Topic Meetings

Understanding Municipal Finance Part II

April 20, 2026

In an ongoing effort to help Newton residents understand the budget process, LWVN added to its Understanding Municipal Finance series with two new The League Presents episodes.

In the first League Presents, Board member Alex Jablon speaks with Newton Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Anna Nolin, and Assistant Superintendent and Financial and Administrative Office, Liam Hurley, to break down the school budget process, common misconceptions, major elements of the budget, risks and trends.

View the Recording

In the second League Presents, Board member Alex Jablon speaks with Newton Mayor, Marc Laredo, and Newton Chief Financial Officer, Maureen Lemieux, to break down the city budget process, similarly talking about common misconceptions, major elements, risks and trends.

View the Recording

These two recordings, together with the virtual topic meeting held on March 19, 2025, featuring former Newton Mayor David Cohen, and retired Lexington Town Manager (and now Newton resident) Carl Valente, help explain how Newton’s municipal budget process works. View the Recording of the March 19, 2025 topic meeting.

Book Talk a Success!

December 7, 2025

On December 6, 2025, community members joined us at the Waban Library Center for a conversation about antisemitism centered on the a discussion of the novel, The Plot Against America, by Philip Roth.

The conversation was ably moderated by City Councilor Rick Lipof. We talked about antisemitism, what it means to be an American, how to maintain traditions and values when those traditions and values may be under stress, and much, much more!

Thank you to all those who joined us. and a very special thank you to Rick Lipof.

Parking Ban Ballot Question – Recap and Recording

November 2, 2025

On Tuesday, October 7, 2024, LWVN hosted a forum to discuss the ballot question on November’s ballot: Should the overnight winter parking ban in Newton be eliminated?

We heard robust arguments on both sides of the issue from our panelists Jeremy Freudberg and Peter Klapes (proponents of “Yes”), and Dan Cohen and Terry Sauro (proponents of “No”). Our moderator was Heather Hamilton. We had an engaged audience who provided our panelists with lots of questions.

This event was taped by NewTV. View the Recording.

Read the Newton Beacon’s article and the Fig City News article on the event.

Saturday Afternoon at the Races a Success!

October 5, 2025

On Saturday, October 4, from 4 to 6:30 p.m, LWVN, together with the Newton North High School Center for Civic Engagement and Service (CCES), and its co-sponsors: The Village Bank, Charles River Regional Chamber, Fig City News, Green Newton, Newton Beacon, Newton Council on Aging, Newton Cultural Alliance and Newton for Everyone, hosted Newton’s third biennial Saturday at the Races.

The goal was to provide voters an opportunity to learn more about candidate positions on important challenges and issues that Newton is facing today. Therefore all candidates, whether or not they had a challenger, were invited.

We had 34 candidates in attendance, 13 moderators and 10 high school students assisting at the tables, and over 100 people who attended to meet with and speak to the candidates. All in all, a very successful event.

Read the Newton Beacon article on the event, published October 6.

Images from Good Trouble Rally

July 18, 2025

On July 17th, 2025, LWVN joined communities across the country to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the passing of civil rights leader Congressman John Lewis by holding “Good Trouble” rallies to carry forward his fight for justice, voting rights, and dignity for all. Coined by Congressman Lewis, “Good Trouble” is the action of coming together to take peaceful, non-violent action to challenge injustice and create meaningful change.

We gathered on the steps of Newton City Hall and were joined by Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, Reverend Develin Scott (Pastor of NewCity Church in Newton, Harmony Foundation Board Member, and a resident of Newtonville) , Taylor Lies (Board President, Centre Street Food Pantry), Shaelyn Shields (co-officer of Next Gen Voices and a rising senior at Newton North High School), and many, many other community members.

Out special thanks go to the The Porch Rockers, a Newton-based band, and an offshoot of Newton Family Singers, for sharing their wonderful musical talents with three songs appropriate to the occasion: For What It’s Worth (There’s Something Happening Here), If I Had a Hammer, and Fight Song.

View NewTV’s coverage of the event.

Mayor Fuller Speaking at Good Trouble Rally

Reverend Scott Speaking at Good Trouble Rally

Understanding Municipal Finance

June 16, 2025

On March 19, 2025, we held a virtual topic meeting featuring former Newton Mayor David Cohen, and retired Lexington Town Manager (and now Newton resident) Carl Valente. They explained how Newton’s municipal budget process works and discussed the challenges of meeting the varied needs of residents while maintaining a fiscally strong Newton, including revenue sources, expense drivers, capital projects, overrides and more.