Newton Mayor Fuller's Thanksgiving Update

From The Town of Newton: During this Thanksgiving season, I am grateful to the people of this good city. Our city employees, our residents, our organizations—you are all part of the fabric of what makes Newton Newton.

Over the past couple of weeks I have had a chance to join our residents at so many events and gatherings. Thank you all for making this city everything it is, I am honored to be a part of it all.

(Pictured, I'm at a Diwali Hindu Festival of Lights celebration with the United Indian Association of New England; with the amazing Audrey Cooper, State Rep. Kay Khan, and Family ACCESS Executive Director Jon Firger at the Giving Thanks brunch Sunday honoring Audrey; with Errol Forde taping a show on NewTV about Caribbean Culture & Arts; and starting Saturday's Newton Turkey Trot at Zervas.)

Chief Proia

I sent a letter to the City Council last night that I want to share with all of you:

I write to request that your Honorable Council docket for consideration my request to seek Home Rule legislation allowing Bruce Proia to continue his employment as Fire Chief of the City of Newton beyond the mandatory retirement age of 65.

Chapter 415 of the Acts of 1987 requires “uniformed members of a paid fire department” to retire on the last day of the month in which such member turns 65 years of age. Municipalities can seek home rule legislation allowing a fire fighter or police officer to serve beyond the mandatory retirement age and petitions requesting an exemption from the mandatory retirement age for a fire or police chief have been approved by the General Court. PERAC will not permit the additional years of service beyond age 65 to count towards the pension of a fire fighter or police officer allowed to serve beyond the age of 65; and this restriction is included in the home rule petitions of other communities.

(with Chief Proia at the Emergency Operations Center monitoring one of last winter's storms.)

I have come to value Chief Proia’s deep experience and sound judgment as we move forward with our critical work on fire operations, emergency preparedness, and fire facilities. I am grateful for his strong communication with the firefighters and his deep concern for their safety and training, and I believe his continued leadership is essential as we move forward with a number of specific projects, including the emergency communication system, retrofitting Stations 1 and 2, and a continued commitment to Technical Rescue.

Given that Chief Proia will turn 65 on April 6, 2019, a home rule petition to allow him to continue serving as Newton’s Fire Chief needs to be filed at the start of the General Court’s 2019 term. Accordingly, I would ask for approval of this docket request in December.

Kudos to NFD

When Rescue 1 arrived on the scene with crews from Engine 4, Ladder 1, Medic 2 and PB3 this past summer, they found a man lying on the ground with severe injuries and the handlebar of his bicycle impaled in his upper leg. He was bleeding severely.

Their fast action at the scene of a horrific accident at the busy intersection of Craft and Waltham Streets likely saved the leg and the life of the cyclist. Once they arrived at the scene, the team stabilized the cyclist whose leg was impaled by his bicycle handlebar and then cut the handlebar from the bicycle, so he could be quickly and safely transported the hospital.

Members of the Newton Fire Department and Cataldo Ambulance personnel were honored on Oct. 8 with the Outstanding Team Award by the Metro Boston EMT Council. The award highlighted this team of first responders who demonstrated a “highly team-oriented approach to patient care during an extremely severe medical emergency.”

I am so grateful to have such well-trained and caring first responders in Newton.
My deep thanks to: Lt. Jay Bourgeios, Lt. Joe Catoia, Capt. William Bianco, FF Lee Gilliam, FF Jeff Colella, FF Joe Ciccone, FF James Pomeroy, FF Kenneth Pellegrini, FF Charles Proia, and FF John Schicatano of the NFD, and Cataldo Ambulance personnel Derek Ashbridge, Alicia Clinton, John Shea and Dan Wieland also helped at the scene.

Giving Thanks to Our Non-profits

The holiday season is a time when we give thanks to Newton’s many non-profits who help our vulnerable residents, support our youngsters and seniors, foster community and creativity through arts and culture, and are so committed to improving our city, our country and our earth.

There are two upcoming events where I hope you will join me in support of Newton’s non-profit community.

The Tuesday following Thanksgiving is known as “Giving Tuesday” and all Newton non-profits and residents are invited to a celebration on Tuesday, Nov. 27 at 10:00 a.m. at the West Suburban YMCA, 276 Church Street, to celebrate these vital organizations.

I’ll be reading a proclamation on Giving Tuesday to recognize the good work done by Newton’s non-profits and spread the work about all that they do.

On Saturday, Dec. 8, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. I hope you will join me at Congressman Joe Kennedy’s Community Service Fair at City Hall. The Congressman and I will join many service organizations and residents who will be hosting volunteer service tables. This is a great opportunity to connect and learn more about meaningful volunteer opportunities right here Newton!

In addition to the volunteer fair, students from the Newton North High School Center for Civic Engagement and Service will host an on-site service project benefitting homeless veterans. Please bring the following donations – or drop in the collection box at City Hall: coats, scarves, hand and foot warmers, mittens, hats, socks.

Questions? Send an email to ma@cns.gov.

Newton Power Choice is Coming Soon

The City of Newton is developing a new electricity program called Newton Power Choice. It’s a City program with a stable price, unlike some of the programs that are marketing “good” deals, but some of which have prices that rise over time and hefty cancellation fees.

Newton Power Choice will provide an opportunity for all electricity customers in Newton to increase the amount of renewable energy in their electricity supply. Replacing fossil fuels with renewable power to generate electricity is one of the keys to addressing climate change.

I’m getting ready to make the decision, perhaps as early as November 27, on how much renewable power will be included in the program. I won’t know until I see the results of the competitive electricity bids on November 27 how much more renewable power can be included in the program at minimal cost to electricity customers. Depending on the bids, it is possible that we will be able to procure more renewable power without increasing electricity bills.

All Eversource electricity customers can decide for themselves. You’ll be getting a letter in the mail about the program, and you’ll be able to easily decide against joining Newton Power Choice, or you can decide to opt up to 100% renewable power.

More information about the program is here.

I wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Warmly,

Ruthanne

P.S.- Congratulations to the Newton North Girls Volleyball team for once again winning the state title!

(Pictured celebrating their victory.)

P.S.S. – Mark your calendars for a chance to buy original art and craft pieces created by juried artisans from across New England. The Newton Crafts Fair is Saturday, Dec. 1, at Newton City Hall, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Image via The City of Newtown