Newton Council OKs Pension Bond Petition, Unveils Budget

Select Board · Meeting of April 27, 2026

Newton's City Council voted 23-0 to approve a petition seeking state approval for pension obligation bonds. Mayor Laredo unveiled a $578 million fiscal 2027 budget featuring a 7.38 percent increase in the base school allocation, calling the plan "a statement of values coupled with sound financial practices." Chief Financial Officer Maureen Lemieux said shifting the pension full-funding deadline from 2032 to 2035 will save $5 million next year, growing to $16 million by 2031. The budget proposes a 4.9 percent average hike in combined water, sewer and stormwater fees and funds feasibility studies for a new police headquarters, Newton South High School renovations and a potential Ward-Underwood elementary school consolidation.

Councilors also voted 22-1 to approve a National Grid petition on Clarendon Street and 22-0, with one recusal, on a state primary care resolution.

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Source: the Select Board meeting of April 27, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.

Checked against the record: before publication this article was automatically compared with the meeting transcript.