December 2, 2024

An amendment was put forward by Councilor Krintzman after a point was raised by Mass General Brigham Newton-Wellesley about federal legislative and regulatory requirements on certain healthcare facilities, causing an inability to comply with the city ordinance. Councilor Krintzman’s amendment targets language in Section 20-181-(c) of the ordinance, which adds an exemption to existing buildings, where patients and medical facilities are presently, that allows them to comply with federal regulations instead, thus replacing the language the Zoning & Planning committee drafted with the language agreed upon by Mass General Brigham Newton-Wellesley and City of Newton administration. The amendment was approved 22-1-1 (Councilor Lobovits Opposed) (Councilor Greenberg Recused).

Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Gentile, Getz, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, WrightNo: LobovitsFrom the Clerk’s Note on this item. Maria Scibelli Greenberg recused and is left out of this vote.

Councilor Block put forward another amendment to clarify some of the language found in Section 20-183 due to the importance of the ordinance. This was split into two separate amendments for voting (“A”/“First Change” and “B”/“Second Change”). Amendment “A” failed 8-15-1 (Councilors Albright, Baker, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Getz, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Leary, Lipof, Lucas, Micley, Wright, Laredo Opposed) (Councilor Greenberg Recused).

Yes: Block, Farrell, Gentile, Grossman, Krintzman, Lobovits, Malakie, OliverNo: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Getz, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lucas, Micley, WrightFrom the Clerk’s Note on this item. Maria Scibelli Greenberg recused and is left out of this vote.

Councilor Block put forward another amendment to clarify some of the language found in Section 20-183 due to the importance of the ordinance. This was split into two separate amendments for voting (“A”/“First Change” and “B”/“Second Change”). Amendment “A” failed 8-15-1 (Councilors Albright, Baker, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Getz, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Leary, Lipof, Lucas, Micley, Wright, Laredo Opposed) (Councilor Greenberg Recused). Amendment “B” failed 6-17-1 (Councilors Albright, Baker, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Getz, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary Lipof, Lucas, Micley, Wright, Laredo).

From the Clerk’s Note on this item. The Actions record the count “Amendment “B” failed 6-17-1 (Councilors Albright, Baker, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Getz, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary Lipof, Lucas, Micley, Wright, Laredo).”, but not every councilor’s vote can be read from it. MassVoter shows the count only.

The City Council voted without discussion 24 Yeas, 0 Nays, 0 Absent, to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:

One vote on the block of items the council took up without discussion. The items: #421-24 Request to allow a restaurant with more than 50 seats and to waive...; #444-24 Appointments to the Newton Wellesley Hospital Neighborhood Council; #445-24 Request for Extension of Time to Exercise Special Permit #262-23...; #446-24 Request for Extension of Time to Exercise Special Permit #356-22...; #457-24 Class 2 Auto Dealers License; #267-24 Request for discussion and possible amendments to require...; #417-24 Appointment of Lori Yarvis to Economic Development Commission; #377-24 Request to set date for a Special Election; #449-24 Requesting discussion of Parks, Recreation and Culture...; #458-24 Request to set Early Voting Hours for the 2025 Special Election; #454-24 Appointment of Police Chief; #346-24 Requesting a discussion on installation of solar panels at Brown...; #410-24 Authorization to appropriate and expend $700,000 to fund Newton...; #411-24 Authorization to appropriate and expend $775,000 for Municipal...; #416-24 Authorization to appropriate and expend $225,000 for Fire and...; #450-24 Requesting to accept and expend a $123,677.35 grant from the...; #452-24 Authorization to transfer and expend $7,500 from Handicapped...; #453-24 Authorization to transfer and expend $600 from Handicapped Parking....