Should The Newton City Council Be Smaller? Question Is Back

NEWTON, MA — The Newton City Council voted in favor of reducing the size of the council from its current size of 24 to 16 last year. But it didn't happen. The proposal, which had the support of 17 councilors, only needed the signature of the mayor. But Mayor Setti Warren refused to sign off, saying it needed more city wide discussion. So it died.

But at least one City Councilor is ready to give it another go - if Newton residents are interested in continuing the conversation. Because it's a rather significant change to the Charter, the proposal would have to go before the statehouse just like when the Newton Board of Aldermen changed its name to Newton City Council via "Home Rule Petition." Last year City Councilor Emily Norton of Ward 2 said she talked with State Reps who indicated they'd be supportive of the move if the city council and the mayor got behind it. So, she said she was particularly disappointed when the mayor voted against it after she lobbied for the majority of the city council to support it. A feat, she said.

So now Norton who was the main champion of bringing a compromise proposal before the city council wants to know: "Is reducing the size of the City Council something the voters of Newton are still interested in?"

The proposal would reduce the size of City Council to 16 members, half elected by ward and half citywide.

Norton said she brings the question up because a resident mentioned it recently as something she promised but didn't fulfill.

"I was like what? Are you kidding me? I got 17 councilors to vote for it," she said. But his comment made her wonder if there were other people out there still hoping for a reduced city council. After all, this was not the first time the question of a smaller city council has come up - or even made it to a ballot.

A subcommittee of the City Council was set up to review Newton's charter, and Norton said she really hasn't wanted to step on toes, but the subcommittee members are not looking at size, but rather less controversial provisions such as how frequently the City Council should update the Comprehensive Plan, and when special elections should take place.

So Norton is taking up a poll.

"I really just kind of wanted to see how many people support what. It's not a scientific poll," she said.

But the last time she sent out a poll, asking if residents thought folks should be fined for not shoveling their sidewalk during the winter she said she got 600 people to respond.

So in a few days after she gets feedback from chatting with people and this poll, Norton plans to share what she finds with her colleagues and go from there.

"I'm not going to try to overtake what the subcommittee is doing. But I'll definitely communicate what I'm hearing to them and my colleagues. Last time around we got 17 city councilors to vote together. But it was a very different council then. I don't know if the votes would be there now," she said.

Depending on the outcome on the poll —and interest — Norton said she would consider trying to bring it back to the city council and vote on it again.

"I'm not going to waste my time. But if there's enough citizens support then I would definitely try to do it," she said.

As for where she personally stands on the issue? "I can see both sides. I think there's benefits to having a lot of people advocating. But I can also see where maybe things would move a bit more quickly."

If people are interested in reducing the size, she things the eight and eight would be a responsible way to go about it.

Home Rule Petitions are legislation filed to the statehouse to address the needs of a particular municipality at the request and with the approval of that municipality, as long as it does not affect the laws of the state.

Mayor Ruthanne Fuller did not immediately respond for request for comment on whether she would sign a petition for home rule when it came to reducing the size of the council.

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Election results from 2017: Charter Commission question Did Not Pass

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Photo by Jenna Fisher / Patch. Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna)