Newton Committee Advances Two Appointments, Sets September 9 Primary Date

NEWTON — April 9, 2025 — Newton's Programs and Services Committee unanimously advanced two civic appointments and set September 9 as the date for the city's 2025 municipal preliminary election at its April 9 meeting. Chair Josh Mann and committee members voted without dissent to forward Rabbi Keith Stern, a 29-year Newton resident and sitting Human Rights Commission member, to the full City Council for appointment as a Public Library trustee, and to advance Michelle Howard Sparks, a pharmaceutical chemist with more than 25 years of industry experience, to the Institutional Biosafety Committee. City Clerk's office representative Doyle told the committee that September 2 was rejected as too close to Labor Day and September 16 would leave insufficient time to print and mail ballots. The committee also voted unanimously to formally recognize the Newton Cultural Council as the Cultural Affairs Commission of the City of Newton, clearing a naming-eligibility barrier that had cost the council a potential $50,000 National Endowment for the Arts grant. On leaf blower enforcement, Commissioner Cherella reported registrations have climbed from 108 in 2022 to a record 352 in 2024, with about six repeat violators — some carrying fines as high as $4,000 — now facing criminal complaint.