Newton Finance Committee Creates Sustainability Department, Approves Pool Disability Equipment

NEWTON -- May 12, 2025, Newton's Finance Committee voted to formally create a Department of Sustainability, but the ordinance passed with just two votes in favor and six abstentions. The committee approved the department's proposed FY26 budget of $521,267 on a 6-0-2 vote at its May 12 meeting, with members including Councilor Humphrey and Councilor Malaki saying they felt the proposal was "sprung on" the council without sufficient prior consultation. Several members pressed the administration to explain why "resilience" was not included in the department name, noting the council had advocated for that emphasis in prior budget seasons; Commissioner Josh Morris argued that "sustainability covers a wide range of things" including resiliency. The committee also unanimously approved a $65,000 workers compensation settlement for a DPW heavy equipment operator, down from a $125,000 initial demand, and voted 6-1-1 to approve a $50,000 heat pump installation in the City Hall IT department over objections that the budget-reserve funding was being treated as free cash while school air conditioning needs remain unmet. The first BERTO emissions standard compliance year is 2027.