Newton City Council Caucus - December 4, 2025

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Luck, which is actually all of you tonight. Seven of you are brand new. Excited to have you. My name is Drew Willis, and I'm the very new city clerk and clerk of council, most importantly for you all. This is my deputy, Cassidy Flynn. We've got members of the public here. The meeting's being live broadcast. And I think we are, I think we actually So with that, I'm going to call the meeting to order, and I need to take attendance. Anybody mind if I sit down? I'm actually falling out of it. I also was feeling quite beneficial. Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Charm, Rock, Dunlop. You just told me that.

Councilor-elect Getz?

Here.

Councilor-elect Goldman? Here. Councilor-elect Gordon?

Here.

Councilor-elect Greenberg?

Here.

Councilor-elect Grossman?

Here.

Councilor-elect Irish? like Chaos, here. Councilor like Kelley, here. Councilor like Krintzman, present. Councilor like Leary, also present. like Lucas, present and accounted for, Councilor like Malakie, here, Councilor like here, Councilor like here, Councilor like Silver, here, Councilor-Elect Wright. Here. Perfect. 24 Councilors-Elect present. A little bit of bookkeeping before we really get started. and I get to give up this gavel, thank God. We have snacks up here. Most importantly, snack closet on the other side of the chamber is open for those of you who are new. If we take a recess, I'm happy to show you where it is.

For those of you who are brand new or would like a refresher, we're going to hold at least a first round and most of you can attending meetings. With that, we move on to the selection of the temporary presiding officer. It is traditionally the longest-serving counselor that is currently serving, and that is Counselor Baker. Thank you very much. Is there any discussion?

Hearing none, all of those in favor? of the appointment of the temporary presiding officer, please say aye. Aye. Noes? Say no.

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Thank you, colleagues.

It's a real honor. This is, for those of you who are new to this process, this is my It's purpose, but it doesn't mean I remember everything. So all of you have license to poke me or wave or otherwise tell me that I've missed your stuff here. So the first order of business is to adopt the rules of the caucus. The caucus, we are all, for members of the public who are here, while there are members of the current city council present, and there are people who have been elected to the city council. We are all essentially the same as councilors elect. We're still civilians in a sense, but under the curious process, we are governed by the open meeting law for purposes of our vote and our process. and the first order of business is to adopt the caucus rules which involve how we select the president, vice president, and president emeritus. And I'd accept a motion to accept those rules. You all have seen them.

If anybody needs a copy, I think the clerk has them handy. Second. Second. Any discussion? If not, all those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Yeah, I just had it. Good. So I'm going to just, before we get to the nomination, I just seeing that questions about questions he and I have conferred with the law department but he sent an email out that I hope all of you saw clarifying that as part of this process the reason we have this process is to get to 13 affirmative votes for each officer You will see that this process involves somewhat an unusual situation right now. We're in a committee of a caucus, but when we go into the full council meeting, we will be duly sworn by the mayor on this and then take the oath and sit down and then we immediately go into a committee of the whole

to conduct the elections. And we do not report out the results of the elections if and until someone has 13 votes. Many moons ago, there were a couple of people who ran for council. and both had 12 votes in the caucus. They had 12 votes on inauguration day. They had 12 votes three months later. And that seemed to be somewhat inefficient. So this rule was adopted in order to try and remedy that difficulty. So if someone doesn't get to 13 votes at the first try, then those candidates who were part of that process, who are not succeeded, recede, and then other candidates could be nominated. And then you go round and round until you get to an A. And you do that for each successive office. So any questions about that process?

Yeah. We'll be taking a break.

You can, under the new rules, you can ask for such a break. We have brought provisions and fluids in the meantime, but certainly anyone can ask for a break. The law department cautions that, again, we are operating under open meetings, so in purposes of making sure that it's not a quorum convening anywhere, I'm going to stay put unless I actually have to leave. But also, we want to avoid serial conversations in a sense that might violate the open spirit of the Open Meeting Law in its actual form. But yes, that's a U.S. for short answer and I gave you a long one by quality. All right. Any other questions about our process? Okay, at this point we proceed to the selection of the president and I would ask for nominations for president of our council.

and then what we traditionally do is when the nominations are completed, we close the nominations and then we invite each candidate to come and make a statement. I will say historically, Brevity and effectiveness have been coincident in those statements, but they don't have to be. Any questions about the process? All right. I'm now, yes.

Besides the nominators and the candidates, is there opportunity for discussion?

Yes. So at this point, I would entertain anyone who has a nomination to make. Mr. Chairman. May I make a nomination? Yes, Councilor Lukas is recognized.

Thank you. So I rise to make a nomination. because it has become apparent over the last few hours that I do not have the necessary votes to become the next council president. I do hope the next council president can lead This esteemed body of 24 members be a role model and a pillar in the community and effectively run our meetings in a more efficient way. I rise because I don't have the votes to become president and I do hope the next president can adopt some of the things that I would like to see happen other than the things that I had previously mentioned. Updating our city charter to give us more power and influence on the budget.

I know that's something that Councilor Farrell has mentioned to me on a number of occasions. I would like to see more proclamations from Councilors to Newton residents and the business community for their outstanding achievements. I would like the call it the more experienced counselors to act as a role model for the newer counselors and we have seven this term. Another big challenge for this next president heard from the vote was asking a split vote, but We definitely need to improve this.

And lastly, I hope the next city council president invites our leaders from the State House, the State House Delegation, thank you. And invite Councilors Schwartz, Sangiello, Long, and Senator Kring to the City Council Chamber where we can get updates from them. I hope the next City Council President Thanks. And that is why I nominate my friend and colleague from Ward 1, John Alka.

Thank you. Are there any other nominations? Thank you for reminding me. See, I told you right at the beginning.

I would like to nominate David Kalis for president. I don't have a speech about what I want him to do. I just want to talk about why I think David would be a really good president. We've already seen his experience as vice president. We've seen how he gets in the middle of and bridges the divide sometimes that exists amongst the councilors from one side to another. He knows what the city's about. I have faith that he would help create Fair and balanced committees and spread us all out by Warren and committees that work best for us and I have faith that he would do that and I hope you will consider voting for him president.

I like the second denomination, Councilor Kalis. I served on two committees with him for several years. I had physically seen him. reached the gap between the various points of view on the council. I think he would do a good job to bring us together.

Okay. Thank you very much. Anybody else? You know, Woody Allen once said, Man fights for food, but there must also be a beverage. And now I think the tradition is to allow a statement from each of the nominees.

I move to close nomination.

Move to close nominations. Is there a second? Second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? Guys have it. So at this point, not only has it been close, we've had a traditionally entertaining statement from each candidate if they wish to make one in the order to nominate. So you've been first nominated.

So I will be as brief as I possibly can, but I do have a few words. First off, thank you for the nomination. I do see the role of the council president as simultaneously simple and complex. Simple in the sense that ultimately I see that there are two things that personally I would like to see us accomplish together. And I would undertake these two things as the as my agenda, if you will, today. I'd be so lucky as to be voted in. So the simple part, I think, of the rule is that over the past

A couple of terms, I have seen this council build stronger relationships across our community. And I don't just mean within this room or within this building. Certainly we need strong relationships and all of the groups that form across the entire city. As we all know, there are a lot of special interest groups here. I'm including all of them. I want to make sure that we are including not only special interest groups, PTOs, but everyone else that I've mentioned because the complex part of the job I think is in this room. There are 24 of us.

We all have somewhat strong opinions, I'm going to guess. There are seven new opinions I'm looking forward to working with and understanding. We also have roughly 88,000 residents who expect a lot from us. And I think that it's incumbent upon us to figure out how to work together in a way that gets that done efficiently. As Councilor Lucas just mentioned, effectively but my goal is to be able to do what I can from the podium to get that done. I think that's you know the sum total of what I really want to talk about but the complex part here is We're going to have to learn how to compromise and collaborate in ways that we have been and we need to continue to do it on a higher level. Collective opinions are?

It's okay if we debate those amongst ourselves, but at the end of the day, we have to be focused on helping each other get to a resolution and I'd like to facilitate that best I can, right? I think that we not only owe that to each other, but I know that we owe it to the residents who elected all of us. So from that perspective, I don't think anybody else would be here if we didn't see huge potential and headroom for this city. I'd like to work together to achieve it. With that said, We really appreciate your time. I'd be honored. Thank you.

Thank you. We hear now from .

Thank you for the nomination. I really appreciate it. So colleagues, I'm honored and humbled to be nominated for president If elected, I will work closely with whomever you choose as vice president so that together we can serve this council as an effective and unified team. This is a moment where I think we need a president with varied experience on the council, professional experience managing people, budgets and complex initiatives, and a leadership style grounded in listening, respect, and collaboration. and I bring that experience. As former vice chair of both finance and public facilities, I learned what it means to lead a committee, preparing for docket items, navigating unexpected challenges, and helping colleagues work towards thoughtful outcomes. As a two-time vice president,

Interview and select two city clerks, fill vacancies on boards and commissions. These experiences have given me a clear understanding of the demands of the presidency and are preparing me well to take them on. Professionally, I've managed staff and multimillion dollar budgets in large organizations. That background gives me a strong foundation from which to partner effectively not only with Drew Willison and the clerk's office, but also with other departments. When I think about the presidency, I think about three core responsibilities. First, it's making sure we run a smooth operation on the council. making sure every council member feels heard, established processes are adhered to, and every councilor is treated with respect. This includes an active partnership with the clerk's office.

And while the office is in excellent hands, the president plays an important role, and I intend to remain closely engaged to anticipate challenges and help to manage. Second, the president must build strong collaborative relationships with the school committee and the administration. I've done this as an existing vice president and between regular one-on-ones with the mayor and other meetings to ensure we're in communication. I know that we cannot act in silos. We need alignment communication and clarity about shared priorities. Third, the president represents this body at public events. Showing up, as our former president always said, is important. And I know the community likes to see engagement. and respect for their local concerns. I'll take that with the Vice President very seriously. If elected, my guiding principles will be respect, collaboration, and a commitment to strong, transparent processes.

We can do more. Remember we agree on far more And we need to build on that, acknowledge that, and then foster active listening, trust in a culture where vigorous debate is welcome and compromise encouraged. I strongly believe that allowing space for disagreement is healthy. Working with the vice president, committee assignments will be based on who is best positioned to lead. We'll ensure the committees include a diversity of viewpoints so the recommendations are balanced. Finally, we have faced processes, a process challenges this term. Times when the community felt left out and where their input wasn't fully incorporated. Our constituents,

are our primary stakeholders and we owe them clarity, transparency, and trust. I want to work with the mayor's office to improve our processes so that residents feel heard and confident in our work. I'm running for president because I feel I have the experience, the temperament, and the instinct to lead collaboratively and independently. Thank you for considering me and I ask you for your vote.

Thank you very much.

Having paid attention to politics in Sydney for a while, I recognize it's very difficult to define the will of the voters or the purpose of the voters and the reason why they may have elected any one of us. but occasionally that's not true and occasionally it is clear and I think it's clear this year when The third candidate in the award for at-large race after they learned of statements he made that expressed what's largely viewed as Intolerance of Trans Children. Not good enough. I'll see you later.

Wait, you've got to vote.

I'll be back for a vote. I'll be back for a vote.

I'm just not going to listen to this.

and the voters were very clear I think that that was the factor in the race. And I think that we need to listen to what the voters have said. And I think It would be a mistake to elevate to the presidency one of that candidate's Thank you all for joining us today. I recognize that this is not a typical statement and that I've taken a bit of a risk here. But I think that it is an important message that we need to send to the voters and particularly the vulnerable voters

I am stunningly disappointed with the statement that I just heard. I do not believe that this was an issue that was understood clearly by the voters. It was not expressed through the person about whom you were speaking.

I just want to say that one of the reasons that I would vote for a president is to bring us together. and to find areas of where we can agree. I think as a group together, we have more value to the residents of Newton when we can work comprehensively and understand that we're going to have our differences, but we need to focus on what we can do together. And that's what I'm hoping the next president will do. And I'm keeping that foremost in my mind, whoever the next president is and I would like to see us be able to rise above our differences and focus on what we can do together.

Thank you. Anyone else wish to be heard?

I'd just like to add since it seems that Councilor Oliver was being criticized for who he supported I also supported the candidate you're referring to, and I don't regret it. I think he would have been a great city councilor, and I think what happened to him was absolutely, that was bullying. I've been told that that's going to dog him for the rest of his life. Certainly that Boston Globe article that was pulling the Boston Globe into it after he'd apologized. And it was the kind of behavior I thought we left I was accused of being anti-LGBTQ and misquoted in that effort. I thought we were done with that kind of thing.

It's the kind of thing that makes good people not want to run for president. That's the kind of thing that you say one thing. And to me, it was a dumb dad comment. He learned, he apologized, and yes, it was his campaign. I called it strategically timed faux outrage right before ballots were going out and early voting. I just want to express my disgust for that campaign against him.

Anyone else wish to be heard? No, sir. Thank you.

I think we're dangerously close to making this caucus about something other than what it's supposed to be about, which is who is best positioned to lead our council forward. Many of you know I ran for this position pretty hard the last time around and sort of found myself back in the mix to some degree this time around. And I thought long and hard about these experiences and I think that what both of our candidates really tried to express and I really do agree with is that there is a lot more than that unites the people in this room and the people in the city that divides us and I know that was stated and I want to lift it up. What we have to decide now is How are we going to move forward? How are we going to work together? How are we going to heal wounds? I've had brutal campaigns.

It's tough to move past them and move on. It really is. And some of those wounds never leave you. But this is about the city. It's about being adults who work together to solve problems. And we have two really great candidates here, two people who love and both have experience. It won't surprise many. David Kalis. Some of you who have worked with us over time know that David and I were chair and vice chair of finance together for four years. We've worked together in many other circumstances. And one of the things that I love the most about David is that he wrestles with his decisions.

So do I. I did not come into politics with a clear ideological view about any of the major issues that tend to or that I have seen divide the city over the last eight years that I've been doing this and I try each time to listen to everybody think about how that's going to inform my opinion and vote for my heart and David does that also and I think that's why we've develop such a collaborative and respectful relationship over time. And I think that his ability to represent the council, particularly when we have a new mayor, and we are going to need someone who is going to really represent the Council's views I think he's in an excellent position to be that counterpoint.

I think he's in an excellent position to support our new clerk and those of us who have been around have certainly seen we've had a lot of turnover in our clerk's office over time. We have a wonderful Deputy and Cassidy to continue to work with and develop, but we need that professional leadership and steady hand. And that is what this is about. And I really don't want tonight's vote to suddenly turn into a reflection on something that it's not supposed to be about and I do also want to say a kind word about John as well because despite the fact that I just I think John knows and we've also had a really warm respectful working relationship and have disagreed on many working relationship and have found those revolving accounts

motion to cut across every department in the school budget this year. You know, sometimes you find yourself in strange situations. So all I want to say is I genuinely believe however this turns out, we're going to be fine. But I would really love to see an end to aisles. We're not Washington, D.C. Please let's not be that. And that's what I wanted to say.

Let me recognize first Councilor Albright.

So I wanted to, in sort of a similar vein to what Councillor Grossman just talked about, I want to reflect on the last thing that I did when I was the president back a couple of years ago. you know that was the time when the MBTA Communities Act was the zoning for that was really hot and heavy in this city. And we had one side of the council that wanted to go as far as we possibly could, get as many units as we possibly could. and we had another side that was saying, oh my God, that's 10,000 units. There's too many units, blah, blah, blah. So we were divided on that. And Councilor Gentile and I, who are often on way opposite sides of the fence. And I was the president and he was the spokesman for the other side.

We found a way, I as the president and him as the spokesman for the other side, We found a way to find our way through that negotiation and or we're going to sue you or they're going to sue us or something. So I'm going to say something first about Councilor Kalis is that Last night is a perfect example of it. We were on opposite sides of at least one of the issues, the two controversial issues. and not really close on the other. And that's fine. That brings us together. You vote your conscience. We get it. We get there. We need someone who's willing to see both sides, but get us together and get us to an end. I've worked with Chancellor

The revolving fund thing. The three of us have worked together.

And going to continue to.

And we're going to continue to work on it, finally get the revolving fund thing settled. So I've seen both of these candidates. work together across the aisle trying to get things done. You know, I'm going to vote for Councilor Kalis as well. But it's really, really important for us to find the place where we can work together. And that's what the people in Newton want us to do. So I'm just hoping that whatever we do, that's what we end up with, the place where we can work together.

Dr. Remember that.

I'd like to speak up because I think My race has been invoked and referenced in this conversation. But perhaps more importantly, because as far as I know, I'm the only member of the queer community that is in this body of counselors elect. And it is true from my experience that there is pain in that community from the last few months, but also pain that is seeking a level. There are families that are scared, that are hurting. There are families that are considering leaving their homes, moving across the world, leaving this country. I heard both of the candidates tonight speak about bringing community together and including community. And that is so admirable.

And it is exactly what I think that we need at this time. I believe that the way that we're going to do that I saw that displayed in my interactions with the council in the last few months in the ways that Councilor-elect Kalis interacted with me and with others. and that spirit of inclusion, that spirit of equity, I said it throughout my campaign, is not about what you do, the way that you step aside to let good things happen, but it's about the work that you do to effectuate equity and justice for all. So I hope that exactly in the spirit that we've all been speaking of, We will prioritize bringing our community together

bringing into City Hall and into the work that we do the voices that are not always heard that often feel left out or that are perhaps scared to come into the space and be heard. and I believe that exactly as everybody has said, we have this great opportunity ahead of us to be collaborators and to work together meaningfully. For those reasons, I intend to vote for Councilor-elect Kalis. but however you are planning to vote, I hope that you will keep those goals in mind that we have to bring everybody in and work collaboratively together from our committees to the whole council to the whole city and beyond.

Anyone else wish to be heard? Councilor's electability on the night before. speak to the way that we conduct ourselves. I think it's in the spirit we should undertake this vote. And I'm now going to call for a vote to call the roll unless there's anyone else who wishes to be heard. And you at the point, we'll do this alphabetically. And if you would announce the name of the candidate that you support. We have two candidates again for everyone's information. Lake-Oliver, and Councilor Lake-Cables. So if you want Councilor Lake-Oliver, say his name, and you want Councilor Lake-Cables, you say his name. Okay, everybody prepared?

Thank you. Thank you. Yes.

Oliver. On behalf of the public, if you just call the last name.

You said Oliver, yes?

Yes, Oliver. and then I don't know what the next one is. Yeah, that's fine.

I'm going to get this one.

That's for Ben speaking.

Alice.

Councilor Block. Oliver. Charm, Kalis, Donovob, Kitts, Farrell.

Great respect for the institution in which we will all serve and appreciation for his leadership and equanimity. I vote for John Alderman.

Like, Getz, Oliver, Councilor Like, Golden, John Oliver, Councilor Like, Gordon, Oliver, Councilor Like, Greenberg, like Grossman.

Kalis.

Councilor like Irish. Councilor like Kalis. Kalis. Councilor like Kelley.

Kalis.

Elect, Princeton, Kalis, Councilor Elect, Leary, Kalis, Councilor Elect, Lucas, Oliver, Councilor Elect, Malakie, Oliver, Councilor elect, Micley, Oliver. Councilor elect, Oliver. Lark, Roach, Eberkens, Silver, Oliver, Wright, Oliver,

So the clerk's tally is that Councilor Oliver has 13 votes and Councilor Calipps has 11 votes. and under our rules, Councilor-Elect Oliver is chosen by the caucus as the President-Elect. So the provision is that I, as deciding officer, continue for a little while longer, if you're willing, and that is to associate the selection of a vice president.

We followed the same process, the same opportunity for comment after nominations are made. But at this point, unless anyone has any questions, I entertain a motion. and entertain any nominations for Vice President. Councilor Kintzman, I saw your hand for

Yes, in the spirit of the founding of our country and the way things work, I think the second-slate finisher from President would make a great Vice President. I would nominate Councilor Niels for all the reasons he articulated.

Second, there's a second. Okay, I think we have a second. Any other nominations? Farrell. Is it possible to move for accolades? Not yet.

You have to close the nomination. May I close the nomination?

The vote was made to close in a second. All those in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed? The nominations are closed. Now you may make a move.

I'd like to make a motion that we agree by acclamation that David Kellis should be our next vice president. Thank you, David.

There is a second. All those in favor will say aye. Okay, I don't think you need to defend the role. Now, the next to vote is to select the President of Maryland since I have Not especially in that bold. I'm going to ask if the president-elect designated would be willing to chair the meeting in my stead. Would that be agreeable to the caucus?

Yes.

Yes.

Well, it says Lyle is supposed to read this part. So the simplest We're at a point now where we need to open the nominations for the President Emeritus. Get a motion to do so. So I'm going to open nominations for President Emeritus. I saw Councilor Albright's hand first.

I nominate Councilor Lett. Baker.

Second. Second. Fantastic. Are there any other nominations?

Move to close nominations.

Seeing none, I will accept that motion to close nominations. And I see one hand, do we have a comment or a second? Second. Second, thank you.

I'm going to get to my other part. I would like to move that we accept this nomination by acclamation. If that's appropriate.

I believe that is completely in order. Are there any comments on that motion? All right. Then I think what we I need a second. I have a second. Fantastic. Thank you. You can see I'm going to need a few minutes to figure all this out. So with that said, all those in favor of That acclamation in support of President Emeritus becoming Councilor Baker, Councilor-Elect Baker. Please say aye. Aye. Any opposed? Thank you very much. I don't think we need to go to the roll call for that one either. I just want to say thank you with that rather than dissuade you from what you just said.

And I think really the last Do I do this or do you do it? No, you do it. I have no idea what I'm doing. I need a motion to adjourn. Fantastic. Do I have a second?

Second.

Fantastic. I believe we're adjourned. Mason,