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Local Action Log

LWVN Supports Act to Modernize Participation in Public Meetings

March 8, 2023

On March 8, 2023, LWVN sent a letter to the state delegation requesting that they advocate for passage of the Act to Modernize Participation in Public Meetings.

The bill, as summarized by the League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, supports these goals:

This bill Amends MGL 30A (Open Meeting Law) to require public bodies to provide an adequate, alternative means of public access to their deliberations, such as telephone or video conferencing and that access information be provided in the minutes of all meetings. It provides municipal public bodies experiencing financial hardship the ability to request a waiver of the provision.

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

Read more →

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

LWVN Members Vote to Support Newton’s Override Proposal

February 9, 2023

Members who attended the February 7th member meeting on the 2023 override proposal voted unanimously in favor of supporting the 3 ballot question package.  Read more →

Categories: Local Action Log, News

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.

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.

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:

Categories: ACT - Action & Advocacy, Local Action Log, 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.

Categories: Local Action Log, no-front-page

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The League Presents... is a monthly program on NewTV produced and directed by LWVN members about issues important to our community.

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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 updated their cover photo.

1 month ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

2 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Newton voters now have the option to vote early by mail in all elections, with no excuse required! All registered voters in Newton should have received their official 2023 Vote by Mail Application this week, in plenty of time to Vote by Mail in the Newton Special Election on the override proposal. Full details of how to vote by mail are here: www.newtonma.gov/government/elections/absentee-voting ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

2 months 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 months 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 Deadline extended to March 31, 2023! ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

5 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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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.

© 2023 League of Women Voters® Newton | P.O. Box 610207, Newton, MA 02461 | info@lwvnewton.org

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