Newton City Council - May 15, 2026

The meeting was called to order at 7:46 PM by President John Oliver. Councilor Julia Malakie led the Pledge of Allegiance.

• Governing Body: Newton City Council
• Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
• Date: May 15, 2026
• Present: Councilor Susan Albright, Councilor R. Lisle Baker, Councilor Martha Bixby, Councilor Randy Block, Councilor Brittany Hume Charm, Councilor Cyrus Dahmubed, Councilor Stephen Farrell, Councilor Rena Getz, Councilor Lisa Gordon, Councilor Rebecca Walker Grossman, Councilor Julie Irish, Councilor David Kalis (Vice President), Councilor Andrea W. Kelley, Councilor Joshua Krintzman, Councilor Alison M. Leary, Councilor Tarik J. Lucas, Councilor Julia Malakie, Councilor Sean Roche, Councilor Pamela Wright, and President John Oliver.
• Absent: Councilor Brian Golden, Councilor Leonard J. Gentile, Councilor Victoria L. Danberg, Councilor David Micley, Councilor Bill Humphrey, Councilor Alan Lobovits, Councilor Maria Scibelli Greenberg, Councilor Jacob Silber, and Councilor Andreae Downs.

Councilor Andrea W. Kelley reported on the committee meeting held on June 2, 2026. The following items were approved:

• Appointments to Riverside Neighborhood Liaison Committee (Approved 7-0):
  • Item 168-26: Barbara Gruenthal
  • Item 169-26: Lisa Mirabile
  • Item 170-26: Bruce McVitie
  • Item 171-26: Paul Giragos
• Reappointments to Newton Wellesley Hospital Neighborhood Area Council:
  • Item 178-26: Teresa Fitzpatrick (Approved 7-0)
  • Item 179-26: Marjorie Summers (Approved 7-0)
  • Item 180-26: Chris Letourneau (Approved 6-1)
  • Item 181-26: Alex Koppenheffer (Approved 7-0)
  • Item 182-26: Jay Flynn (Approved 7-0)
  • Item 183-26: George Swets (Approved 6-1)
• Special Permits:
  • Item 189-26: Request to exceed FAR and for dimensional relief for a dormer at 464 Dudley Road. (Approved 7-0)
  • Item 191-26: Request to amend Special Permit #449-80 to construct a dormer at 392 Cherry Street, Unit 4. (Approved 7-0)

Councilor R. Lisle Baker reported on the committee meeting held on June 8, 2026.

• Item 42-26: An ordinance change to Chapter 30 to allow raised beds in the front and rear setback under certain conditions. The item required 16 affirmative votes for passage.

Councilor Joshua Krintzman reported on the committee meeting held on June 3, 2026.

• Item 195-26: A resolution declaring the City of Newton's support for Newton's transgender, gender diverse, and LGBTQIA+ community. (Approved 7-0)

Councilor Tarik J. Lucas reported on the committee meeting held on June 3, 2026.

• Item 172-26: Semi-annual public auto inspections. (Approved 5-0)
• Item 186-26: Endorsement of the Massachusetts Legislature Bill to Authorize Traffic Cameras. (Voted No Action Necessary 6-0)
• Item 187-26: Appropriation of $225,000 from the June 30, 2025, certified free cash for police firearm equipment replacement. (Approved 5-0)
• Item 206-26: Appropriation and expenditure of $105,000 from June 30, 2025, certified free cash to support the Police Department. (Approved 5-0)

Councilor Rena Getz reported on the committee meeting held on June 3, 2026.

• Item 188-26: Authorization to transfer $277,499 for heat pumps at Fire Station 2. (Approved 5-0)
• Item 198-26: Appropriation and expenditure of $3,000,000 from the June 30, 2025, certified free cash for the Transportation and Paving Improvement Program. (Approved 5-0-1)
• Item 199-26: Appropriation of up to $2,792,700 for water main improvements. (Approved 5-0)
• Item 200-26: Acceptance of a low-interest loan of $4,329,164. (Approved 7-0)
• Item 201-26: Authorization for potential lease for solar energy generation at Burr Elementary School. (Approved 5-0)
• Item 210-26: Appropriation of $135,000 from the June 30, 2025, certified free cash for a fuel station. (Approved 6-0)
• Item 212-26: Appropriation of $577,175 from the June 30, 2025, certified free cash for snow vehicles. (Approved 6-0)
• Item 167-26: Community Preservation Committee (CPC) recommendation to appropriate $347,534.91 for the War Memorial stairs. (Approved 5-2 on May 13, 2026)

Councilor Rebecca Walker Grossman reported on the committee meeting held on June 8, 2026. The following items were approved 7-0:

• Item 139-26: Appropriation of $550,000 from free cash for storage area network replacement.
• Item 146-26: Appropriation of $150,000 from free cash for netting at the Halloran Sports Complex multipurpose field.
• Item 167-26: CPC recommendation to appropriate $347,534.91 for the War Memorial stairs.
• Item 196-26: Acceptance and expenditure of a $150,000 grant from the MassDOT Complete Streets Funding Program.
• Item 204-26: Transfer of $200 for reconciliation.
• Item 205-26: Acceptance and expenditure of a $3,275.15 grant from the Department of Fire Services.
• Note: Items 187-26, 188-26, 198-26, 199-26, 200-26, 210-26, and 212-26 were also approved 7-0 in Finance.

The Council conducted a roll call vote to approve the items reported from the committees. The items passed with 20 Yeas and 4 Absentees, with the following specific 'No' votes recorded:

• Item 42-26 (Raised Beds Ordinance): Councilors Baker, Farrell, and President Oliver voted No. (Passed with 17 Yeas).
• Item 180-26 (Reappointment of Chris Letourneau): Councilor Farrell voted No.
• Item 167-26 (War Memorial Stairs): Councilors Kelley, Leary, and Roche voted No.

The Council addressed two items pulled for further discussion:

1. Item 203-26: Transfer of $100,000 for increased water and sewer usage. Councilor Getz clarified that city and school buildings are excluded from the irrigation meter ordinance provision.
   • Outcome: Approved 20-0.
2. Item 197-26: Transfer of $900,000 for improvements to roadways, sidewalks, and ramps. Councilor Grossman moved to recommit this item to the Finance and Public Facilities committees. She explained that the Department of Public Works identified a deficit of $800,000 to $900,000 in snow removal costs from the previous winter that must be addressed.
   • Outcome: Recommitted to committee by a vote of 20-0.

Councilor Julia Malakie moved to adjourn, seconded by Councilor Tarik J. Lucas. The meeting adjourned at approximately 8:20 PM.