Newton

NEWTON — May 20, 2026 — Newton's Programs and Services Committee unanimously recommended Mark Welch as permanent Parks and Recreation commissioner and approved three City Council rule changes, one on a close 4-to-3 vote. Welch, who has served as acting commissioner, was praised by Chief Community Services Officer

NEWTON — May 20, 2026 — Newton's Public Safety and Transportation Committee voted 7-0 to hold a street-sweeping compliance docket for Nonantum, unable to advance a fine increase while home rule legislation remains pending at the state level. Committee Chair Tariq Lucas (Ward 2) said the city'

NEWTON — May 13, 2026 — Newton approves $347,534 in CPA funds for City Hall war memorial stairs, endorses $7.15 million building budget. The Public Facilities Committee voted 5-1 Wednesday to appropriate $347,534.91 in Community Preservation Act funding for structural restoration of the deteriorated Homer Memorial Stairs

NEWTON — May 7, 2026 — Newton's Public Safety and Transportation Committee unanimously advanced $64 million in police and fire budgets for fiscal year 2027. The committee voted 5-0 on straw votes to forward the Newton Police Department's $30,022,078 budget and the Fire Department'

NEWTON — May 6, 2026 — Newton's Programs and Services Committee approved five city department budgets and two emergency school appropriations totaling $825,000 at its May 6 meeting. Assistant Superintendent Liam Hurley secured a 7-0 vote for a $325,000 free-cash appropriation to purchase the OpenSciEd science

NEWTON — May 6, 2026 — Newton's Public Facilities Committee unanimously advanced more than $8.5 million in capital spending at its May 6 meeting, highlighted by three concurrent $1.25 million feasibility study authorizations for Newton South High School, police headquarters, and Ward and/or Underwood Elementary Schools. Commissioner

NEWTON — April 29, 2026 — Newton's Public Safety and Transportation Committee voted 7-0 to expand a parking restriction on Holly Road near Beacon Street after residents testified the original Traffic Council ruling left the most dangerous stretch of the road untouched. The committee, chaired by Councilor at Large

NEWTON — April 28, 2026 — Newton's Zoning and Planning Committee voted to send the city's Fiscal Year 2027 Annual Action Plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, unlocking roughly $3.5 million in federal block grant funds for affordable housing and emergency services.