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Local Action Log

LWVN Supports Northland Charlemont Project

July 28, 2023

On July 28, 2023, LWVN sent a letter to the Zoning Board of Appeals in support of Northland 160 Charlemont LLC’s request for a Comprehensive Permit for a project to feature 370 residential units comprising 465,654 gross square feet of area in two seven-story structures on 6.98 acres of land located at 160 Charlemont Street and 56 Christina Street in the Mixed Use 1 Zoning District (Northland Charlemont Project). The project includes 438 parking stalls and 93 affordable units.

The Northland Charlemont Project will help make Newton’s housing stock more diverse by providing an alternative to single-family homes.  In addition, 25 percent of the units will be affordable, producing 93 new affordable units in the City of Newton.  LWVN supports Zoning Board of Appeals Member Brooke Lipsitt’s request that the developer make affordable units available at a deeper level than the 80 percent of area median income required by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We believe deeper affordability is necessary to meet community
needs, particularly given the shortage of affordable housing in the City.  Furthermore, the developer has stated its goal to reduce the project’s energy consumption over its lifetime, include include shuttle service and a bike path, and provide access to electric vehicle charging to 20 percent of the parking spaces.

The Northland Charlemont Project will help meet goals common to the City of Newton and LWVN: increasing housing diversity; building sustainably; mitigating the use of cars; encouraging biking and walking; and increasing tax revenue for the City.

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

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

LWVN Supports Village Center Overlay District

June 26, 2023

On June 26, 2023, LWVN sent a letter to the City Council in support of the Village Center Overlay District (VCOD) in furtherance of the positions of LWVN and implementation of the Massachusetts Housing Choice Bill (MBTA Communities).

The VCOD is structured to promote safe and secure housing at a range of price points, while incentivizing increasing supply of smaller units.  It concentrates the opportunity for compact development near transit and where key infrastructure exists, providing support to our local economy with minimal increase in car trips, while supporting walkable centers. It is in furtherance of the regional plan (MBTA Communities) enacted to address the critical housing shortage by increasing the housing supply statewide, particularly in connection with transportation hubs.

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

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

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 at this link.

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. 

Members heard from Christine Dutt, co-chair of Vote Yes for Newton, about the history of Prop 2 ½, how overrides are used in other municipalities and have been used in Newton in the past, and what the current proposal offers Newton residents.  Leaders of No Override Newton were also invited to present, but the group did not participate.  The address for the No Override Newton website, which had launched earlier in the day, was shared with the group, and some Newton Taxpayer Association videos expressing the “vote no” position had been shared prior to the meeting.

Following the Vote Yes for Newton presentation, LWVN president, Marcia Johnson, shared slides containing information compiled by LWVN member Jane Harper that outlined how each provision of the override package aligns with LWVN positions in the areas of Land Use, Human Services, Environmental Quality, and Transportation.

Debbie Winnick, of the LWV of Cape Cod, facilitated a question and answer period before the question of whether LWVN should “support the passage of Newton’s 2023 override proposal” was put to a vote.  Attendance at the meeting exceeded the requirements for a quorum, and all 26 members attending voted in favor.

Read more →

Categories: Local Action Log, News, Topic Meetings

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

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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: Zoning Redesign Part III; Village Center Overlay District Ordinance
  • The League Presents: Pride Month Edition – A Conversation with Newton Youth
  • The League Presents: Mental Health – A Community Conversation, Part 1

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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

3 days ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
National Voter Registration Day is Sept 19!Make sure you're #VoteReady in 2023 by checking your voter registration status on MA's online voter registration site, especially if you haven't voted in awhile or your life has included any of the following:🚚 a move💍 name change🇺🇸 new US citizenship🎂 an 18th birthdayAnd, this is a good day to remind your family, friends, and neighbors to register & vote in the upcoming local elections! ... See MoreSee Less
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

1 week ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
In this month's episode of The League Presents, learn about the Village Center Overlay District Ordinance from Jennifer Caira – Deputy Director, Planning & Development Department and Councilor Deb Crossley – Chair Zoning & Planning Committee. ... See MoreSee Less

The League Presents - Zoning Redesign 111

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Marcia Johnson, Jennifer Cairo and Deb Crossley discuss the Newton Zoning Redesign.

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

3 weeks ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
The preliminary election for Ward 2 and 6 is September 12. Mark your calendar and make your voting plan. Learn about the candidates and get voting information here: lwvnewton.org/2023/08/newton-preliminary-election-tuesday-september-12-2023/ ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

3 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
In the last few days of Pride Month, check out these two informative programs by the League of Women Voters of Newton, MA1) The League Presents... Pride Month Edition - A Conversation with Newton Youth: lwvnewton.org/2023/06/the-league-presents-pride-month-edition-a-conversation-with-newton-youth/ 2) LGBTQ+ Backlash: What you can do to push back. View the recoding here: lwvnewton.org/2023/06/video-presentation-anti-lgbtqia-backlash-what-can-you-do-to-push-back/ ... See MoreSee Less

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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

4 months ago

League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
Anti-LGBTQIA+ initiatives are taking root throughout the country and Newton is not immune. Hear from the ACLU’s Ruth Bourquin about the context, consequences, and responses to the anti-LBGTQIA+ backlash at this month’s virtual topic meeting. This meeting is free and open to the community. Register in advance: us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lfuyhrzwtGNTYlmG-GpCBxTa1Z5MS81Ga#/registration ... 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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