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ACT - Action & Advocacy

Join Our Consensus Study Committees

January 10, 2023

League of Women Voters of Kalamazoo Area PoliciesAt its Annual Meeting held on June 12, 2022, the LWVN membership approved the formation of a Consensus Study Committee to update it’s zoning positions. This will be an intensive study of local zoning, and will be conducted in four stages:  research and study; consensus meetings; preparation of a study report; and determination if an existing position should be revised or deleted, or if a new position is warranted and development of that position.

We are inviting all members to join us in the conduct of this study.  There are lots of opportunities to participate, on whatever level and devoting as much time as you are comfortable with.

City of Gastonia - Applications and PermitsThe study will be focusing on five key areas:

  • review of Newton’s Comprehensive Plan
  • examination of current zoning techniques
  • examination of zoning ordinances that affect housing
  • reevaluation of our support for historic districts
  • examination of transportation goals

Anyone interested in participating should fill out this Form, letting us know what you are interested in and how much time you have to participate.  A LWVN Board member will get back to you with further details.

Read more →

Categories: Consensus Studies - Newton, Housing, Land Use, News, Transportation, Zoning, Zoning

LWVN Supports West Newton Armory Project

January 9, 2023

On January 9, 2023, LWVN sent a letter to the Zoning Board expressing its support for Metro West Collaborative Development Inc.’s request for a Comprehensive Permit, pursuant to M.G.L. Chapter 40B, to redevelop the West Newton Armory into a 100% affordable development with 43 affordable residential rental units, community space, office space, and 33 parking stalls.

Support of this request is in alignment with Newton’s Comprehensive Plan and LWV values and positions.  Given the City’s need for these units, we think that approval of this project should not be delayed and we urge timely approval of this Comprehensive Permit.

You can read the entirety of LWVN’s letter below.

West Newton Armory Project

Categories: Housing, Local Action Log, News, no-front-page

LWVN Supports Updates to Accessory Apartment Ordinance

October 13, 2022

On October 13, 2022, LWVN sent a letter to the City Council expressing its support for proposed updates to the Accessory Apartment Ordinance.  These changes will amend the Accessory Apartment Ordinance originally adopted in December 2017, which allows homeowners to create an accessory apartment, as of right, within the main residence.

The proposed updates are primarily intended to address the two things that were not adopted five years ago by allowing:
1. The building of detached accessory apartments, by-right, up to 900 sf in size (these will continue to conform with other rules for accessory buildings).
2. The creation of an accessory apartment in a newly built home, thus eliminating the requirement that the main residence be at least four years old before an accessory apartment can be built.

You can read the entirety of LWVN’s letter below.

LWVN Letter in Support of Changes to Accessory Apartments

Categories: Housing, Local Action Log, News, no-front-page

LWVN Joins U-CHAN on Follow-Up Petition to the Mayor Regarding the Use of ARPA Funds for Housing Needs

September 12, 2022

On April 22, 2022, LWVN wrote to the Mayor to join U-CHAN (Uniting Citizens for Housing Affordability in Newton) in recommending that the Mayor (i) set aside of $10 million in ARPA funds as a grant to non-profit developers to purchase site(s) and/or buildings that have the potential to provide no less than 12 units of housing, most of which should be for families with annual incomes below 30% of AMI, and (ii) allocate a multi-year grant of $1 million to a Newton community-based organization with a goal to create a program to deliver comprehensive services to individual households facing instability.

In September, as a follow-up to LWVN’s April letter, LWVN joined a number of non-profits, including a number of Newton non-profits and over 50 individuals who signed U-CHAN’s follow-up petition to the Mayor.

These recommendations are aligned with LWV national, state and local positions supporting programs and policies that meet basic human needs and address affordable housing needs.

Read the entirety of the letter below:

Follow-Up Petition on Use of ARPA Funds

Categories: ACT - Action & Advocacy, Local Action Log, no-front-page

Women’s Inequality Day – August 26

August 15, 2022

August 26, the anniversary of the certification of the 19th amendment, is often known as Women’s Equality Day.  Yet with our voting and reproductive rights under attack, women are still not equal in our democracy.

This year, LWV is observing Women’s Inequality Day and demanding that our representatives:

1. Pass voting rights legislation;

2. Add the Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution; and

3. Restore reproductive freedom to women and those who can become pregnant.

Join us in taking a stand and sharing #WomensInequalityDay across your social networks.

We may not yet be equal, but together we can’t be ignored.

Categories: ACT - Action & Advocacy, LWV US, News, no-front-page

LWVN Affiliates with Our Homes, Our Votes

August 3, 2022

The Board of the LWVN voted to join as an affiliate with Our Homes, Our Votes, a campaign under the umbrella of the National Low Income Housing Coalition.  The Our Homes, Our Votes campaign provides various tools to assist organizations working to engage low-income renters in the upcoming elections.

Joining the coalition of organizations affiliated with Our Homes, Our Votes helps promote the goals of the LWV and is in accordance with the LWVN’s Coalition Policy.

Read the letter dated August 3, 2022, from President Marcia Johnson, informing the Board of the action taken to formally affiliate with Our Homes, Our Votes and why that action aligns with the positions of the LWVN on housing and voting rights.

LWVN Joins with Our Homes Our Votes Action

Categories: Local Action Log, no-front-page

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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: City of Newton Override 2023
  • The League Presents: The Newton Energy Coach Service with Stephen Grody, Newton Citizens Commission on Energy
  • The League Presents: Zoning Redesign Part 2: MBTA Communities
  • 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

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Cover for League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

The League registers voters and educates them about the important issues and challenges facing Newto

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

6 days ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Join us for a conversation with Congressman Jake Auchincloss of the MA 4th District on Wednesday, Feb 15 at 7:30pm!Learn more at lwvnewton.org/event/congressmanauchincloss-feb2023/Register at bit.ly/talk-with-jake ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

2 weeks ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
LWVN is again offering two scholarships to high school seniors in Newton! We are pleased to have increased our scholarship award for the class of 2023 to $2,000 each!Learn more at lwvnewton.org/lwvn-scholarship-program/Candidates should apply online at bit.ly/LWVNAPPLY23 by March 1, 2023. ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

3 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Election Day is one week away! Not sure what's on the ballot or how to vote in the midterm elections? Get your election questions answered at www.vote411.org and watch forums on the 4 Massachusetts ballot questions at lwvma.org/ballot-question-forums/ ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

3 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Don't miss your chance to vote! The last day to register to vote in the 2022 MA elections is Saturday, October 29!FACT: It takes an average of two minutes to register to vote and tomorrow is the deadline! Go to registertovotema.com to register or update your information now. ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

3 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Your voice matters!Newton voters can vote early at City Hall, 1000 Commonwealth Ave:Saturdays - 9am to 3pmSundays - 11am to 5pmWeekdays - 8:30am to 5pmGot weekend plans? 📢 Early voting sites open tomorrow! Find your local polling hours and locations: www.sec.state.ma.us/EarlyVotingWeb/EarlyVotingSearch.aspx⁠👉️ Before you head to the polls, check out our nonpartisan voters' guide at VOTE411.org to compare candidates side-by-side by reading their views on major issues in their own words. Our guide also includes information on the state-wide ballot questions. ... See MoreSee Less

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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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