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.