MassVoter.com← NewtonMunicipal votes · 2022–2023 Council
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 2, 2021; inaugurated January 1, 2022 (no Actions document is posted for the inauguration). Susan Albright was re-elected President and Richard A. Lipof Vice President (Boston Globe, December 7, 2021). Same 24 members as at the end of the previous term. Covers 38 meetings, January 18 to December 4, 2023.
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)Council sessions
Coming up
MassVoter can’t read Newton’s meeting calendar automatically yet. See upcoming meetings on the official site →
Councilors
PresidentSusan AlbrightPresident · Councilor at Large, Ward 2 · at 38 of 38 meetingsVice PresidentRichard A. LipofVice President · Councilor at Large, Ward 8 (2018-2025) · at 37 of 38 meetings
Lisle BakerCouncilor · Ward 7 Councilor · at 37 of 38 meetingsAlicia BowmanCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 6 (2020-2023) · at 34 of 38 meetingsDeborah J. CrossleyCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 5 (2018-2023) · at 38 of 38 meetingsVictoria L. DanbergCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 6 (2018-2025) · at 36 of 38 meetingsAndreae DownsCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 5 (2018-2025) · at 36 of 38 meetingsLeonard J. GentileCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 4 (2018-2025) · at 36 of 38 meetings
Maria Scibelli GreenbergCouncilor · Ward 1 Councilor · at 37 of 38 meetings
Rebecca Walker GrossmanCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 7 · at 34 of 38 meetingsBill HumphreyCouncilor · Ward 5 Councilor (2020-2025) · at 37 of 38 meetings
David A. KalisCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 8 · at 35 of 38 meetings
Andrea W. KelleyCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 3 · at 38 of 38 meetings
Joshua KrintzmanCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 4 · at 36 of 38 meetingsMarc C. LaredoCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 7 (2018-2025) · at 35 of 38 meetings
Alison M. LearyCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 1 · at 37 of 38 meetings
Tarik J. LucasCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 2 · at 38 of 38 meetings
Julia MalakieCouncilor · Ward 3 Councilor · at 38 of 38 meetingsChristopher J. MarkiewiczCouncilor · Ward 4 Councilor (2018-2023) · at 31 of 38 meetingsBrenda NoelCouncilor · Ward 6 Councilor (2018-2023) · at 33 of 38 meetingsEmily NortonCouncilor · Ward 2 Councilor (2018-2023) · at 34 of 38 meetings
John OliverCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 1 · at 35 of 38 meetingsHolly RyanCouncilor · Ward 8 Councilor (2020-2023) · at 37 of 38 meetings
Pamela WrightCouncilor · Councilor at Large, Ward 3 · at 37 of 38 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.
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.
Dec 4#38-22 Approve: Request for discussion and amendments to the…Motion: City Council Approved 22 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Leary) 1 Absent…Passed 22–1 · No: Leary
December 4, 2023: #38-22 Approve: Request for discussion and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map regarding village center districts
City Council Approved 22 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Leary) 1 Absent (Councilor Noel)
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Lipof, Lucas, Malakie, Markiewicz, Norton, Oliver, Ryan, WrightNo: Leary
From the minutes
“City Council Approved 22 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Leary) 1 Absent (Councilor Noel).”
Dec 4#38-22 Approve: Request for discussion and amendments to the…Motion: City Council Approved 21 Yeas, 2 Nays (Councilors Leary, Noel) 1…Passed 21–2 · No: Leary, Noel
December 4, 2023: #38-22 Approve: Request for discussion and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map regarding village center districts
City Council Approved 21 Yeas, 2 Nays (Councilors Leary, Noel) 1 Absent (Councilor Ryan)
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Lipof, Lucas, Malakie, Markiewicz, Norton, Oliver, WrightNo: Leary, NoelBrenda Noel is listed absent at the top of the Actions but not named absent for this vote, and the count includes this councilor, so this councilor is shown voting. The Actions name Holly Ryan as absent for this vote, though listed present at the top of the Actions; left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“City Council Approved 21 Yeas, 2 Nays (Councilors Leary, Noel) 1 Absent (Councilor Ryan).”
Dec 4Accept the committee recommendations on 19 items without discussion…Motion: The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Absent (Councilor…Passed 23–0 · see note
December 4, 2023: Accept the committee recommendations on 19 items without discussion (#338-23, #340-23, #263-23, #341-23, #412-22, #353-23, ...)
The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Absent (Councilor Noel) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lucas, Malakie, Markiewicz, Norton, Oliver, Ryan, WrightOne vote on the block of items the council took up without discussion. The items: #338-23 Request to exceed FAR at 538 Ward Street; #340-23 Request to allow indoor vehicle sales and service at 32 Needham Street; #263-23 Request to change from a nonconforming two-family dwelling use to...; #341-23 Appointment of James Miller to the Auburndale Historic District...; #412-22 Request for Review and Amendments to Chapter 21, Art. III, Division 3; #353-23 5-58 for the Countryside School Project at 191 Dedham St.; #360-23 Authorization to borrow $74,730,950 for the construction of the...; #361-23 Authorization to reduce the bond authorization for the...; #379-23 Class 2 Auto Dealers License; #380-23 Class 2 Auto Dealers License; #381-23 Class 2 Auto Dealers License; #382-23 Class 2 Auto Dealer License; #383-23 Class 2 Auto Dealers License; #384-23 Class 2 Auto Dealer License; #385-23 Class 2 Auto Dealers License; #386-23 Class 2 Auto Dealers License; #387-23 Class 1 Auto Dealer License; #388-23 Class 1 Auto Dealers License; #389-23 Class 1 Auto Dealer License.
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Absent (Councilor Noel) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
Dec 4Accept the committee recommendations on 3 items without discussion…Motion: The City Council voted without discussion 22 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor…Passed 22–1 · No: Malakie
December 4, 2023: Accept the committee recommendations on 3 items without discussion (#287-23(B), #419-23, #420-23)
The City Council voted without discussion 22 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Malakie), 1 Absent (Councilor Noel) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lucas, Markiewicz, Norton, Oliver, Ryan, WrightNo: MalakieOne vote on the block of items the council took up without discussion. The items: #287-23(B) Request to amend Condition #3 of Special Permit #179-19 at 839-853...; #419-23 Request for discussion regarding rezoning certain manufacturing...; #420-23 Discussion and possible amendment to the City Council Rules to add....
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 22 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Malakie), 1 Absent (Councilor Noel) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
Nov 15#38-22 Amend to add MRT minimum lot size of…Motion: 1) Motion to amend to add MRT minimum lot size of…Failed 10–14 · No: Albright, Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lipof, Noel, Ryan
November 15, 2023 (Special meeting): #38-22 Amend to add MRT minimum lot size of 6,000 sf: Request for discussion and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map regarding...
1) Motion to amend to add MRT minimum lot size of 6,000 sf. Motion failed 10 yeas, 14 nays (Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lipof, Noel, Ryan, and Albright)
Yes: Baker, Gentile, Kalis, Laredo, Lucas, Malakie, Markiewicz, Norton, Oliver, WrightNo: Albright, Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lipof, Noel, Ryan
From the minutes
“Motion failed 10 yeas, 14 nays (Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lipof, Noel, Ryan, and Albright).”
Nov 15#38-22 Amend to change the MRT lot frontage to…Motion: 2) Motion to amend to change the MRT lot frontage to…Failed 10–14 · No: Albright, Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lipof, Noel, Ryan
November 15, 2023 (Special meeting): #38-22 Amend to change the MRT lot frontage to 65’: Request for discussion and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map regarding village...
2) Motion to amend to change the MRT lot frontage to 65’ Motion failed 10 yeas, 14 nays (Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lipof, Noel, Ryan, and Albright)
Yes: Baker, Gentile, Kalis, Laredo, Lucas, Malakie, Markiewicz, Norton, Oliver, WrightNo: Albright, Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lipof, Noel, Ryan
From the minutes
“Motion failed 10 yeas, 14 nays (Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lipof, Noel, Ryan, and Albright).”
Nov 15#38-22 Amend to increase MRT usable open space to…Motion: 3) Motion to amend to increase MRT usable open space to…Failed 10–14 · No: Albright, Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lipof, Noel, Ryan
November 15, 2023 (Special meeting): #38-22 Amend to increase MRT usable open space to 50%: Request for discussion and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map regarding...
3) Motion to amend to increase MRT usable open space to 50% Motion failed 10 yeas, 14 nays (Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lipof, Noel, Ryan, and Albright)
Yes: Baker, Gentile, Kalis, Laredo, Lucas, Malakie, Markiewicz, Norton, Oliver, WrightNo: Albright, Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lipof, Noel, Ryan
From the minutes
“Motion failed 10 yeas, 14 nays (Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lipof, Noel, Ryan, and Albright).”
Nov 15#38-22 Amend the site plan review for VC2 and…Motion: 4) Motion to amend the site plan review for VC2 and…Failed 5–18 · No: Albright, Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Markiewicz, Noel, Ryan
November 15, 2023 (Special meeting): #38-22 Amend the site plan review for VC2 and VC3 lots at 10,000 sf or larger: Request for discussion and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and...
4) Motion to amend the site plan review for VC2 and VC3 lots at 10,000 sf or larger Motion failed 5 yeas, 18 nays (Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Markiewicz, Noel, Ryan, and Albright) 1 absent (Norton)
Yes: Baker, Lucas, Malakie, Oliver, WrightNo: Albright, Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Markiewicz, Noel, RyanThe Actions name Emily Norton as absent for this vote, though listed present at the top of the Actions; left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion failed 5 yeas, 18 nays (Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Markiewicz, Noel, Ryan, and Albright) 1 absent (Norton).”
Nov 15#38-22 Amend to remove minimum first floor height: Request…Motion: 5) Motion to amend to remove minimum first floor height Motion…Failed 5–17 · No: Albright, Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Markiewicz, Noel
November 15, 2023 (Special meeting): #38-22 Amend to remove minimum first floor height: Request for discussion and amendments to the Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Map regarding village...
5) Motion to amend to remove minimum first floor height Motion failed 5 yeas, 17 nays (Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Markiewicz, Noel, and Albright) 2 absent (Norton and Ryan)
Yes: Baker, Lucas, Malakie, Oliver, WrightNo: Albright, Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Markiewicz, NoelThe Actions name Emily Norton and Holly Ryan as absent for this vote, though listed present at the top of the Actions; left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion failed 5 yeas, 17 nays (Bowman, Crossley, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Markiewicz, Noel, and Albright) 2 absent (Norton and Ryan).”
Nov 15#38-22 Amend to require one parking spaces per two…Motion: 1) Motion to amend to require one parking spaces per two…Passed 15–9 · No: Bowman, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Noel, Ryan
November 15, 2023 (Special meeting): #38-22 Amend to require one parking spaces per two units for adaptive reuse in the MRT district. This parking requirement would be waivable as the...
1) Motion to amend to require one parking spaces per two units for adaptive reuse in the MRT district. This parking requirement would be waivable as the VCOD process provides. Motion carries 15 yeas, 9 nays (Bowman, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Noel, and Ryan)
Yes: Albright, Baker, Crossley, Gentile, Grossman, Kalis, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lucas, Malakie, Markiewicz, Norton, Oliver, WrightNo: Bowman, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Noel, Ryan
From the minutes
“Motion carries 15 yeas, 9 nays (Bowman, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, Noel, and Ryan).”
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 →