Is Newton ready to become a national ‘trailblazer at tackling inequality’?

by | Feb 23, 2020 | Newton | 49 comments

By any measure, the editorial in the Sunday Boston Globe (headlined: “Newton wakes up to the dark side of America’s housing laws“) was extraordinary.

In no uncertain terms, the Globe’s Editorial Board painted an unflattering portrait of Newton’s past; indicting our city as a prime example of  “an archetypal rich suburb,” that has “deliberately” used zoning and other rules to keep out the poor and people of color by “following the time-tested suburban playbook, honed over a thousand fights against developers.”

The grass-roots uprising against new housing is not only the oldest story in America’s suburbs, it’s part of what has made them the pricey enclaves they are, ensuring that property values stay high while deepening income segregation and, in Massachusetts, leaving a handful of cities like Boston to shoulder the burden of housing the state’s growing population.

Then — in equally strong terms — the editors suggested that Newton may be on the cusp of an “awakening. ”

With more optimism than I can muster on some days, the editorial suggest Newton could become a national “trailblazer at tackling inequality this year,” depending on how voters here respond to the March 3 Northland referendum, followed later

Oran: ’28 Austin has rapidly become a new and welcoming addition to Newtonville’

Oran: ’28 Austin has rapidly become a new and welcoming addition to Newtonville’

by | Feb 22, 2020 | Affordable housing, Newtonville | 36 comments

Scott Oran, one of the developers of 28 Austin Street submitted this update in response to Bryan Barash’s Village 14 thread from earlier this week.

Thanks Bryan for starting this timely conversation.

I am writing as one of the developers of 28 Austin Street to share some facts.

We are so proud of how 28 Austin Street has rapidly become a new and welcoming addition to Newtonville exceeding even the expectations of its many supporters.

And yet we anticipate

Right Size turns down another invite to debate Northland project

Right Size turns down another invite to debate Northland project

by | Feb 20, 2020 | Newton | 7 comments

This note appeared this morning at the end of the Boston Globe’s Newton Report email newsletter..

Here’s an update from Boston University Adjunct Professor Gail Spector on her journalism class and its coverage of Newton:

Much to our disappointment, we were unable to host a debate between the opposing sides of the Northland ballot question in class this week because the “no” side was unable to provide someone to present its case.

As a result, students have only heard arguments in favor of the Northland development.  We did our best

Grossman announces Newton endorsements

by | Feb 20, 2020 | Newton | 5 comments

Becky Grossman’s campaign announced that four of her colleagues on the Newton City Council and a member of the Newton School Committee have endorsed her campaign for Congress. Grossman’s endorsers include: City Councilor David Kalis City Councilor Lisle Baker City...

Early voting starts Monday

by | Feb 20, 2020 | Newton

Early voting both for the March 3 Presidential Primary (Super Tuesday) and the Northland referendum begins on Monday, Feb. 24. Voters can cast both their ballots at City Hall from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Feb. 27, and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m....

CFRD files OCPF complaint

by | Feb 18, 2020 | Newton | 9 comments

Newton, Mass. – The Committee for Responsible Development, a ballot question committee organized to run the referendum campaign against the massive Northland Needham Street plan, issued the following statement today: The Committee for Responsible Development filed a...