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Consensus Studies

How does the Newton League make decisions?

The League of Women Voters makes decisions carefully, following procedures established over many decades on the national, state, and local levels. While this means that the League can take longer than other organizations to come to a decision, most League members believe that this approach ensures thoughtful and meaningful action.

Issues or requests for action usually come through one of our subcommittees, although individual members (or groups that aren’t formal committees) are welcome to propose actions as well.  Proposals for action must be presented to the board for approval. When an action falls under one of our existing positions, the proposal cites the position the action supports and the reasons action is needed.   The board then votes to decide whether to take a particular action.  When the action does not fall under an existing position, however, the process is a bit more complicated. Before taking action on something new, League procedures require that a formal study process be undertaken.  The result of a formal study is a written document that proposes a new position for the League to adopt.  The study and proposal are presented to the membership at the next Annual Meeting, and the whole membership votes on whether to adopt the new position.

LWVN Consensus Studies

Current Study

At its Annual Meeting held on June 12, 2022, the membership approved the formation of a Consensus Study Committee to Update Zoning Positions.  This will be an intensive study of local zoning, and membership interest in welcome and encouraged.  Anyone interested in participating in this committee should Contact Us.

Background

The City is currently undertaking a multi-year effort to review its Zoning Ordinances. The City’s Zoning Ordinances have not been significantly updated since 1987, and since then the City has set forth many goals around land use, housing, transportation, economic development and climate action which cannot be met by current zoning ordinances. The City’s process for zoning review is undertaking to address all these issues.  Read about the City’s Zoning Redesign Process.

LWVN’s current positions are not updated enough to give adequate information and credibility for the LWVN to review, support, or oppose any recommendations arising from the City’s zoning review.  The Zoning Review Committee will be undertaking an in depth look at zoning issues. The study of zoning is closely linked with land use, housing, economic and mixed-use development; redevelopment, rehabilitation and conservation; historic preservation; and transportation. A balanced study is planned, including research and information gathering, informing members through our monthly emails, and member informational meetings.   Current state and national positions will be researched, as well, to be sure any possible changes will be in compliance with them.  It is hoped that the culmination of the committee’s work will result in a consensus meeting or meetings in which we reach a new position or positions with respect to zoning.  The study is expected to take 1-2 years.

Focus and Scope

The approved focus and scope of the Study are as follows:

FOCUS: A study to update zoning positions
SCOPE: A study of how current LWVN positions and goals related to land use, housing, transportation, economic development, and climate action reflect the views and needs of Newton’s racial and economically diverse community and are advanced or impeded by current zoning ordinances.

Additional Information: More information about the study committee will be forthcoming in the next few months.  Look for LWVN emails and newsletters.

Past Studies

Charter Commission Initiative
Rhanna Kidwell

Local Transportation Study
Alison Leary & Lucia Dolan

National Education Study
Jo Corro & Lynn Scheller

National Privatization Study
Jo Corro

LWVMA & LWVUS Consensus Studies

LWVMA Consensus Studies

The most recent LWVMA consensus study was conducted in the early part of 2019 and concerned the state ballot question process.  For information on LWVN’s participation in that consensus study, see Study on State Ballot Question Process.  For more detailed information on that consensus study as well as other LWVMA consensus studies, see LWVMA Consensus Studies.

LWVUS Consensus Studies

For a comprehensive list of studies and research conducted by League members, visit the League of Women Voters Education Fund Clearinghouse.  The purpose of the site is to share League study documents among some 800 national, state and local Leagues and with the public. Leagues can save time by not reinventing study materials and see how other Leagues have approached a tough issue. Leagues can also gain inspiration for program planning.  Visitors may download and print the documents. League members may submit documents for the site.

 

 

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2021 LWVN Member Handbook

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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 1
  • The League Presents: Newton’s Citizens Commission on Energy
  • The League Presents: What it means to be a League of Women Voters member
  • The League Presents: A Conversation with Three New School Committee Members
  • The League Presents: A Conversation with Congressional District 4 Director Dana Hanson

All past programs

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Facebook Posts

Ellen Auerbach Grody
Ellen Auerbach Grody

June 28th, 11:33 am

Thank you for the recent letter to the mayor:LWVN Board Concurs with Newton Citizens Commission on Energy’s Memo Rejecting Newton Cemetery’s Tree Removal RequestJune 24, 2022On June 24, 2022, LWVN sent an email to Mayor Fuller expressing our our agreement with the Newton Citizens Commission on Energy (NCCE)’s memo of June 20th stating “We are writing to you regarding the Newton Cemetery’ request for exemption from the Tree Preservation Ordinance. We urge you to stand with the Director of Urban Forestry in denying that request and any waiver of its consequences. We also urge you to ask the City Council to revise the ordinance language to clarify their intent that the Tree Preservation Ordinance not exclude any property owners from its provisions.” ... See MoreSee Less
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 22nd, 6:26 pm

Breaking News: Governor Baker Signs VOTES Act Into Law - https://mailchi.mp/56363aee24bf/votes_act_update-8901645 ... See MoreSee Less

Breaking News: Governor Baker Signs VOTES Act Into Law

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

June 21st, 11:26 am

Newton Public Facilities Meeting: New Pipelines and Gas Valve Safety - https://mailchi.mp/ceafe522986a/newton-public-facilities-meeting-new-pipelines-and-gas-valve-safety ... See MoreSee Less

Newton Public Facilities Meeting: New Pipelines and Gas Valve Safety

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

June 13th, 10:33 am

LWVN has launched an important new "Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative". Learn more here!: https://lwvnewton.org/2022/06/… ... See MoreSee Less

Municipal Transparency and Accountability Initiative: Mission Statement and Goals - League of Women Voters Newton

lwvnewton.org

Throughout its 102-year history, the League of Women Voters has been a vigorous advocate for transparent and accountable government. The League strongly believes that transparency and accountability i...
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League of Women Voters of Newton, MA
League of Women Voters of Newton, MA

June 9th, 10:12 am

Important Update: VOTES ACT Released from Conference Committee - https://mailchi.mp/6365b29fa297/votes_act_update ... See MoreSee Less

Important Update: VOTES ACT Released from Conference Committee

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Boston, MA — The Massachusetts VOTES Act Conference Committee today released its version of the comprehensive election reform bill, which will now head to the House and Senate for final procedural...
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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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