Greetings and Happy New Year to all Newton Corner Neighborhood Association members!

Here is the Zoom Link for our next meeting to be held on

Thursday, January 4, at 7:30–8:30 PM

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89295885023?pwd=eFN6bkViSCsvMlk5VWR5bHMwNTFBUT09

Meeting ID: 892 9588 5023

Passcode: 692182

The first NCNA meeting of 2024 will be held on January 4 at 7:30 PM. We are fortunate that four of our City Councilors will attend: Alison Leary and John Oliver—Councilors at Large from Ward 1: Maria Scibelli Greenberg, Ward Councilor from Ward 1; and Marc C. Laredo, Councilor at Large from Ward 7.

Before we present the Agenda for this meeting, however, I’d like to congratulate Councilor Laredo on his position as President of the City Council, Councilor Oliver on his position as Vice Chair of the Zoning and Planning Committee, and Councilor Leary on her position as Vice Chair of Public Facilities. Councilor Laredo will also serve on the Real Property Reuse Committee and Public Facilities Committee; Councilor Leary will serve on the Land Use Committee; Councilor Oliver will serve on the Programs and Services Committee; and Councilor Greenberg will serve on the Finance and Public Safety and Transportation Committees.

We are grateful that the councilors will have this opportunity to bring us up to date on the following:

Issues discussed and resolved at City Hall meetings during December including:

• The Village Center Overlay District reform

• Meeting the MBTA Communities Housing Act requirements

• Newton North High School Turf Field

• Funding for the MBTA Commuter Rail Stations

• Issues Newton Corner residents will face in the year ahead

My preliminary summary of Newton Corner’s Greatest Hits (regarding ongoing issues and concerns) is below. Please feel free to contact me with any questions you’d like to add to this list for the Councillors to address during the January meeting.

Looking forward to seeing you soon,

Warm regards,

Robin Z. Boger

President, Newton Corner Neighborhood Association

robinboger.ncna@gmail.com

Critical Issue Facing Newton Corner Residents in 2024:

1. What does Village Center Zoning Reform mean for Newton Corner now?

2. How does the MBTA Communities Housing Act resolution impact Newton Corner?

3. What improvements in Rotary Traffic signage can we expect during 2024?

4. Are any changes planned for bus routes affecting Newton Corner for 2024?

5. Recent storms have significantly flooded Church Street between Centre Street and Eldredge. Five cars had to be towed from that one block during a storm earlier this fall. Are there any plans to improve drainage and reduce this hazard for residents and anyone driving down this street?

6. What is the status of the proposed structural improvements to Farlow Pond?

7. Are there any new developments regarding 41 Washington Street and 35 Wesley Street?

8. What does the recent sale of 447 Centre Street mean for the neighborhood?

9. Requests have been made for yellow lights to replace the remaining white lights in Farlow Park. How can we best advocate for this change?

10. What is the status of the empty stores on Galen Street?

11. Will the Community Garden be available for use this summer?

12. What is happening regarding the Teacher Contract negotiation?