March 8th 2018
We will hold two meetings on Thursday March 8th at the Waban Library Center.
6:30pm-7:30pm Special Meeting re Beethoven/Allen Ave Traffic Claming.
The City of Newton Transportation Dept. has identified Beethoven Ave. and Allen Ave. as streets that may benefit from traffic calming measures. City officials would like to hear from residents on this issue. Please join us on Thursday, March 8 from 6:30pm-7:30pm to hear about the traffic studies and data regarding speed and collisions on those two streets and to give your input regarding possible traffic calming measures.
City Officials Attending:
- Officer Dawn Fleming, Newton Police Traffic Bureau
- Nicole Freedman, Newton Director of Transportation
- Jason Sobel, Newton’s Deputy Director of Transportation Operations
- John Rice, Ward 5 City Councilor
If you are unable to attend the meeting but have comments or suggestions regarding traffic and safety on Beethoven and Allen Ave., please email wabanareacouncil@newtonma.gov and we will forward your comments to city officials.
Waban Area Council
Regular Meeting Agenda
March 8, 2018, 7:30pm-9:30pm
- Ann Berwick, Co-Director of Sustainability for the City of Newton will give a presentation on Newton Power Choice, a municipal aggregation program that will allow Newton residents to buy more renewable power through their utility provider (60 minutes).
- Approval of February Minutes (5 minutes).
- Approval of Treasurer’s Report (5 minutes).
- Burning Issues from the Community (10 minutes).
- Update on proposed medical marijuana dispensary at 1152 Beacon (site of former South Pacific restaurant) – RG (10 minutes).
- Should WAC plan a community forum on the proposal similar to NHAC meeting?
- Zoning Refrom Update. Thursday, March 15, Planning Dept. event - “Building Shape, Size, and Form in Neighborhoods and Village Centers” at 6:30 p.m. at the Newton Free Library – Druker Auditorium, 330 Homer Street. Check out the entire nine-part Zoning Redesign series online and RSVP at . (10 minutes).
- WAC blast email content. Discuss policy regarding content of blast emails. Note – given we are beginning the evening with a 6:30p.m. special meeting on Beethoven/Allen traffic calming, if our meeting is running long we will hold this issue for future discussion. (15 minutes).
- Next Meeting – April 12. CP to present Waban vision survey results.
The location of this meeting is handicap accessible, and reasonable accommodations will be provided to persons requiring assistance. If you need a special accommodation, please contact the city of Newton’s ADA Coordinator, Jini Fairley, at least two business days in advance of the meeting: jfairley@newtonma.gov or (617) 796-1253. For Telecommunications Relay Service, please dial 711.
Waban Area Council
Meeting Minutes
March 8, 2018 7:30pm
Present from the Waban Area Council: Bob Jampol, Rena Getz,
Chris Pitts, Sallee Lipschutz, Kathryn Winters, Dinah Bodkin,
Patrick Maher.
City Councilor: John Rice
Others Present: Nelson Lipschutz, Laura Rosen, Cory Aslperstein, Laura Steinberg, Steve Sugil, Alan Nogee.
Presentation by Ann Berwick, Co-Director of Sustainability for the City of Newton on Newton Power Choice: Newton Power Choice is a Municipal Aggregation Program that allows Newton residents to choose their level of support for renewable energy sources. The choice residents make does not actually change the composition (nonrenewable v renewable) of electricity in their homes. Rather the “renewable energy” option results in the generation of REC’s or renewable energy credits, which then increases economic incentives for the industry to shift towards renewable sources for electricity production. The program has been authorized by the City Council and will go into effect in the fall. All particulars can be learned at NewtonPowerChoice.com. Laya Steinberg and Cory Alperstein, from Newton Coalition for Climate Action were present and made an impassioned case for residents to opt in to the maximum renewable level and for Newton to lead in the Renewable Energy effort. Opting in to higher levels of renewable energy results in a modest cost increase. Some discussion ensued as to whether the REC’s will result in a “greener grid.” Not all members of the public, or the WAC were convinced of the efficacy of this approach.
February Minutes: Approved
Treasurer’s Report Approved: No changes since last month.
Burning Issues from the Community: None
Proposed Medical Marijuana Dispensary at 1152 Beacon St: RG reviewed the Newton Highlands NAC meeting she attended where New England Cannabis Corporation presented its proposal. 35 abutters were present, and RG reported considerable skepticism as to the safety and wisdom of this location (near a school, near a park). Discussion ensued as to whether and when WAC should also host a forum to air concerns about this proposal
Zoning Reform Update: Meeting on Thurs Mar 15 at 6:30pm in the Newton Library. Aspirational content will be discussed.
WAC blast email content: CP: we have a 45-50% open rate. Agreed that blast emails should only pertain to material directly related to WAC or material that the City asks WAC to send out.
Meeting adjourned: 9:30 pm
Respectfully submitted by Dinah Bodkin
