Newton’s property tax deferment program earns props from Globe

Here’s a rarity: A story that says nice things about Newton from page one of today’s Boston Globe.

Programs like Newton’s are intended to make it easier for retirees to stay in their homes in a state with some of the nation’s highest housing costs and real estate tax bills. But because the programs reduce short-term local tax revenue, few cities and towns publicize the benefit as widely as Newton does.

One year = One million page views

One year = One million page views

We don’t usually spend a lot of time talking about page traffic on Village 14.  I always thought who visits here was more important than how many visitors we get. But our web page administrator  provided these stats and I figured it was easy enough to cut, paste and...

How driverless cars will change everything

Worried about gridlock? Parking? Traffic from a newly proposed development?  Climate change? Mass transit? Parking and excise tax revue to pay for schools and city services? I’d like to invite you to an event this Friday morning from 9-10 a.m. hosted by the...

Proposed marijuana clinic at former South Pacific draws panicked opposition

A proposal for medical marijuana dispensary at 1152 Beacon Street (former site of the South Pacific restaurant) drew considerable opposition from neighbors at a Newton Highlands Area Council meeting last night, according to these very meticulous meeting minutes.

At around 9:00 pm, at the end of the public discussion about this proposal, the community members who were present were asked if they supported the proposal. Only 2 people were supportive, everyone else (about 30 people) were not supportive. One person was undecided and needed further information.

It’s worth reading the full play by play but here’s some