Ted Gross

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?

Voters have spoken on Prop 2 ½ when the matter is clearly defined and of importance the community as a whole will vote to pass an override proposal. One idea for extra revenue. Cable companies return 5% of their income to broadcast in Newton. Community media centers need new sources of income due to customers cutting the cord and switching to streaming services. I propose we do what 28 states have done and start a sales or entertainment tax on streaming services similar to the surcharge levied on cable companies. This could supplement the loss of cable revenue while the city receives some extra revenue to supplement other necessary services.

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?

A responsible plan that considers the problems of lower income residents must be established. This requires cooperation between the City Council and the Mayor since the City Council has limited power to interfere with the Mayor’s budget. The creation of a special zone for low, moderate, and senior housing should be discussed. This brings questions that need to be answered. Discussion will be difficult with where to have the housing; would it be built by for profit or nonprofit developers; do we create a special tax deduction for these homes or condos to be paid back when sold. We must have this discussion to continue as a welcoming city.

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

The MassDEP is increasing bans on what can be disposed. We should apply this to housing tear downs. If developers tear down; they should be required to apply deconstruction methods allowing housing material to be reused to reduce greenhouse gas emissions saving on landfill. The city started BERDO to get energy usage allowing us to set emission standards. The city adopted Direct Energy Newton Powerchoice to reduce environmental damage. We should keep development away from flood zones that absorb rain runoff and require shopping centers have green space with trees to lessen the heat island effect from the absorbing of heat in the parking lot.

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 in the conduct of municipal business is of great importance to the future of democracy. Open meeting laws and the Freedom of Information Act should influence the direction we need to go. Better standards need to be developed for our web site so residents can find information on any subject they want to know about. The access and availability of information is something Newton needs. All communities in Massachusetts should be involved in developing a plan. We should ask the Secretary of State, who tracks all records, to coordinate an effort to create a standard for the whole state.