Pam Wright

Questions and Answers

Question 1: After 40+ years of Prop 2 ½, a very limited ability to pass overrides, steep increases in expenses such as employee benefits and utilities, and a relatively small commercial tax base, Newton faces fiscal challenges not encountered by our peer communities, making it increasingly difficult to adequately fund our schools and other city services. What are your ideas for raising revenues or otherwise addressing Newton’s fiscal challenges?

Newton’s small commercial tax base is shrinking, and while large housing projects have benefits, they reduce commercial land. To maintain balance, we must grow our commercial base by attracting businesses while streamlining approvals. Zoning updates help, but more Economic Development staff are needed and I’ve repeatedly advocated for increased staffing.

Extending pension payments slightly could free tens of millions annually for city services.

An operational tax override should be a last resort. I haven’t supported them because they make Newton less affordable for long-term seniors and others striving to striving to stay here.

Question 2: What, specifically, can the City Council do to ensure that lower income residents, young families, and long-term residents looking to downsize, can afford housing in Newton?

The city can do more to create affordable housing by partnering with developers, as we did with the Armory. We can also work with companies to purchase naturally affordable housing, like the complex on North Street, and preserve it as workforce housing.

We should negotiate with developers for a mix of smaller units as well as 3- and 4-bedroom homes and require new contributions to the Affordable Housing Trust for four to six units. Developers often stop at 6 units because our Inclusionary Zoning kicks in at 7.

Newton has already approved more than 3,700 new units since 2020, an 11% increase in our housing stock. We are making progress.

Question 3: What is Newton doing to address climate change, how effective are these efforts, and what else could/should we be doing?

Newton is a leader in addressing climate change from achieving 95% renewable electricity (the highest in MA) to adopting the BERDO ordinance and promoting electrification and energy efficiency in large buildings. The city has also set an ambitious goal of reaching net zero by 2050. New city buildings are being constructed with geothermal systems and designed to be nearly net zero. We’re planting more trees, strengthening storm water policies for new construction, and offering residents access to energy coaches. The BERDO data will help shape Newton’s next generation of climate and sustainability policies. We’re moving in the right direction.

Question 4: Government transparency refers to the obligation of a government to proactively share information related to the management of public resources and decision-making; it’s indispensable to accountability and to an informed electorate. A recent initiative conducted by Newton’s LWV identified significant deficiencies in Newton’s local government transparency and specifically with respect to the City’s website. How do you think improved transparency could benefit our city? What improvements would you advocate for to the City website or transparency in general?

Transparency is needed to build trust from the residents. I share many residents’ frustrations with the city website. Searching is horrible with many hits missing the mark. In one or two clicks one should be able to find important information—like special permits, trash pickup schedules, road paving schedules, poll locations, and so much more.

A recent improvement moved most ISD documents onto NewGov. This is a good start, but it should also be searchable. I would like to see all City Council votes made available and searchable, along with a dedicated search tool for committee reports, so residents can easily access the information.