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Newton City Council
How the Newton City Council voted, from the City Clerk's official minutes. 24 councilors: 8 ward councilors and 16 councilors at large (two from each ward, elected citywide), elected every two years. Elected November 4, 2025; inaugurated Thursday, January 1, 2026 (no Actions document is posted for the inauguration). The council elected John Oliver President and David A. Kalis Vice President (as the city’s councilor pages list them). Cyrus Dahmubed, Brittany Hume Charm, Julie Irish, Lisa Gordon, Sean Roche, Brian Golden and Jacob Silber joined the council (Leonard J. Gentile, Andreae Downs, Bill Humphrey, Victoria L. Danberg, Alan Lobovits, Marc C. Laredo, who was elected Mayor, and Richard A. Lipof left). Brittany Hume Charm appears as “Councilor Charm” in the Actions. The end date (January 2028) is a placeholder for the next inauguration. Covers 16 meetings so far, January 20 to September 22, 2026.
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
What does the City Council do? It is the city’s lawmaking body. It passes local laws (ordinances), votes on the yearly budget, and approves borrowing and zoning changes.
The mayor runs the city day to day and proposes the budget.
Sources: Mass. General Laws c. 44 § 32 (city budgets)Vote Transparency Score
Newton City Council: 7.5 out of 10 · Mostly open
How easy Newton makes it to see, online, how each member votes. It scores the city’s records, not any official. Checked October 11, 2026.
- Minutes postedRecords are posted for nearly every meeting more than three months old.Full points: 2/2
- Each vote namedWhen councilors split, the record names who voted no and who was absent.Part points: 2/3
- Posted quicklyRecords usually go up about a month after a meeting.Part points: 1/2
- Past years onlineRecords go back more than five years.Full points: 1/1
- Readable textThe records are text you can search and copy.Full points: 1/1
- Member photosThe city’s website shows photos of most councilors.Part points: 0.5/1
How the city can raise its score
- Each vote named (+1): On any vote that isn’t unanimous, write how each member voted. For example: “Motion passed 3–2. Yes: Smith, Jones, Lee. No: Brown, Silva.” A roll call on split votes is the simplest way to do this.
- Posted quickly (+1): Post minutes within 30 days. If approval takes longer, post a draft marked “Draft – not yet approved” and replace it later.
- Member photos (+0.5): Show a photo of each member on the board’s web page, with their name, the date their term ends and how to contact them. A group photo of the members, with everyone named in the caption or on the same page, earns half a point.
How we score · Something wrong, or has the city made a change? Email info@massvoter.com and we’ll re-check.
A monthly email on its votes, starting in November. We'll also tell you if this score changes.
Council sessions
Coming up
MassVoter can’t read Newton’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
Councilors
PresidentJohn OliverPresident · Councilor at Large, Ward 1 · at 16 of 16 meetings
Vice PresidentDavid A. KalisVice President · Councilor at Large, Ward 8 · at 15 of 16 meetings
Susan AlbrightCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 2 · at 16 of 16 meetings
Lisle BakerCouncilor · Ward 7 Councilor · at 13 of 16 meetings
Martha BixbyCouncilor · Ward 6 Councilor · at 15 of 16 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Randy BlockCouncilor · Ward 4 Councilor · at 16 of 16 meetings
Brittany Hume CharmCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 5 · at 15 of 16 meetings
Cyrus DahmubedCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 4 · at 14 of 16 meetings
Stephen FarrellCouncilor · Ward 8 Councilor · at 15 of 16 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Rena GetzCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 5 · at 16 of 16 meetings
Brian GoldenCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 7 · at 13 of 16 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Lisa GordonCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 6 · at 16 of 16 meetings
Maria Scibelli GreenbergCouncilor · Ward 1 Councilor · at 15 of 16 meetings
Rebecca Walker GrossmanCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 7 · at 13 of 16 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Julie IrishCouncilor · Ward 5 Councilor · at 16 of 16 meetings
Andrea W. KelleyCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 3 · at 15 of 16 meetings
Joshua KrintzmanCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 4 · at 15 of 16 meetings
Alison M. LearyCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 1 · at 15 of 16 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Tarik J. LucasCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 2 · at 16 of 16 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Julia MalakieCouncilor · Ward 3 Councilor · at 16 of 16 meetings
David MicleyCouncilor · Ward 2 Councilor · at 12 of 16 meetings✓ Every meeting 2026
Sean RocheCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 6 · at 16 of 16 meetings
Jacob SilberCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 8 · at 15 of 16 meetings
Pamela WrightCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 3 · at 15 of 16 meetings"At X of Y meetings" counts the roll call at the start of each meeting in this record. Councilors who step out are listed on each meeting page.
Attendance
16 full-board meetings so far this year, through September 22. Ties share a rank.
1Susan Albright16 of 16 meetings Every meeting100%1Randy Block16 of 16 meetings Every meeting100%1Rena Getz16 of 16 meetings Every meeting100%1Lisa Gordon16 of 16 meetings Every meeting100%1Julie Irish16 of 16 meetings Every meeting100%1Tarik J. Lucas16 of 16 meetings Every meeting100%1Julia Malakie16 of 16 meetings Every meeting100%1John Oliver16 of 16 meetings Every meeting100%1Sean Roche16 of 16 meetings Every meeting100%10Martha Bixby15 of 16 meetings94%10Brittany Hume Charm15 of 16 meetings94%10Stephen Farrell15 of 16 meetings94%10Maria Scibelli Greenberg15 of 16 meetings94%10David A. Kalis15 of 16 meetings94%10Andrea W. Kelley15 of 16 meetings94%10Joshua Krintzman15 of 16 meetings94%10Alison M. Leary15 of 16 meetings94%10Jacob Silber15 of 16 meetings94%10Pamela Wright15 of 16 meetings94%20Cyrus Dahmubed14 of 16 meetings88%21Lisle Baker13 of 16 meetings81%21Brian Golden13 of 16 meetings81%21Rebecca Walker Grossman13 of 16 meetings81%24David Micley12 of 16 meetings75%20 full-board meetings in 2025. Ties share a rank.
1Susan Albright20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Stephen Farrell20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Maria Scibelli Greenberg20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Rebecca Walker Grossman20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Bill Humphrey20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Andrea W. Kelley20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Marc C. Laredo20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Richard A. Lipof20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Tarik J. Lucas20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Julia Malakie20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1John Oliver20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%1Pamela Wright20 of 20 meetings Every meeting100%13Lisle Baker19 of 20 meetings95%13Martha Bixby19 of 20 meetings95%13Randy Block19 of 20 meetings95%13Victoria L. Danberg19 of 20 meetings95%13Rena Getz19 of 20 meetings95%13David A. Kalis19 of 20 meetings95%13Alison M. Leary19 of 20 meetings95%20Leonard J. Gentile18 of 20 meetings90%20Joshua Krintzman18 of 20 meetings90%20Alan Lobovits18 of 20 meetings90%23David Micley17 of 20 meetings85%24Andreae Downs16 of 20 meetings80%19 full-board meetings in 2023. Ties share a rank.
1Susan Albright19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Deborah J. Crossley19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Maria Scibelli Greenberg19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Bill Humphrey19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Andrea W. Kelley19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Richard A. Lipof19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Tarik J. Lucas19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Julia Malakie19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Holly Ryan19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%10Lisle Baker18 of 19 meetings95%10David A. Kalis18 of 19 meetings95%10Alison M. Leary18 of 19 meetings95%10Pamela Wright18 of 19 meetings95%14Alicia Bowman17 of 19 meetings89%14Victoria L. Danberg17 of 19 meetings89%14Andreae Downs17 of 19 meetings89%14Leonard J. Gentile17 of 19 meetings89%14Rebecca Walker Grossman17 of 19 meetings89%14Joshua Krintzman17 of 19 meetings89%14Marc C. Laredo17 of 19 meetings89%14Brenda Noel17 of 19 meetings89%14John Oliver17 of 19 meetings89%23Emily Norton16 of 19 meetings84%24Christopher J. Markiewicz14 of 19 meetings74%19 full-board meetings in 2022. Ties share a rank.
1Susan Albright19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Lisle Baker19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Deborah J. Crossley19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Victoria L. Danberg19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Andreae Downs19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Leonard J. Gentile19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Andrea W. Kelley19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Joshua Krintzman19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Alison M. Leary19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Tarik J. Lucas19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Julia Malakie19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%1Pamela Wright19 of 19 meetings Every meeting100%13Maria Scibelli Greenberg18 of 19 meetings95%13Bill Humphrey18 of 19 meetings95%13Marc C. Laredo18 of 19 meetings95%13Richard A. Lipof18 of 19 meetings95%13Emily Norton18 of 19 meetings95%13John Oliver18 of 19 meetings95%13Holly Ryan18 of 19 meetings95%20Alicia Bowman17 of 19 meetings89%20Rebecca Walker Grossman17 of 19 meetings89%20David A. Kalis17 of 19 meetings89%20Christopher J. Markiewicz17 of 19 meetings89%24Brenda Noel16 of 19 meetings84%24 full-board meetings in 2019. Ties share a rank.
1Susan Albright24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%1Deborah J. Crossley24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%1Maria Scibelli Greenberg24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%1Joshua Krintzman24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%1Marc C. Laredo24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%1Alison M. Leary24 of 24 meetings Every meeting100%7Lisle Baker23 of 24 meetings96%7James R. Cote23 of 24 meetings96%7Andrea W. Kelley23 of 24 meetings96%7Brenda Noel23 of 24 meetings96%11Jake Auchincloss22 of 24 meetings92%11Barbara Brousal-Glaser22 of 24 meetings92%11Andreae Downs22 of 24 meetings92%11Cheryl Lipof Lappin22 of 24 meetings92%11Richard A. Lipof22 of 24 meetings92%11Christopher J. Markiewicz22 of 24 meetings92%11John B. Rice22 of 24 meetings92%11Greg Schwartz22 of 24 meetings92%19Victoria L. Danberg21 of 24 meetings88%19Rebecca Walker Grossman21 of 24 meetings88%21Allan L. Ciccone20 of 24 meetings83%21Emily Norton20 of 24 meetings83%23David A. Kalis19 of 24 meetings79%24Leonard J. Gentile18 of 24 meetings75%25 full-board meetings in 2018. Ties share a rank.
1Susan Albright25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Deborah J. Crossley25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Maria Scibelli Greenberg25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Marc C. Laredo25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%1Alison M. Leary25 of 25 meetings Every meeting100%6Andreae Downs24 of 25 meetings96%6Rebecca Walker Grossman24 of 25 meetings96%6Andrea W. Kelley24 of 25 meetings96%6Joshua Krintzman24 of 25 meetings96%6Christopher J. Markiewicz24 of 25 meetings96%11Jake Auchincloss23 of 25 meetings92%11Barbara Brousal-Glaser23 of 25 meetings92%11Victoria L. Danberg23 of 25 meetings92%11Cheryl Lipof Lappin23 of 25 meetings92%11Brenda Noel23 of 25 meetings92%11Greg Schwartz23 of 25 meetings92%17James R. Cote22 of 25 meetings88%17David A. Kalis22 of 25 meetings88%17Emily Norton22 of 25 meetings88%17John B. Rice22 of 25 meetings88%21Lisle Baker21 of 25 meetings84%21Leonard J. Gentile21 of 25 meetings84%21Richard A. Lipof21 of 25 meetings84%24Allan L. Ciccone18 of 25 meetings72%From the official minutes: full-board meetings only (committee meetings are not counted). Members are counted only for meetings held while they served, and arriving late counts as attending. The minutes rarely say why a member was absent. Not shown: 2020, 2021, 2024, because too many of that year’s meetings are missing from the posted minutes.
A monthly email on its votes and who was there, starting in November.
Meetings
About missing minutes
Newton does not post narrative minutes. The official record of each council meeting is the “City Council Actions,” which lists each docket item, what the council did and the vote count, naming the councilors who voted no, abstained, recused or were absent. Loaded: every full City Council meeting with Actions posted, from January 1, 2018 through September 22, 2026 (166 meetings: 155 regular and 11 special, including the 2018 and 2020 inaugurations and budget sessions) and 949 votes. The council has twenty-four members: eight ward councilors, each elected by one ward, and sixteen councilors at large, two from each ward, elected citywide, all for two-year terms; at each inauguration it elects a President and a Vice President. When the council approves a list of items “without discussion,” the Actions record one vote for the whole list, so MassVoter shows one vote that names the items. Committee votes are not loaded: the Reports Docket (committee reports, such as “Zoning & Planning Approved 7-0-1”) and Committee of the Whole meetings hold committee recommendations, and the council acts on them at its own meetings. Later Actions sometimes repeat an item’s earlier votes as history; MassVoter shows each vote once, at the meeting where it was taken. Not here, because no Actions are posted for them: April 21 through November 16, 2020 (the first months of remote meetings); most meetings from May through October 2021; the January 1 inaugurations of 2022, 2024 and 2026; March 21, 2022 (the file posted as its Actions is the Reports Docket); December 5 and 19, 2022; September 5, November 6, November 20 and November 29, 2023; March 18, April 16 and May 6, 2024; June 2 and 16, 2025; and a few special meetings in 2018-2020. Meetings after September 22, 2026 are not posted yet. When a count names the councilors who voted no and who were absent, every other councilor present is shown voting yes, by name; when the Actions say a vote was unanimous, every councilor present is shown voting yes. When the names do not fit the count, MassVoter shows the count only, with a note quoting it (30 votes). A voice vote with no count shows the result only, and MassVoter never assumes it was unanimous (160 votes). Zoning changes, special permits and borrowing need a two-thirds vote, so some motions with more yes than no votes failed; each has a note. We will ask the City Clerk to confirm any noted vote.
Votes where councilors disagreed
Most council votes are unanimous. These are the ones where at least one councilor voted no or abstained, newest first.
Sep 22Accept the committee recommendations on 20 items without discussion…Motion: The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1…Passed Unanimous, 23 present · see note
September 22, 2026: Accept the committee recommendations on 20 items without discussion (#207-26, #225-26, #280-26, #281-26, #282-26, #268-26, ...)
The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Absent (Councilor Dahmubed) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
One vote on the block of items the council took up without discussion. The items: #207-26 Request to exceed FAR and to allow a detached ADU with reduced...; #225-26 Request to allow a four-story building with 48 feet in height and...; #280-26 Request to exceed façade ratio at 40 Burdean Road; #281-26 Request to exceed façade ratio at 29 Pierrepont Road; #282-26 Request to allow two parking stalls within the front setback at 45...; #268-26 Reappointment of Jeffrey Zabel to the Conservation Commission; #269-26 Reappointment of Susan Lunin to the Conservation Commission; #270-26 Reappointment of Kathryn Cade to the Conservation Commission; #271-26 Appointment of Kevin Mendik to the Conservation Commission; #211-26 Requesting Ordinance Amendment to Chapter 3, Animals and Fowl; #217-26 Resolution in support of Medicare for All for Massachusetts; #265-26 Authorization to purchase 492 Waltham Street; #274-26 Requesting new public auto license; #247-26 Requesting a discussion and straw vote on the Bullough’s Pond Project; #283-26 Eversource petition for a grant of location on Moody Street; #262-26 Accept and expend a grant of $23,040.00 from the Massachusetts...; #263-26 Authorization for full and final settlement of Case No. 217268; #264-26 Authorization to transfer $623,130.15 in excess debt exclusion...; #299-26 Requesting authorization to enter into a contract greater than...; #303-26 Authorization for $11,500 for legal settlement.
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Absent (Councilor Dahmubed) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
Sep 8Accept the committee recommendations on 15 items without discussion…Motion: The City Council voted without discussion 24 Yeas, 0 Nays to…Passed Unanimous, 24 present · see note
September 8, 2026: Accept the committee recommendations on 15 items without discussion (#259-26, #229-26, #230-26, #231-26, #241-26, #232-26, ...)
The City Council voted without discussion 24 Yeas, 0 Nays to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
One vote on the block of items the council took up without discussion. The items: #259-26 Request to allow a combination of retaining walls exceeding four...; #229-26 Appointment of Dante Capasso to the Zoning Boards of Appeals; #230-26 Appointment of Sapir Ng to the Zoning Board of Appeals; #231-26 Appointment of Christopher Markiewicz to the Zoning Board of Appeals; #241-26 Reappointment of Doug Cornelius to the Newton Historical Commission; #232-26 Appointment of Paul Levy to the Newton Commonwealth Foundation; #233-26 Appointment of Marc Grossman to the Health and Human Services Advisory; #234-26 Reappointment of Dr. Carolyn Bernstein to the Health and Human...; #235-26 Reappointment of Janet Huettig to the Health and Human Services...; #236-26 Appointment of Linda Brenner to the Health and Human Services Advisory; #123-26 Request for relocation of drain easement in Rowe Street; #253-26 Reappointment of David Gillespie to the Design Review Committee; #254-26 Reappointment of Peter J. Barrer to the Design Review Committee; #255-26 Reappointment of Carol S. Schein to the Design Review Committee; #256-26 Appointment of Stacy Roman to the Design Review Committee.
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 24 Yeas, 0 Nays to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
Sep 8#251-26 Accept the committee recommendation: National Grid petition for…Motion: The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor…Passed 23–1 · No: Kelley
September 8, 2026: #251-26 Accept the committee recommendation: National Grid petition for a grant of location on Commonwealth Avenue @ Washington Street
The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Kelley) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Charm, Dahmubed, Farrell, Getz, Golden, Gordon, Greenberg, Grossman, Irish, Kalis, Krintzman, Leary, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Roche, Silber, WrightNo: Kelley
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Kelley) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
Aug 10#104-26 Vote on the item (recorded only as “Motion”):…Motion: Motion Failed 13-11 (Councilors Baker, Block, Getz, Gordon, Kalis, Lucas, Malakie,…Failed 13–11 · No: Baker, Block, Getz, Gordon, Kalis, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Silber, Wright
August 10, 2026: #104-26 Vote on the item (recorded only as “Motion”): Request to allow four attached single-family dwellings and associated relief at...
Motion Failed 13-11 (Councilors Baker, Block, Getz, Gordon, Kalis, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Silber, Wright Opposed)
Yes: Albright, Bixby, Charm, Dahmubed, Farrell, Golden, Greenberg, Grossman, Irish, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, RocheNo: Baker, Block, Getz, Gordon, Kalis, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Silber, WrightThe Actions record the motion as failing with more yes votes (13) than no (11); it needed a two-thirds vote (16 of the 24 councilors).
From the minutes
“Motion Failed 13-11 (Councilors Baker, Block, Getz, Gordon, Kalis, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Silber, Wright Opposed).”
Aug 10#130-26 Approve: Request to allow three stories, to exceed…Motion: City Council Approved 19-5 (Councilors Block, Getz, Lucas, Malakie, Oliver Opposed)Passed 19–5 · No: Block, Getz, Lucas, Malakie, Oliver
August 10, 2026: #130-26 Approve: Request to allow three stories, to exceed height and associated parking waivers at 1100-1102 Beacon Street
City Council Approved 19-5 (Councilors Block, Getz, Lucas, Malakie, Oliver Opposed)
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Charm, Dahmubed, Farrell, Golden, Gordon, Greenberg, Grossman, Irish, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Micley, Roche, Silber, WrightNo: Block, Getz, Lucas, Malakie, Oliver
From the minutes
“City Council Approved 19-5 (Councilors Block, Getz, Lucas, Malakie, Oliver Opposed).”
Aug 10Accept the committee recommendations on 14 items without discussion…Motion: The City Council voted without discussion 24 Yeas, 0 Nays to…Passed Unanimous, 24 present · see note
August 10, 2026: Accept the committee recommendations on 14 items without discussion (#226-26, #193-26, #194-26, #244-26, #192-26, #245-26, ...)
The City Council voted without discussion 24 Yeas, 0 Nays to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
One vote on the block of items the council took up without discussion. The items: #226-26 Request to exceed FAR at 43 Newell Road; #193-26 Reappointment of Michael Alperin to Newton Affordable Housing Trust; #194-26 Reappointment of Judy Weber to the Newton Affordable Housing Trust; #244-26 Appointment of Catherine M. Feerick as Director of Planning; #192-26 Appointment of Synthia Wayne to the Human Rights Commission; #245-26 Request to set early voting hours for the September 1, 2026, State...; #246-26 Request to set early voting hours for the November 3, 2026 State...; #223-26 Requesting new public auto license; #222-26 Eversource petition for a grant of location on Prescott Street; #209-26 Appointment of Ryan McGlothlin to the Financial Audit Advisory...; #220-26 Reappointment of Alexander B. Jablon to the Financial Audit Advisory; #237-26 Appointment of Christopher Brezski to the John C. Chaffin...; #240-26 Request to accept a grant of $19,500 from AARP; #243-26 Request to accept and expend a grant of $218,708 for City's fiber....
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 24 Yeas, 0 Nays to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
Aug 10#221-26 Accept the committee recommendation: CPC recommendation to appropriate…Motion: The City Council voted without discussion 22 Yeas, 2 Nays (Councilor…Passed 22–2 · No: Dahmubed, Roche
August 10, 2026: #221-26 Accept the committee recommendation: CPC recommendation to appropriate $232,000 for the cupolas and windows at City Hall
The City Council voted without discussion 22 Yeas, 2 Nays (Councilor Dahmubed, Roche) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Charm, Farrell, Getz, Golden, Gordon, Greenberg, Grossman, Irish, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Silber, WrightNo: Dahmubed, Roche
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 22 Yeas, 2 Nays (Councilor Dahmubed, Roche) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
Aug 10#228-26 Accept the committee recommendation: Request to exceed FAR…Motion: The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor…Passed 23–1 · No: Roche
August 10, 2026: #228-26 Accept the committee recommendation: Request to exceed FAR at 33 Aspen Avenue
The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Roche) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Charm, Dahmubed, Farrell, Getz, Golden, Gordon, Greenberg, Grossman, Irish, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Silber, WrightNo: Roche
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Roche) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
Jul 13#131-26 Amend: add a Neighborhood Liaison Committee conditionMotion: Councilor Irish motioned to amend the draft order for the petition…Passed Unanimous, 23 present · see note
July 13, 2026: #131-26 Amend: add a Neighborhood Liaison Committee condition
Councilor Irish motioned to amend the draft order for the petition to add a Neighborhood Liaison Committee condition. The motion was seconded by Councilor Roche. The vote on the amendment was taken via voice vote, and was approved 23-1 (Councilor Baker Absent).
From the Clerk’s Note on this item. The Actions record the amendment as approved by voice vote “23-1 (Councilor Baker Absent)”: the one is Councilor Baker, who was absent, so the 23 councilors present are shown voting yes.
From the minutes
“The vote on the amendment was taken via voice vote, and was approved 23-1 (Councilor Baker Absent)..” (Motion: Irish, second: Roche)
Jul 13Accept the committee recommendations on 7 items without discussion…Motion: The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1…Passed Unanimous, 23 present · see note
July 13, 2026: Accept the committee recommendations on 7 items without discussion (#213-26, #214-26, #215-26, #201-26, #40-26, #197-26, ...)
The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Absent (Councilor Baker) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
One vote on the block of items the council took up without discussion. The items: #213-26 Request to move Ward 2, Precincts 2 and 3 Polling Locations; #214-26 Transfer $1,175,000 to Newton Police Department for contractual...; #215-26 Transfer of $710,000 for retroactive wage adjustments; #201-26 Authorization for potential lease for solar energy generation at...; #40-26 Request for discussion and study on the option of removing the...; #197-26 Transfer of $900,000 for improvements to roadways, sidewalks, and...; #216-26 Repurpose of $150,000 and transfer of $177,000 for renovations at....
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Absent (Councilor Baker) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
From the Newton City Council’s official record of each meeting, the “City Council Actions,” posted by the City Clerk on the city’s Council Meetings page (older years on its archives page). We check every vote against the councilors present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Councilor photos: City of Newton (newtonma.gov), from each councilor’s official page. John Oliver, Rena Getz and Brian Golden: Fig City News. Cyrus Dahmubed, Brittany Hume Charm, Sean Roche, Lisa Gordon and Jacob Silber: League of Women Voters of Newton 2025 candidate guide. Julie Irish: her campaign website. Former councilors show initials.
How to read these pagesWhere the votes come from, how we check them against the official minutes, what isn't included yet, and how to report a mistake.About city pages →