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LWVN Supports Act to Modernize Participation in Public Meetings

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.

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LWVN Supports West Newton Armory Project

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.

Newton Special Election – Tuesday, March 14, 2023

On Tuesday, March 14, Newton voters will be asked at a special election to vote on whether to approve 3 ballot measures.

This Newton City election is asking voters for permission to raise property taxes above the 2.5% ceiling imposed by Massachusetts’ Proposition 2 ½, a so-called “override”.  By law, increases above the 2.5% cap must be approved by a majority of voters.

Early Voting has been completed.  To vote, go to the polls:

Tuesday, March 14, 2023         7:00am-8:00pm

Find Your Polling Location

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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.