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2017-2018 LWV Newton Program

2017 – 2018 Proposed PROGRAM

(Issues for Study and Action)

The Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of Newton recommends adoption of the following program for 2017-2018:

  1. All program positions approved by the membership at the June 2017 Annual Meeting and listed on www.lwvnewton.org
  2. Support a yes vote in the November election on the proposed city charter. This will include, but will not be limited to, outreach, advocacy and education.

The Board of Directors of the League of Women Voters of Newton recommends the following local action priorities for 2017-2018

  1. CPA:  Review CPA (Community Preservation Act) applications
  2. Observer Corps:  Expand our Observer Corps.
  3. **Municipal Finance (pending new chair):
  1. Review the municipal budget to show how the City is obtaining, spending, and investing funds
  2. Educate the community about how the Mayor’s office and the Finance Committee of the City Council set priorities and how the decision model impacts budget decisions
  3. Review the state of resources for needs in education, infrastructure, economic development, municipal services, and other areas to understand possible future implications for capital investment and the operating budget.
  4. Provide data and insight on proposed funding sources, including local taxation, state aid, and other revenues.
  1. **Education (pending new chair):
    1. Support efforts to adjust school start times to better meet the health and educational needs of students.
    2. Monitor issues of equity and technology funding in the Newton Public Schools.
    3. Organize and promote a civics bee, to be held initially in one middle school with the goal of expanding to other middle schools, to promote interest in government and civic engagement.
  1. Environmental Issues:
  1. Waste Reduction
    1. Continue our efforts to improve recycling rates and reduce trash in Newton
    2. Review the single-stream recycling program. Single stream degrades the quality and ultimately the quantity of recyclables.
  2. Storm Water and Sewers
    1. Support sewer and stormwater surcharge rates at levels adequate for repair and maintenance
    2. Support prudent ways to encourage reduction of I/I (inflow/infiltration) into the sewers
  • Educate and update members on the principles and concepts of “surface area, water quality” and related terms to encourage “low impact development”
  1. Energy/Climate Change
    1. Support of a revenue neutral fee on carbon. Facilitate education through forums.
    2. Gas leaks. Support state legislation to reduce gas leaks and work to increase maintenance of gas lines in Newton
  2. Transportation
    1. Focus efforts on transportation changes that reduce vehicle miles traveled and increase safety for all road users.
    2. Continue collaboration with Newton Safe Sidewalks, the Mayor’s Transportation Advisory Group and other partners.
    3. Continue education through forums on urban transportation planning terms and principles.
    4. Support the system in place for implementing the Newton Bicycle Network Plan.
    5. Support and encourage the state League’s efforts regarding public transit and their other transportation priorities.
  3. Elections:
    1. Attend meetings of the Newton Election Commissioners.
    2. Help to publicize new early voting options
    3. **Hold a pollworkers’ party to thank the workers after the municipal election
  1. Voter Service:
    1. Organize and manage preliminary and general election forums for contested municipal offices in the 2017 election. We will work with NewTV to continue updating our approach and incorporate technology into the format.
    2. **Organize voter education around the charter vote in November, 2017.
    3. Continue efforts to register new voters through attendance at various events around Newton, including the Farmer’s Markets, village days, and high school senior days.
  2. Land Use and Housing Committee
    1. Champion local zoning reform in harmony with established LWV of Newton, Massachusetts and U.S. positions
    2. Stay informed of local land use and housing proposals, be prepared to make comments, ask questions,  support or oppose according to LWV positions
    3. Examine and work with the state League to support state level zoning reform

 

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2021 LWVN Member Handbook

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

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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 
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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
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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

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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

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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...
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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...
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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.

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