Neighbors for a Better Newtonville (NBN) has announced that they are pursuing legal action against the city of Newton regarding the NewCal project. RightSize Newton supports NBN’s actions 100%. 

We believe that: 

1. Our seniors deserve better services on a much larger lot with adequate parking to meet accessibility needs

2. Our historic buildings have value and should not be demolished

3. Our public parks are valuable and once eradicated are lost forever

Although the Mayor and her executive team claim to share our values, the proposed NewCAL center is at odds with every one!

It is important to call attention to these inconsistencies.

The current senior center site was originally deemed "not viable" because it was considered "too small to accommodate the full program" and therefore not considered on the list of 24 potential sites for NewCal. In fact, it appears the current senior center site fails to meet multiple “site criteria” including lot size, legal restrictions, and outdoor programming and green space.

The current FAQ page on the NewCal website reads:

Why is the city still pushing to build on a site that they have already determined to be insufficient? 

Building new on the existing site perpetuates the same capacity issues that the current senior center already has. If we are building new, let's do it right, and choose an appropriate lot. 

A 2005 Board Order authorized the expenditure of $271,210 to “create a new park at the Newton Senior Center”. The grant application stated, "the primary goal of The Park at The Newton Senior Center is to provide a fully accessible, passive recreation public park for people of all ages and abilities." It is the only public green space in Newtonville's village center.

The current NewCal design would eradicate this protected city parkland. 

In 2019, when sites were being considered for the project, the mayor announced:

This promise should still stand today and The Park at the Newton Senior Center should not be at risk. 

On Monday, May 13, Peter Dimond, Chair of the Newton Historical Commission, received a call from Barney Heath, Director of Planning & Development.  Peter was informed that his term on the NHC had expired the previous Friday and the Mayor had decided not to reappoint him.  In short, Peter Dimond was no longer a member of the NHC.

A few months earlier, Jennifer Bentley was informed by the mayor that she would not be reappointed to the NHC when her term was up in May.  

Why would Mayor Fuller “clean house” at the NHC?  

Peter Dimond has a theory.  

A few weeks ago he wrote to his former colleagues on the NHC the following:

Mayor Fuller needs to live up to the promises she made when she was campaigning four years ago and find us a suitable site.

An anonymous donor will match the first $10,000 received by NBN.

Send your comments to RightSizeNewton@gmail.com.

Randy Block

RightSize Newton