Susan Albright

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?

First, there is no magic bullet. 1. We need to reduce the rate of increase to pay off the pension obligation, allowing more funds for city/school services. This would change our completion date by only a year or two at most. 2 “New Growth” is the way to increase the tax base. We must make Newton more welcoming to new business and new housing through speedier review, which will increase the tax base.3 Finally, we must consider a property tax override. Newton has largely been unsuccessful, but it is possible to prove to voters that Newton needs additional funds for city and school services. None of these is easy, but all are worth the work.

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?

Some claim “the housing crisis is a myth”—they’re wrong. Cities like ours across the nation restrict new housing, driving up costs. (Supply and Demand) To ensure affordability, the City Council should allow more by-right, diverse, energy-efficient housing near transit and village centers. The Council must remove barriers to responsible housing. This approach stabilizes prices, supports local businesses, and creates walkable, sustainable neighborhoods. Our inclusionary zoning ordinance requires new housing developments to set aside a responsible share of units for lower-income people.

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

Newton has set a net-zero by 2050 goal, uses 95% renewable electricity through Newton Power Choice, and is electrifying municipal buildings, improving bike/pedestrian access, and strengthening tree canopy and flood resilience. Our BERDO ordinance will require more energy efficiency for large buildings. The electrification ordinance re: new construction will help. As Chair of Public Facilities, I'm planning a pilot electrification program and a no-gas future with NGrid; this is proving to be challenging work. We must work with the legislature to fund programs for vulnerable residents and secure stable funding for a fossil-free future.

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?

Newton's website is difficult to navigate and search. As President of the Council, I initiated a home-grown docket-tracking system with Newton's IT department's lone developer. The system accesses when dockets are taken up, by which committee, and with all associated materials. It summarizes the votes taken by all councilors. This is a searchable system. Transparency is essential for democratic government. I still mourn the loss of a weekly newspaper in Newton. Zoom hybrid Council and committee meetings add accessibility - unfortunately, most people are too busy to attend. I advocate for a better and more accessible city website.