plastic bag | Newton MA News and Politics BlogBrookline’s done it, Marblehead is on it, now Newton is considering banning the plastic bag.

Until last week, Newton’s Public Facilities Committee thought about adding a fee on plastic bags, after being pushed by Green Decade and a vocal environmentalist from Ward 1 named, uh, Alison Leary. Now she’s Alderman Leary, and the committee has decided fees are for Milquetoast’s; the city should consider a ban. And add a fee for paper bags. Coincidence? (Full disclosure, Alison is a friend). The discussion starts again Wednesday.

Also the Leaf Blower Task Force idea seems to have new legs. Otherwise, if it’s

not a capital project (check out Mr. Rooney’s cool list of big project progress in the documents), it’s parking. Well, seems so.

The Community Preservation Committee, fresh from hearing about a proposal for West Newton’s Allen House (proposed cultural/historic center) and the continued restoration of burial grounds, will this week hear two parks proposals. Next month–city hall improvements and archives.

Allen House Open House 791x1024 | Newton MA News and Politics Blog

You, too, can have fun handicapping the proposals, by looking at the proposal page here.