Greetings. My name is Maria Scibelli Greenberg and I am a candidate for the Ward 1 City Councilor position. I have lived in Newton with my husband Mark and son Matteo for 26 years.
When Matteo was a toddler, I would take him to playgrounds in Waltham and Watertown instead of Pellegrini Park, which is just around the corner from our house, because it was in such poor condition.This inspired my community involvement and I began attending the public meetings to renovate the park. How was it that I lived in a city that is consistently listed as one of the top 10 cities in which to live and raise a family, yet I had to go to neighboring towns for better parks?
And our tired parks weren’t the only issue: deteriorating sidewalks and streets, traffic problems, litter, etc have also negatively impacted the quality of life in our wonderful neighborhood of Nonantum. Around that time, I met some like-minded women who were also passionate about bringing some much-needed attention and enhancements to Nonantum. In 2011, I joined the newly formed Nonantum Neighborhood Association (NNA) (Check out our Facebook page.) As a board, we have effectively advocated improving the quality of life for all who live and work in Nonantum. We have collaborated with many city departments and our Ward Councilors to beautify our village center and improve street and sidewalk safety. We have also hosted several community meetings about critical local issues, promoted and participated in neighborhood cultural and traditional events and organized Newton’s best Village Day every June.
In addition to being a part of NNA, I was an active parent with the PTO at Lincoln-Eliot while my son was a student, regularly helping with fundraising and school renovation projects and activities. I’ve been an engaged citizen of Newton, involved in city-wide affairs, elections and ordinances, working toward improving the quality of life for all of my fellow citizens.
Ward 1 has been fortunate to have hard-working, dedicated City Councilors who know and are responsive to the concerns of their constituents. It is important to continue that tradition and to have someone who knows these issues and will be a strong advocate for the villages of Nonantum and Newton Corner. I believe I am that person. My many years of volunteer work demonstrates my commitment to my community. I have the experience and talent to be an effective Ward 1 City Councilor.
Please visit my website www.mariafornewton.org or my Facebook page or email me at [email protected] with any questions.
I am grateful for this opportunity and look forward to serving as your Ward 1 Councilor. I am asking for your vote on September 12th. Thank you.
Hi Maria, thanks for running. I live at the corner of Washington St. between Oak Square, Brighton and Newton Corner. Why is the speed limit 25 mph in Brighton and then 35 mph in Newton. The intersection at Waverley is dangerous enough. Would you advocate 25 mph if elected?
Hi Max,
Back in Feb of this year the City Council past the default speed of 25mph which applies to roads with no posted limits. See
http://newton.wickedlocal.com/news/20170207/newton-reduces-default-speed-limit-to-25-mph
It would seem to be common sense and safest to have the speed limit remain the 25mph as one crosses from Brighton to Newton.
I do have some questions about the default limit though. Will some of the speed limit signs higher than 25mph be taken down? I’ve seen some 30mph signs around town that I think should be taken down.
How would drivers from outside of Newton know that the default speed limit is 25mph? I’m sure that many Newton drivers are unaware.
I’ll see if I can get some answers and get back to you. Yes I would advocate for a 25mph limit.
Maria,
I posted on the speed limits here. Bottom line, any street with a posted speed limit is covered by a city regulation. The street-specific speed reflected in the regulation must have first been approved by the state. So, do not expect speed limits to reduce on streets with a posted limit. They will only be reduced through a difficult state process.
Shifting gears, are there any issues facing Ward 1 or the city where you think the city is going in the wrong direction? If so, what’s the right direction?
Hi Sean
Thanks for the info. I’m wondering however if some of the signs in Newton are marked incorrectly. Why would the state allow 25mph in Brighton to switch to 35mph across the Newton line?
Thought on where our city is headed in the wrong direction- I’m wondering if there is a long range plan for the city to put our 19th century utility poles underground and enter the 21st century. Not only are the aesthetically unpleasing but also unsafe with vehicle collisions and fallen live wires not to mention the interruption in electricity during ice and wind storms. I did a search on the city’s website but could not find any reference to such a plan. An updated more user friendly website would also be a good thing.
@Max
I reached out to the Transportation Division with some questions and here are their answers:
Here you go with answers:
I looking for some information about the speed limit in Newton:
1. When does the city wide 25mph limit start? It has already gone into effect.
2. Will some of the higher limits be taken down? For example on Tremont st the speed limit is 25mph in Brighton but once you cross the Newton city line there is a 35mph sign. No, the existing signs are all regulatory signs as compared with the statutory speed limit which is a blanket speed limit. For any road with a regulatory speed limit sign, there is extensive analysis required to consider adding or removing signs. Ultimately the ability to add or remove a sign depends on the actual speed cars are driving.
3. Does the state or the city determine speed limits signs location? See above for regulatory.
4. How will folks know that the city wide limit is 25mph if they are from out of town and unaware of the limit. We plan to post statutory signs at the major entrances to the city. Signs will be up by end of Aug or early Sept.
Will the improvements involve adding crosswalks at the intersection of Jewett & Pearl Streets?
@Jesse Let me check into that and I’ll get back to you.
@Jesse I spoke with Councilor Alison Leary who was involved in the installation of the Stop signs at Jewett and Pearl streets and it was decided then not to do crosswalks there. According to Nicole Freedman at the Transportation Dept. there will be new crosswalks at Pearl and Thornton streets to be done this Spring.
If you send me an email to [email protected]
I can forward you the email from Nicole with a photo of the new crosswalks at Pearl and Thorton.