• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Board of Directors
    • LWV Mission Statement
    • Bylaws of the LWVN
    • LWVN Non-Partisan Policy
    • LWVN Diversity Policy
    • LWVN Handbook
    • Annual Meetings
    • Newton League Past Presidents
    • Jane Leighton Volunteer-of-the-Year Award
    • LWVN Scholarship Program
  • News and Events
    • News & Events
    • The League Presents…
    • Newsletters
  • New Member FAQ
  • Contact Us
LWV Newton logo
  • Facebook

Visit us on Facebook!

  • Learn
    • Learn
    • The League Presents…
    • Topic Meetings
    • Newton Civics Challenge
  • Act/Advocate
    • Act/Advocate
    • LWVN Positions and Program
    • Issues We Are Following
    • LWVN Observer Corps
    • LWVN Local Action Log
    • Consensus Studies
    • National and State Positions
  • Vote
    • Vote
    • How to Register to Vote
    • How to Pick a Candidate
    • How, When and Where to Vote
    • Massachusetts Voters Bill of Rights
    • Your Elected Officials
    • Tips for Contacting Elected Officials

Latest Developments on City Charter Reform Discussions

February 11, 2018

On January 17, 2018, league members met to discuss the latest with charter change, including beginning to evaluate the “8&8” option discussed in December by the Newton City Council.

Read notes from the Topic Meeting below.


ATTENDANCE;   Amy Mah Sangiolo; Lois A. Levin; Helen B. Rittenberg; Linda Morrison; Susan Flicop; Lynn Weissberg; Kathleen Hobson; Karen Manning; Counselor Rick Lipof; Frieda Dweck; Sharyn Roberts; Pat Acton

Sue Flicop, President of the Newton LWV called the meeting to order at 7:05.  She stated that the purpose of the meeting was to discuss future directions of the possible change in size of the City Council and we will not “rehash” the past election.

Councilor Rick Lipof stated that this afternoon (1/17/18) he had docketed (along with 13 other councilors) an item which would name a Committee of 4 to meet and discuss the possibilities of changing the size of the Council the “8×8” proposal was mentioned, but the group would not be limited to only that configuration. The four named were Lisle Baker, David Kalis, Susan Albright, and Josh Kritzman.  The Committee should begin its work in June and finish in September with the entire Council voting in September.  In response to questions about the additional parts of the Commissions findings he stated that each would be taken separately That would include Term limits, 10 year reviews, and staggered terms.  It was urged by members present that the Committee hold open meetings and public input at hearings.  Those decisions will be made by the Committee.

It was urged that the Committee reach out to David Olsen, City Clerk for information and a Call-In Center which will assist with state-wide information.

The overall goals seem to be: 1. Smaller Council was voted on at least two times by voters of Newton. And   2. Keeping ward representation is important

Discussion included some of the following issues:

  • Ward representation vs City-wide representation seems to be misunderstood by Newton citizens
  • Size of ballot with large Council makes voting difficult and knowledge of every candidate confusing
  • Census in 2020 will again change ward lines and the voting places of many
  • The “Village” and “ward” loyalties along with North/South loyalties make problems
  • We must encourage “Newton” loyalty in our citizens.
  • We could change the “job description” of ward councilors to match the fact they are elected by a smaller group of voters and possibly elect them every 2 years, City-wide councilors elected for four years.
  • It was stated that the Leadership, Mayor, Members of City Council will set the tone when the proposal is brought forward. The discussion should be positive.

 

 

 

Categories: Topic Meetings

Primary Sidebar

Support LWVN

Join/Renew
Donate

Election Info

The State Primary is Tuesday, September 6.  Don't forget to VOTE!

  • Register to vote
  • How to Vote
  • Find your polling location
  • Absentee Ballots

Upcoming Events

  • There are no upcoming events.

2021 LWVN Member Handbook

An electronic version LWVN Member Handbook is now available.  Expect an updated handbook for 2022-23 in the late Fall.

LWV Mass. & US

LWV MA LWV US

Watch “The League Presents…”

The League Presents... is a monthly program on NewTV produced and directed by LWVN members about issues important to our community.

  • The League Presents: A conversation with Carol Moore, Newton’s City Clerk and Clerk of the City Council
  • The League Presents: Zoning Redesign, part 1
  • The League Presents: Newton’s Citizens Commission on Energy
  • The League Presents: What it means to be a League of Women Voters member
  • The League Presents: A Conversation with Three New School Committee Members

All past programs

Take Action & Contact Your Legislators

  • Support An Act Promoting Community Immunity
  • Support Public Health Measures 
  • Support Racial and Gender Parity
  • Take Action on the Votes Act
  • Potential Cuts to MBTA Service

Posts by Category

  • VOTE – Voters Service
    • Elections
    • Candidate Forums
    • Voter Registration
  • LEARN – Topics of Interest
    • Charter Commission
    • Community Preservation
    • Education
    • Environmental Issues
    • Housing
    • Land Use
    • Municipal Finance
    • Transportation
    • Women’s Suffrage
  • ACT – Action & Advocacy
    • Local Action Log
    • Consensus Studies – MA
    • Consensus Studies – Newton
    • Consensus Studies – US
  • City of Newton Info
    • City Council Meetings: Docket Digest
    • Observer Notes

Facebook Posts

Ellen Auerbach Grody
Ellen Auerbach Grody

June 28th, 11:33 am

Thank you for the recent letter to the mayor:LWVN Board Concurs with Newton Citizens Commission on Energy’s Memo Rejecting Newton Cemetery’s Tree Removal RequestJune 24, 2022On June 24, 2022, LWVN sent an email to Mayor Fuller expressing our our agreement with the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy (NCCE)’s memo of June 20th stating “We are writing to you regarding the Newton Cemetery’ request for exemption from the Tree Preservation Ordinance. We urge you to stand with the Director of Urban Forestry in denying that request and any waiver of its consequences. We also urge you to ask the City Council to revise the ordinance language to clarify their intent that the Tree Preservation Ordinance not exclude any property owners from its provisions.” ... See MoreSee Less
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 22nd, 6:26 pm

Breaking News: Governor Baker Signs VOTES Act Into Law - https://mailchi.mp/56363aee24bf/votes_act_update-8901645 ... See MoreSee Less

Breaking News: Governor Baker Signs VOTES Act Into Law

mailchi.mp

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 21st, 11:26 am

Newton Public Facilities Meeting: New Pipelines and Gas Valve Safety - https://mailchi.mp/ceafe522986a/newton-public-facilities-meeting-new-pipelines-and-gas-valve-safety ... See MoreSee Less

Newton Public Facilities Meeting: New Pipelines and Gas Valve Safety

mailchi.mp

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 13th, 10:33 am

LWVN has launched an important new "Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative". Learn more here!: https://lwvnewton.org/2022/06/… ... See MoreSee Less

Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative: Mission Statement and Goals - League of Women Voters Newton

lwvnewton.org

Throughout its 102-year history, the League of Women Voters has been a vigorous advocate for transparent and accountable government. The League strongly believes that transparency and accountability i...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 9th, 10:12 am

Important Update: VOTES ACT Released from Conference Committee - https://mailchi.mp/6365b29fa297/votes_act_update ... See MoreSee Less

Important Update: VOTES ACT Released from Conference Committee

mailchi.mp

Boston, MA — The Massachusetts VOTES Act Conference Committee today released its version of the comprehensive election reform bill, which will now head to the House and Senate for final procedural...
View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization encouraging the informed and active participation of citizens in government. It influences public policy through education and advocacy.

© 2022 League of Women Voters® Newton | P.O. Box 610207, Newton, MA 02461 | info@lwvnewton.org

Site by Tech-Tamer | Log in