Author Archives: Cedar Pruitt

Our Support for the Traffic Calming Plan

We want to express our strong support for the Traffic Calming plan, which has received significant public input during the development period over the last few years, including from our organization. Our 501(c)3 nonprofit, Friends of Albemarle, launched in January 2021 and represents all 8 wards of the city. We collaborate closely with Newton cityContinue reading “Our Support for the Traffic Calming Plan”

What’s the Deal with Synthetic Turf?

We sometimes get asked if we have concerns about placing a single synthetic turf field in one particular location at Albemarle, along Crafts St. We don’t. Note that “we” in this case describes the Board, and includes many, but not all, members of the Friends of Albemarle. This is an issue which has two reasonableContinue reading “What’s the Deal with Synthetic Turf?”

Traffic Meeting – Monday 4/3 – 6pm

Dear Friends, Great news – Newton’s Traffic Council approved a 20 MPH Safety Zone around Albemarle last week. This is a first step toward safer movement for everyone in the area. THANK YOU, Friends of Albemarle, for taking action and signing the petition! Next Monday Meeting Update: Traffic Calming at Albemarle  There’s an online meeting this Monday and weContinue reading “Traffic Meeting – Monday 4/3 – 6pm”

Letter From Youth Sports Leader: About Turf

City Councilors, I will be attending the public hearing of the Programs and Services Committee tomorrow night to learn more about the citizen petition to enact a moratorium on turf fields in Newton. As a resident, father of three children, and a director of a youth sports program in the City, I am firmly againstContinue reading “Letter From Youth Sports Leader: About Turf”

Make It Safer: A Petition

Dear Mayor Fuller, What is the responsibility of a community to address an intersection that the state recognizes as a “High-Crash Cluster”? The posts, bridges and signs at Albemarle/Crafts tell the story of that designation, as they lie broken, flattened and splintered by cars unable to proceed safely through—and yet this cluster is part andContinue reading “Make It Safer: A Petition”

Letter in Support of Gath Pool Funding

To the Community Preservation Committee, We’re excited about the progress that is being made on renovating Gath Pool. We advocate for moving forward rapidly with investment into this citywide asset and community resource that impacts all of Newton. We appreciate the work and effort taken thus far and look forward to investing time and energyContinue reading “Letter in Support of Gath Pool Funding”

More than a fender-bender

There’s so much exciting progress happening at Albemarle that it seems like a shame to spend time publicizing the cars that crash into it, but if we can’t improve the traffic situation, we will never be able to enjoy the pool, forest, fields or playgrounds. Here’s the scene from Wednesday February 8 on North streetContinue reading “More than a fender-bender”

FOUR high-speed accidents in EIGHT weeks

Click each photo to enlarge An Albemarle emergency: On an average of every other week for two months, there has been a major accident that totals vehicles and destroys infrastructure. (I assume it also injures people, but cannot confirm that.) Right now the corner of Albemarle and Crafts is a sea of snapped posts, cautionContinue reading “FOUR high-speed accidents in EIGHT weeks”