Executive Summary
The Newton City Council met on May 4, 2026, to process committee reports and financial authorizations. Key actions included the approval of several grants for fire services, environmental health, and electric vehicle infrastructure, as well as the acceptance of the FY2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The Council also approved the FY2027 Annual Action Plan for HUD Block Grants and confirmed the appointment of Karen Monroe as Chief Procurement Officer. A proposed reorganization of the Purchasing Department (Item 151-26) was recommitted to the Finance Committee for a public hearing scheduled for May 11, 2026.
Meeting Information
- Date: May 4, 2026
- Governing Body: Newton City Council
- Meeting Type: Regular City Council Meeting
- Attendees: President John Oliver, Vice President David A. Kalis (remote), Councilor Rena Getz (remote), Councilor Jacob Silber (remote), Councilor Susan Albright, Councilor R. Lisle Baker, Councilor Martha Bixby, Councilor Randy Block, Councilor Brittany Hume Charm, Councilor Cyrus Dahmubed, Councilor Stephen Farrell, Councilor Lisa Gordon, Councilor Maria Scibelli Greenberg, Councilor Julie Irish, Councilor Andrea W. Kelley, Councilor Joshua Krintzman, Councilor Alison M. Leary, Councilor Julia Malakie, Councilor David Micley, Councilor Sean Roche, Councilor Pamela Wright.
Zoning and Planning
- Item 42-26: Modification of a previously requested public hearing.
- Action: The public hearing was rescheduled to June 8, 2026, due to timing issues regarding the legal notice.
Programs and Services
- Item 126-26: Authorization to submit the "fiscal year 27 annual action plan, which is part of the Response to the Housing and Urban Development Block Grant Opportunity."
- Action: Approved 7-0-1. Councilor R. Lisle Baker recused himself due to his employment at Suffolk University Law School, which is involved in the grant.
Public Safety and Transportation
- Item 120-26: Appeal of Traffic Council Decision TC 62-25.
- Action: Approved as amended (7-0) to include a "parking restriction on the west side of Holly Road, 130 feet north of Beacon Street."
Finance
- Item 142-26: Authorization to accept and expend a grant of $28,092.79 from the Executive Office of Public Safety and the Department of Fire Services. Approved 8-0.
- Item 143-26: Authorization to accept and expend a grant of $14,000 from the National Environmental Health Association. Approved as amended 8-0.
- Item 144-26: Acceptance of the "annual comprehensive financial report and external audit reports for fiscal year ending June 30, 2025" for City Council review. Accepted 8-0.
- Item 156-26: Authorization to accept and expend a grant of $31,460 from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Electric Vehicle Incentive Program to "install three dual port charging stations at the Utilities Building." Approved 8-0.
- Item 162-26: Appointment of Karen Monroe as Chief Procurement Officer pursuant to the City Charter. Approved 8-0.
- Item 98-26: Voted No Action Necessary (8-0).
- Item 135-26: Held in committee.
First Call Roll Call Vote
- Action: A roll call vote was taken to approve the items presented in the committee reports during the first call.
- Vote Outcome: 21-0 (3 absent).
- Ayes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Charm, Dahmubed, Farrell, Getz, Gordon, Greenberg, Irish, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Malakie, Micley, Roche, Silber, Wright, Oliver.
Second Call - Ordinance Amendment
- Item 151-26: Request for an ordinance amendment to Chapter 2, Administration, to "reorganize the purchasing department under the financial services department."
- Action: Motion to recommit the item to the Finance Committee and schedule a public hearing for May 11, 2026. This action was required by the legal department as the matter constitutes a reorganization.
- Vote Outcome: Unanimous voice vote.