Not Sure Who to Vote For? My 11/7/17 Election Picks for City Council (At-Large) candidates.
​All Registered Newton Voters May Vote for Two Candidates for Each At-Large Seat.
Below are the candidates I am supporting in contested races:
 
Ward 1   Alison Leary – Highly effective in her 2 terms on the council as the ward councilor from ward 1, Alison is running for the ward 1 at large seat so now all newton voters can vote for her. Committed, collaborative and hardworking Alison has a vision a more sustainable, walkable and bike friendly City. She has put the City on a path towards "zero waste" goal with a plan to implement it which could save us money. A strong advocate for her community she has organized community meetings regarding the TCE contamination, successfully advocated for pedestrian improvements in Newton Corner and advocated for affordable housing citywide. 
 
Ward 1    Nicole Castillo - A young, and passionate advocate, who has recently moved to Newton, I've been very impressed with Nicole's quick grasp of complex issues and her understanding of the challenges facing us as a community. Committed to affordable & workforce housing, the needs of seniors, and addressing the opioid crises, Nicole will bring a fresh perspective and a thoughtful voice to the Council Chamber.
            
Ward 2    Susan Albright - Experienced, sensible and practical with proven leadership qualities, Susan brings a common-sense approach and a very broad understanding of the City she was born and brought up in. Susan is committed to equity, diversity, thriving village centers and meeting the housing needs for a wide range of Newton residents. We need her experience on the council.
 
 Ward 2  Jake Auchincloss - Running for a 2nd term and another Newton native, Jake served as a captain in the Marines and brings a strong sense of service and commitment along with his problem-solving skills and inquisitive mind. Progressive, data driven, laser focused and thoughtful, he's a keeper!
 
Ward 3    Andrea Kelley - An outstanding new candidate, Andrea is the clear choice in Ward 3. A multi issue candidate who has followed city council affairs for the LWV for over 30 years she has wealth of experience and a firm grasp of the challenges we face ahead. Smart, resourceful, collaborative and thoughtful, she will be a voice of reason and civility on the council floor.
              
Ward 5    Deb Crossley -the highly competent chair of the Public Facilities committee, we need Deb's leadership and practical approach on the Council.  One ofthe most effective sitting councilors I have ever worked with, Deb spearheaded the Green communities program that significantly reduced energy use and saved the City money. She co-chaired the water, sewer, stormwater working group with Councilor Fuller which alone saved the City over a million dollars. Her priorities for the next 2 years include Master plans, zoning reform and improving the built environment.
 
 Ward 5 Andreae Downs - Another terrific candidate, Andreae has a background in journalism and years of service in Newton, including as the Chair of the Transportation Advisory Group. She currently serves on the Waban Area Council. Very smart, hardworking and extremely knowledgeable about transportation issues, Andreae will be a great new addition to the city council.
 
City Council -Ward-Only candidates
 
There are three contested races—you can ONLY vote for the candidate from your ward.

 Ward 1    Maria Scibelli Greenberg - A longtime local advocate and activist, Maria is on the Board of the Nonantum Neighborhood Association. She has been a tireless advocate for safer streets, better sidewalks, improved parks, and more green spaces and trees. And she is not afraid to debate her opponent! Through her advocacy, Maria has helped make her home village of Nonantum a better place to live. Maria is a team player, committed to equity, diversity and a more welcoming Newton. Ward 1 is lucky to have her!
 
Ward 4    Allison Sharma  (Write-In Candidate!) – Allison is an effective advocate, a critical thinker and a thoughtful listener. She has pulled together a roaring "Write In" campaign practically out of thin air. Committed to keeping our community diverse and welcoming, Allison is supporting new housing opportunities for all. Voters in Ward 4 please write her in!
 
Ward 6    Brenda Noel-  Brenda made an intentional choice to move to newton and found a house in Newton which she describes as, “complete with asbestos, termites, carpenter ants and 2 failed agreements which was the perfect fit for our work ethic and scrappy nature". Brenda is unbelievably well organized, hardworking and understands the issues. She has amazing energy and impressed me from the moment I met her. Don't miss the opportunity to vote for her if you live in ward 6!

School Committee

Ward 1 Bridget Ray Canada -- Bridget - has a focus on educational equity and excellence, she a brings unique mix of skills as a woman of color in the engineering field. A passionate advocate, she has a background in STEM, fiscal acumen and global business management. She also has experience managing multi-million dollar budgets and addressing systemic problems around race and class. Bridget has a son in the high school and will be an asset on the SC.


Ward 3 – Eileen Sandberg: http://eileensandberg.org/ ,a health economist and community activist. Strong skills negotiation and collaboration and a strong background in finance and understanding budgetary trade-offs.
 
Ward 8 -Matthew Miller  Matthew has been deeply involved in his local schools since he moved to Newton. He is president of his local neighborhood association and has been PTO president of his sons' schools. He does this all while raising 3 sons with his husband Harold, and still finds the time to spearhead bringing the impressive Destination Imagination program to Newton's schools.


 Thank you for voting!

​I have had the privilege of serving as the current Ward Councilor from Ward One for the last 4 years. I am currently running for the at large seat from Ward One.  All Newton voters will be able to vote for me on Nov 7th.

We enjoy a top-notch school system and I want to keep it that way. I’m invested in our schools; a product of the Newton schools myself I have 2 children in the Newton Public Schools.

It is important to me is that we be good stewards of our city buildings, parks and open spaces. All neighborhoods should have a high-quality park within a short walking distance and park improvements is high on my list of priorities.

Let’s make sure we pay more attention to the needs of our seniors who I think have been under-served. I am committed to looking at a new senior center with improved services and facilities.

I am also concerned about young families getting priced out and our long-term residents feeling financially squeezed.  We need to make it easier for people to be able to afford to live here. That is one of the reasons why I voted to loosen the restrictions on accessory apartments. That’s also why I will be working to expand our commercial tax base, where appropriate to lessen the burden of running the City on our residents.

I am looking to engage in holistic, long and short term transportation planning strategies that prioritize public transit and designs the roads for all users. This means working with all stakeholders to leverage funding for significant infrastructure improvements that improve access and reliability.

Another priority is to promote a diversity housing types that are attractive to people from a wide range of economic levels, cultures and age groups. Including smaller units that are naturally more affordable, especially in village centers with access to transit and walking distance to shops and amenities. 

And when we do build let’s make sure we are making use of existing structures; rehabilitating or re-purposing existing buildings, and taking advantage of infill parcels.This conserves resources, minimizes waste, and preserves the history, character and culture of our villages.

At my core, I am an environmentalist who understands that we need to live more sustainably on this planet. We need to do our part locally. This includes making sure we are including strategies for maximizing green infrastructure and mimicking natural systems in our zoning code. This includes  prioritizing walkability, safer bike lanes, vegetative cover, and permeable surfaces. 

I am asking for your vote on November 7th

  1..Why are you a candidate to be an At-Large Newton City Councilor? 

There is much work to be done and I enjoy serving as a city councilor. I want to continue moving ahead with zoning reform, developing a master plan for our village centers and a holistic plan to thoughtfully manage growth and development. I am committed to the highest level of public safety and improving the city’s transportation networks, while continuing to provide the high level of community services that the citizens of Newton have grown to expect. I also believe that we need to pay more attention to our seniors who have been underserved for many years. I am committed to working with the Council on Aging on proposals for a new senior center and improved services and facilities

2.What are your most important accomplishments as an Elected Official or Community Activist in addressing issues that specifically affect seniors and those who support them? 

Improved pedestrian safety and accessibility. Advocated for street redesign that prioritizes safety for all users and working with the Commission on Disability to ensure that curb cuts meet accessibility codes. I supported the lowering of the default speed limit city wide to 25 MPH. Voted for housing options well suited to seniors, including Austin Street and Washington Place.

3.Please provide an example of a time when you exercised leadership on an issue that specifically affects seniors and those who support them? 

As a member of Zoning & Planning advocated for the Accessory Apartment ordinance which can help seniors stay in their homes. I have consistently voted for more diverse housing options including Austin Street and Washington Place. I supported Sunrise Senior Living in Newton Corner.

4.By 2030, more than 30% of Newton’s population will be age 60 and over. As you may know many senior residents have lived in Newton for a long time and the vast majority of us want to remain here as we continue to age. How will you as a City Councilor address issues identified in “Living and Aging in Newton: Now and In the Future” http://newtonseniors.org/ (pages vii and viii) such as Planning for substantial grown of the senior population; The high cost of living in Newton and how seniors will be able to stretch retirement incomes to meet current and anticipated needs to be able to remain in our city?

Encourage policies and programs that reduces the dependence on local property taxes and evaluate locations of the city that lend themselves to appropriate commercial and mixed use development.

Encourage diverse housing types that appeal to persons and households from a wide range of economic levels, cultures and age groups.

Optimize land use in village centers with a lively mix of uses, including housing, businesses and shops, civic and open spaces that invite walking, biking and reduce the reliance on auto use.

Expand transportation options, including a shuttle services.

Work with COA on planning for future senior needs including, improved senior facilities and services.

​The goal of the Solid Waste & Recycling Resolution #1 passed by the full City Council on May 16. 2016 is the development of a long term solid waste and recycling plan.  Please see the following steps/action items that will help us to achieve more immediate and shorter term recycling and solid waste goals as per the Resolution.
 
Residential Recycling Program;
 
A citywide education and outreach program on what the City currently allows in the green carts, what is prohibited and what can be brought to Rumford Ave. This should include, but not be limited to a citywide mailing to all households who participate in the residential curbside program. Waneta Trabert, the Director of Environmental Affairs has developed an education and outreach program for FY17. This will include a mailing to all residents that the city services tentatively scheduled mid-late September (my understanding is that significant funding is already available for these programs).
 
Increased audits of recycling carts and better enforcement and follow up of violations. Put in place a system of tracking the current enforcement by Waste Management which is usually done when carts are visibly contaminated or overflowing.    
 
Take advantage of new technology including new apps that give updated information on trash & recycling pick-ups. ReCollect is the program. Boston and Lowell use it. The company is based out of Vancouver, BC and their VP of Business Development now lives in the Boston area and teaches at the Kennedy School at Harvard about government and technology. The implementation of this program will be central to the FY17 education and outreach plan.
 
Require a feasibility study into expanding recycling facilities to businesses, institutions and condominiums complexes throughout the City of Newton and report back the results to the Public Facilities Committee no later than December 31, 2016. This should include looking at special permits whose terms require that the applicant provide private recycling and trash services. This could be part of a Solid Waste & Recycling Working Group made up, but not limited to the Director of Environmental Affairs, the Director of DPW, the Mayor or his designee, a member of the City Council, a member of the Solid Waste Commission and/or a member of the recycling committee.
 
School Recycling: 
 
A commitment from the school leadership to changing the culture of recycling from being an afterthought, to a district-wide resource recovery operation that reflects our commitment as a community to environmental sustainability, the preservation of our natural resources, protecting the oceans from non-biodegradable plastic waste and preserving a healthy, vibrant planet for generations to come. This could start in the form of a letter to all parents outlining recycling goals for September 2016.
 
A commitment from the Superintendent and the Director of Operations to achievable recycling goals within the next 6 months, 12 months and 24-month time frame (exact figures to be decided).
 
Apply for the School Recycling Assistance grant from MassDEP next year to be implemented district-wide at the beginning of the 2017-2018 school year. 
 
Clear signage in all the schools about what can be recycled. Educational posters on why recycling and waste reduction programs are important. Where does Newton's Trash go?
 
Explore opportunities to integrate recycling into classroom science education if feasible (myself and Waneta can help coordinate this)
 
City officials/staff and particularly the Solid Waste & Recycling Manager will collaborate with the NNHS Recycling club, NSHS Environmental Club and Green Newton's Students for a Greener World (SGW) to raise awareness about recycling and resource recovery programs within schools and support school initiatives.
  
Determine the current process for recycling and what the current barriers are to increasing school recycling rates. A recent tour of both high schools show a need for a strong, unified message that prioritizes recycling goals and education about recycling programs, and the implementation of processes that are consistently reinforced and convenient to carry out by custodial staff.
 
An open and transparent process of how the recycling steps are carried out and who is responsible for meeting recycling goals in each individual school. This would include, but not limited to the Director of Operations, the principals and all custodial staff. 
 
Increase recycling pick-ups at all schools and modify as needed. This will be coordinated by SWR Manager.
 
Explore the funding of a sustainability director for all the schools who would oversee and coordinate all solid waste, recycling and composting efforts in the long term. Apply for grant funding of this position by December 2016. 
 
A plan to ensure all water fountains and water filling stations are clean and in good working order in all schools and playgrounds by December 2016.
 
A plan to phase out the sale of bottled water in schools by September 2017.
 
 
Parks & Recreation (picks up trash & recycling from village centers, parks and recreation areas)
 
Better Signage and/or education and mailings on what types of materials can currently be recycled in Big Belly units. This should include a list of items that cannot go into Big Belly Recycling Unit, e.g. Styrofoam, plastic bags, liquids.
 
A public education program aimed at reducing the contamination rates of "away from home" recyclables.
 
The SWR Manager will work with WM to determine acceptable contamination rates.
 
Better collaboration between SWR Manager and Environmental Affairs to improve recycling rates and decrease contamination rates.  This includes re-designing the process as to how the Parks & Recreation Department manages the trash and recycling pick-ups and consider removing this responsibility from the department all together. 
 
Currently, the department has two conventional trash trucks and 6-8 pickup trucks used in operations. There is no clear process as to how trash and recycling are kept separate and most recycling is ending up in trash trucks. 
 
Implement a service switch so that Parks and Recreation carts/dumpsters are picked up by WM instead of being disposed of at Rumford. This would immediately improve the current situation.
 
There appears to be a culture and history of throwing most recycling into the trash which needs to be reversed. This is important. This cannot be tolerated. It is a state law (landfill/incineration banned materials) and must be core to the City’s efforts from the top down.
  
If trash & recycling pick up operations continue to be managed by Parks and Recreation it will be important to replace at least one of the two trash trucks (one of which is nearing the end of its useful life), with a split truck which keeps recycling and trash separate. 
 
Parks & Recreation will coordinate with other city departments to ensure that all parks and public spaces that have existing water fountains are clean and in good working order so as to encourage the use of reusable water bottles.

​
​Development, Zoning, Housing & Land Use:
Promote efficient land use through development of compact communities with a lively mix of uses, including housing, businesses and shops, civic and open spaces, to encourage walking, biking and reduce the reliance on auto use, especially single occupant vehicle use (SOV). Support public transit and minimize loss of open space.

Encourage policies and programs that reduces the dependence on local property taxes and evaluate locations of the city that lend themselves to appropriate commercial and mixed use development.
Promote regional land use planning and transportation options. Regionalize the responsibilities of growth by coordinating and communicating with neighboring communities.

Promote diverse housing types in all communities to enable persons and households from a wide range of economic levels, cultures and age groups to live and work within their boundaries.
Foster a strong sense of place: Consider the history, micro-environment and character of communities when planning new development.

Promote development that makes use of existing structures; rehabilitating or repurposing existing buildings, and taking advantage of infill parcels. Rehabilitation and renovation conserves resources, minimizes waste, and preserves the history and culture of our villages.

Mimic natural systems. Evaluate the impact of development on larger ecosystems, and wherever possible, preserve the green-spaces, wildlife habitat, natural drainage and vegetation. Promote special protections for farms, forests, community gardens and fragile ecosystems.

Sustainability, Transportation & Green Infrastructure
Connect and expand walk- bike corridors (research has demonstrated that increasing a neighborhood’s “walkability by just 5% is correlated with driving 6.4 % fewer miles per capita). Additionally, a study by the Urban Land Institute in Cambridge projected that “maximum deployment” strategies to increase walking and biking could reduce CO2 emissions by millions of tons by 2050.

Engage in holistic long and short term transportation planning strategies that prioritize public transit and designs roads for all users.  Work with all stakeholders to leverage funding for significant infrastructure improvements that improve access and reliability.

Include strategies for maximizing green infrastructure in our zoning code, this includes increasing tree and vegetative cover, green roofs, permeable surfaces and utilizing cool pavements. This not only reduces the urban heat island effect, but also reduces storm water runoff and provides public health and economic benefits.

Solid waste and Recycling
Review current solid waste and Recycling goals annually, including but not limited to;

Review and evaluate the current haul and single stream agreement with Waste Management with an eye towards increased diversion and incentivizing recycling.

Consider new ways of contracting including encouraging requests for proposals from local businesses and small business startups.

Partner with Mass Challenge and local businesses for product redesign that integrates disposal/end use costs.

Pilot a weekly organics/food diversion program for 400-500 volunteer households.

Require all take out containers to be recyclable or compostable.

Goal of 50% diversion rate curbside by 2022

PILOTS; payments in lieu of taxes & Tax Policy
The amount of the PILOT should reflect the cost of providing services to a non-profit. Especially the cost of core public services like police and fire protection, snow removal and street cleaning. I would pursue a more formal PILOT agreement similar to what the City of Boston has done, which is to call for voluntary payments based on an institutions tax exempt property value.

Schools & Public Places
Support and promote excellent schools. Improve and maintain schools and city buildings, parks and open space, sidewalks and roads, and water, sewer and stormwater utilities.

Commitment to transparency, openness and communication;
Ensure that all decision-making processes continue to be open, predictable, fair and inclusive.
​