Newton Panel Approves Four Berto Advisory Commission Seats, Holds Fifth Appointment

NEWTON — August 5, 2025 — Newton's Zoning and Planning Committee confirmed six municipal appointments at a specially scheduled August 5 session, seating the first four members of the city's new Berto Advisory Commission ahead of a September 15 reporting deadline for 48 large commercial buildings. Chair Marc Baker presided over the unanimous confirmations of Tom Gloria, a commercial greenhouse gas consultant; former City Councilor Deb Crosley, credited with winning Newton's stretch energy code adoption; community volunteer Peter Bearer; and Northland property manager Kristen Aila, who noted she participates in Boston's existing Berto program. The committee also confirmed Sean Makamo to the Conservation Commission and James Miller — Newton's first planning director — to the Auburndale Historic District Commission. A seventh appointment, that of Travis Salters to the Newton Historical Commission, was held to August 11 after Councilor Emily Gats flagged a conflict between the mayor's letter describing Salters as an alternate and the docket listing him as a full member. Berto program staff told the committee that nearly 340 additional buildings face a reporting deadline of September 15, 2026, and that the first year buildings must actually meet an emissions standard is 2027.