No more housemasters at the high schools
Housemasters are now Deans, according to an email sent to the high school community from the principals of both Newton North and Newton South. Their reasoning makes sense: As an extension of the word “master,” housemaster has negative connotations. First...How are the sidewalks in your neighborhood?
For the first time in the 24 years* I’ve lived in my neighborhood, I was able to walk all the way around the block on shoveled sidewalks (excluding one small patch) tonight. I felt happy and encouraged while walking, and I wondered if, maybe, the snow shoveling...Just in: City and firefighters sign agreement regarding Narcan use
I reached out to Tom Lopez, head of the Newton Firefighters Association, today to ask about the union’s issues with carrying and administering Narcan. In addition to explaining why the change isn’t as simple as the public might believe, Tom told me that...Warren tells TAB: City employee turnover rate steady, comparable to other municipalites
Jonathan Dame has a story on Wicked Local Newton about the vacancies in Newton City Hall. Mayor Setti Warren is quoted, saying: “We take this seriously,” Warren said. “We take the hiring of leadership in this city seriously.” According to Dame, Warren and...Somerville Mayor Curtatone pushes new city tax on real estate sales
Joe Curtatone, mayor of Somerville, is proposing a 1% transfer tax on real estate sales to help pay for new affordable housing units, according to Wicked Local Somerville. Curtatone is quoted, saying: “We need to be a city that is just as much a home for the people...
A Marderosian cartoon to remember an historic Board of Aldermen moment
In honor of all Newton aldermen who will become city councilors on Jan. 1, I present my favorite Mark Marderosian* cartoon (which ran in the Newton TAB in July 2008). Mark and I laughed a lot when we brainstormed about cartoons, and I don’t think we ever laughed...Just in: Austin Street Partners adds 6 more affordable units to development
Mayor Setti Warren sent the following email to the Board of Aldermen this morning: I would like to announce, after hearing from residents and members of the Honorable Board over the last several weeks and having a discussion with Austin Street Partners this morning,...TAB endorses Austin Street project with strong editorial
TAB editor Andy Levin had already been vocal about his support for Austin Street so the paper’s endorsement is not a surprise. But it’s a must read for many reasons. A couple of excerpts: Opponents of the plan — a vociferous and well-organized minority in...How much influence should ward aldermen have on city-wide decisions?
The final vote on the Austin Street project is likely to take place in eight days and insiders who’ve been trying to predict if the project can get the required 16 votes to pass say it’s very close. A few aldermen are still undecided – or at least reluctant to discuss...School Committee votes 5-4 on something
In keeping with the Open Meeting Law, the School Committee for the first time held all of its caucus discussions to elect new leadership – including the vote — publicly this year. Alas, according to chair Matt Hills, no one from the public showed up. (That’s my...
Should Newton welcome Syrian refugees? (Updated)
Republican governors across the country, including Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, are saying that they will not take Syrian refugees in their states. Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has said, “As a city and as a country it is not our custom to turn our backs on people who...
Crazy Divers: Men be like...
drivers man be like