Two big Albemarle meetings that happened this week, and below are updates on how they went. Please forward and encourage people to join Friends of Albemarle.
(And a reminder to buy your Friends of Albemarle Magnets: Just visit the side-door foyer of 29 North St. in Newton (steps from Albemarle!), leave $5 per magnet in the mail slot and take the number of magnets you’ve paid for. Please consider putting one on your car in a show of support for this treasured green space of ours.)
Fields Update
In an unrecorded meeting of the Parks & Rec Commission on Monday night, Little League sought approval to fundraise for lights at Murphy Field, but after discussing the matter at length, voting was postponed.
Reasons included:
-There has not been a site visit yet; one will be scheduled shortly
-Hearing from more residents is a priority; some have concerns about adding lights to that area while others may not be informed yet
-A master plan for Albemarle is still in development; eventual changes could potentially affect Murphy Field, in which case lights should be in place only after a master plan is established
And an update on the prospect of removing trees to make room for lights: they determined no trees would need to be moved.
Action Item: Email athleticfields@newtonma.gov to be added for city updates and to share your opinion
Email rmclaughlin@newtonma.gov. to reach the Parks & Rec Commission and share your thoughts
For more info: Visit city website on Parks & Open Space: https://www.newtonma.gov/government/parks-recreation-culture/parks-open-space
Gath Pool Update
At Tuesday night’s recorded meeting, the consultant showed three outdoor pool designs, all including a spray deck in place of the current tennis courts.
-The city team is planning on a CPC-funded $5MM outdoor-only renovation project to start next fall and be open for use in Summer 2023
-However, concerns about the need for year-round swim options were shared by many of the ~115 meeting attendees
-Construction and operating costs were presented for a range of options, including a bubbled pool and an indoor pool alongside an outdoor pool
-Current annual operating costs for Gath Pool are roughly $270K; those would increase significantly with an indoor option-Current payroll (salary + benefits) costs are roughly $1MM; would also increase with an indoor option
-Multiple options were shown, but $13MM was the construction cost for an indoor pool on site alongside a new outdoor pool, and some conversation was had about fundraising for indoor construction, but concerns and questions remained about how ongoing operational expenses could be covered.
“We need to do what’s in the best long-term interest here,” said Councilor Gentile. Multiple councilors attended the meeting. 23 out of 24 councilors sent a letter to the mayor on Jan 18 urging consideration of greater year-round swimming options.
Action Item: Email gathpool@newtonma.govto subscribe to city updates and to share your opinion
Email citycouncil@newtonma.gov and rfuller@newton.ma.gov to share your thoughts with the City Council and the Mayor
For more info: Visit city website on the Gath Pool project (and where the recording of the meeting will be posted)https://www.newtonma.gov/government/parks-recreation-culture/aquatics/gath-memorial-pool-renovation-project
It was truly great to hear so many of you sharing thoughts and expressing interests.
Having an informed, participatory community is the best-case scenario for this park and all who use it.
I especially loved hearing from one meeting participant that there need to be more opportunities for fun in Newton.
Yes!
Friends of Albemarle 