Happy Fall! Here are a few things going on in Newtonville and beyond.
Area Council Elections
Congratulations to the nine people elected to the next Newtonville Area Council: Tim Stone, Tom Kraus, Marc Kaufman, Joy Huber, Wayne Koch, Helene Sroat, Susan Reisler, Peter Bruce and Colleen Minaker. I look forward to working with you.
Election Day November 3rd
Speaking of elections, our citywide municipal Election Day is Tuesday, November 3rd. There are a lot of candidates on the ballot—not only every Alderman but also School Committee and Charter Commission. Absentee ballots are available NOW at City Hall so vote early if you think you can't make it November 3rd. I am particularly excited to see some independent-minded individuals step up, as well as support my colleagues Brian Yates and Jim Cote who have been strong allies supporting open space and fiscal responsibility.
Another Successful Village Day
It was perfect weather and a great turnout for the 2015 Newtonville Village Day. A huge thanks especially to Joy Huber from the Newtonville Area Council for the hours of work it took to pull it together.
Austin St
The Austin St project continues to be debated in advance of the final vote on November 16. It is on the Land Use Committee agenda again on Thursday, October 29, 7PM at City Hall. Thirty-four Newtonville businesses including Rox Diner, Brewer's Coalition, Great Harvest, Newtonville Pizza and more (see list here) recently submitted a petition to the Aldermen asking that the project be voted down, out of concern that the lack of parking during and after construction would threaten their businesses. I will be taking that and other concerns into account as I make a decision about this project.
Orr Building
As I reported last month, another proposed development is on the horizon for Newtonville – the Orr Building and the adjoining property. These buildings currently house Newtonville Camera, Karoun Restaurant, Boston Ballet and others. Two meetings have been held with Foster Street abutters, and a wider community meeting is planned for mid-late November. If you’d like to be kept apprised, please email me and I’ll add you to the Newtonville listserve (which I post to more frequently than this monthly e-newsletter).
Cabot Park
The Parks and Recreation Commission voted Sept. 30th to allow only a small slice of Cabot Park to be utilized for parking for teachers and staff in the new, larger Cabot School; they voted down the option of creating a 28 car parking lot within the park. The Cabot School Building Committee met last week to hear options for parking for staff, as well as traffic circulation plans. It is clear many details are still to be filled in.
Newton North backstop
This issue only affects a few Newtonville residents, but I am still happy to report that the Board of Aldermen approved the expenditure of $350,000 to build a new backstop at the Newton North baseball field with a much higher netting. At this time the residents of Hull Street behind the baseball diamond are suffering frequent damage to their cars and houses each spring from errant foul balls due to the faulty design of the current backstop.
City Councilors in January
I am very pleased to report that the home rule petition submitted by the Board of Aldermen to the state legislature has been passed by the House and the Senate, and signed by Governor Baker. Starting in January we will officially be identified by the modern, gender-neutral title of “City Councilor.”
Office Hours Friday
My office hours are held the last Friday of the month, so I hope to see you at the Newton Senior Center, 345 Walnut Street in Newtonville, Friday Oct. 30th 9-10AM. Costumes welcome!
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