Newton City Council reviews capital plan and school costs

Newton’s next big projects raise a familiar question: who pays? The Newton City Council reviewed a Capital Improvement Plan covering schools, public safety buildings, streets, accessibility, climate infrastructure, parks and utilities. Councilor Lucas led questions about Brown Middle School. Mr. Morris said state funding would not cover the entire project and that “tens of millions of dollars” could be involved. He declined to estimate the gap.

Newton City Council members also asked what happens when school construction costs less than expected. On Countryside and Franklin, Mr. Morris said bids came in close to the $61 million figure communicated to taxpayers. If money remains, the city would rescind unused bond authorization rather than sell those bonds. That would avoid a larger tax increase, he said, but would not make taxes suddenly fall. Councilor Leary questioned how far $9.5 million for streets and sidewalks goes after inflation. Mr. Morris agreed that more investment is needed to keep pace.

The Newton City Council’s questions turned to what comes next. Mr. Morris said the city is establishing a working group for Brown and starting design work; smaller repairs could proceed during the longer state funding process. He expects more attention to smaller municipal buildings and preventative maintenance after the remaining school projects. A forthcoming stormwater infrastructure report could change future capital plans. Mr. Morris said he left Newton Centre Plaza out pending community engagement, with a meeting mentioned for October 29.

The Newton City Council approved an ordinance change moving the Commission on Disability from the Planning Department to the Health and Human Services Department. The amendment changes Chapters 22 and 12 of Newton’s revised ordinances. Its purpose was to bring the commission’s formal placement into line with a position the Mayor funded in Health and Human Services.

The measure, item 297-26, followed an earlier Newton City Council budget recommendation to the Mayor. A councilor explained that the Mayor had funded the position in Health and Human Services instead. The proposed ordinance change addressed that difference in where the commission was placed and where the position was funded; it did not come before the Newton City Council as a request for a new position.

The ordinance language was not ready for the committee meeting and was missing from that night’s packet, according to the explanation given to the Newton City Council. The language was later reviewed, questions were answered, and councilors received the updated version. A committee vote was reported as 7–0. The Newton City Council then approved the change by voice vote, with no opposition voiced.