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LWVMA Supports YES on Ballot Question 4

A YES vote keeps the Work and Family Mobility Act as law in Massachusetts.

Question 4, which will be on the November 8 ballot, asks whether to keep the Work and Family Mobility Act as law in Massachusetts. LWVMA and LWVN is supporting Yes on 4.

The Work and Family Mobility Act ensures that all qualified state residents, regardless of immigration status, can apply for a standard Massachusetts driver’s license starting on July 1, 2023. The law was enacted on June 9, 2022. Massachusetts became the 17th state to pass such a law, joining our neighbors New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont. LWVMA supported this bill during the 2019-20 session and is an active member of the coalition, Yes on 4 For Safer Roads.

The League of Women Voters of Massachusetts and the Transportation for Massachusetts (T4MA) coalition presented “Safer Roads for a Stronger Commonwealth,” an online panel discussion about Question 4.  At this forum, civic, business, transportation and public safety experts talked about what this law will do – and will not do – for Massachusetts. Watch the recording here. 

View and download the Yes on 4 for Safer Roads flyer.

Ballot Question Forums

Several of the local Massachusetts Leagues joined forces to organize informational forums for Ballot Questions #1, #2 and #3.  Here are the recordings:

Ballot Question #1 (Additional Tax on Income Over One Million Dollars)

  • Lead Organizer:  LWV Boston
  • October 13. Watch the recording here.

Ballot Question #2 (Regulation of Dental Insurance) & Ballot Question #3 (Expanded Availability of Licenses for the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages)

  • Lead Organizers:  LWV Sharon-Stoughton; LWV Needham; LWV Salem; LWV Andover-N. Andover; LWV Newton
  • October 17.  Watch the recording here.

For Ballot Question #4, LWVMA and the Transportation for Massachusetts coalition (T4MA) organized an advocacy forum for Yes on 4. The panel discussion entitled “Safer Roads for a Stronger Commonwealth” took place on October 12th.  LWVMA supports a YES vote on Question 4. Watch the recording here.

LWVN Supports Updates to Accessory Apartment Ordinance

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

2022 Harvest Fair

Please stop by and visit the League of Women Voters’ booth at this upcoming community event…

Newton’s 2022 Harvest Fair

Sunday, October 16
with Vendors and Exhibitors (including LWVN)
11am to 4pm
Newton Centre Green

Our tent will have election flyers as well as information on voter registration and our recent advocacy.  Stop by to see how you can get involved or send a friend or neighbor to learn how they can join LWVN!

Give Your Feedback on Proposed Changes to Village Center Zoning

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Please Provide Your Input on
Proposed Changes to Village Center Zoning

The City is considering updates to its zoning rules for our village centers and wants our feedback using this online Feedback Tool.  The end of the Feedback Tool has a free response section where you can write additional thoughts, and we encourage you to express your thoughts about the proposed zoning changes.  FEEDBACK IS DUE BY OCTOBER 16.

For more background, the last comprehensive update to Newton’s village center zoning was in 1987, almost 40 years ago. Zoning laws regulate how land in Newton can be developed and what kinds of new buildings are allowed. Zoning can influence store and business activity through parking and density requirements, whether green space or public spaces are required in new developments, the amount of housing supply near public transportation, and decisions people make about how to move through our spaces.

Helpful resources:

  • Watch this episode of the League Presents, with City Councilor Deb Crossley, speaking about  the Village Center Zoning Redesign efforts.
  • View 2022: Shape the Future of Your Village Centers Interview with City Councilor Deb Crossley
  • Visit the Newton Free Library’s interactive exhibit. You can view that exhibit in person, 2nd Floor Room C, or virtually here.
  • Read here for more information on the City’s Zoning Redesign Process and Village Centers Zoning Updates.
  • Read a Boston Globe Article  on Newton’s efforts to gather public feedback on proposed changes to Village Centers Zoning.