October 29th, 2022

August--Climate items; 128 changes

 Climate items Following votes in Congress and at the state Legislature on climate action, I am feeling hopeful. How about you?  Locally, despite the heat, there are few things happening that may help: 

• More buildings in Newton are being constructed to be Net Zero. What does that mean, and is it affordable? Find out at the Chamber’s Aug. 11 webinar, 9-10 am. Register here. 
• Interested in ways to take action on climate change locally? Sign up for the city’s Climate Newsletter here.
• New trash rules will go into effect November 1. You may have noticed textile donation boxes in front of some schools. This is to make textile donations even easier, as no old clothes will be allowed in the blue trash bins. Since Newton’s trash goes to an incinerator, this is a good thing for the climate!

Highway changes

• MassDOT is replacing bridges over 128 at I-90

This will include repairs and more to 9 bridges over the highway--the Route 30 (Commonwealth Ave) one included--and this is the last link for separated biking trails between Natick and Boston. A meeting to explain the project is Thursday, Aug. 18 from 6 pm-8 pm. Register for the online meeting here.

• The development at Riverside Station is getting underway. The first thing you might notice is in early September, when they start demolishing ledge along Recreation Road (the off-ramp for Rt. 30 from 128 N) to make room for direct access to the site from the highway. If you use Grove Street, you may also notice utility work and some lane closures for that. Thanks to Ward 4’s Liz Mirabile for the inside info!