2013-2014
November 14, 2013: Transportation Information Meeting
LWVN Environmental Committee held an informational meeting to discuss LWVMA’s recently adopted new Transportation Positions, and to develop a concurrence proposal for LWVN to vote on at Annual Meeting.
2012-2013 Topic Meetings
May 16, 2013: Money and Politics: Defining the Problem, Exploring Solutions
An informative presentation and discussion about money and politics.
March 14, 2013: Local Program Planning
A discussion of our program proposals for next year. We talked about the local Education Consensus Study, committee reports and proposals, and action priorities for next year.
February 13, 2013: Education Study Update
A new LWV Newton Education Committee has been established. The first task was to review previously developed local education positions. We reviewed our recommendations that include re-studying some positions and changing wording for others.
November 15, 2012: Newton’s Override Proposal
A discussion of the Mayor’s override proposal.
October 18, 2012: 2012 Ballot Questions
The League does not have positions on the ballot questions, but, in order to help clarify the issues for voters, League members were presented with the arguments both for and against the questions.
The following questions were discussed:
Question 1 (law proposed by initiative petition): Availability of Motor Vehicle Repair Information
Question 2 (law proposed by initiative petition): Prescribing Medication to End Life
Question 3 (law proposed by initiative petition): Medical Use of Marijuana
Question 4 (nonbinding question): “Budget for All” Referendum
Question 5 (nonbinding question): Call for Constitutional Amendment about constitutional rights of corporations and money in politics
September 20, 2012: Report on LWVUS National Convention
The LWVUS 50th National Convention was very exciting and productive! We received a report on the interesting speakers, the approved program for 2012-2014, and everything else that was accomplished at the National Convention!
2011-2012
April 12, 2012: National Privatization Study Consensus Meetings
Come and be heard. The National League Study on Privatization is not asking us to reach consensus on whether privatization is a good thing or a bad thing, but to educate ourselves so that we understand the details of how and why privatization occurs and the policies that need to be in place to not only ensure that privatizing a public service is not only more cost effective, but that private entities are held to the same standards as government entities in their responsibility to the public. This is your chance to help decide League positions.
March 8, 2012: Local Program Planning for 2012-2013
Join us to discuss our program proposals for next year. We will talk about the upcoming local Transportation Consensus Study, committee reports and proposals, and action priorities for next year. This is your chance to have input into what the League will be doing next year.
If you would like more information, please visit our League Program Planning page.
February 9, 2012: Discussion with Craig Manseau, Executive Secretary, Newton Election Commission
Join the League for a conversation about a variety of election issues, including proposed voter ID laws and how the recent redistricting affects Newton’s Wards/Precincts and polling locations.
January 12, 2012: Getting Involved in Newton
Join us to learn how you can become more involved in Newton through advocacy for issues you are concerned about and/or by joining Newton’s advisory boards and commissions. Brooke Lipsitt, League of Women Voters Newton member and former President of the Board of Aldermen, and Megan Costello, Director of Community Affairs for the City of Newton, will present.
November 17, 2011: Discussion of Upcoming LWVUS Privatization Consensus Study
We will be discussing the upcoming National Privatization Study.
October 13, 2011: Consensus Meetings: LWVUS Study – The Role of the Federal Government in Public Education
Join the League to come to consensus on the LWVUS National Education Study. Meetings held in both the morning and evening.
September 15, 2011: Economic Development 101
Join the League for a primer on economic development by Chris Steele, Newton resident and visiting professor at UMass Boston and UMass Dartmouth.
2010-2011 Topic Meetings
May 11, 2011: Meet Newton Public Schools Superintendent David A. Fleishman
A discussion about what the future holds for the Newton Public Schools.
April 27: A Conversation with Newton’s Budget Director Maureen Lemieux
A discussion about Newton’s budget.
March 23 & 24, 2011: Land Use Review Consensus Meetings
At last year’s Annual Meeting, the League membership approved a Land Use Study, including a review of LWVN’s Land Use positions. Two meetings took place for League members to come to consensus on this important issue.
Topics discussed/questions to arrive at consensus included:
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- Housing What types of housing should be available in Newton?
- Fiscal Policy How can Newton achieve a balance amongst its mix of commercial and residential uses to address the full range of housing types that support a diverse population and meet (achieve, accomplish, ….) economic development goals?
- Sustainability What makes a development project “sustainable,” and how important is this?
- Zoning What are some effective ways to regulate land use & development through zoning?
February 9 & 10, 2011: Action Plan! 2011-2012 Program Planning
Planning for the 2011-2012 Program took place at these two meetings, one held the daytime and one in the evening.
LWVN 2011-2012 committee program proposals can be found here.
Part of each meeting was spent discussing program planning for the state League. The LWV Massachusetts State Program Planning Guide can be found here.
December 8, 2010: Sidewalk Snow Clearing – An Update and Q & A on the Proposed Ordinance
The League of Women Voters of Newton has advocated over decades for an ordinance ensuring that residents will clear their sidewalks of snow and ice in the winter to provide safe passage for pedestrians of all ages. On Wednesday, December 8th, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the NewTV Conference Room, League member and Alderman Vicki Danberg provided an update on the status of the ordinance, answered questions, and listened to feedback from residents. Also presenting was League members of Safe Sidewalks, a coalition of several Newton groups working together in support of sidewalk snow clearing.
November 10, 2010: Crystal Lake: The Impact of an Urban Environment on a Natural Lake; Preliminary Analysis and Possible Solutions
The Crystal Lake Conservancy, dedicated to preserving Crystal Lake for the benefit of the public, has undertaken a continuing scientifically-based environmental study of the lake and its surrounding watershed. Janice Bourque and Schuyler Larrabee, co-presidents, discussed the preliminary results of the study, some of which run counter to popular assumptions about the lake’s health. Then, they outlined steps that may be taken by residents of the lake’s watershed, and by the city, to mitigate the harm that an urban environment can cause. What we are learning in the microcosm of studying Crystal Lake has widespread application to the broader environment of Newton.
October 2010: Why You Should Vote No on Question 2 and Save Affordable Housing
Discussion with Phil Herr and Josephine McNeil.
September 8, 2010: What’s Up with the National and State Leagues?
Join Newton’s delegates for a lively discussion about this year’s National and State Conventions.