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Book Group/Holiday Celebration

Join the LWVN Book Group

December 3, 1:30-3:30 pm, Waban Library Center

The League of Women Voters of Newton invites all community members to join us on Sunday, December 3, 2023, from 1:30-3:30pm, at the Waban Library Center (1608 Beacon Street, Newton), for an intimate gathering and book group discussion on one of the most banned books of the last two years, Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe.

Whether you’ve read the book or not, come engage in a lively discussion of the book (and other books on banned books list, if you are inclined to read others), why it has caused so many schools and libraries to remove it from the shelves, whether LWVN or any League should take a position on book banning, and more.

RSVPs to info@lwvnewton.org are appreciated!

Following the discussion, we invite all to celebrate with us the holiday season and join in some holiday cheer.   We note that the Waban Area’s Council’s annual tree lighting ceremony in Waban Square, right outside the Waban Library Center, occurs  at 4:00pm and all are welcome to attend.

For more information on Banned Books, read below.

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Special City Council Meeting to Consider Village Center Overlay District

On Wednesday, November 29, at 6:30 p.m., the City Council will hold a special meeting in person (Council Chamber) and virtually (Zoom link) to vote on the proposed Village Center Overlay District (VCOD).  The City Council met previously to vote on the VCOD on November 15 and November 20.  In each meeting, there were a number of proposed amendments, and the City Council was not able to get through them all.  The November 29 special meeting continues the process.

LWVN supports the VCOD, and we encourage LWVN members to show support for passage of the VCOD by attending the meeting in person at City Hall or on Zoom.  In addition, LWVN members can call or write to their city councilors to encourage passage of the VCOD with, at a minimum, the five villages required by the MBTA Communities Law (Newton Centre, Newton Highlands, Waban, West Newton, and Newtonville), plus Auburndale. While including Auburndale in the VCOD is not required by the MBTA Communities Act, the City has received indications that failure to include Auburndale will decrease the likelihood of receiving long-hoped-for funding to renovate all three of Newton’s commuter rail stations.

The VCOD furthers the regional plan adopted, through a 2021 state law, the Massachusetts Housing Choice Bill (MBTA Communities Act), to address the state’s critical housing shortage by increasing the housing supply statewide, particularly in connection with transportation hubs.  The VCOD is structured to promote safe and secure housing at a range of price points, while incentivizing increasing the supply of smaller housing units.  The VCOD concentrates the opportunity for compact development near transit and where key infrastructure exists, providing support to our local economy with minimal increase in car trips, while supporting walkable village centers. Newton, along with other communities that have transit stations, is required by the MBTA Communities Act to change zoning regulations to comply with the law.

On June 26, 2023, and November 13, 2013, LWVN sent letters to the City Council in support of the Village Center Overlay District (VCOD), which furthers the positions of LWVN and implements the MBTA Communities Act.  You can read the entirety of LWVN’s letters here: November 13, 2023 and June 26, 2023.

In October 2023, LWVN joined the Newton for Everyone coalition (NOT the Newton for Everyone PAC formed shortly before the November 2023 municipal elections), a group of civic, housing, climate activists, clergy, and local businesses supporting the proposed VCOD.

For further information about the VCOD, see the City of Newton’s website page on the Village Center Overlay District.

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LWVMA Webinar Series on the Status and Future Plans for Offshore Wind

Massachusetts and other New England states are planning on offshore wind as a major factor in meeting renewable energy generation and emissions reduction goals as we transition off fossil fuels.  Join LWVMA as they take a deep dive into the Northeast’s offshore wind industry and learn about the value of critical offshore wind projects and threats to their timely deployment. Each session has a separate Zoom registration. Sign up for one, two, or all three! See full descriptions and registration links for each session on the  LWVMA website. This series is co-hosted by LWVMA and New England for Offshore Wind (NE4OSW).

What’s Up with Offshore Wind? Current Status – Future Plans – Getting It Done

Webinars are 4:00-5:00pm Eastern Time
Webinar I, September 14, 2023: Collaboration and Ambition: Where Offshore Wind Stands Now
Webinar II, November 16, 2023: Opportunities and Obstacles: Costs and Benefits of Offshore Wind
Webinar III, January 18, 2024: Conflicts and Solutions: Overcoming Offshore Wind Opposition

Attention: Beware of Election Disinformation

Recently, LWVN joined Newton for Everyone, a nonpartisan coalition of civic, housing, climate activists, clergy, and local businesses supporting the proposed Village Center Overlay District (VCOD) under consideration by the Newton City Council.

Someone, or some group, has been using social media and paid online ads to impersonate Newton for Everyone and to spread misinformation leading up to the upcoming Nov. 7 municipal election. Read more.

The League Presents… Newton’s 2023 New Candidates for School Committee

Recently, I had an opportunity to speak with Amy Davenport and Barry Greenstein, both are unopposed and non-incumbent candidates for School Committee seats in Wards 7 and 8, respectively. Since there are no challengers for these positions, The League does not hold what we call an “empty chair” forum. Therefore, we thought that The League Presents… would give them an opportunity to introduce themselves to Newton, share their thoughts about their candidacy and the Newton Public School system. Please use the links below to view my conversations with the candidates:

View the conversation – Amy Davenport – Ward 7 View the conversation – Barry Greenstein – Ward 8

Marcia Johnson
LWVN Board of Directors

LWVN Joins Newton for Everyone

The LWVN board voted in October to join Newton for Everyone, a coalition of civic, housing, climate activists, clergy, and local businesses supporting the proposed Village Center Overlay District (VCOD) under consideration by the Newton City Council. This is a non-partisan coalition.

As Newton goes through the process of considering the VCOD, its citizens will need a reasoned and well informed coalition that can present factual information regarding the changes being proposed.  LWVN will be lending its name, reputation, and experience as Newton for Everyone works to ensure that correct information is being given to citizens through leafleting, signs, and ensuring there is a balanced representation at community forums.  

To learn more about the coalition, visit Newtonforeveryone.com.

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