Newton City Council approved moving the Newton Highlands conceptual plan forward with a set of conditions and a newly created working group to advise whether to continue the current project scope or redirect remaining ARPA planning funds. The amendment establishing the working group passed unanimously on the floor; the main motion to advance the concept carried 20-2.

Councilor Bixby, who proposed the working-group amendment, said the group would "establish a working group and charge this group with an initial report on whether to continue the current project scope or redirect the remaining planning funding to another ARPA funded contract." The amendment included city staff, elected officials and Newton Highlands community representatives designated by the mayor in consultation with the mayor-elect.

Chair Albright and councilors described the project's evolution from an accessibility-focused plan connected to recent MBTA upgrades at Newton Highlands into a broader village-improvement concept (accessibility, traffic and bicycle/pedestrian safety, parking, beautification, green infrastructure). Albright reported the project had already drawn roughly $500,000 in planning costs; Councilor Gamberg said approximately $389,000 remained to be encumbered for planning and that a March 31 deadline was proposed to allow time for grant applications (MassWorks) and ARPA encumbrance rules.

Councilors debated spending caps, how the working group should be constituted, and whether consultant work should be paused while the working group reviews the plan. The council adopted language directing the working group to report within 90 days (the amendment text included a March 31 reporting timeline referenced during debate) and emphasized neighborhood representation in the working-group membership.

What happens next: The mayor and mayor-elect will consult on appointments; the working group will report back within the timeline set by the amendment and the council will determine whether to pursue final design and outside grant applications.