June-Budget overview

Newton is starting to gather again in person, albeit cautiously! It was great to see and say hello to dozens under a tent outside for Chief John Carmichael’s swearing-in on Monday.

Other new opportunities to see people in 3-D include:

• The Senior Center will soon start holding in-person events in a tent outside
  
• The house museums (Jackson Homestead & Durant Kendrick) will be open for inside visits by June 16.
  
• Rumford Avenue recycling depot is now open without appointment
  
• Crystal Lake will be opening June 21 with limited hours until June 28 with full hours
  
• The Tuesday Farmer’s Market opens June 29, 1:30 to 6:00 p.m. at Cold Springs and the Saturday market June 26 9:30 to 12:30 at Newton North High School.
  

Budget Highlights 
Every budget tells a story--I started describing that story last month with police and schools. The last weeks have been filled with additional budget discussions. You can find the mayor's proposed operating budget here, and the capital priorities are here. 

• Fire: Our Fire Department is Class 1, which is a designation won with extensive training of our fire personnel. Roughly 90% of our firefighters are vaccinated, and all transmission of COVID has been from outside the workplace. We have a new engine in Auburndale (Washington Street) and a refurbished ladder truck that is working well. Every station now has power washers to remove carcinogens from fire gear after a call--further protecting the health of our force. Overtime has been a persistent issue with the NFD, in part because of the difficulty of staying fully staffed. After much effort, Chief Lucchetti has two additional recruits in the academy who will bring the department to full staffing. However, another five resignations or retirements are likely this summer.
  
• Seniors: Despite coming in at under a million dollars, this department overperforms--this year engaging virtually with residents on COVID epidemiology and mental health, delivering over 10,000 meals and 900 grocery visits, 7,000 calls to people who were not online as well as Thanksgiving dinner delivery, surprising residents with home baked cookies and activity gift bags and still providing NewMo trips to the doctor and other essential destinations.
  
• History: Zoom sessions aside, Historic Newton has been adding programming outside--with signage and QR codes, murals, tours by biking, kayak/canoe, etc. By popular demand, they are researching the local history of the Civil Rights movement in the 1950s-60s, including the history of METCO here. 
  
• Equity: The budget sets aside $250,000 for a consultant to help the city assess its diversity equity and inclusion initiatives and develop a strategy and goals before hiring a coordinator of diversity, equity and inclusion. 
  
• Sustainability: This year, the city realized $667,000 in savings, grants and incentives, $459,000 of which are associated with the solar panels on buildings, parking lots and the former landfill at Rumford Ave. Newton Power Choice customers now have 80% renewables in their electricity supply mix, except for the 7% who have opted up to 100% renewables (that’s nearly 2,000 households). 
  
• Trash: The cost of recycling and of throwing things away continues to increase, and the DPW is looking to reduce costs by reducing what we throw out. The composting program has helped with that—food waste is one of the heaviest components of Newton’s trash. The city will try food waste drop off locations also.
  
• Streets: All of Newton’s parking meters are now modern and can accept credit cards. All of our traffic signals now have audible pedestrian controls for those with limited vision. 
  
• Health: This past year highlighted the importance of public health information and services. HHS will continue to work on COVID, on top of restaurant inspections and school nursing. It has a new emphasis on community mental health, in partnership with non-profit entities and the police. 
  
• Library: Newton’s was among the first libraries to reintroduce library services in the region, and is the busiest  library in the Minuteman Network. Interest in its streaming and downloadable offerings grew 70% during the pandemic, so the library will invest more there. Our children’s programming and materials outperform all other segments of the library’s offerings, highlighting the need for a new, larger Children’s Room.
  
• Parks continue to be an area where the city needs to add investment. Our department manages nearly 500 acres, and 70% of our open space, as well as 20,000 street trees. The department is initiating a Shade Tree Master Plan next year, and investing more in athletic fields, Crystal Lake’s eroding shores and looking at the possibilities for the Gath Pool.