Newton Finance Committee Approves $8.6 Million in Free Cash and Three Building Feasibility Studies

NEWTON -- May 11, 2026, Newton Finance Committee approves $8.6 million in free cash and launches three major building feasibility studies. The committee voted unanimously or near-unanimously on all items at its May 11 session, chaired by Councilor Becky Grossman. The single largest item was a $3.2 million appropriation, drawn from both the Inclement Weather Reserve Fund and free cash, to close out fiscal year 2026 snow and ice costs, which totaled approximately $8.49 million after 63.9 inches of snowfall at a cost of roughly $132,863 per inch. Three separate $1.25 million feasibility design appropriations from FY2025 certified free cash were approved for Newton South High School, the police headquarters complex, and Ward and/or Underwood elementary schools; COO Josh Morse told the committee that "the city of Newton has never conducted a feasibility study for a large building replacement or major renovation and not moved forward with it," and acknowledged that all three projects would ultimately require debt exclusion override votes. Other free cash items included $1 million for fire department SCBA harness replacement, $500,000 for full-day kindergarten aides following a court ruling, $325,000 for an elementary science curriculum, and $63,573 to reimburse Newton Public Schools for security cameras installed after a suspicious fire at Underwood School.