City Council - Regular Meeting

Just like that.

I think if you hit on the if you go to the triple dots, you can promote them there. Oh, okay. Recording in progress.

All right, folks. Can we grab our seats, please? Hi. That's all right. That's all right. Councelor Golden, he's not sorry. He's still standing. Just kidding. All right. Great. Thanks, everyone. Uh, we are officially being audio and video recorded. I do believe I heard that. Um, participating online this evening, uh, we have counselors, Greenberg, Bixby, Frell, Wright is on the way in. Correct. I believe that's everyone. Um, I'm going to be skipping uh the pledge of allegiance this evening uh uh in lie of a moment of silence which I'm going to have uh councelor Baker join me at the podium for here in a minute. Um, one last thing for those of you in the chamber who are using your laptops, please make sure that your uh speaker volume is or your speaker is muted so that we don't get that feedback challenge that we all love so much. Uh but without further ado, councelor Baker would please uh take over. Thank you, sir.

Thank you, Mr. President and colleagues. Um I hope it's in order to read a memorial resolution in honor of a former member of this body. Um Michael Malik. This is a memorial resolution honoring Michael A. Malik in recognition of his commitment to the Newton community and remembrance of his life and legacy. Whereas Michael Mike A. Malik served the people of Newton as a member of the Newton board of alderman from 1980 to 1986. And whereas throughout his time as a member of the board of alderman, Michael A. Malik represented Newton's ward 5, which included Newton Highlands and Newton Center. And whereas Michael A. Malik held leadership positions during his time on the board of alderman, including serving as president from 1985 to 1986. And whereas Michael A. Malik worked tirelessly to preserve, protect, and enhance the quality of life for all Newton residents, including through his work to improve housing opportunities. And whereas Michael A. Malik earned a reputation as a gracious colleague whose thoughtful input was often insightful and was always welcome. And whereas Michael A. Malik distinguished himself as a scholar and a teacher at Boston College. And whereas Michael A. Malik passed away on March 31st, 2026, leaving behind his beloved wife MNA and his two sons, Timothy and Thomas, and four grandchildren. And whereas the members of the Newton City Council see it fit and proper to remember Michael A. Malik, and to honor him for his many valuable contributions to his beloved city of Newton. Now therefore, be it resolved that the city council joins in offering condolences to his family and friends and wishes them to understand how valued a colleague he was. Offered by John Oliver, David Kais, and myself as officers of the board on behalf of the whole city council, I'd ask you all to rise for a moment of silence.

Thank you. And we'll present this to the family later. Okay, thank you everyone. Uh I believe yep, we've also nobody else has joined online. So that's fabulous. All right, we're going to proceed with first call items here. Uh we'll start with land use. Councelor Kelly.

Thank you, Mr. President. I was about to pledge my allegiance. Um, land use committee has no report, but I would like to um ask for call for some public hearings for items 131-26 and 130-26, both for April 14th, and they can be found on page 66 of your docket. Did I not have a report? Do I have a report? I can't hear what people are saying. I have a report. It would it would appear that there is a report beginning on page 61.

Okie do. My mistake. We've had such a light recent time that I forgot about that. But I'd like to call for those two public hearings, too. If you I can do them out of order as I just did or I'll do them again at the end of this. I think we can work with you on that one.

Yes, we did. We met on March. The land use committee met on March 24th. We heard two items. Number 118-26, which was a request to further extend non-conforming F and lot cover coverage at 199 Otis Street. that was uh approved unanimously 8 to zero and 119-26 which was a request for a special permit to allow an oversized dormer extending a nonconforming three and a half story structure and to further extend non-conforming FIR at 25-27 Lewis Street. Um and that was also approved 71 and then I'm okay with the public hearing as long as you got three. Can I ask we're out of order?

Thank you. Even though you were out of out of order, we do appreciate it. Thank you. And for Zap, Councelor Baker. Thank you, Mr. President. I want to acknowledge the uh able chairing work done by the vice chair in my absence. Um but we had only one item of which there was an action by committee. It's 2226 requests for a pre-budget planning discussion and because we held the pre-budget planning discussion, the item is no action necessary. Great. Thank you. uh for programs and services. Council Prince.

Thank you, Mr. President. There is no report this evening, but I would like to remind my colleagues that on Wednesday night at 6:00, the rules subcommittee will begin deliberating uh the council rules. So, if you have an interest in that uh or an agenda item that you haven't yet submitted to the rules subcommittee, please do that. That would be helpful. That's at 6:00. And at 7:00 during the programs and services committee meeting, we're actually going to begin our our review of the city charter uh looking at articles 6 and 7. So those materials are online, but we welcome you all to join us that evening. Thank you, Mr. President. Thank you. Public safety and transportation councelor Lucas.

Thank you. Um the committee met on March 18th. We had one we had one item and it was held and that's all. Great. Thank you sir for public facilities council or vice president Kais.

Thank you Mr. President. Uh the report begins on page 62. We had four items. Uh items 66 61-26 105-26 106-26 and 111-26 all voted no action necessary. Um, I'd also like to uh announce request a public hearing for items 122-26 and 123-26 which are on page 67 of the docket. Uh 122-26 is for April 8th, 2026 and 123-26 is for May 6th. Um, and that concludes the report.

Great. Thank you, sir. and for real property reuse. Councelor Malaki. Oh, no. I'm sorry. For finance. Terribly. Sorry. Councelor Gwin. Thank you, Mr. President. The report begins on page 63. The committee met on March 23rd. The first item 111-26, the repurposing of $150,000 for the renovation of fire station 2 bathroom was voted no action necessary 6 to zero. Item 112-26, authorization to transfer $46,500 for accessibility improvements was approved 8 to zero. With that, I move the report. Great. Thank you. Now for real property reuse. Councelor Malik,

you Mr. President, there is no report. Fantastic. And I I believe I'll just read into the record here. Um the committee of the whole met on March 30th. Uh there is no specific report as we held the item for uh review of the Berto regulations uh just in case that came around uh later on in the term. But there is no specific report for that. With that said, we do a roll call on the first our first call items, please. Councelor Albbright. I councelor Baker. Councelor Bixby.

Hi. Councelor Block. Hi. Councelor Charm. Hi. Councelor Damabad. Hi. Answer Frell. Hi. Answer gets I answer Golden. Answer Gordon. I. Answer Greenberg. I answer Gman. I. Answer Irish. I Answer Kalis. Hi, Answer Kelly. Hi, Answer Kinsman. Hi, Councelor Liry. I Lucas, I Malaki,

I. Anel Mikley, Answer Roach, I. Anel Silber, I. Answer Wright. I President Oliver I on this vote the eyes are 23 and one member is absent.

Fantastic. Thank you sir. There are no items on second call. Uh with that said, do I have a motion to adjurnn? I have a motion. All in favor say I. We are adjourned. Thank you all. By the way, go Yukon. said the guy went. Recording stopped.

Oh, okay. Sorry. Thank the Lord. Good night.