Newton Committee Advances Tree Notification Requirement, Approves Extended Voting Hours

NEWTON — July 15, 2026 — Newton Programs and Services Committee advances neighbor-notification requirement for tree removals and extends early voting hours. The committee, chaired by Councilor Josh Friedman of Ward 4, voted unanimously on July 15 to extend early voting on the September 1 primary to 8 p.m. on August 25 and approved two extended evening sessions — October 20 and October 28 — for the November 3 general election. Council President John Oliver pushed both amendments, citing the importance of maximizing voting access. The committee also took a 4-3 straw vote in favor of drafting an ordinance to require homeowners removing trees under exempt permits to notify abutting neighbors before the work begins — a step currently required only for construction permits, which cover fewer than 35 percent of the city's roughly 867 annual tree permits. Parks and Recreation Commissioner Mark Welch reported that since the updated tree ordinance took effect in March 2024, the city has issued 867 permits covering approximately 1,400 to 1,500 removed trees, with two-thirds of removals coming from exempt-lot permits. The committee unanimously recommended the appointment of Newton Food Pantry president Cynthia Wayne to the Human Rights Commission, which will go to the full City Council on August 10.