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League of Women Voters Newton

Making Democracy Work

Newton Commuter Rail Accessibility

Following a meeting with MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack and MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak, Represntative Kay Khan is pleased to share with you that they have agreed to host a public meeting regarding the Newton Commuter Rail Accessibility Project, on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 6pm in the Newton Free Library Druker Auditorium.

She has been advocating for over 15 years to improve accessibility at Newton’s three MBTA Commuter Rail Stations – Auburndale, West Newton, and Newtonville – so that they will be more accessible to people with disabilities, the elderly and families with small children.

This event will allow for public comment on three plan alternatives, including potential cost, that would make accessibility improvements to the stations and to inform the community before MassDOT proceeds to a 25% design phase.

Please join Reprentative Khan at the Druker Auditorium, Thursday, July 25, 2019 at 6pm.

 

 

Last week, Beacon Hill got the message: Massachusetts voters are ready to rank.

Last week, Beacon Hill got the message: Massachusetts voters are ready to rank.

Folks at the State House were blown away by the sheer volume of people who came out—well over 300!—on a sweltering Tuesday afternoon in mid-July to advocate for ranked choice voting.

Attendees voted in a ranked choice cookie election and heard remarks from lead sponsors of the two RCV bills filed this session. Participants then delivered letters to their legislators urging them to support the RCV bills.

If you weren’t able to join us yesterday but want to sustain the momentum from RCV Lobby Day, here are three things you can do right now:

  1. Ask your legislators to support the two RCV bills in the Massachusetts State House. Fill out this form and email it to your lawmakers. (To find your legislators’ email addresses, click here.)
  2. Make a donation. Help us grow the movement by making a one-time or recurring contribution. Even a small contribution goes a long way!
  3. Spread the news. The Lowell Sun ran an article about RCV Lobby Day and Commonwealth Magazine featured this opinion piece by Lead Co-Sponsor Representative Andy Vargas. Please share them with your social networks!

Thank you for your enthusiasm and support,

Mac D’Alessandro, Voter Choice Massachusetts

Adding to Newton’s Affordable Housing Stock

New developments with 21 or more units of housing in Newton will now have to provide more units of permanently affordable “workforce” housing. The definition of “workforce” housing is that it is affordable to households earning greater than 80% and up to 110% of the area median income (AMI). In Newton, ahousehold of four at 80% of the AMI could earn up to $89,000, and at 110%, could earn up to $124,630. The amended Inclusionary Zoning ordinance was drafted by the Newton Planning and Development Department, edited in many meetings by the City Council and passed unanimously by the City Council on Monday night. The amendment still requires that new developments of 7 units or more provide 15% of its units at prices/rents that are affordable to households earning 50% to 80% of the AMI. The new amendment requires an additional 2.5% of the units to be set aside at affordable prices/rents for “workforce” households that earn from 80% to 110% of the AMI.

Beginning in January 2021, all projects with 100 units or more will be required to provide 15% affordable units, and an additional 5% for “workforce” housing, or a total of 20% affordable units altogether. Newton’s housing is pricey and increasingly unaffordable for many households of all types and income levels. The amendment helps provide more options for people of all means to live in our City.

Mayor’s Update July 11, 2019

10¢ Paper Bag Fee Approved

The City Council has unanimously approved an ordinance requiring Newton businesses to charge customers 10 cents for every paper bag the store provides at checkout. Larger stores, those over 3,500 square feet, will be required to implement the fee in six months. Smaller stores will have a year to prepare.  Read more →