Newton Committee Approves Five Public Auto License Renewals in Final Term Meeting

NEWTON — December 3, 2025 — Newton's Public Safety and Transportation Committee cleared five public auto license renewals unanimously at its December 3 meeting, the last of the current council term. Captain Divine of the Newton Police Department presented each of the five applicants — Tom Mountain, Michael Gimmelarb, Leain Belouche, Rajie Kumar, and Abduramain Fella — whose vehicles had each passed Newton Police and city safety standards following inspections conducted in May 2025. Councilor Vicki Danberg, Vice Chair, moved approval on all five petitions and credited the department for enabling a smooth process, saying the meetings "would not go so smoothly if it weren't for all of the work that you do." Captain Divine noted the workload has dropped sharply from roughly 150 vehicles 15 years ago to just five this cycle.