We, the Friends of Newton Centre, support a vision and plan that preserves the scale and unique character of the historic village of Newton Centre. We desire a village center that is green, accessible and pedestrian-friendly, safe, clean and devoid of traffic and parking problems so that residents and visitors may fully enjoy the residential and retail environment. This is our mission - please join us.

PLEASE JOIN US

MBTA Notices concerning the Closing of the Langley Road Bridge on May 8, 2008 for 6-9 months:
May 21, 2008
May 8, 2008

May 6, 2008 - Neighborhood Meeting concerning the Langley Rd. Bridge Closure - please email for details

Friends of Newton Centre will be proposing improvements for pedestrian safety, convenience and village beautification in the the area of the Langley Road Bridge reconstruction. If you have ideas or suggestions, please contact us.

MBTA Notice concerning the Closing of the Langley Road Bridge on May 3, 2008

Pedestrian Issues in Newton Centre - March 3, 2008

The Friends of Newton Centre holds meetings quarterly. Neighbors and others meet to discuss ways to make the village greener, safer, cleaner - complete details and Membership Brochure

View Agenda & Progress Reports

View the Friends of Newton Centre Presentation [acrobat format]

Beautification of Newton Centre: Friends of Newton Centre is planning direct action to improve the appearance of our village and the quality of life for all. It's OUR village - let's work to make it better. This will be a purely volunteer effort, and we need your help. For more information, please and click here .

Subscribe to Friends of Newton Centre Email: Visit this group

 

ALERT Zoning Change City-wide: a PUBLIC HEARING is scheduled for September 24, 2007, City Hall, Second Floor. Please BE THERE to opposed this petition which would change the zoning ordinances of the entire city of Newton to allow bigger and more dense mega-developments which have never before been allowed to go forward in Newton.

Public hearings have been reopened on a proposed change to the Newton zoning ordinance to create a NEW TYPE of zoning district which would overturn large portions of the zoning regulations of the city and allow mega-deveopment virtually anywhere by encouraging overlay disctricts exempt from density, parking, set backs, height limits and other restrictions currently in place throughout the city. THIS IS A CITY-WIDE CHANGE. Although it was origingally proposed by New England Development to allow their development (Chestnut Hill Square) on Route 9 to go forward, it will COVER THE ENTIRE CITY OF NEWTON and if passed will have a tremendous impact on the quality of life and the environment in Newton. Please let the aldermen know you oppose this proposal. We will be providing more information about this soon. In the meantime, below is a link to the proposed legislation. Volunteers are needed to circulate a petition urging our aldermen to oppose this radical change. Please call and leave a message if you wish to sign.

Letter to the Newton TAB by Ken Parker in Opposition to this amendment

Rethinking Newton, one high-rise at a time - Newton TAB, July 11, 2007

FONC Petition: Please print it out and help us gather signatures.

ALERT Parking Legislation - Important legislation is pending which could radically change the way parking and traffic management decisions are made in Newton. There is legislation pending which would grant important new powers to the Traffic Council, and make it possible for them to directly enact parking and traffic ordiances without approval of the Board of Aldermen (as is now the case). MORE INFORMATION WILL BE COMING SOON on how you can help stop this from happening.

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If you share our deep concerns about the process and direction that the Newton Center Task Force (NCTF) has taken to date, please join our efforts to take them in another direction. We believe there is very strong support in the community for a vision and plan for Newton Centre that retains the scale and character of the village center while improving traffic, parking and the pedestrian experience. We are in strong opposition to the extensive development and increased building density that members of the Task Force have focused on so far. We believe there is also very strong support for a more open process that communicates more proactively with the residents and merchants of the area and reaches out to the broader community for ideas more reflective of our concerns and objectives. Call this number to leave a message, to request further information or be added to the mailing list: 617-202-9307