Newton City Council - May 18, 2026

Executive Summary

The Newton City Council met on May 18, 2026, primarily to conduct a Committee of the Whole session regarding the Fiscal Year 2027 utility rates and the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). The Council approved Item 157-26, establishing new water, sewer, and stormwater rates, which included a significant 33.3% increase in stormwater fees to address a projected $500 million phosphorus reduction mandate. Additionally, the Council reviewed the $1.42 billion Supplemental CIP, discussed feasibility studies for the Ward and Underwood elementary schools and a new police headquarters, and approved various financial appropriations for school curricula, emergency equipment, and infrastructure maintenance.

Meeting Metadata

Governing Body: Newton City Council
Meeting Type: Regular Meeting and Committee of the Whole
Date: May 18, 2026
Presiding Officer: President John Oliver
Councilors in Attendance: Susan Albright, R. Lisle Baker, Martha Bixby, Randy Block, Brittany Hume Charm, Cyrus Dahmubed, Stephen Farrell, Rena Getz, Brian Golden, Lisa Gordon, Maria Scibelli Greenberg, Rebecca Walker Grossman, Julie Irish, David A. Kalis, Andrea W. Kelley, Joshua Krintzman, Alison M. Leary, Tarik J. Lucas, Julia Malakie, David Micley, Sean Roche, Jacob Silber, Pamela Wright.
City Staff: Mayor Marc C. Laredo, COO Josh Morse, CFO Maureen Lemieux, DPW Commissioner Shawna Sullivan, Utilities Director Tom Fitzgerald.

Item 157-26: Proposed FY27 Water, Sewer, and Stormwater Rates

The Council entered a Committee of the Whole to discuss the recommended utility rates for implementation on July 1, 2026.

Financial Overview:

Water Rate: 2.81% increase proposed. Focus includes replacing 2.8 miles of water mains and completing the citywide meter replacement program.
Sewer Rate: 2.3% increase proposed. Focus includes Area 9 rehabilitation and pump station upgrades.
Stormwater Rate: 33.3% increase proposed. This results in an overall combined utility rate increase of 4.9%.

Key Discussion Points:

Phosphorus Reduction: CFO Maureen Lemieux noted that the MS4 permit requires a phosphorus reduction from the Charles River costing over $500 million by 2038. She stated, "There is no way we can do $500 million worth of stormwater work in that timeframe," noting the city is negotiating an alternate plan with the DEP.
Irrigation Rates: Councilor Roche advocated for higher irrigation rates to discourage non-essential water use. The administration agreed to study this as a summer project.
Multi-family Housing: Councilor Albright raised concerns regarding high rates for residents in multi-family buildings without individual meters.

Action Taken:

Public Hearing: Opened and closed with no public speakers.
Vote: Approved 21-0 with 1 abstention (Councilor Farrell). (Note: In the final Council session, Councilors Dahmubed and Roche changed to 'No' votes on this specific item).

Items 1-26 and 154-26: FY27-31 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP)

COO Josh Morse presented the Supplemental CIP, which includes 602 projects totaling $1.42 billion.

Major Projects and Updates:

School Facilities: Lincoln-Elliott is complete. Countryside, Horace Mann, and Franklin projects are underway and on schedule.
Ward and Underwood Schools: COO Morse recommended not consolidating the two schools. Feasibility studies ($1.25 million) are moving forward for independent projects.
Police Headquarters: A $1.25 million feasibility study was discussed to replace the current phased renovation plan with a comprehensive facility project.
Paving: The five-year paving plan (FY27-31) allocates $9.5 million annually for streets, sidewalks, and traffic calming.
Athletic Fields: Albemarle field improvements are slated for completion by September 30, 2026.

Action Taken: Items held for further deliberation in the Committee of the Whole.

Land Use Committee Report

The Council approved the following items unanimously (8-0):

Item 164-24: Special permit amendment for 43 Kenwood Ave to allow retaining walls exceeding four feet.
Item 165-26: Extension of nonconforming FAR at 104 Eldridge Street.
Item 166-26: Request to exceed FAR and facade ratio at 19 Saxon Road.

Financial Appropriations and Committee Reports

The Council approved several appropriations from certified free cash (as of June 30, 2025):

Education: $325,000 for NPS science curriculum (Item 150-26) and $500,000 for full-day kindergarten aides (Item 153-26).
Public Safety: $75,000 for 'Jaws of Life' rescue tools (Item 148-26) and $1,000,000 for SCBA harnesses (Item 149-26).
Infrastructure: $3,200,000 for snow and ice removal deficits (Item 147-26) and $1,250,000 each for feasibility studies for Newton South High School, the Police Facility, and Elementary Schools (Items 136-26, 137-26, 138-26).
Public Facilities: $833,948.85 repurposed for the Burr School roof (Item 159-26) and $345,697.55 for North and Craft Street improvements (Item 158-26).

Final Roll Call Vote on Item 157-26

A formal roll call was taken to adopt the Water, Sewer, and Stormwater rates.

Ayes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Charm, Farrell, Getz, Golden, Gordon, Greenberg, Grossman, Irish, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Silber, Wright, Oliver.
Nays: Dahmubed, Roche.
Outcome: Motion carried 19-2 (with 3 members absent).