Newton City Council

City Council Denied 11-12-1 (Councilors Baker, Downs, Farrell, Getz, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Wright Opposed) (Councilor Gentile Absent)

Yes: Albright, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Greenberg, Kalis, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, LobovitsNo: Baker, Downs, Farrell, Getz, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, WrightThe Actions record the item as “Denied”: the motion to approve it did not pass.

The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Absent to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:

One vote on the block of items the council took up without discussion. The items: #216-25 Request to Rezone 2 parcels to Multi Residence 1; #217-25 Request for SPECIAL PERMIT/SITE PLAN APPROVAL to allow 71...; #264-25 Request to exceed FAR at 11 Richfield Road; #306-25 Request to Rezone 41 Farwell Street to Multi Residence 2; #307-25 Request to allow a three-unit multi-family dwelling and a zone...; #348-25 Request to extend a nonconforming four-unit multi-family dwelling...; #350-25 Class 1 Auto Dealer License; #351-25 Class 2 Auto Dealers License; #352-25 Class 2 Auto Dealer License; #353-25 Class 2 Auto Dealer; #354-25 Class 2 Auto Dealer License; #355-25 Class 2 Auto Dealers License; #356-25 Class 2 Auto Dealers License; #361-25 Class 2 Auto Dealer License; #219-25 Request for a special permit to allow four attached single-family...; #304-25 Request to allow ground floor residential use, four stories, to...; #236-24 Discussion on Climate resiliency to hear updates and plans; #258-24 Discussion and possible amendments to Zoning Ordinances concerning...; #26-25 Discussion and possible ordinance amendment to remove the minimum...; #27-25 Request to amend definition of Two-Family Detached; #295-24 Discussion on Parking in Village Centers; #302-24 Aligning zoning to proposed use in new development; #41-24 Amend the setbacks in the MR zones to encourage preservation of...; #43-24 Quarterly update on projects using the VCOD overlay district; #63-24 Requesting an update on the status of implementing the Climate...; #80-25 Requesting discussion on the current state of Newton's commercial...; #85-24 Request for discussion and possible amendments to enhance the...; #329-25 Requesting renewal of public auto license; #330-25 Requesting renewal of public auto license; #331-25 Requesting renewal of public auto license; #332-25 Requesting renewal of public auto license; #333-25 Requesting renewal of public auto license; #103-24 Update on Planning and Construction of Bullough's Pond Dam; #418-24 Requesting a discussion regarding Bullough's Pond Dam...; #358-25 Requesting the appropriation of $2,304,983.75 for Phase 2 of the...; #56-25 Request for a main drain extension at 132 Homer Street; #357-25 Request for acceptance and expenditure of a $5,000,000 FY2026...; #359-25 Requesting authorization to transfer $425,000 for funding the...; #360-25 Requesting authorization to transfer $45,000 for vacation/special....

The City Council voted without discussion 22 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Absent (Councilor Gentile), 1 Recusal (Councilor Laredo) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:

Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, WrightOne vote on the block of items the council took up without discussion. The items: #362-25 Requesting information regarding the Mayor-Elect Laredo's plan to...; #36-24 Reuse of parcel of land on Grove and Hancock Street. Marc C. Laredo recused and is left out of this vote.

City Council Approved #238-25 (A) and #238-25 (B) 23-1 (Councilor Malakie Opposed)

Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Gentile, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Micley, Oliver, WrightNo: MalakieThe Actions record “City Council Approved #238-25 (A) and #238-25 (B) 23-1 (Councilor Malakie Opposed)”; the Clerk’s Note gives each part its own vote, both 23-1 with Julia Malakie opposed (#238-25 (B) is the next vote).

City Council Approved #238-25 (A) and #238-25 (B) 23-1 (Councilor Malakie Opposed)

Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Gentile, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Micley, Oliver, WrightNo: MalakieRecorded with #238-25 (A) on one line, “23-1 (Councilor Malakie Opposed)”; the Clerk’s Note: “The motion to approve the amendments detailed in #238-25 (B) was seconded by Councilor Gentile. The motion was approved 23-1 (Councilor Malakie Opposed).”

City Council Approved 22-2 (Councilors Malakie and Oliver Opposed)

Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Gentile, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Micley, WrightNo: Malakie, Oliver

Councilor Baker motioned to make a clarifying language amendment under Subsections E and 4A of the Code. The motion to amend was seconded by Councilor Humphrey. The amendment was approved unanimously via voice vote.

From the Clerk’s Note on this item. The Actions record this as unanimous (by voice vote), so every councilor present is shown voting yes.

Councilor Humphrey motioned to make a strengthening language amendment to Subsection 3D of the Code. The motion was seconded by Councilor Albright. The motion failed 9-14-1 (Councilors Baker, Block, Farrell, Getz, Grossman, Kalis, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Wright Opposed) (Councilor Gentile Absent).

Yes: Albright, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Humphrey, Kelley, Krintzman, LucasNo: Baker, Block, Farrell, Getz, Grossman, Kalis, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, WrightFrom the Clerk’s Note on this item. The Actions name Leonard J. Gentile as absent for this vote, though listed present at the top of the Actions; left out of this vote.

Councilor Humphrey motioned to restore language to Section 2, “Acknowledgement of this Code” detailing what the signed acknowledgement entails. The motion failed 7-16-1 (Councilors Baker, Block, Farrell, Getz, Grossman, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Wright Opposed) (Councilor Gentile Absent).

Yes: Albright, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Humphrey, LobovitsNo: Baker, Block, Farrell, Getz, Grossman, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, WrightFrom the Clerk’s Note on this item. The Actions name Leonard J. Gentile as absent for this vote, though listed present at the top of the Actions; left out of this vote.

Councilor Humphrey motioned to add language to Subsection 4B (ii), related to Code enforcement provisions. The motion was seconded by Councilor Albright. The motion failed 7-16-1 (Councilors Baker, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Getz, Grossman, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Lipof, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Wright Opposed) (Councilor Gentile Absent).

Yes: Albright, Bixby, Greenberg, Humphrey, Leary, Lobovits, OliverNo: Baker, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Getz, Grossman, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Lipof, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, WrightFrom the Clerk’s Note on this item. The Actions name Leonard J. Gentile as absent for this vote, though listed present at the top of the Actions; left out of this vote.