Category Archives: From City of Newton

Newton Power Choice Program

Posted on March 10, 2018 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, From City of Newton, Other for , , |

The City of Newton is developing a plan for a new electricity program called Newton Power Choice, which will provide an opportunity for Newton to significantly increase the amount of renewable energy in the community’s electricity supply. Newton Power Choice is a form of group purchasing known as an electricity aggregation.

Newton Power Choice will provide:

  • Greener electricity
  • Price stability
  • Consumer protections
  • New electricity choices

As a program participant, you will have greater control over the environmental characteristics and price of your electricity supply. You will receive a standard amount of renewable electricity automatically, above the minimum amount required by state law, without choosing any of the options. (The standard amount is still to be determined.)

Or you can choose to:

  • Opt up to 100% renewable electricity.
  • Opt down to receive no additional renewable energy electricity above the state law requirement, but retain the program benefits of price stability and consumer protections.

More than 125 communities in Massachusetts are already engaged in electricity aggregation. But no other community has done what Newton is doing, which is to undertake an ambitious campaign to persuade electricity customers to opt up to 100% renewable electricity. Newton aims to have many more customers getting all of their electricity from New England renewable projects than any other community.

Participating and opting out: All Eversource Basic Service customers will be automatically enrolled. But participation is not required. Electricity customers may opt out of the program before being enrolled or at any time with no fee or penalty.

For more details on Newton Power Choice, see www.newtonpowerchoice.com.

Zervas School Building Committee Update – Meeting TOMORROW 11/12, 7.45 pm

Posted on November 11, 2014 by zervaspto in Community Notes, From City of Newton, Other

There will be a Board of Aldermen meeting this Wednesday, November 12th at 7:45 PM, Second Floor, Newton City Hall to review and potentially vote on the 5-58 site plan.

The documents that the Aldermen are currently reviewing in advance of this meeting can viewed here: http://www.newtonma.gov/civicax/filebank/documents/62350

There are additional design renderings (street-level mock-ups), and more detail about what the Design Review Committee is recommending in this packet.

Several things have happened or are in process that will be discussed at the November 12th meeting:

  1. the building position may be tweaked by a foot or so related to Conservation Commission issues (i.e., where the proposed building sits with respect to the 25′ and 50′ set-backs from the designated wetland areas).
  2. the elevations (e.g., the view from Beethoven, including coming from up the hill) have been refined from what we’ve seen before but they are still in process.
  3. the traffic study is done but the implications and planning regarding the blue zone and the right turn lane onto Beacon have not been resolved
  4. the tree survey is complete for two properties but the parking plan has not yet been massaged around the viable trees
  5. the city doesn’t yet have access to the 1316 Beacon property to confirm the wetlands line and to finish the tree survey.

If you want to receive ongoing communications related to this process, feel free to sign up for email updates at zsbc.community@gmail.com.

Waban Area Council

Posted on March 25, 2014 by zervaspto in From City of Newton

Dear Zervas Parents:

The Waban Area Council, elected by registered voters in the Waban catchment area, represents many of you. Your Area Council is available to hear your concerns about issues of interest to your neighborhood and we encourage you to attend our monthly meetings (on the second Thursdayevening of each month). Please visit our website at: www.wabanaareacouncil.com to see the Agendas for our meetings and to determine time and place. We are anxious to learn of your interests and concerns and to facilitate your communications and interactions with our City government. There is a place on our website to enter your name and e-mail address. If you do so, you will be added to our e-mail Google-Group and notified of meetings and updates on issues of interest.

Thank you.

Sallee Lipshutz, President

Waban Area Council

slipshutz@newtonma.gov

Open Parent Forum on Zervas School Renovation Project

Posted on March 4, 2014 by zervaspto in From City of Newton, From the Principal

We invite Zervas parents to join us on Tuesday, March 11th for an open parent forum to discuss the preliminary plans for the renovation/expansion of the Zervas School.  The meeting will be held in Rm 9 at Zervas from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm.  The Superintendent, members of the school department, school committee members, and members of the Zervas Building Committee will be at the meeting to review the preliminary plans.

Newton Spelling Bee

Posted on January 26, 2014 by Newton PTO Council in Community Notes, Education/Enrichment, Events, From City of Newton for |

The buzz is…the Newton Spelling Bee is back! In its new location of Newton City Hall, the fun and educational Spelling Bee for Newton elementary school children is back for its seventh year! This year, the Bee is sponsored by ChungDahm ReadWrite – the critical reading & writing experts – who are also sponsoring a free ‘pre-bee’ coaching session for all registered participants. There are five dates for the Bees, with multiple grade sessions on each day, March 24th, 25th and 31st and April 7th and 8th.

Each grade session is a separate Bee with a first place prize donated by Learning Express. Every speller receives a goody bag to celebrate their hard work. The sessions fill up quickly. Please register on line at www.newtoncommunitypride.org

Winter Snow Reminder

Posted on December 10, 2013 by zervaspto in From City of Newton

Winter is fast approaching. We’ve even had some snow already! Safe Routes to School Newton would like to remind Newton homeowners and businesses to please keep sidewalks clear of snow and ice so our children can safely walk to their schools and bus stops. Keeping everyone walking safely on the sidewalks is especially important during these dark days of winter and it makes driving easier too. Parents who have concerns about uncleared sidewalks can report the problems to the City of Newton through the 311 system by phone or online through the city’s website: newtonma.gov.

Heartbreak Hill Road Race & Walk

Posted on March 26, 2013 by zervaspto in Community Notes, Events, From City of Newton

Spring is finally in the air, and it is time to dust off those running shoes and join in the fun at the 21st annual Newton Heartbreak Hill Road Race & Walk. The race takes place on Sunday, April 14 from 10:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. starting at Newton City Hall. It is half a mile up and down famed Heartbreak Hill, the day before the Boston Marathon.

The race is sanctioned by USA Track & Field, NE; and all runners receive a t-shirt, seedling tree, race medal and official digital clock timing. The 1st , 2nd & 3 rd place winners in each category receive a trophy. Of course, there is wild cheering, music, games and face painting and games with Lasell College students…and admiration all around!

The pre-race pasta/pizza party is a great way to start off the festivities, the day before the race on Saturday, April 13 at 5:30 p.m. at Newton City Hall, War Memorial Auditorium. The dinner is hosted by Papa Gino’s and Whole Foods Market and is free to all registrants, and just $3 per person for family and guests. Not a runner? Join in the Family Walk at 3:00 p.m. or the shorter Intergenerational Walk around City Hall at 10:30 a.m.

Registration is easy at www.newtoncommunitypride.org.  See you under the balloon arch!

Youth Summit II

Posted on March 12, 2013 by zervaspto in From City of Newton

On March 20, 2013, Mayor Setti D. Warren will host Youth Summit II, bringing teens, parents and community members back together to focus on solutions to the challenges discussed during Youth Summit I in October.  Youth Summit I was a chance to hear from and talk to our teens about what they are thinking, feeling, and experiencing.  Youth Summit II is an opportunity to learn about the priorities that emerged from our discussions in October and to help us move forward as a community to take action. The evening will include a chance to hear from the Mayor, the Superintendent, and teens, small group discussions and an opportunity for all to express their opinion on the best solutions to pressing teen issues in Newton.

Teens and adults are invited and encouraged attend. The summit will take place at Brown Middle School located at 125 Meadowbrook Road in Newton from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. A light supper will be served from 5:30-6:00pm. Registration is required for the event. You can register by visiting www.newtonma.gov/youthsummit or contact 617-796-1436, youthsummit@newtonma.gov or joleary@newtonma.gov .

Youth Summit II is sponsored by the Newton Youth Commission, City of Newton Health and Human Services  Department, and The Newton Partnership.

Newton Parks & Rec offers programs for kids and adults

Posted on January 15, 2013 by zervaspto in From City of Newton
  • Drop-in Playgroup for ages 3 & under at Nahnton Park Nature Center

http://www.newtonma.gov/civicax/filebank/documents/48743

  • Fencing at the Newton Centre Hut

http://www.newtonma.gov/civicax/filebank/documents/41057

For adults:

  • Wednesday Cribbage games for Adults at Nahanton Park

http://www.newtonma.gov/civicax/filebank/documents/48742

For additional information, please contact Robin  at 617-796-1510.

Camp Fair Sunday, January 27th

Posted on January 14, 2013 by zervaspto in From City of Newton

The city is sponsoring its yearly camp fair this year on Sunday January 27th. Camps run by Newton Parks & Recreation and the Newton Public Schools (including Newton Community Education and SPACE camp), will be represented at the fair. Come early to reserve your child’s spot in the program of his or her choice for Summer 2013, or to learn more about the many varied options offered in our city.

Newton North High School
12:00 noon – 4:00 pm