VIDEO: Transit Matters presentation
Thanks to Jenn Adams of NewTV, here is the Transit Matters: Regional Rail Presentation, hosted by Councilor Emily Norton (Ward 2 ward councilor). The Transit Matters folks are Jarred Johnson, COO; Josh Fairchild, president and co-founder; and Ethan Finlan, Regional Rail Outreach Coordinator.
Fascinating presentation and important for Newton.
Transit Matters: Regional Rail Presentation from NewTV on Vimeo.
Competing visions of traffic at Northland
Is the future of Newton car-inevitable or not? On that question, there was a stark divide on display at the most recent City Council Land Use committee meeting on the Northland Project, which was dedicated to a review of the proposed traffic-demand-management (TDM) plan.
What do you want to know? Ward 5 edition
The Ward 5 ward councilor primary is right around the corner, September 10. I’m going to send a set of questions to the Ward 5 ward candidates in the next few days. What questions do you have from them? What matters to you? Please answer in the comments with...
Mixed Use 40B coming to Washington St.
You might have missed it* in the latest Mayor’s Update from Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, but Mark Development has started the process to develop some Washington St. parcels, including the site of The Barn shoe stores, under Chapter 40B of the Massachusetts General...Some at-large electoral history
For the second time since 2003, all 16 at-large City Council incumbents are running for re-election.* In four races — Wards 2, 3, 5, and 6 — there is a challenger or two. Of the eight incumbents, who’s at the most risk? While past performance is no...Gender balance on City Council
The current Newton City Council, evenly split between 12 women and 12 men, is the first Newton legislature to have at least half women. Based on the list of officially certified candidates, there could be anywhere from 8 to 16 women on the next city council (with a...
Jeff Speck’s Best Rule
Jeff Speck has a great new book, Walkable City Rules, which is a prescriptive follow up to his terrific Walkable City. As the title Walkable City Rules suggests, the new book is a set of crisp, clear rules for achieving a healthy, walkable city. He’s been...
Downs & Auchincloss to Northland: Fewer Parking Spaces
City Councilors Andrea Downs and Jake Auchincloss have drawn a line at the Northland Development: 1,050 spaces, not 1,450, as is currently planned. In a letter to the developer (full text below), they argue persuasively for the lower number. The City Council’s...
Celebrate Pride Today!
From Bryan Barash, the Newton Human Rights Commission is hosting a flag-raising and ice-cream social to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month, with guest of honor David Gaita, a former Burr Elementary School teacher being honored for contributions and commitment to the LGBTQ+...
Laredo on Ciccone’s Rosa Parks comment
What did City Council President Marc Laredo do in response to Councilor Jay Ciccone’s remarks comparing higher parking meter rates to Jim Crow laws? Publicly, nothing.Weed-pocalypse or a nice mellow
So, it’s been a week. Has the Garden Remedies opening been a bad trip or a pleasant buzz?