Newton City Council - May 15, 2026

all right hey everyone uh so before we start recording in progress before we start recording stopped There we go before we start the recording. I have a card here that I'd like to pass around and have everybody put their John or Jane Hancock on for Drew. if you have any snarky comments like hey quit tripping over stuff just to get out of a city council meeting and having it you know dumping it all on Lisa that'd be great but I'm just going to start over here with Pam and I'd like everybody to I'd like everybody to sign it if we can.

Thank you.

All right, everyone. So we have in front of us full city council meeting regularly scheduled. Today is Monday, June the 15th. It is 746, 8 p.m. Before we get rolling, Councilor Malakie, can you lead us in the pledge, please?

This is for the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Thank you. A couple of quick housekeeping notices. We are being audio and video recorded, as you heard twice just a minute ago. Participating remotely, I don't see any counselors on my list. Is that... True. Accurate. Great. All right. Who's here is who's here. Welcome back, Vice President Kalis from afar. Also, for everyone or anyone who's using a laptop at your desk, please make sure you're muted so we can avoid our feedback challenge. Okay, with that said, I'd like to jump into first call items. Actually, before I do that, just a quick notice. For everyone here tonight, counselors in particular,

Today was a bit hectic with Drew being out. Our clerk has an unexpected absence for a little while. I just want to thank for all the work that you've done today to kind of stand us all up and make this seamless. I really appreciate that. And for everyone who ever questions how much work goes on on a daily basis in the clerk's office, I'm here to tell you there's a lot, but thank you for sticking with us. All right, with that said, we're going to hit first call. Landy, it's Councilor Kelley. Thank you, Mr. President.

The Land Use Committee met on June 2nd. We held a couple of items. We also had a lot of appointments and reappointments to committees and commissions. The first one was item number 168-26, an appointment of Barbara Gruenthal to the Riverside Neighborhood Liaison Committee, approved. 7 to nothing, number 169-26, appointment of Lisa Mirabile to the Riverside Neighborhood Liaison Committee, also approved 7 to nothing. Number 170-26, appointment of Bruce McVitie to the Riverside Neighborhood Liaison Committee, approved 7 to nothing. Number 171-26, appointment of Paul Giragos to the Riverside Neighborhood Liaison Committee, approved 7 to nothing. Number 178-26, reappointment of Teresa Fitzpatrick to the Newton Wellesley Hospital Neighborhood Area Council, approved seven to nothing.

Number 179-26, reappointment of Marjorie Summers to the Newton Wellesley Hospital Neighborhood Area Council, approved 7 to nothing. Number 180-26, reappointment of Chris Letourneau to the Newton-Wilsey Hospital Neighborhood Area Council, approved six to one. Number 181-26, reappointment of Alex Koppenheffer to the Newton Wellesley Hospital Neighborhood Area Council, approved 7 to nothing. 182-26, the reappointment of Jay Flynn to the Newton Wellesley Hospital Neighborhood Area Council approved 7 to nothing. Number 183-26, reappointment of George Swets to the Newton Wellesley Hospital Neighborhood Area Council approved six to one. Then we moved on to some other special permit requests. Number 189-26, which was a request to exceed FAR and for dimensional relief for a dormer at 464 Dudley Road.

that was approved seven to nothing and the next item was held and our final item was 191-26 I request to amend a special permit number 449-80 to construct a dormer at 392 Cherry Street, Unit 4. That was approved 7 to nothing. And that concludes my report.

Fantastic. Zoning and Planning, Councilor Baker.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Zoning and Planning Committee met on June 8, and we have one item to report. which is 4226, an ordinance changed to Chapter 30 to allow raised beds in the front and rear setback under certain conditions. The language is attached to the committee report at pages 8 through 10 with two illustrations of before and after. This is an item that requires 16 affirmative votes. And that's the only item I'm reporting.

Fantastic. And in case anyone's wondering, that was briefly on second call, but it no longer is on second.

That's my understanding.

Great. Thank you, sir. Programs and Services. Councilor Krintzman.

Thank you, Mr. President. Court begins on page 127. Programs and Services Committee met on June 3rd. Item 195-26, this was a resolution declaring the city of Newton's support for Newton's transgender, gender diverse, and LGBTQIA plus community. was approved by a vote of 7-0. All the other items were held. With that, I would move the report.

Fantastic. Thank you. And for PS&T, or Public Safety and Transportation, Councilor Lucas.

Thank you, President Oliver. The report begins on page 128. The Public Safety and Transportation Committee met on Wednesday, June 3rd. The first item, 172-26, a semi-annual public auto inspections, approved 5-0. Item 186-26, Endorsement of the Massachusetts Legislature Bill to Authorize Traffic Cameras. That was voted no action necessary. 6-0. 187-26 appropriation of $225,000 from the June 30th, 2025 certified free cash for police firearm equipment replacement was approved 5-0. and lastly item 206-26 appropriation and expend $105,000 from June 30th 2025 certified free cash to support the police department.

And that was approved 5-0. And that concludes the report.

Thank you. For public facilities, I have Councilor Getz.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Public Facilities Committee met on Wednesday, June 3, and the report begins on page 129. Item number 188-26, the authorization to transfer $277,499 for heat pumps at Fire Station 2 was approved 5-0. The second item is on second call, 197-26. 198-26 appropriation expenditure of $3 million from the June 30th, 2025 Certified Free Cash for Transportation and Paving Improvement Program was approved. to 0 to 1 abstention. The next item, 199-26, the appropriation of up to $2,792,000

$1,000 to $700 for water main improvements was approved five to zero. Item number 200-26, the acceptance of a low interest loan of $4,329,600. $164 was approved 7-0. Item number 201-26, the authorization for potential lease for solar energy generation at Burr Elementary School was approved 5-0. the item number 203-26 is on second call. Item number 210-26, the appropriation of 135,000 from the June 30th, 2025 certified free cash for fuel station was approved. 6 to 0. And the final item, 212-26, the appropriation of $577,000.

$1,175 from the June 30, 2025 certified free cash for snow vehicles was approved 6-0. And that concludes my report.

Great. Thank you. and last but not least, Finance, Councilor Grossman.

Thank you, Mr. President. The report begins on page 132 and the committee met on June 8th. The first item, 139-26, the authorization to appropriate and expend $550,000 from free cash for... and storage area network replacement was approved seven to zero. Item 146-26, the appropriation of $150,000 from free cash. for netting at the Halloran Sports Complex multipurpose field was approved 7-0. Item 167-26, CPC recommendation to appropriate $347,534.91 for the War Memorial Stairs was approved 7-0. We actually may need that reported out tonight from public facilities because they voted on that on May 13th and we just took it up in June. So just a note on that. Yes, thank you.

Item 187-26, the appropriation of $225,000 from free cash for police firearm equipment replacement. was approved 7-0. Number 188-26, authorization to transfer $277,499 for heat pumps at Fire Station 2 was approved 7-0. Item 196-26 to accept and expend a grant of $150,000 from the MassDOT Complete Streets Funding Program was approved 7-0. Item 198-26 to appropriate and expend $3 million from free cash for transportation and paving improvement program was approved 7-0. Item 199-26 the appropriation of up to $2,792,700 for water main improvements was approved seven to zero.

Item 200-26, the acceptance of a low interest loan of $4,000,000 $329,664 was approved 7-0. Item 204-26, the transfer of $200 for reconciliation was approved 7-0. Item 205-26, to accept and expend a grant of $3,275.15 from the Department of Fire Services was approved 7-0. Item 206-26, to appropriate and expend $105,000 from free cash to support the police department was approved seven to zero. Item 210-26, the appropriation of $135,000 from free cash for fuel stations was approved 7-0. And Item 212-26, the appropriation of $577,175 from free cash for Snow Vehicles was approved seven to zero. With that, I move the report.

And that's it. OK, great. And before I go to Councilor Malakie for Property Reuse. For public facilities, could you do me a favor? And we need to report out 167-26 So if you wouldn't mind just looking that up in our records here so we can get that on the books. There was an item that PF took up, I think, before finance was able to get to it. This is item 16726 CPC recommendation to appropriate $347,534.91 for the War Memorial stairs. All I need is for either Councilor Kalis or Getz to read that into the record, including the vote, please, from PF. But I know that Councilor Malakie.

Do you have the date of that?

You can just see it on page 132 if you want to look at the finance listing. But it was voted on May 13th.

And while you're looking that up, Councilor Malakie, real property reuse. There is no report, Mr. President. You couldn't have taken a little bit longer for that one? No. Thank you. I appreciate that. Kalis.

Mr. President, I'd like to borrow item 167-26 CPC recommendation to appropriate $347,534.91 for war memorial steps, which was approved 5-2 on 5-13-26 by the Public Facilities Committee.

Great. Thank you, Councilor. All right. I believe that concludes our first call business. Correct. Did I hear something? Nope. Good. Super. Can we do a roll? We take roll call for first call items. Thank you.

Councilor Albright? Aye. Councilor Baker?

Aye, except for 42-26, which I vote no.

Councilor Bixby? Aye. Councilor Block?

Aye.

Councilor Charm? Aye. Councillor Dahmubed?

Aye.

Councillor Farrell?

Can we maybe get your microphone turned down there?

You're going to be sorry if I have to repeat all that. First one, item 42-26, which is no, the Sacramento land use decision. Item 180-26, I do not know Mr. Letourneau. I'm sure he's a wonderful person. but I think we should encourage candidates for appointments to appear either in person or on Zoom so that we can have a conversation with them. Thank you.

Councillor Getz. Aye. Councilor Golden? Who I believe is absent. Councilor Gordon?

Aye.

Councilor Greenberg? Councilor Grossman? Aye. Councilor Irish? Councilor Kalis? Aye. Councilor Kelley?

Aye, except for item 167-26, for which I vote now.

Councilor Krintzman?

Aye. On each and every item, I vote yes.

Councilor Leary?

Aye, with the exception of 167-26, which I vote no.

Councilor Lucas?

Aye.

Councilor Malakie?

Aye.

Micley, Councilor Roche,

I, with the exception of 167, 26, for which I vote no, and 195, 26, for which I vote enthusiastically, I.

Councilor Silver, Councilor Wright, and President Oliver.

Aye, with the exception of 42-26 on which I vote no. Sorry, but I think we're going to ask you to read that back to us.

Yes. So that's 20 yeas, four absent. And shall I read for each individual item?

Please do, just to confirm the no votes. We had a handful of them.

Okay, sure.

We'll wait patiently if you need a minute.

All right. Councilor Albright, all yays. Councilor Baker, all yays except for 42-26. Councilor Bixby, yay. Block, all yes. Councilor Charm, all yes. Councilor Dahmubed, all yes. Councilor Farrell, all yes except for 42-26 for which that's a no and 180-26 for which that's a no. Getz, Gordon, Greenberg, Grossman, Irish, Kalis, or Allier, Councilor Kelley, Allier, except for 167, for which that's a no. Krentzman, all yes. Councilor Leary, item 167 is a no. Councilor Lucas, Councilor Malakie, Councilor Roche are all yes. Councilor Roche votes no for 167-26 and yes for 195.

Councilor Wright votes all yes and President Oliver all yes except for 42-26 for which that's a no.

And I believe that means all items pass. Yes.

Councilor Roach. I believe one correction. Councilor Greenberg did not vote.

Correct. I would agree with that. And Councilor Greenberg is absent, correct?

Yes.

Great. All right. Thank you. And I believe moving on to second call, we have two items on the second call.

Mr. President, I just have a point of order. No. Don't we need a two-thirds vote on 42-26, just to make sure?

42-26 needs an affirmative of 16, if I recall, correct? 16, yeah. And we have four absent, and I counted three notes. Did I not? How many no's do we have on 4226, please? Wright?

I have three no's and four absent.

by the hair of our chinny chin chin. Correct, Councilor Albright? All right, we're good? Fabulous, thank you, sir. All right, two items on second call. I'm going to take them just in order that they were reported to us. So that means the first item up is 203.26. Thank you for coming out, folks. You're more than welcome to stay. We won't be here too terribly long. No? Okay. Thanks for trying. 203.26, transfer of $100,000 for increased water and sewer usage. This came out of PF and finance. So I'm not, am I going to you for this one?

Great, thank you, Councilor Getz. Yeah, yeah, it was actually, thank you, Mr. President. It was voted out of finance. It was approved seven to zero there. but we discussed it in committee and there were a few questions raised as well as a clarification. This piece of paper here addresses the two questions that were asked. It was on your desk. It was put on the Commissioner of Volcari answered the two questions. So those are on your desk, those questions. And then the last clarification was in regards to whether or not The city was able to, and I'm sorry, I'm looking for it right now in terms of my verbiage. The clarification was about whether or not the city would be

compliant for the irrigation meter. And we were told that, in fact, All city buildings, when it was voted through as an ordinance, all city buildings as well as school buildings are excluded from that provision of being allowed to have an irrigation meter. So that's the clarification for that item. So those are the specifics that needed to be addressed. And that's why the item is on second call.

Fantastic. Is there any discussion on that item? Seeing none. Can we go, can we do this one by a voice vote or do we have to go to roll call? Probably should do a roll call, right? Let's do a roll call. It is a second call?

Sorry?

Noah, I'm sorry, what did you say?

I said that a roll call would be best.

Great. So let's take a roll call on that item. We're talking about 203-26, which was approved through PF and Finance, but PF put it on subject to second call. And I believe we have the answers, but if anyone has any questions, which I'm not hearing any, so we're just going to go to the vote. So if we can do roll call, please.

Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Charm, Dahmubed, Farrell, Getz. Aye. Councilor Gordon. Aye. Councilor Grossman.

Aye.

Irish. Hi. Councilor Kalis. Councilor Kelley. Aye. Councilor Krintzman.

Aye.

Leary, Aye, Lucas, Aye, Malakie, Aye, Micley, Roche, Aye, Wright, Aye, Oliver, Aye. The item is approved.

I believe that's 20-0. Well, 20-0 and 4 absent. All right, great. Item 197-26, transfer of $900,000 for improvements to roadways, sidewalks, and ramps. This was also PF and Finance, but I believe we're going to hear first from Councilor Grossman.

Yes, thank you, Mr. President. So I put this on second call because I received a phone call from Ms. Lemieux today about this item. We had taken this up in finance at our last meeting and we had approved it unanimously. As you can see, it was a request to transfer a sum of $900,000 from essentially vacancies to... the Transportation Network Improvement Program for paving and sidewalks and ramps. The reason that Ms. Lemieux reached out today is because she just learned from our Department of Public Works that they have either newly received or realized they still owe between eight and nine hundred thousand dollars in snow removal costs from this past winter that we need to pay. And while

Technically speaking, the legal level of control for both of these transfers is the same. The administration could have just put this money directly towards snow removal It was important to them that they come back before finance and public facilities to explain the situation, go over the numbers, and be fully transparent about where the transfer was going. What we'll need to do to come up with additional money to meet the Transportation Network Improvement Program needs for this upcoming fiscal year. The good news on this item is that because it is a transfer between departments and not an allocation of free cash, we have until July 15th to vote this item out of the full council.

As all of you have learned by this point in the term, anything that's a free cash allocation would have had to be voted out by tonight because the fiscal year closes. June 30th. But because this is an interdepartmental transfer, we get an extra half of a month. So for that reason, I'm going to recommend that we send these back to finance and public facilities. clear up the situation and then we'll be able to bring it back before the full council at our July 13th meeting. Thank you.

Thank you. Any discussion on this item? Good point. I believe I have a second from Councilor Lucas. Thank you for that. Do I have any discussion on that motion? No, and I think I can do that. We can do that in one vote. We're just recommitting it to both PF and finance. So with that said, can we do a roll call vote on that, please?

Councilor Allwright Aye Councilor Baker Aye Councilor Bixby Aye Councilor Block Aye Councilor Charm Aye Councilor Dahmubed Aye Councilor Farrell Aye Getz.

Aye.

Councilor Gordon. Aye. Grossman, Aye. Councilor Irish, Aye. Councilor Kalis, Aye. Councilor Kelley, Aye. Councilor Krintzman, Aye. Councilor Leary, Aye. Councilor Lucas, Aye.

Aye.

Councilor Malakie. Aye. Councilor Roach.

Aye.

Councilor Wright. Aye. President Oliver.

Aye.

This passes 20 to 0. Great.

Councilor Malakie, can I get a motion to adjourn, please? I move to adjourn. Fantastic. Councilor Lucas seconds that. Everyone, you have a fantastic evening tonight. Thank you.

Recording stopped.