Newton City Councilor Takes Over At Charles Watershed Association

NEWTON, MA – The Charles River Watershed Association announced Thursday it has named Newton City Councilor Emily Norton as the association's new executive director.

She succeeds longtime Executive Director Bob Zimmerman, who is retiring in July after more than 27 years. Norton is leaving her job as the director of the Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club.

The Charles River Watershed Association, formed in 1965, uses science, advocacy and the law to safeguard the 80-mile length of the Charles and its environs as it courses through 23 cities and towns from Hopkinton to Boston. The association has lead the charge for scientific research that resulted in nearly eliminating sewage discharges into the Charles, advocacy that led to better regulation around water use, and a commitment to addressing the risks of climate change.

“Emily has the perfect set of skills to lead CRWA’s mission to protect, preserve and enhance the Charles River and its watershed,” said Zimmerman in a statement.“She will not only strengthen CRWA’s voice but will also broaden its role in this critical time for the environment and climate change.”

Norton said she intends to make the organization more of a resource for the 35 Greater Boston communities served by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority around innovations that champion green infrastructure and mitigate climate change. She also plans to unite with other area watershed associations to lobby Beacon Hill on environmental issues and to raise the profile and expertise of the organization as a whole.

Norton has spent much of her life as an environmental advocate. Prior to joining the Sierra Club, she worked as a research and communications consultant to the Conservation Law Foundation, the Environmental Defense Fund and the US EPA ENERGY STAR Program. Norton has spent several years as a fundraiser for the Democratic Leadership Council in Washington and as Finance Director for a Congressional campaign on Cape Cod.

“I’m an organizer at heart,” she said in a statement. “We get much more accomplished when we work together with allies who share our values and our passion for clean water, healthy communities and a sustainable environment.”

At the Sierra Club, the chapter played a leadership role in fighting gas pipelines and promoting legislation to reduce barriers to solar energy and to increase offshore wind and electric vehicles, according to a news release.

As a City Councilor, Norton serves on the Finance Committee and the Public Facilities Committee.

She's been vocal about the introduction of Newton Power Choice, a citywide ban on plastic bags, restricting the use of polluting leaf blowers, creating more affordable housing by making it easier to build accessory apartments, ensuring firefighters and police carry Narcan, changing the name from the outdated term “Alderman” to “City Councilor,” and drawing more attention to Newton’s $1 billion unfunded liabilities.

She also serves on the Mass. Municipal Association Environmental Policy Committee.

Norton has three sons and holds a BA in philosophy from the University of Vermont and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.

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Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff