ASK THE MAYOR

Mayor Cohen wants to hear from you!

To ask a question of the Mayor, send an email to askthemayor@newtonma.gov. Mayor Cohen will make every effort to respond to all questions that are sent.

Look for Ask the Mayor questions and answers in the next edition of the Newton Community Report, the City's online newsletter.

Dear Mr. Mayor,

I had ask this question before but no reply so I want to ask again. Is it home-owner
response for their side-walk? Because I noticed that a lot of residents in newton did
not shovel. It was complete ice. It wasn't shoveled. It was snow and it froze over. My
house is right on Route 9, everyday so many student or peoples have to walk to T
station but there is no side-walk at all so force all the small children, elderly,
everybody walk on route 9. That is absolute scary and not acceptable. Who cares
about our public safety?? I told my neighbor to shovel and removed the ice but they
don't listen and he said it is not my business. so where should I go to file a
complaint??? I try police station but they said nothing can be done by them. I don't
think you want any accident happen again like Boston kid got hit by car because no
side-walk or today a girl felt on icy hill at our town!!!! Where can I file the complaint or
which department i can contact about this issue??? Just like Boston, they will fine the
home-owner. Then our safety is in a good hand also city will have a lot of income by
this. Why not???? Mr. Mayor, I went to check the next down like Brookline and
Wellesely. 99 out of 100 home-owner did a excellent job on the side-walk. Why not
Newton????? Please enforce this matter ASAP before any terrible accident happen.


Best,
Ms. Gray

Thank you very much for your Ask the Mayor submission regarding icy sidewalks. I
share your concern about public safety during snow and ice storms.

At this time, there is no ordinance on the books to force residents to clear snow from
the sidewalks in front of their homes. There had previously been one, but it was
repealed by the Board of Aldermen 10-15 years ago.

The City takes responsibility for clearing snow and ice from the City's 300 miles of
public roadways, and for 60 miles of sidewalks closest to our 21 school buildings.
Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to clear more sidewalks than that.

We try to appeal to Newton residents' concern for the safety of others in the
aftermath of a snow storm. However, since there is no legal requirement, we cannot
force people to clear the snow from the sidewalks.

Thank you again for your submission. I wish you a safe and happy winter season.

Very Truly Yours,
David Cohen
Mayor

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On the Garden City Blog (www.thegardencity.net) a reader posed the following question in regards to the Mayor's statements on the budget and the impact
healthcare will have on future budgets:
"If the rising cost of health care is such an issue then why isnt the mayor working with
other cities or the state to join into a larger group ie
all citys and towns so that they will have a better negotiation power.

"For example Partners Health Care which is a group of Hospitals ie MGH, Brigham
and Women etc have good insurance plans that do not cost a
fortune for both the company (hospital) and employee. The reason they can do this is
because as "Partners" they have thousands of employees.
They are not just negotiating for a small group. So in the same way - why can't the
Mayor spearhead a group of cities and towns to do the same. Or why can't they
negotiate with the state to join onto their plan."

Best,
Chuck Tanowitz

____________________________________

Hi Chuck,

Strange that the original email never came through - you've got the correct email
address. At any rate, I forward to you Mayor Cohen's response:

Rising health care costs have been a heavy burden municipalities across the country
have been struggling with. We have endured double-digit increases in health care
costs each year for the last decade, to the point that health care now comprises 14%
of the entire municipal budget.

In an effort to provide relief to the cities and towns of Massachusetts, Governor
Patrick has proposed the Patrick-Murray Municipal Partnership Act. I am in full
support of this Act, which contains a number of provisions that would benefit
municipal governments in raising revenues locally.

One provision of the Act enables municipalities to enter into the state health care
system. The idea of combining our buying power, and taking advantage of
economies of scale makes good sense. This proposal also aligns with the
recommendation of the Blue Ribbon Commission to pursue this option.

Unfortunately, the suggestion that Newton should collaborate with other cities or
towns to create a single plan, while good on paper would not be practical. The fact is,
if we were to combine our efforts with other towns, under current state law every
union in every town would have to sign off any change to their contract. In Newton
alone, we have 17 bargaining units. An effort to try and make changes to health care
coverage that would require the unanimous support of our own unions along with
those of other cities and towns, would in my estimation be futile.

I appreciate your inquiry into this important issue. I remain hopeful that this provision
of Governor Patrick's municipal relief package wins support on Beacon Hill, and I will
continue to lobby on its behalf through the Newton delegation and through the
Massachusetts Municipal Association.

Very Truly Yours,
David Cohen
Mayor

____________________________________

I dont see any new questions in the Ask the mayor section. Has this
feature been canceled or are people just not asking any questions.

Robert Lauricella, Church St. Newton

Dear Mr. Lauricella: Actually, most of the e-mails we've been getting are
in the nature of constituent requests, such as fixing a particular
pot-hole or sweeping a street, rather than questions seeking information
on a particular policy or practice. Answers to e-mails that would be of
more general interest are still posted or published.

Very Truly Yours,
David Cohen

____________________________________

Why is nothing is being done to enforce the residential zoning laws in Newton or oversea the zoning department?

In West Newton, some streets are plagued with business trucks. If you look at Williams Street, River Street, and Star Road and Lind Road out of approx 14 homes there are 9 homes that house abandoned vehicles and major business vehicles (everything from electricians to gardeners’) every day.

Is this the Garden CITY or the Gardner CITY? Shouldn’t' they have to get these vehicles garaged elsewhere?

Residents should not have to look out the window at trucks in every direction. Last time I checked this was not Maine! Certainly the taxes are the same in West Newton as every other neighborhood in the city.

BUT The Mayor has turned a blind eye for many years...all the while it is getting worse. People are actually buying properties here because they know they can park their trucks!

When is he going to do something about it?

-Will Noble

Thank you for sending me this question and I appreciate the passion you feel for this matter.

The City of Newton is complaint-oriented. That is to say, we do not spy on law-abiding citizens and trust that residents such as yourself will notify us if they believe a City ordinance is being violated.

Our Inspectional Services Director, John Lojek, is very diligent when offenders are brought to his attention. In some cases, he has hauled them into court.

Mr. Noble, if you would be good enough to send us a specific address, I would be happy to pursue the offenders you write about. We will continue to be diligent in pursuing offenders of all our codes, to maintain the quality of life in Newton our residents expect and deserve.

Very Truly Yours,

David Cohen

____________________________________

Questions for the Mayor!!! This annual $25 fee for drainage system that the mayor is asking for -- Question 1: How much of that will be going to the fixing of the drainage problem at Newton South fields? Question 2: What amount from this fee will go toward the budget of the DPW?

Guive Mirfenderski

The aftermath of the recent heavy rainfall in the Greater Boston area brings into clear view the importance of maintaining the storm drain and the water and sewer pipes in the City of Newton. Due in large part to the investments in our infrastructure of the last eight years, including the lining of our 100-year-old water and sewer lines, we were spared sewer overflows and widespread flooding. The employees of the Department of Public Works and our public safety officers did an outstanding job throughout the storm to keep damage in the City to a minimum.

The storm drain fee will help ensure that we keep segregated our storm water and treated water systems. By doing so, we can ensure that we will be in compliance (and therefore avoid being hit with fines) with an Administrative Order from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and that the water from the City’s 108 outfalls into the Charles River are environmentally sound. We also save money by avoiding the cost of sending rainwater to be treated.

Question 1:

We have conservatively estimated that the revenue from the fee will generate $575,000 in the first year. We plan to dedicate $425,000 of these revenues to: hire a fulltime environmental engineer to oversee the storm drain improvement program; pay for five current DPW employees so they can focus entirely on the storm drain maintenance program; and for necessary materials and equipment for the program. The remaining $150,000 will go to priority capital projects to improve drainage throughout the City. These projects will be identified by Mayor Cohen and DPW Commissioner Bob Rooney as the most pressing needs of the City. At this time, while the flooding issues at the Newton South athletic fields are a concern, that project is not considered to be among the initial projects to be funded by these revenues.

Question 2:

As I detailed above, the revenues from this storm drain fee will be used for the planning, maintenance and new projects to improve the City’s storm water system. None of these revenues will go to any other DPW function or activity.

__________________________________________

how is the mayor related to perter karg, secretary of the elction commision? if not related, is he friends with peter karg?

thanks
R. Shifman

Mayor Cohen is not a blood relative of Peter Karg, the Election Commission Executive Secretary. Despite his not being related, Mayor Cohen considers Mr. Karg, and every City Hall employee to be a friend.

_______________________________________

Dear Mr. Mayor,

Thank you for the opportunity to ask a few direct questions:

1) I recently read about your plan to impose a new tax (a.k.a. 'fee') to fund a new sewer/drainage system. My question is, why do we need a new tax when one of the core foundations of property taxes and City Government is to pay for infrastructure, fire, safety, and schools? In your answer, please do not include the mantra of 'we have no money' or 'the budget is tight' when this type of work is a primary objective and when we have many other questionable and non-essential expenditures.

There are a number of recent changes that led us to propose the new storm drain fee. First, the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection has recently enacted more stringent guidelines for the water quality of the Charles River. Ultimately, the EPA informed us that we would be subject to a series of fines if we did not improve our storm drain system. Second, the state has only recently enabled cities and towns to create a storm drain utility. You may know that cities and towns have long had the ability to dedicate a funding source specifically for providing household water, and for sewer water treatment services. Until recently, the City had no option to create a utility to manage our similarly costly storm water system.

The City’s storm drain system is quite extensive. Throughout the City, there are 12,750 catch basins, 307 miles of drainage pipes, seven miles of brooks & streams, 101 individual drainage basins, 108 outfall pipes to the Charles River, and 12 miles of river banks. The average annual precipitation in Newton is 41 inches, which translates into 12.6 billion gallons per year. Managing this system is quite important, and often costly. While I do not necessarily take issue with your premise that the maintenance of our infrastructure is a core function of municipal government, ignoring the fiscal realities we are facing is unfair. For years we have had infrastructure improvement projects within our Capital Improvement Project list that could not be funded because of budgetary constraints. I firmly believe that now is the time to enact a reliable revenue stream to cover the cost of maintaining our storm drain system.

2) When considering the Newton Center redesign, has any consideration been given to moving the Department of Health to the main City Offices and turning that building into retail/office where the City could derive some income? I assume that the offices were separated due to polio in the 1950's.

I am very pleased with the progress being made by the Newton Centre Task Force, a subcommittee of the Newton Economic Development Committee. Under the leadership of citizen volunteer Charles Eisenberg, the Task Force has begun to solicit ideas from the public about what a renaissance of Newton Centre might encompass.

The Health Department is current housed at the former Newton Center Library building. The Department used to lease space at the former Davis School, which now houses the Newton Community Service Center. As a cost saving measure, to avoid the cost of a lease, the City moved them into their current location in 1992.

The renaissance of Newton Centre is an exciting undertaking. I expect many different proposals to come forward that would improve residents, visitors, and motorists’ experience in Newton Centre. While the Health Department building is located in the Centre, I do not anticipate

3) Does the new High School really need an indoor pool? Swimming is fun, but is it really part of the three R's? What about renting pool time similar to ice time for the hockey team? It would save in direct (construction) and indirect costs (maintenance including staffing).

The indoor pool at Newton North is an important recreational facility for our entire community. It is the only indoor public pool available to residents of Newton who are not members of an independent organization such as the YMCA or the Jewish Community Center.

You may be surprised to learn of the wide array of activities that go on in the pool at Newton North. In addition to offering Newton North students a swim fitness class, Red Cross lifeguard training, and a water safety and instructional swim class, the pool is open to faculty and staff in the mornings and at lunch time. The pool also enables us to field boys and girls swimming and diving teams at Newton North and at Newton South. Recently, we have begun a swim program for our middle schools as well.

But the pool is open to our entire community. Our Parks and Recreation Department operates a 300-member swim team, made up of Newton residents ages 5-18, who use the Newton North pool in the winter. Parks and Rec. also teaches swimming, lifeguard training, and a water safety program on the weekends from October through mid-May. We also open up the pool for senior citizen swimming, and a Community Swim period in the evenings, Saturday through Thursday. There are also very special events that take place at the Newton North pool, including a Special Olympics swimming event and other programs involving Perkins School for the Blind. Participants in all of these activities pay fees, for the use of the pool.

The pool at Newton North is a valuable resource that is enjoyed by many residents and is in almost constant use. I am committed to preserving this important recreational facility here in Newton and am in full support of keeping it in the plans for the new Newton North. I would encourage you to click here to find out more about the history of the Newton North pool, and the activities that go on there: http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/Parks/NewtonNorth/NorthIndoorComplexMain.htm

Thank you for your time and consideration.

David Carlstrom

You are welcome – thank you for submitting your questions!

David Cohen
Mayor

_____________________________________

Hi,

I have been waiting for some time now to hook up Verizon fios TV - but the Verizon folks say that the hold-up is the City of Newton. I already have the optical cable linked to my house for Internet service. I am fed-up with the cable folks, but I am missing many Red Sox games, and can not hold out forever.

I can see no logical reason why the city would not want as many services available to its residents as possible - is there something I am not thinking of?

How long do you expect I will have to wait for the City's approval?

Thanks

Dave Sweeney
Newton, MA

Thank you for sending your question about the possible availability of Verizon cable service in the City of Newton. I understand the importance of this issue.

The City has always been unequivocally in favor of greater competition and wider selection of choice in cable providers. The City of Newton, along with several Massachusetts communities, have been negotiating in good faith with Verizon so that residents have the ability to choose not from two (Comcast and RCN), but three cable service providers.

Having said that, I am unwilling to compromise customer service rights, and I want to ensure that Verizon is held at least to the same accountability of customer service as the other companies. As is the case with our Comcast and RCN license requirements, I want to be sure residents to have the ability to walk into a local office to pay their Verizon bills or to exchange equipment. I firmly believe that income eligible senior citizens should be offered a discount from Verizon, as they are with the other cable providers. I feel strongly that our local access corporation (NewTV) performs a valuable community service and should received continued support, and I would insist all cable providers in Newton enter into the same agreement to support NewTV that the other cable providers have.

It is impossible for me to give you an accurate timeframe on when Verizon will agree to adhere to these standards, but I am prepared to press Verizon to agree to the reasonable standards their competition agreed to several years ago. It occurs to me that Verizon is waiting to sign agreements with many local communities until the debate over the efforts to nationalize cable franchising is resolved. There is a bill currently before Congress sponsored by Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) and Senator Daniel Innoye (D-Hawaii) that would eliminate municipalities’ ability to negotiate with cable providers and instead provide a national standard. This would do a disservice to cities and towns who can leverage these important cable contracts to include provisions that protect their residents and that enhance the quality of service. I am working with Senator John Kerry and Congressman Marty Meehan’s offices, along with several Massachusetts mayors and town managers to express our concerns about this bill.

As a fan myself, I can understand your frustration of missing Red Sox games. I am hopeful our negotiations with Verizon will conclude soon with another choice for cable services for our residents, and I welcome Verizon's entry to the cable market here in Newton. But I will not yield on this important issue. I will hold Verizon to the same customer service standards that we hold the other cable service providers before allowing them to operate in the City of Newton.

___________________________________________

Dear Mayor

There seems to be 1 less recreational field in this latest design, than the current facility. Is this correct.

Thank you
Robert Lauricella

Mr. Lauricella,

Thank you for your question. The Newton North site plan as approved by the Design Review Committee has the same number of recreational fields and can accommodate the school’s current athletic program. What may have been confusing is the “overlay” field that is delineated within the outfields of the softball and baseball diamonds. In addition, the football field is designed to also be used as a soccer field.

I hope this answers your question, and I appreciate your writing in.

Very Truly Yours,
David Cohen
Mayor

__________________

This week, three fire alarms were pulled at Newton South High School. All three were pulled during the same block, "E" block, with two pulled during Monday's E block and one pulled during Tuesday's E block. While Principal Brenda Keegan made three similar announcements to the student body about the seriousness of the matter of pulling fire alarms, this action continued. Why does the city not take greater action to stop such alarms that cost taxpayers thousands of dollars, and why are charges never pressed? Also, why are new technologies to help prevent pulled fire alarms not in use in the new, state-of-the-art Newton South building?

Thank you,
Alex Schneider,
Sophomore, Newton South High School

It is especially gratifying to me that you have taken the time to send me your concerns about false fire alarms being pulled at your school. As a student, of course, you suffer from the inconvenience of being pulled out of your normal school activity, sometimes into the cold, when someone pulls a fire alarm. As a city, as you correctly pointed out, we suffer from spending precious tax dollars to send fire personnel and apparatus (Roughly $500 per run), along with the opportunity cost of having these emergency personnel tied up at a non-event when they could be doing more important things. Ultimately, we need the help of students such as you to help prevent false alarms from being pulled.

The recent rash of false fire alarms at Newton South is a concern to the entire community. We have been notified that five false alarms have been pulled in a recent two week period. You may by now be aware that the school has identified the students who pulled the alarm. All the students who are caught for pulling false alarms will be charged by the police and will be given penalties to the full limits of school discipline codes. The Newton Police Department has taken out complaints against these individuals and is investigating the incidents. Pulling a false fire alarm, in some cases, can carry a felony charge.

One thing to keep in mind about the perpetrators of this type of crime: There are often complex reasons for a person who pulls a fire alarm. While it is certainly disruptive and a waste of taxpayer money, the act of pulling a false fire alarm is also often a cry for help from a troubled adolescent. It is important to me that we apprehend the individuals who pull false fire alarms. But it is equally important to me that we get them the help that they may need.

The technology that can be helpful in preventing false fire alarms is often expensive, mostly impractical, and potentially objectionable. The school has investigated the use of dyes that would identify who pulled a fire alarm, but they were found to have harmful side effects. There exists a spray that can be used on each fire alarm box that would leave a mark detectable under ultraviolet light. The problem is that these sprays need to be applied once a week, are expensive, and lining up 1,700 students after each fire alarm and inspecting their hands with a UV light is terribly impractical. The last technological deterrent that I am aware of is the installation of video cameras, which may raise some privacy concerns but is ultimately a decision that would be made by the School Committee and Newton South community.

At South, Principal Keegan has been working with the PTSO to recruit parent volunteers who will patrol the hallways and bathrooms during the MCAS testing later this month. She has also asked staff and faculty to spend more time in the hallways, with particular attention to be paid to the fire alarms and bathrooms. Since the three individuals were suspended, no false alarms have been pulled at Newton South.

Ultimately, neither the police, nor the school administration, nor parent volunteers can prevent false alarms without the help of the student body. I am sure your fellow classmates share your frustration with being pulled out of school activities, including the disruption during last week’s AP exams, because of another student pulling a false alarm. Our entire community would urge anyone with information on who pulls a fire alarm, or who is involved in the recent vandalism and graffiti at Newton South, to speak to someone in the Principal’s Office.

Very Truly Yours,
David Cohen
Mayor

____________________________________

“Why do you need a spokesman?”
Lorraine England

When discussing the merits of a spokesman, the key question for me is, “How can we best disseminate accurate information in a timely fashion to the citizens of Newton?” Let me explain why I think it is clear that having a dedicated spokesman is the best way to accomplish this important service.

First, I believe it is helpful to City employees and media outlets to have a single source of reference with media requests. Having a City spokesman frees up our employees, enabling them to fulfill the responsibilities of the jobs they were hired to do rather than spending time chasing down answers from the media. For the press, they have one phone call to make to get answers or referrals to information without having to try and navigate the City government.

Second, having a spokesman has lifted a fairly large burden from my responsibilities. Before I hired a spokesman, all media requests came directly to me. Media coverage of Newton is provided by one daily, one biweekly, one weekly, and four school generated newspapers, along with NewTV, the local cable television access organization and the occasional media coverage by Boston’s TV stations and newspapers, and trade journals. Responding to media requests had been taking up a considerable portion of my time – time that I believe is better spent working on behalf of the citizens of Newton.

Third, I would hazard a guess that nearly all organizations that employ some 3,000 employees, with 25 departments, and a $295 million budget, employs a spokesman to handle media requests.

Lastly, you should know that the City spokesman, Jeremy Solomon, is our Director of Policy and Communications. Besides being the spokesman, he has many other responsibilities including, but not limited to, preparing talking points and briefing materials for me, coordinating several major Citywide events including the City’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration and the Mayor’s Community Prayer Breakfast, serving as the Mayor’s liaison on several committees and commissions, and overseeing the City’s photo and filming permitting process.

I believe the citizens are well served by having a spokesman, who is capable of offering accurate and timely information to the public via the media. We have met virtually every press deadline since Mr. Solomon was hired, meaning our citizens have been kept informed.

I hope this answers your question, and I thank you for your inquiry.

Very Truly Yours,
David Cohen
Mayor

___________________________

Dear Mayor Cohen,

Ok, you wanted questions, here we go.

I am a Newton resident who has been working overseas for 20 years. I returned home to Newton for a family visit and could not believe the changes, some good, some not so good.

Imagine a place where people who lived there all their lives are forced to move because they cannot afford to live there any longer.

Is this what you consider "taking care of the people who elected you?"

On the $165 million dollar white elephant. I fail to see how ANY elected official can possibly deny the people the right to VOTE on a high budget project that directly affects them and, more importantly, their pocketbooks. Since when do civil servants consider themselves above the people who "hired" them (through the electoral process). Granted, Congress and the White House set a bad example, but refusing a binding or non-binding referendum seems almost a slap in the face to the people paying your salary.

Are you are afraid the voters will deny you an opportunity to erect a monument to your ego?

$165 million dollars for a building is slightly ridiculous, especially in light of the fiasco last time. Money would be better spent on less frills, more substance. Newton always had pretty good teachers, so funds would be better spent to ensure that trend continues.

Regards,
R. Bicknell

Dear Mr. Bicknell,

Thank you for taking the time to send in your question to askthemayor@newtonma.gov.

I share your concerns about the cost of housing in the City of Newton. While it is clear that the sharp rise in housing prices has affected most cities and towns in the Greater Boston area and part of a regional market-related trend, we have several programs to assist individuals on fixed incomes. I would refer you to our webpage: http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/Assessor/index.htm#taxassist for more information on the tax exemptions available to citizens who qualify.

As for your concerns as they relate to the building of a new Newton North, I appreciate your point of view. Let me make one thing very clear, however. We are at a point in the process where our Design Review Committee, which is made up of volunteers who have relevant expertise (Architects, engineers, construction professionals, etc.), is nearing a vote on a design for the new building. Once the Committee votes on their final recommendation for a design (Which will include such details as traffic mitigation, layout for athletic fields, parking locations, and siting of the building on the site) we will be receiving a more precise cost estimate from our Design Team, and the discussion on how to finance the building will begin in earnest.

I have said all along that there is a time and place for the discussion on the financing of this project. Once we have a design, all financing options and procedures should be on the table. If the Board of Aldermen votes to place the matter as a referendum question, I would respect that. Of course, the wording of the question would be of critical importance, and it is also very important to inform people what the ramification of a change in plans would mean.

To anyone who has been in the current building recently, it is clear that to do nothing would be a travesty to the current and future occupants of the building. If we are to make a large-scale change our plans (i.e. If we are to pursue a renovation rather than building a new school), the $46.5 million we have been promised by the School Building Authority would be lost. We would also revert back to square one: appointing a new Design Review Committee, applying for state funding (Which is currently operating under a moratorium for new projects - we would go to the bottom of a waiting list) hiring a new project manager and architect, revisiting the educational program, etc. In addition, the trend of rising construction costs will likely add to a future project (In other words, the sooner we complete the construction phase of this project, the better).

Mr. Bicknell, I want to assure you that I do not underestimate the importance of giving the citizens of Newton a chance to weigh in on this project, and I understand the magnitude of this project. We will continue to hold community meetings about the subject throughout the life of the project. But, I think it is vitally important to also understand what a referendum would mean - especially if it is a binding referendum.

We will continue to take steps to save money on this project. We will do value engineering where possible. We will purchase materials in advance, to mitigate rising costs of steel, lumber, and other materials. We have already shaved 5,000 square feet from the original specifications, and our Design Review Committee appears to have decided to move tennis courts off the roof in order to save money.

Again, I appreciate your taking the time to add your voice to this important debate, and I hope you find this note to be informative. If you would like more information on this project, I would encourage you to click on http://www.ci.newton.ma.us/HSTF/index.htm, the link to Newton North project on the City's website. Also, stay tuned to the City's online newsletter, the Newton Community Report, for periodic updates.

If I can provide you with any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Very Truly Yours,
David Cohen
Mayor

______________________________________________

Dear Mayor Cohen,

I saw your letter in the April 19 issue of the Newton Tab inviting residents to contact you at this email address with questions. I have a question based on an article on page 3 of the April 19 Tab.  In that article, it states that two Newton North High School students, one from Hyde Park and one from Mattapan, may be responsible for thefts at that school.

I recently moved to Newton and am not familiar with the school system here.  Are students from outside the city of Newton allowed to attend the Newton schools? I'm not from the Boston area originally, but my understanding is that Hyde Park and Mattapan are parts of Boston.  Can you please explain why Boston students are attending Newton North High School?

Thanks.

Best regards,
Lisa Kirby

Dear Ms. Kirby,

The public school system in the City of Newton opens its doors to a number of students who do not live in Newton. The City participates in the Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) program, which buses Boston-area children to Newton to attend our public schools. I refer to the Massachusetts Department of Education website (http://www.doe.mass.edu/metco) for the following description:

"It is a voluntary program intended to expand educational opportunities and reduce racial imbalance, by permitting students in certain cities to attend public schools in other communities that have agreed to participate.

"The Program has been in existence since 1966 and was originally funded through a grant by the Carnegie Foundation and United States Office of Education. In that year the first METCO legislation was filed, the service provider METCO Inc. was established, and seven school districts began accepting the first two hundred METCO students. Currently, there are about 3,300 students participating in 34 school districts in metropolitan Boston and at four school districts outside Springfield."

As one of the seven original volunteer communities for the program, Newton has a long and distinguished track record with the METCO program. Today, with 419 enrollees, Newton has the single largest METCO Program in the Commonwealth.

For more information on the Newton METCO program, please visit the website: http://www.newton.mec.edu/metco.

I hope this information is useful to you. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can be of more help.

Very Truly Yours,
David Cohen

__________

Bill Huddlestine:

"Why doesn't the city purchase, either through CPA funds, emminent domain, or by other means, the five homes adjacent to the Newton North High School property on Walnut Street? By acquiring the land, the property would be squared-off and more land would be available for the school use, which is the single greatest struggle with building a new school -- fitting the entire program on the current land."

Dear Mr. Huddlestine,

Thank you for your question. With all due respect, I do not consider your proposal to seize these five homes to be a wise idea for three reasons: (1) I would not authorize taking these residents’ homes unless there were no other options available to us, (2) we do not need the land to satisfy the educational or athletic programs, and (3) the financial implications would be severe.

I consider land taking by eminent domain to be an extreme measure, done only when other options are unavailable. As long as I am Mayor, forcing residents to sell their homes will remain an act of last resort, rather than an act of convenience.

The Design Review Committee has worked very hard with our architects to ensure the program specifications as voted by the Newton School Committee will be included in the design for the new school. The current site, without the land of the five homes in question, can accommodate the 399,000 square foot building and the athletic facilities required to offer the same educational and athletic programs that current Newton North students enjoy.

There are also significant financial implications to taking these five homes. We estimate that it could add up to more than $10 million to the project when factoring in attorneys’, and appraisers’ fees.

I appreciate your interest in the Newton North project, and I welcome suggestions from citizens. However, the City of Newton has no intention of seizing the five homes adjacent to the Newton North property. We have an outstanding design that makes good use of the current site, and will offer future students the same outstanding educational and athletic opportunities for which Newton North is renown.

Very Truly Yours,
David Cohen
Mayor

Mayor Cohen wants to hear from you!

To ask a question of the Mayor, send an email to askthemayor@newtonma.gov. Mayor Cohen will make every effort to respond to all questions that are sent.

Look for Ask the Mayor questions and answers in the next edition of the Newton Community Report, the City's online newsletter.