MassVoter.com← Newton City CouncilNewton City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
April 22, 2025
6 recorded votes, 5 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · City meeting page
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Alison M. Leary, John Oliver, Maria Scibelli Greenberg, Susan Albright, Tarik J. Lucas, David Micley, Andrea W. Kelley, Pamela Wright, Julia Malakie, Joshua Krintzman, Leonard J. Gentile, Randy Block, Andreae Downs, Rena Getz, Bill Humphrey, Victoria L. Danberg, Alan Lobovits, Martha Bixby, Rebecca Walker Grossman, Marc C. Laredo, Lisle Baker, Richard A. Lipof, David A. Kalis, Stephen Farrell
Absent: None
Every vote, in order
Referred to Zoning & Planning Committee
#369-24 Approve: Requesting discussion and amendments to Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
City Council Approved 24-0
#369-24(2) Amend (Councilor Baker): owner-occupancy rules for detached ADUs
Councilor Baker motioned to proffer an amendment to #369-24(2), which stated that, regarding external ADUs, new constructions would have an owner occupancy requirement, conversions of existing structures would have no owner occupancy requirement, and special permits of 1500 square feet or more may have the possibility of owner occupancy, but that is not required The motion was seconded by Councilor Oliver. The motion failed 9-15 (Councilors Albright, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Micley Opposed).
Yes: Baker, Block, Farrell, Gentile, Getz, Lucas, Malakie, Oliver, WrightNo: Albright, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, MicleyFrom the Clerk’s Note on this item.
From the minutes
“The motion failed 9-15 (Councilors Albright, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Micley Opposed)..” (Motion: Baker, second: Oliver)
#369-24(2) Approve: Requesting discussion and amendments to Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU)
City Council Approved 18-6 (Councilors Baker, Farrell, Gentile, Lucas, Malakie, Oliver Opposed)
Yes: Albright, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Micley, WrightNo: Baker, Farrell, Gentile, Lucas, Malakie, Oliver
From the minutes
“City Council Approved 18-6 (Councilors Baker, Farrell, Gentile, Lucas, Malakie, Oliver Opposed).”
#63-25 Approve: Appointment of Andrew Copelotti to the Economic Development Commission
City Council Approved 16-8 (Councilors Block, Farrell, Lobovits, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Wright Opposed)
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, LipofNo: Block, Farrell, Lobovits, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Wright
From the minutes
“City Council Approved 16-8 (Councilors Block, Farrell, Lobovits, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Wright Opposed).”
Accept the committee recommendations on 15 items without discussion (#75-25, #76-25, #77-25, #69-25, #70-25, #72-25, ...)
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: #75-25 Request to allow a Marijuana Transporter at 16 Maguire Court; #76-25 Request to amend Special Permit #419-22 and to allow a three-story...; #77-25 Request to exceed FAR at 71 Commonwealth Avenue 0 COMM AVE LLC...; #69-25 Request to allow four attached single-family dwellings at 75...; #70-25 Appointment of David Hedison to the BERDO Advisory Commission; #72-25 Appointment of Mark Clay to the BERDO Advisory Commission; #74-25 Appointment of Dante Capasso to the BERDO Advisory Commission; #47-25 Appointment of Rabbi Keith Stern as Newton Library Trustee; #55-25 Resolution to Recognize the Newton Cultural Council; #71-25 Recommendation to approve 2025 Preliminary Election date; #79-25 Appointment of Michelle Howard-Sparks to the Institutional Biosafety; #214-24 Discussion on the Transportation Network Improvement Plan; #84-25 Authorization to accept and expend a gift of up to $59,400 for...; #85-25 Request for authorization to appropriate and expend $28,763 for...; #88-25 Submittal of the ACFR, and external audit reports.
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 24 Yeas, 0 Nays to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
#422-24 Accept the committee recommendation: Request to allow four attached single-family dwellings with dimensional and parking waivers at 640...
The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Block), to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Gentile, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, WrightNo: Block
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Block), 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.
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