Newton Committee Opens Review of Overnight Winter Parking Ban, Sets March 4 Return

NEWTON — February 18, 2026 — Newton's Public Safety and Transportation Committee opened its review of the city's overnight winter parking ban Wednesday, setting a March 4 return date with no immediate changes expected to the current season. The ban — in effect December 1 through March 31, prohibiting parking between 2 and 6 a.m. for more than one hour, with a $25 fine — survived a 2025 ballot challenge by roughly 80 votes, splitting approximately 50.2 percent to 49.8 percent. Chair Lucas recounted that the full Council had previously voted 21-3 against repeal and 17-7 against a two-year pilot before the question reached voters. Vice Chair Randy Block called for data on the number of Newton residences with no off-street parking, while Councillors Leary and Albright each proposed a working group of residents and professionals to study the issue and return with recommendations. Chief Operating Officer Brock Moritz cautioned members against "recency bias" after the recent storm, which he estimated was the eighth largest in Newton history, and confirmed DPW can handle one to two inches of snow without invoking the ban. The committee's unanimous vote to hold the item was the only formal action taken.