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With
strong roots in the principles of freedom and democracy, our communities
thrive on the involvement of citizens in government. At every level,
whether volunteer or paid, our citizens are the cogs in the turning
wheels of progress.
Newton, incorporated as a town in 1688 and as a city in 1873, has a
“strong mayor” form of government. The mayor is elected for
a four-year term and has veto power over any legislation passed by the
Board of Aldermen. This is a 24-member Board with 16 at-large and eight
ward aldermen.
Citywide communication is made easier by the Institutional Network (I-Net),
which connects 63 municipal and institutional buildings, including all
public schools. Councils, boards and commissions include the Community
Preservation Committee, the Comprehensive Planning Advisory Committee,
Friends of Hemlock Gorge, the High School Task Force, the Newton Highlands
Area Council, the Newton Urban Tree Commission and the Women’s
Commission and many more.
Needham, incorporated as a town in 1711, has an elected Board of Selectmen
who appoints the town administrator. Nearly 300 citizen-representatives,
each of whom serves a three-year term, make many decisions at the annual
Town Meeting. The Needham Parks and Recreation Commission, made up of
five members serving three-year terms, takes care of facilities, grounds,
programs and other matters. Commissions and agencies, which include
the Conservation Commission, the Disabilities Commission, the Youth
Commission, the Council on Aging, Emergency Management Services, the
Human Rights Committee and Veterans Services, are the arms of government
in the community.
With some of the best public-service agencies in the country, residents
take pride in the safety of their communities. Newton’s Fire Department
has an A-2 Insurance Service Organization (ISO)
rating, which results in the lowest possible property insurance rates.
The enhanced-911 emergency response system makes emergency medical services
available around the clock. Newton’s Police Department meets 436
standards set by the Commission on Accreditation; only five Massachusetts
police departments share this distinction.
Volunteerism keeps the many cultural, service and recreational activities
going. NewtonSERVES is a prime example of our citizens’ deep commitment.
This project matches community volunteers to local nonprofit and service
agencies. More than 90 volunteer opportunities with civic and private
organizations are listed on the NewtonSERVES Web site. The annual fall
Volunteer Fair coordinates volunteers and needs throughout the area.
The spring day of community service benefits Newton with many valuable
hours of donated labor.
The preservation of land and landmarks is another priority for these
communities. In 2001, Newton adopted the Community Preservation Act
(CPA) to acquire and preserve open space, land for recreational use,
historic resources and community housing. By 2003, CPA had funded the
renovations of Newton’s City Hall, the historic preservation of
the Newton Corner Branch Library and the Flowed Meadow Improvement Project.
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