Newton City Council - May 4, 2026

Hey folks, we should probably move on over to the city council meeting, even though it's going to be super quick. Not that I want to interrupt our... What is it? Board of Survey meeting this evening being held by our Planning and Development Board. So are we good to get going here, folks? Everybody's good, yep, super, awesome, fantastic. Councilor Roche, would you mind leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance? Recording in progress. To the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, sir. A couple of quick housekeeping announcements.

Number one, we're being audio and video recorded this evening. We have two counselors near as I can tell so far who are participating remotely. We have counselors Silber and Vice President Kalis. Oh, and I'm sorry, and Councilor Getz online with us. Especially because we had a lot of people on your laptops this evening, please make sure you're all muted so we don't deal with feedback this evening. And one other reminder. Could I get a show of hands for everyone who is unable We're going to do it that way. Unable to join us on June 15th ahead of the normally scheduled meeting, city council meeting that is, for the council photo. So if you cannot make it,

I see Councilor cannot make it for the Council photo this term, right? On June 15th. We're currently looking to do it ahead of the Council meeting. We have two. I've got Sean and I've got or Councilors Roche and Dahmubed. Everybody else so far can make it. I see no hands up online. So, all right. Thank you, folks. Appreciate that. All right, we're going to run through first call here. And by the way, tonight we have one item on second call. But we'll start with the land use. Councilor Kelley.

Thank you, Mr. President. There is no report.

Look at that. Fantastic. And for zoning and planning, Councilor Baker.

Thank you, Mr. President. The Zoning and Planning Committee has no report except to modify a previously requested public hearing. This is item on page... Page 86, it's item 4226. The originally scheduled time didn't work because of the timing of The notice to the paper and so it's now being scheduled for June 8th, I believe. And so I just request that that public hearing be modified for that purpose.

Thank you. For programs and services, Councilor Krintzman.

Thank you, Mr. President. There is no report this evening. Oh, excuse me, Mr. President. There's another matter. Thank you. My very able colleague points out. I was so focused on the rescheduling, I forgot to mention we actually have an item two report, which is item 12626, which is the authorization to submit the fiscal year 27 annual action plan, which is part of the Response to the Housing and Urban Development Black Grain Opportunity. So that was vote 701. One abstention, I should indicate the recusal because there involves some grant to that involve Suffolk University Law School in which I have a day job.

Thank you, sir. Good catch, Councilor Leary. And for Public Safety and Transportation, Councilor Lucas.

Thank you, Mr. President. The report begins on page 87. 7. The Public Safety and Transportation Committee met on April 29th. We had one item, item 120-26, Appeal of Traffic Council Decision TC 62-25. It was approved as amended for a parking to add another parking restriction on the west side of Holly Road, 130 feet north of Beacon Street. That was approved 7-0, and that concludes the report.

Thank you. For public facilities, Vice President Kalis.

Thank you, Mr. President. There is no report.

There is no report. Thank you, sir. or Finance, I believe we have Councilor Bixby.

Thank you, Mr. President. The report begins on page 88. The Finance Committee met on April 28th. Item 135-26 was held. 142-26, his honor, the mayor requesting authorization to accept and expend A grant of $28,092.79 from the Executive Office of Public Safety and the Department of Fire Services was approved 8-0. 143-26, his honor, the mayor requesting authorization to accept a grant of $14,000 from the National Environmental Health Association was approved as amended, adding and expend 8-0. 144-26 the controller transmitting the annual comprehensive financial report and external audit reports for fiscal year ending June 30th, 2025 for city council review and acceptance.

and we accepted the report, 8-0. 151-26 is on second call. 156-26, his honor, the mayor requesting 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. Finance approved 8-0. 162-26. His honor, the mayor appointing Karen Monroe as chief procurement officer pursuant to the city charter was approved 8-0. and 98-26 was voted no action necessary, eight to zero. And that concludes the report.

Thank you. For Real Property Reuse, Councilor Malakie. There is no report. Fantastic. Thank you. We'll do a roll call on first call or first call items, please.

Councilor Albright. Aye. Councilor Baker.

Aye.

Councilor Bixby. Aye. Block.

Aye.

Councilor Charm. Aye. Councilor Dahmubed. Aye. Councilor Farrell. Aye. Councilor Getz.

Aye.

Councilor Golden. Councilor Gordon.

Aye.

Councilor Greenberg.

Aye.

Councilor Grossman. Irish. Aye. Councilor Kalis. Aye. Councilor Kelley.

Aye.

Councilor Krintzman. Aye. Councilor Leary. Aye. Aye. Councilor Malakie?

Aye.

Councilor Micley? Aye. Councilor Roach?

Aye.

Councilor Silber? Aye. Wright.

Aye.

President Oliver. Aye. On this vote, the ayes are 21, the nays are 0, three councillors are absent. Thank you, sir.

So we're going to move on to second call items. Councilor Bixby, if you'd take this item. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. President. So this item is 151-26, requesting an ordinance amendment to Chapter 2, Administration. This was his honor, the mayor requesting this amendment of the revised ordinances of Newton, Massachusetts to reorganize the purchasing department under the financial services department. This item was heard in finance on April 28th. and it passed 8-0. However, it was determined that this requires a public hearing. Therefore, Mr. President, I'd like to make a motion to return the item to the Finance Committee and to schedule a public hearing for May 11, 2026 regarding this matter.

We already have a second. That's fabulous. The one thing I do want to add to that is this is being sent back because it is considered a reorganization. Therefore, it has to go back to the finance committee per our legal department. So with that said, we have a motion and a second to recommit to finance. Do we have any questions on that motion? Fantastic. I'm going to do a, I think we can do this on a voice vote, we said. Fantastic. All those in favor, please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Abstentions? Fantastic. I believe that is considered a unanimous vote. And with that said, I believe a motion to adjourn is in order.

Motion adjourned.

Fantastic. And I heard a second on that prior to the original motion. So that's seconded. And I will gavel the fastest meeting known to mankind for the Newton City Council. Thanks, everyone. Have a fantastic night. Heh.