Newton Committee Approves Six Auto Licenses at First 2026 Meeting

NEWTON — January 7, 2026 — Newton's Public Safety and Transportation Committee opened 2026 by approving six auto-related business licenses in a ten-minute session on January 7. Chair Tariq Lucas and eight councilors — Sean Roach, Julie Irish, Randy Block, Jacob Silber, Maria Greenberg, Brian Golden, and Pam Wright — voted 8-0 on every item without a single dissenting voice. Sergeant Schlegel of the Newton Police Department reported that Don Car Service's 2024 Toyota Sienna passed visual inspection and was in compliance with City Ordinance 19-309, clearing Donald LaPlante's license renewal. Danielle Delaney of the City Clerk's Office explained to Councilor Roach that all applicants must clear inspectional services, the city treasury, and the police department through the NewGov platform before any license reaches the committee agenda. The only moment of inquiry came when Councilor Block asked whether Honda Village, described as "a major business in the Newton Corner area," had any history of complaints on file; both Delaney and Schlegel said they had heard of none, and Block moved to approve.