MassVoter.com← Newton City CouncilNewton City Council · 2024–2025 Council · Regular meeting
December 1, 2025
20 recorded votes, 18 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
During the meeting:
- Martha Bixby recused from the vote on: #341-25 Accept the committee recommendation: Request to amend Special Permit #65-96 to allow a second.
Every vote, in order
#238-25 (A) Reconsider
Councilor Gentile motioned to reconsider items #238-25 (A) and #238-25 (B). Each item was taken up for reconsideration separately. Reconsideration may occur when a party on the moving side of a vote requests it within 24 hours after the vote. The vote on the motion for reconsideration of item #238-25 (A) was taken via voice vote, and failed 0-24.
No: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Gentile, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, WrightFrom the Clerk’s Note on this item. The Actions call this a voice vote but record the count.
From the minutes
“The vote on the motion for reconsideration of item #238-25 (A) was taken via voice vote, and failed 0-24..” (Motion: Gentile)
#238-25 (B) Reconsider
The motion for reconsideration of item #238-25 (B) was seconded by Councilor Krintzman. The vote on the motion was taken via voice vote, and failed 0-24.
No: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Gentile, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, WrightFrom the Clerk’s Note on this item. The Actions call this a voice vote but record the count.
From the minutes
“The vote on the motion was taken via voice vote, and failed 0-24..” (Motion: Gentile, second: Krintzman)
Referred to Land Use Committee
#238-25 (A) Approve: rezone 399 Grove Street to Mixed Use 3 and related zoning text changes
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).
From the minutes
“City Council Approved #238-25 (A) and #238-25 (B) 23-1 (Councilor Malakie Opposed).”
#238-25 (B) Approve: zoning text changes reducing building height and stories (needed a two-thirds 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).”
From the minutes
“City Council Approved #238-25 (A) and #238-25 (B) 23-1 (Councilor Malakie Opposed).”
#239-25 Reconsider the approval of the 399 Grove Street rezoning
Councilor Gentile motioned to reconsider item #239-25. Reconsideration may occur when a party on the moving side of a vote requests it within 24 hours after the vote. The motion for reconsideration of item #239-25 was seconded by Councilor Krintzman. The vote on the motion was taken via voice vote and failed 0-24.
No: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Gentile, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, WrightFrom the Clerk’s Note on this item. The Actions call this a voice vote but record the count.
From the minutes
“The vote on the motion was taken via voice vote and failed 0-24..” (Motion: Gentile, second: Krintzman)
#239-25 Approve: Request to construct a mixed-use development consisting of 750 residential units, mixed commercial, parking and public open space...
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
From the minutes
“City Council Approved 22-2 (Councilors Malakie and Oliver Opposed).”
Referred to Finance Committee
#299-25 Refer the Item to the new City Council: Requesting discussion about a workers' compensation claim filed by Loretta Busa
City Council Referred the Item to the new City Council 24-0
From the minutes
“City Council Referred the Item to the new City Council 24-0.”
#318-25 Refer the Item to the new City Council: Requesting discussion and review of Workers' Compensation Program
City Council Referred the Item to the new City Council 24-0
From the minutes
“City Council Referred the Item to the new City Council 24-0.”
#25-24 Amend (Councilor Baker): clarifying language in Subsections E and 4A of the Code of Conduct
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.
From the minutes
“The amendment was approved unanimously via voice vote..” (Motion: Baker, second: Humphrey)
#25-24 Amend (Councilor Humphrey): strengthen Subsection 3D of the Code of Conduct
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.
From the minutes
“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)..” (Motion: Humphrey, second: Albright)
#25-24 Amend (Councilor Humphrey): restore the Section 2 acknowledgement language
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.
From the minutes
“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)..” (Motion: Humphrey)
#25-24 Amend (Councilor Humphrey): add enforcement language to Subsection 4B (ii)
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.
From the minutes
“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)..” (Motion: Humphrey, second: Albright)
#25-24 Amend (Councilor Humphrey): add enforcement language to Subsection 4B (iii)
Councilor Humphrey motioned to add language to Subsection 4B (iii), related to Code enforcement provisions. The motion failed 2-21-1 (Councilors Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Getz, Grossman, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Wright Opposed) (Councilor Gentile Absent).
Yes: Greenberg, HumphreyNo: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Getz, Grossman, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, 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.
From the minutes
“The motion failed 2-21-1 (Councilors Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Getz, Grossman, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Wright Opposed) (Councilor Gentile Absent)..” (Motion: Humphrey)
#25-24 Amend (Councilor Humphrey): add enforcement language to Subsection 4B (iv)
Councilor Humphrey motioned to add language to Subsection 4B (iv), related to Code enforcement provisions. The motion failed 2-21-1 (Councilors Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Wright Opposed) (Councilor Gentile Absent).
Yes: Humphrey, LobovitsNo: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Getz, Greenberg, 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.
From the minutes
“The motion failed 2-21-1 (Councilors Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, Wright Opposed) (Councilor Gentile Absent)..” (Motion: Humphrey)
Referred to Programs & Services Committee
#25-24 Approve as Amended Adding the Code of Conduct to the Council Rules: Develop a Code of Conduct for the Newton City Council
City Council Approved as Amended Adding the Code of Conduct to the Council Rules 23-0-1 (Councilor Gentile Absent)
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, 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 Approved as Amended Adding the Code of Conduct to the Council Rules 23-0-1 (Councilor Gentile Absent).”
Accept the committee recommendations on 20 items without discussion (#335-25, #336-25, #343-25, #344-25, #345-25, #346-25, ...)
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: #335-25 Request to amend Special Permit #189-81(E) at 84 Eldredge Street; #336-25 Request to allow a day care use and to waive 18 parking stalls at...; #343-25 Class 2 Auto Dealers License; #344-25 Class 2 Auto Dealer License; #345-25 Class 2 Auto Dealers License; #346-25 Class 2 Auto Dealer License; #355-24 Request to allow a mix of for-profit education, personal...; #339-25 Request to exceed FAR at 12 Garden Road; #340-25 Request to allow an oversized dormer, a dormer with an...; #375-24(2) Requesting discussion and possible amendments to Chapter 30 Zoning...; #44-24 Requesting re-evaluation and possible amendments to Inclusionary...; #287-25 Appointment of Ellen Penso to the Council on Aging; #314-25 Requesting a Home Rule Petition; #327-25 Creation of Older Adult Services gift account; #337-25 Appeal of Traffic Council Decision TC50-25; #324-25 Appropriation of $297,400 for Pump Station Rehabilitation Project; #325-25 Appropriation of $325,000 for Cheesecake Brook subbasin; #326-25 Request for discussion and ordinance to require energy use...; #347-25 Request for discussion and ordinance to allow voluntary energy use...; #157-24 Request for proposals from outside special counsel to ensure....
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 24 Yeas, 0 Nays to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
#341-25 Accept the committee recommendation: Request to amend Special Permit #65-96 to allow a second parking stall in the front setback at 63...
The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Recusal (Councilor Bixby) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
Yes: Albright, Baker, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Gentile, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, WrightMartha Bixby recused and is left out of this vote.
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 0 Nays, 1 Recusal (Councilor Bixby) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
#261-25 Accept the committee recommendation: Request to allow parking in the front setback at 47-49 Ripley Street
The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Farrell) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Gentile, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Malakie, Micley, Oliver, WrightNo: Farrell
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Farrell) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
#342-25 Accept the committee recommendation: Appeal of Traffic Council Decision TC44-25
The City Council voted without discussion 21 Yeas, 3 Nays (Councilors Lucas, Malakie, Wright) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Gentile, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Micley, OliverNo: Lucas, Malakie, Wright
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 21 Yeas, 3 Nays (Councilors Lucas, Malakie, Wright) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:.”
#44-24 Accept the committee recommendation: Requesting re-evaluation and possible amendments to Inclusionary Zoning
The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Malakie) to Accept the Committee Recommendations on the following:
Yes: Albright, Baker, Bixby, Block, Danberg, Downs, Farrell, Gentile, Getz, Greenberg, Grossman, Humphrey, Kalis, Kelley, Krintzman, Laredo, Leary, Lipof, Lobovits, Lucas, Micley, Oliver, WrightNo: Malakie
From the minutes
“The City Council voted without discussion 23 Yeas, 1 Nay (Councilor Malakie) 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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