MassVoter.com← Newton City CouncilNewton City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
November 17, 2025
12 recorded votes, 9 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, Andrea W. Kelley, Pamela Wright, Julia Malakie, Joshua Krintzman, Leonard J. Gentile, Randy Block, Andreae Downs, 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: David Micley, Rena Getz
Every vote, in order
Referred to Public Facilities Committee
#267-25 Recommit to Public Facilities Committee: Requesting approval of the Walk, Roll, and Bike Network Plan
City Council Voted to Recommit to Public Facilities Committee 22-0-2 (Councilors Getz, Micley Absent)
From the minutes
“City Council Voted to Recommit to Public Facilities Committee 22-0-2 (Councilors Getz, Micley Absent).”
#317-25 Amend: add a Newton Highlands Working Group
Councilor Bixby proposed an amendment that a Newton Highlands Working Group be established following approval of this item. The motion to amend was seconded by Councilor Kalis. The motion was approved 22-0-2 (Councilors Getz, Micley Absent).
From the Clerk’s Note on this item.
From the minutes
“The motion was approved 22-0-2 (Councilors Getz, Micley Absent)..” (Motion: Bixby, second: Kalis)
#317-25 Approve as Amended Adding a Newton Highlands Working Group to the Plan: Review of the conceptual plan of the Newton Highlands Village...
City Council Approved as Amended Adding a Newton Highlands Working Group to the Plan 20-2-2 (Councilors Lucas, Malakie Opposed) (Councilors Getz, Micley Absent)
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Oliver, WrightNo: Lucas, Malakie
From the minutes
“City Council Approved as Amended Adding a Newton Highlands Working Group to the Plan 20-2-2 (Councilors Lucas, Malakie Opposed) (Councilors Getz, Micley Absent).”
Referred to Zoning & Planning Committee
#44-24 Recommit to Zoning & Planning Committee: Requesting re-evaluation and possible amendments to Inclusionary Zoning
City Council Voted to Recommit to Zoning & Planning Committee 22-0-2 (Councilors Getz, Micley Absent)
From the minutes
“City Council Voted to Recommit to Zoning & Planning Committee 22-0-2 (Councilors Getz, Micley Absent).”
#206-24 Amend: allow remote or in-person participation in the City Council Caucus
Councilor Albright made a motion to add language regarding the City Council Caucus that allows participation either remotely or in-person. The motion was seconded by Councilor Humphrey. The amendment was approved via voice vote.
From the Clerk’s Note on this item. The Actions record this as a voice vote with no count, so MassVoter shows the result only.
From the minutes
“The amendment was approved via voice vote..” (Motion: Albright, second: Humphrey)
#206-24 Amend: 180-day deadline to close committee items; committee majority needed for more time
Councilor Humphrey made a motion to make two amendments to the overall reform package in the Committee Reports section: 1.) Changing the deadline to close a item from one (1) year to 180 days (approximately six (6) months); 2.) Specifying that the majority of the committee must approve further time on an item. The motion was seconded by Councilor Lobovits. The motion to amend passed 16-6-2 (Councilors Baker, Block, Farrell, Kalis, Krintzman, Lucas Opposed) (Councilors Getz, Micley Absent).
Yes: Albright, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Malakie, Oliver, WrightNo: Baker, Block, Farrell, Kalis, Krintzman, LucasFrom the Clerk’s Note on this item.
From the minutes
“The motion to amend passed 16-6-2 (Councilors Baker, Block, Farrell, Kalis, Krintzman, Lucas Opposed) (Councilors Getz, Micley Absent)..” (Motion: Humphrey, second: Lobovits)
#206-24 Amend: change “180 days” back to “one (1) year”
Councilor Baker motioned for a further amendment changing “180 days” to “one (1) year.” The motion failed 6-15-3 (Councilors Albright, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Malakie, Oliver, Wright Opposed) (Councilors Gentile, Getz, Micley Absent).
Yes: Baker, Block, Farrell, Kalis, Krintzman, LucasNo: Albright, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Malakie, 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.
From the minutes
“Councilor Baker motioned for a further amendment changing “180 days” to “one (1) year.” The motion failed 6-15-3 (Councilors Albright, Bixby, Danberg, Downs, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kelley, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Malakie, Oliver, Wright Opposed) (Councilors Gentile, Getz, Micley Absent)..” (Motion: Baker)
#206-24 Amend: make the new rule changes effective immediately
Councilor Humphrey made a motion to amend, including that these new rule changes be made effective immediately. The motion was seconded by Councilor Leary. The motion was approved via voice vote.
From the Clerk’s Note on this item. The Actions record this as a voice vote with no count, so MassVoter shows the result only.
From the minutes
“The motion was approved via voice vote..” (Motion: Humphrey, second: Leary)
Referred to Programs & Services Committee
#206-24 Approve: Requesting complete review and appropriate changes to the Rules of the City
City Council Approved 22-0-2 (Councilors Getz, Micley Absent)
From the minutes
“City Council Approved 22-0-2 (Councilors Getz, Micley Absent).”
Referred to Zoning & Planning Committee
#375-24(2) Recommit to Zoning & Planning Committee: Requesting discussion and possible amendments to Chapter 30 Zoning to allow certain routine...
City Council Voted to Recommit to Zoning & Planning Committee 21-0-3 (Councilors Gentile, Getz, Micley Absent)
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Malakie, Oliver, WrightThe Actions name Leonard J. Gentile as absent for this vote, though listed present at the top of the Actions; left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“City Council Voted to Recommit to Zoning & Planning Committee 21-0-3 (Councilors Gentile, Getz, Micley Absent).”
Accept the committee recommendations on 16 items without discussion (#181-24, #181-24(2), #23-24, #269-25, #293-25, #316-25, ...)
The City Council voted without discussion 22 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Absent (Councilors Getz, Micley) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
One vote on the block of items the council took up without discussion. The items: #181-24 Request for discussion and possible amendments to remove or reduce...; #181-24(2) Request for discussion and possible amendments to remove or reduce...; #23-24 Update on Short-term rental ordinance compliance and enforcement; #269-25 Requesting discussion and possible amendments to policies for...; #293-25 Requesting Amendments to Chapter 30 Zoning; #316-25 CPC recommendation to appropriate $1,997,000 in CPA Historic...; #328-25 Reappointment of Scott Friedman to the Newtonville Historic...; #312-25 Appropriation of $1,650,000 from June 30, 2025 Certified Free Cash...; #320-25 Eversource petition for a grant of location in Armory and...; #338-25 Authorization to grant an easement to NStar Electrical Company...; #281-25 Parking fine revision; #313-25 Reappointment of Shawn Murphy as a Constable; #322-25 Request to expend $17,290.73 for a settlement; #323-25 Authorization to transfer and expend $8,000 for Holiday Targeted...; #334-25 Request for correction of Council Order #165-25; #365-24 Discussion and possible ordinance change on residential parking....
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 22 Yeas, 0 Nays, 2 Absent (Councilors Getz, Micley) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
#321-25 Accept the committee recommendation: Request for approval of FY26 Property Tax Levy distribution percentages
The City Council voted without discussion 21 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Lucas), 2 Absent (Councilors Getz, Micley) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Gentile, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Malakie, Oliver, WrightNo: Lucas
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 21 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Lucas), 2 Absent (Councilors Getz, Micley) 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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