department on status of the Zoning Redesign Project (Zoning Reform Phase II), and a request for a report regarding qualification of certain housing development projects for the Subsidized Housing Inventory list.  The agenda can be found here. Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday, April 13th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber and will hold public hearings on the following:  request for a special permit/site plan approval to convert an existing two-family residence to a single dwelling unit and construct an 1,840 sq. ft. second dwelling addition with two car garage, extending the nonconforming two-family use and exceeding the maximum FAR for property at 85 Fuller Terrace, request for a special permit/site plan approval to raze and replace the existing nonconforming two-family dwelling with attached garage, further extending the nonconforming front and side setbacks for property located at 489-491 Commonwealth Avenue, request for a special permit/site plan approval to rectify a building permit issued in error due to a garage with an over-sized dormer on the half-story above the first level for property located at 129 Cabot Street,  request for a special permit to allow 3 attached single-family dwellings, reduce frontage requirements for attached single family dwellings, reduce side setback requirements, allow parking within 20’ of a side lot line and a driveway within 10’ of a side lot line and allow placement of a retaining wall of 4 feet or more within a setback for property located at 377 Langley Road, request for a special permit/site plan approval to construct 6 dwelling units with shared underground parking by combining three lots for property located at 16-26 Dalby Street, and a request to amend notice requirements from 300′ to 600′. [back to top] Other Board and Commission Meetings – Week of April 10th The following other City Boards and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week: Auburndale Historic District Commission:  The Auburndale Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, April 11th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205 and is scheduled to discuss the following requests for Certificate of Appropriateness:  request to change a previously approved railing for property located at 204-220 Woodland Road, request to replace windows for property located at 239 Woodland Road, review violation of railing work and replacement of balusters that exceeded what was previously approved for property located at 49 Grove Street, review violation of window replacement for property located at 30 Groveland Street, request to replace fence at 6 Graydale Circle, request to amend a previously approved  fence, deck railing and garage doors for property located at 81 Woodland Road,and a request to replace and add windows, add a rear deck railing, replace roof and gutters, install a fence gate and condensers, and remove secondary chimney for property located at 41 Hancock Street.  The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at:  617-796-1129 or by email at:  bkurze@newtonma.gov. Board of License Commissioners:  The Board of License Commissioners are scheduled to meet on Tuesday, April 11th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 211.  The agenda can be found here. Commission on Disability:  The Commission on Disability is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 12th at 6:30 p.m. in Room 204 and is expected to discuss the following:  CDBG Report, identify locations for potential CDBG funded access projects, HP Fines Report, Treasurer’s Report, ADA Coordinator’s Report, Listening Workshops and Hearing Rehabilitation Foundation, MAAB Variance Brimmer and May Auditorium, Auburndale Commuter Rail Accessibility Project, and potential sponsorship of the AHVP in the State Budget.  The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Jini Fairley by phone at:  617-796-1253 or by email at jfairley@newtonma.gov. Charter Commission:  The Charter Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 12th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber and is expected to approve their minutes, hold public comment, review draft of the new charter including – City Council districts, prohibition on holding compensated office for 1 year post City Council or School Committee service, City Employees on Boards and Commissions, School Building Review Committee, Special Elections Black out, Recall Election, Multiple Member Body Quorum and the Final Report.  The agenda can be found here. Charter Commission documents can be found here. Crescent Street Working Group: The Crescent Street Working Group is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 12th at 4 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda can be found here. Design Review Committee:  The Design Review Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, April 12th at 6 p.m. in the Trustee’s Room in the Main Library and is scheduled to discuss the Cabot Elementary School Project.  The agenda can be found here. Traffic Council:  The Traffic Council is scheduled to meet on Thursday, April 13th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 and is expected to discuss the following:  a request to amend Sec. TPR-84 in order to establish a 25 mph speed limit on all city controlled streets unless otherwise posted, as listed in Sec. TPR-84, request for a 2-hour parking restriction or other parking restrictions on Ridgeway Terrace to deter commuter parking, request for review and possible change to the parking regulations on Summer Street, request for a school zone on Beacon Street near the reconstructed Zervas Elementary School, request for evaluation of a parking restriction at the end Evelyn Road by Beacon Street during Zervas drop off and pick up times,  request for a) Stop sign on Walnut Hill Road, b) Stop sign on Woodcliff Road for southbound traffic and c) Median on Walnut Hill Road, so cars approach Woodcliff Road at a right angle to address safety concerns and deter speeders,  request for an ‘all-way stop’ arrangement at the intersection of Dedham and Walnut Streets to deter speeders and address safety concerns, request for a stop sign at the intersection of Lawmarissa, Fredana and Oakvale Roads to address safety concerns, request for stop signs and a crosswalk at the intersection of Devonshire Road and Larkspur Road, Waban,  and a request for consideration of stop or yield signage at the intersection of Stony Brae Road and Shady Hill Road.  The Commission will also take up the following items but the Chair is recommending No Action Necessary:  discussion and potential change to the travel restrictions on Beethoven Avenue near the intersection of Beacon Street, which may include a “do not enter” restriction during specified times, changes to the parking regulations on the section of Nehoiden Road between Irvington Road and Waban Avenue, in order to incorporate this section of Nehoiden Road into the Waban Village Parking District, and changes to the parking regulations on Irvington Road, in order to incorporate Irvington Road into the Waban Village Parking District. The agenda can be found here. Conservation Commission:  The Conservation Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, April 13th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 and is expected to discuss the following:  Request for Determination of Applicability for various roadway maintenance and water main replacement, Notice of Intent for addition to the rear of a single family home for property located at 101 Nevada Street, Notice of Intent for renovation and addition to Cabot Elementary School, and ratify Emergency-Certification for sewer line repairs in Brae Burn Country Club.  In addition, the Commission will discuss the following:  update on a Transformer Spill into Dolan Pond and Kerry Court Conservation Areas, a new native species guide, maintenance for boardwalk at Houghton, benches at Charles River Pathway, and the issue of dog’s on conservation land.  The Commission will also discuss issues around town.  The agenda can be found here.  For more information, please contact Jennifer Steel by phone at:  617-796-1134 or by email at:  jsteel@newtonma.gov. Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission:  The Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission will meet on Thursday, April 13th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205 and is scheduled to review the following:  request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to rebuild back porch roof overhang and railing system for property located at 47 Linden Street, review of violation for installation of vinyl fence for property located at 1268 Boylston Street, and a request for a Certificate of Appropriateness to install new porch and windows on side ell, to install new windows, clapboard and architectural details on the barn, and to install a new roof cricket between the side ell and barn for property located at 23 High Street. The Commission will also hold a working session to discuss a proposed one-car garage for property located at 10 Cliff Road.  The agenda can be found here. For more information, please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at 617-796-1129 or by email at bkurze@newtonma.gov. [back to top] Update on Zervas Elementary School Building Project The Update on the Zervas Elementary School Building Project submitted to the Newton Highlands and the Waban Area Councils can be found here. Good Morning Newton Residents,    I hope you all had an enjoyable week.  Can you believe it's already the end of March? .   As usual, below you will find a listing of City Council Committee meetings, other City Board and Commission meetings.     City Council Committee Meetings – Week of March 26th Other City Committee, Council, Board and Commission Meetings – Week of March 26th Development Review Team Meetings – Week of March 26th   Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council or our community. Stay safe, be healthy,and happy and most of all, be kind. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4   City Council Committee Meetings – Week of March 26th The following City Council Committees will be meeting this week: Finance Committee:  The Finance Committee meeting originally scheduled for tonight has been cancelled.  The Notice of Cancellation can be found here. Zoning and Planning Committee:  The Zoning and Planning Committee will meet tonight, Monday, March 27th at 7:45 p.m. in Room 205 and is expected to discuss the following:  2 appointments to the Newtonville Historic District Commission, 2 appointments to the Chestnut Hill Historic District Commission, proposed Zoning amendment related to accessory apartments and a proposed amendment to increase the inclusionary housing provisions from 15 – 20% with additional 5% set aside for middle income housing.  The agenda can be found here. Land Use Committee:  The Land Use Committee will meet on Tuesday, March 28th at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber and is expected to discuss the following:  continued public hearing on the Orr/Washington Place project for a zone change and special permit/site plan approval, request for a special permit/site plan approval to construct a two-story rear addition and deck in front of the house, further extending the nonconforming front setback and nonconforming FAR to .62 where .50 is allowed and .55 exists for property located at 8 Hazelwood Avenue, request to demolish an existing garage, structure and deck and to construct an attached two-car garage and indoor sport court, exceeding the maximum allowable FAR to .38 where .33 is allowed and .31 exists for property located at 1016 Centre Street, to construct a single-story rear addition extending the existing non-conforming two-family use at 893 Watertown Street, request for a special permit/site plan approval to terminate the residential use at the property and use it for a day care center to enroll 34 children, requiring a waiver of four parking stalls, a waiver for parking in the setback, a waiver for the parking stall dimensions, waiver for the minimum aisle width for two-way traffic, waivers for lighting requirements for parking, a waiver for the outdoor play area vegetative buffer for property located at 45-47 Bryon Road, request for a special permit/site plan approval to allow three attached single-family dwellings, reduce frontage requirements for attached single family dwellings, reduce side setback requirements, allow parking within 20’ of a side lot line and a driveway within 10’ of a side lot line and to allow placement of a retaining wall of 4 feet or more within a setback for property located at 377 Langley Road, and a request to extend the notification requirements for a special permit. [back to top] Other City Committee, Council, Board and Commission Meetings – Week of March 26th The following City Boards and Commissions will meet this week: School Committee:  There will be a special meeting of the School Committee on Monday, March 27th at 7:00 p.m. at the Ed Center, Room 210.  The School Committee will engage in Budget Review of –Instructional Areas: Elementary; Secondary; Student Services; Teaching & Learning.  The agenda can be found here.  See the FY2018 Proposed Budget, FY2018 Budget Guidelines and FY2018 Budget Presentation. Zoning Board of Appeals:  The Zoning Board of Appeals will meet on Tuesday, March 28th at 6:30 p.m. in Room 205 and will likely go into Executive Session to discuss litigation related to 1651 Beacon Street, LLC’s application for a Comprehensive Permit.  The Committee will then convene in the Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m. to hear the following:  appeal of the issuance of a building permit by the Commissioner of Inspectional Services for construction of a new single-family dwelling at 165 Berkeley Street, Newton, Massachusetts, and an appeal of an Order of the Commissioner of the Inspectional Services Department to remove the foundation at property located on Goddard Street, Newton, Massachusetts.  The agenda can be found here. Council on Aging and Advisory Board Meeting:  The Council on Aging and the Advisory Board will meet on Tuesday, March 28th at 7:30 p.m. at the Senior Center.  After introductions, the Council will discuss the following:  presentation from Jini Fairley, the City’s ADA Coordinator on her role and the role of Commission on Disability, the Chair’s report on developing a Mayoral Age-Friendly Platform and a PLAAN update/ next steps discussion, reports on the following:  membership, Springwell and Senior Citizen’s Fund, Working Group reports on Housing: Housing Guide, update on the accessory apartment ordinance, Transportation and Engagement, and a Legislative Report on the FY2018 Budget process.  The agenda can be found here. Financial Audit Advisory Committee – Accounting and Audit Subcommittee Meeting:  This Subcommittee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, March 29th at 8:15 a.m. in Room 211 and is scheduled to hear the following department responses to the Auditor’s Management Letter:  Department of Public Works – Storm Water Billing, Executive Department – Investment Policy for Certain Trust Funds, Human Resources – Documentation of Procedures and Policies, Human Resources – Personnel/Payroll, and Human Resources – Implementing Employee Agreements.  The agenda can be found here. Charter Commission:  The Charter Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, March 29th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 and is expected to take public comment and then discuss the Draft New Charter.  The agenda can be found here.  The Preliminary Report of the Charter Commission can be found here. Designer Selection Committee:  The Designer Selection Committee is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, March 29th at 6:00 p.m. in the Trustees Room at the Newton Free Library and is expected to discuss the following:  review of Designer Qualifications for the Crescent Street Housing Project and Rev. Ford Playground Redevelopment Project and review the submitted RFQ’s for “On-Call” Architects, Engineers and LSP’s.  The agenda can be found here. Waban Area Council Subcommittee – Waban Historical Research Group:  The Waban Area Council’s subcommittee – Waban Historical Research Group is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, March 29th at 7:30 p.m. at the Waban Library.  The agenda can be found here. School Committee:  The School Committee is scheduled to meet on Thursday, March 30th at 7:00 p.m. at the Ed Center – Room 210 and is expected to discuss the following:  hold a public hearing on Zervas naming opportunities, hear the Superintendent’s report, hold general public comment session, budget review of non-instructional areas, have further budget discussions, have a straw vote on the budget, vote on E-Rate funds, have a discussion and vote on Zervas naming opportunities, and have an additional public comment session.  The agenda can be found here. See the FY2018 Proposed Budget, FY2018 Budget Guidelines and FY2018 Budget Presentation. [back to top] Development Review Team Meetings – Week of March 26th The following potential projects will be discuss this week with the Development Review Team: 172 Spiers Rd Potential variance to construct an addition on a corner lot single‐family dwelling (SR3) 155 Monadnock Rd Proposed replacement of detached garage with new garage attached to existing single family‐dwelling (SR1) The agenda can be found here. I'm back with my 91-year old mother and happy to report she is slowly settling in - but not very happy about the cold weather and the anticipated blizzard!!  But it is so good to be home!   .   As usual, below you will find a listing of City Council Committee meetings, other City Board and Commission meetings, and announcements for this week.     Announcements Orr/Washington Place – Update City Council Committee Meetings – Week of March 12th Other City Board and Commission Meetings Development Review Team Meetings – Week of March 12th Cabot Elementary School Presentation and Monthly Elementary School Project Updates now available   Kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to sign up!  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe. As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council or our community. Be safe, stay warm and if you can, please check in and lend a helping hand to your neighbors who may need assistance. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4 The following other City Boards and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week: Commission on Disability:  The Commission on Disability will meet on Tuesday, February 21st at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 and is expected to discuss the following:  update on the CDBG Report, update on FY18 Access Projects for the CDBG Funds Applications, update on Handicap Parking Fines, update on the Treasurer’s Report, update on the ADA Coordinator’s Report and will discuss two requests for accessible parking spaces and is scheduled to have a discussion either about or with the Council on Aging. The agenda can be found here. For more information, please contact Jini Fairley by phone at: 617-796-1253 or by email at:  jfairley@newtonma.gov. Board of Licensing Commissioners:  The Board of Licensing Commissioners will meet on Tuesday, February 21st at 7:00 p.m. in Room 204.  The agenda can be found here. Newton Historical Commission:  The Newton Historical Commission will meet on Thursday, February 23rd at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205 and is expected to review the following requests for full demolition:  65 Ferncroft Road, 21 Gardner Street, 437 Parker Street, 446 Dudley Road, and 386-390 Watertown Street.  The Commission will also review partial demolition requests for the following properties:  28 Waban Avenue and 135 Cornell Street and will review the following properties for design review:  236 Auburn Street, 1110 Chestnut Street, and 391 Dedham Street.  The agenda can be found here. For more information, please contact Katy Hax Holmes by phone at 617-796-1143 or by email at:  kholmes@newtonma.gov. [back to top] Development Review Team Meetings – Week of February 19th The Development Review Team is scheduled to review the following potential proposals: 24‐26 Eliot Street – possible uses of the property currently zoned – BU2 34 Thurston Road – Proposed accessory apartment in an existing single‐family dwelling currently zoned MR1 [back to top]Good afternoon Newton Residents!  Apologies for the second email, but I forgot to include this week's City Council Committee meetings.  Apologies for missing Monday evenings committee meetings. This week’s City Council Committee meetings  As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council or our community. Please kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to subscribe.  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe too. Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4 This week’s City Council Committee meetings Here are this week’s City Council Committee meetings: Zoning and Planning Committee: The Zoning and Planning Committee will be meeting on Monday, January 9th at 7:45 p.m. in the Council Chambers and will hold a public hearing on a request by the Planning Director to make technical amendments to the Newton Zoning Ordinance and a request to amend the Zoning Ordinance to conform with recent amendments to the Mass General Law’s Chapter 40A related to period of time to exercise a special permit.  The Committee’s agenda can be found here, the Planning Department’s Memo can be found here and the Public Hearing Notice can be found here. Finance Committee Meeting:  The Finance Committee will be meeting on Monday, January 9th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211 and is expected to the discuss the following:  request to appoint Sue Dzikowski to succeed David Wilkinson as Comptroller of the City of Newton, a request to authorize a temporary increase in full-time staff of Comptroller Office staff, a discussion on the financial reform measures in Governor’s Municipal Modernization Law, a request increase the Investment Advisory Committee membership to 9 by one by adding an additional member to be appointed by the President of the Council, and a request to authorize the Library Trustees to apply for grant funding for library renovation project (Note that both the Programs and Services Committee and the Public Facilities voted No Action Necessary on this request as the project has been pulled).  The Committee’s agenda can be found here. Land Use Committee Meeting: The Land Use Committee will meet twice this week – Tuesday January 10th and Thursday January 12th. On Tuesday, January 10th, the Committee will meet at 5:30 p.m. in Room 211 and continue it’s discussion with Planning, Inspectional Services and Information Technology on Special Permit process improvements and enforcement.  The Committee will then reconvene in the Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m. to hold public hearings on the following: request for a special permit/site plan approval to increase a non-conforming setback, stories, and use by enclosing the front porch and extending a bathroom on the second floor, adding a new roof line for property located at 15 Cottage Street, request for a special permit/site plan approval to further increase the non-conforming setback by demolishing the existing 12’x22’ detached garage and constructing a 22’x22’ detached garage, reducing the setback from 16.2’ to 6.2’ where 25’ is required for property located at 79 Kenwood Avenue (see revised plans),  request to amend a special permit/site plan approval that was previously granted to allow for more than 3 customers at one time, expand hours of operation and amend the previously approved site plan for property located at242-244 Commonwealth Avenue (Modern Barre), and request for a special permit/site plan approval to construct additional buildings, allow for new and additional commercial uses, allow for buildings to be in excess of 20,000 sq. feet and more than 60 feet in height, buildings within 300’ of a great pond, allow parking within a setback, extend a Farmers Market previously granted under special permit 230- 14, update signage previously granted under special permit 417-12, allow some parking stalls on portions of the site to be reduced size and reduced in stall depth (in the garage), allow reduced lighting in the parking facility light and grant exceptions for parking stall size and interior landscaping requirements for property located at 1-55 Boylston Street -Chestnut Hill Shopping Center – “The Street” (see revised plans).  In addition, the Committee will review Class 1 and 7 Class 2 Auto Dealer Licenses up for renewal.  The agenda can be found here. On Thursday, January 12th, the Committee will meet at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers and continue the public hearing on the Orr Project/Washington Place project located at Washington and Walnut Streets for both the Change of Zone Request and the Special Permit/Site Plan Approval Request.  The most recent Planning Department Memo can be found here and the Land Use Committee’s Report from the December 15th meeting can be found here. Please note that the Planning and Development Board will hold it’s public hearing on Change of Zone Request for the Orr/Washington Place project on Wednesday, January 11th.  See “Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of January 8th”. [back to top]   I hope you all weathered the snow storm. It's very cold so please bundle up and check in on your elderly neighbors to see if they need any assistance. Here are this week's City Council, other City Board and Commission meetings, School Department Reports and other information of interest. REMINDER:  This is the last week to recycle your Christmas Tree so please place it out on the curb on your regularly scheduled pick up day and please shovel your sidewalk. The City Ordinance requires snow removal within 30 hours of completion of a storm.   Public Safety and Transportation Committee accepts legislation allowing establishment of 25 mph speed limit for Newton Auburndale Traffic Signalization Project – Update Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of January 8th School Committee/School Department reports available online  As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council or our community. Please kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to subscribe.  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe too. Keep safe and warm and enjoy the rest of your week! Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4   Public Safety and Transportation Committee accepts legislation allowing establishment of 25 mph speed limit for Newton The Public Safety and Transportation Committee voted unanimously to accept legislation that allows the City Council, Traffic Commission, or Traffic Director to establish a 25 mph speed limit on any roadway inside a thickly settled or business district that is not a state highway and establish safety zones – 20 mph speed limit on any roadway that is not a state highway or with the approval of the highway department, if the roadway is a state highway. (Refer to the back of the Public Safety and Transportation Committee Agenda for January 4th for the legislation here).  The Committee Report is not yet available and the Full Council will vote on this at it’s next full Council meeting on Tuesday,January 17th. [back to top] Auburndale Traffic Signalization Project – Update Many folks have expressed interest/concern about the Auburndale Traffic Signalization Project.  The original presentation and plan can be found here.  The Department of Public Works has a status update as of December 6th, 2016 which can be found here. But here is the most recent correspondence I have received on this project on January 6th from Traffic Engineer, Steve Simoglou: “Please see herein a couple of brief updates with regards to Auburndale Square; the signal at Freeman/Lexington will be coming off of the flash sequence today (January 6th). The signal will be temporarily set to a pre-timed phase, until final coordination is in place. We are aggressively working with the contractor to have final timing and coordination wrapped up in the coming week; I will provide specific dates for completion as they become available. Please note we have also been working with the engineering consultant to add a LPI (Leading Pedestrian Interval) to the crossings at Commonwealth/Lexington. The LPI will allow a pedestrian to get a 5 second ‘head start’ on the crossing, before concurrent traffic receives the green. Temporary message boards have been put in place on all approaches to Comm/Lexington to notify motorists of a new traffic pattern, and to yield to pedestrians. Permanent signage throughout the square will also be in-place in the coming weeks. The square will continue to be closely monitored by the city and engineering consultant, and necessary adjustments will be made. “ The City is moving towards concurrent signalization – where the pedestrian walk signal is concurrent with auto-traffic signals.  This is a significant change for some as many signals in Newton used to be exclusive or an all-out stop.  At the West Newton Square Enhancements Project presentation last week, several Councilors expressed concern over the move towards concurrent signalization.  The Transportation Director, Nicole Freedman, has committed to providing supporting information on how concurrent signalization is safer for pedestrians.  As soon as that becomes available, I will post. Please also note that Walk Boston is being used as a model approach for Newton. Information on Walk Boston can be found here. [back to top] Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of January 8th The following City Boards and Commissions are scheduled to meet this week: Commission on Disability:  The Commission on Disability is scheduled to meet on Monday, January 9th at 6:30 p.m. in Room 204 and is scheduled to discuss the following:  the CDBG Report, Handicap Parking Fines Report, Treasurer’s Report, ADA Coordinator’s Report, Election of Commission Officers, requests for accessible parking space, aVariance application for 1210-1230 Washington Street, and the proposed Leaf Blower Ban. For more information, please contact Jini Fairley by phone at 617-796-1253 or by email at: jfairley@newtonma.gov. The agenda is not available online. Auburndale Historic District Commission:  The Auburndale Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, January 10th at 7;00 p.m. in Room 205. The Commission is scheduled to hear two requests for Certificate of Appropriateness: 61 Central Street – request to remove front entry, demolish rear chimney, replace one picture window with double hung windows and one picture window with French doors, and remove and add windows, and 81 Woodland Road – request to remove a stone patio and install a deck and railing, install new fence and gates, and install direct vent fireplace.  In addition, the Commission will discuss a violation at 49 Grove Street – replacement of the left rear railing system and trim details without approval from the Commission. For additional information, please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at 617-796-1129 or by email at:  bkurze@newtonma.gov. Economic Development Commission:  The Economic Development Commission is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, January 10th at 7:30 p.m. in Room 204 and is expected to discuss the following:   Commission updates;  approval of meeting mrnutes for December 13, 2016; review of Letter for the Orr/Washington Place Project; review of the draft Annual Report, and nominations for EDC Officers. For more information, please contact Barney Heath by phone at 617-796-1120 or by email at:  bheath@newtonma.gov. Planning and Development Board:  The Planning and Development Board is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, January 11th at 7:00 p.m.  in the Council Chambers  and is expected to discuss the following : CDBG Substantial Amendment for Carroll Center Accessibility Improvements Project, hold a public hearing regarding technical amendments to the Newton Zoning Ordinance, Chapter 30, and have a continuation of the public hearing for a change of zone for the Orr/Washington Place project.  For more information, please contact Rachel Powers by phone at: 617-796-1125 or by email at:  rpowers@newtonma.gov. Charter Commission:  The Charter Commission is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, January 11th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 211.  The agenda can be found here. Conservation Commission: The Conservation Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, January 12th at 7:00 p.m in Room 204. and is scheduled to discuss the following Notice of Intent items:  request to restore the river bank and parking lot for property located at 46 and 34 (rear) Farwell Street, request for installation of a pool and landscaping for property located at 140 Countryside Road,  request to construct 2 new buildings with green roofs at the edge of Hammond Pond, reconstruct 2 rain gardens, increase infiltration and treatment, infill under and add a deck for property located at 27 & 55 Boylston Street  – Chestnut Hill Shopping Center (note that this hearing was continued), and a request to formally close an enforcement order against property located at 73 Beaconwood Road.  In addition, the Commission will discuss  potential sign-on for a gas pipeline letter, photos for the MACC annual conference and review meeting minutes. Please contact Jennifer Steel by phone at: 617-796-1134 or by email at: jsteel@newtonma.gov. The Commission’s agenda can be found here and the packet of supporting information can be found here. Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission:  The Newton Upper Falls Historic District Commission is scheduled to meet on Thursday, January 12th at 7:00 p.m. in Room 205 and is scheduled to discuss the following requests for Certificate of Appropriateness:  request for review and approval of steeple restoration and installation of a sign for property located at 15 Summer Street, request to construct a garage at the rear of the lot for property located at 12 Rockland Place (Note:  this hearing was continued), and a request to replace wood siding (agenda notes violation) for property located at 47 Linden Street. Please contact Barbara Kurze by phone at: 617-796-1129 or by email at:  bkurze@newtonma.gov. The Commission’s agenda can be found here. Community Preservation Committee:  The Community Preservation Committee was previously scheduled to meet on January 12th but has been postponed.  The new meeting date is Thursday, January 19th at 7:45 p.m. in Room 204 and is expected to hold a public hearing on the proposal to create affordable housing units and a park expansion for the Crescent Street site after the Commission has its regular administrative discussion.  The agenda can be found here and details of the Crescent Street proposal can be found here. Happy New Year!  I hope you all had a very happy and healthy holiday season. Here are this week's City Council and other City Board and Commission meetings. Please remember - there is NO HOLIDAY DELAY in trash pick up so please be sure to get your trash out on your usual scheduled day.   Trash Pick-up – Usual Schedule – No one day delay for the holiday City Council to meet on January 3rd Zoning and Planning Committee Report 12/21/16 – (proposed Accessory Apartment Ordinance) – now available City Council Committee Meetings – Week of January 1st Public Hearing Notices – January 9th – Zoning and Planning Committee and January 11th – Planning and Development Board Other City Board and Commission Meetings – Week of January 1, 2017  As always, I welcome your input on any topic relevant to the Council or our community. Please kindly forward this on to your friends, family, and anyone you think might be interested and please encourage them to subscribe.  Folks can also go directly to my website at www.amysangiolo.com and subscribe.   Enjoy the rest of the week and keep safe and warm! Amy Mah Sangiolo Councilor-at-Large, Ward 4