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The News Site of Boston College

The Heights
The News Site of Boston College

The Heights
Roche describes himself as a housing advocate. (Photo Courtesy of Sean Roche)

Sean Roche Brings Value-Driven Advocacy to Ward 6 Newton City Council Race

Rebecca MacKinnon • October 26, 2025
For longtime Newton resident Sean Roche, running for Newton City Council was the culmination of years spent advocating for better housing, safer streets, and more sustainable city planning.
If elected as a city councilor, Miller is passionate about strengthening public services, particularly schools and parks. (Photo Courtesy of Garry Miller)

Garry Miller Emphasizes Long-Term Problem Solving and Collaboration in Ward 5 City Council Run

Anika Chang Garcia • October 16, 2025

With Newton City Council elections rounding the corner, Garry Miller is running for the Ward 5 City Council on a bid founded on his love of Newton, the city he has called home for 25 years.  Miller...

Fuller recommend a $14.66 million or 5 percent increase to the NPS budget to avoid its projected financial issues in 2030. (Genevieve Morrison / Heights Editor)

Mayor Fuller Warns of 2030 “Financial Cliff” for NPS in Financial Forecast

Riley Del Sesto • October 15, 2025
Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller presented her long-range financial forecast to the Newton City Council on Oct. 6, warning of instability and unpredictability in the years to come. 
Sean Roche, Lisa Gordon, and Ted Gross are running for Ward 6’s at-large city council seats. (Genevieve Morrison / Heights Editor)

Ward 6 Newton City Council Candidates Talk Housing, Business, and Climate Issues in Debate

Grace Duffy • October 11, 2025
Three candidates vying for Newton’s two Ward 6 at-large city council seats—Sean Roche, Lisa Gordon, and Ted Gross—discussed issues in the Newton community during a debate hosted by the Charles River Regional Chamber. 
The changes bump the project’s totals up to 757 housing units and 897,900 square feet. (Genevieve Morrison / Heights Editor)

Updated Riverside Complex Plan Adds Seven Housing Units, More Retail Space

Helen Austin • October 11, 2025
A new, proposed version of the Riverside MBTA Complex Project will include a new building orientation, more retail square footage, and a handful of additional housing units.
The existing driveway was overgrown with vegetation and had sunken into the ground. (Genevieve Morrison / Heights Editor)

Newton Land Use Committee Moves Forward on Clark Street Home’s New Driveway

Patrick Lundregan • October 5, 2025
Newton’s Land Use Committee approved adding parking to a historic two-family home at 65 Clark St. on Tuesday because the driveway had sunken into the ground and become overgrown with vegetation.
Dahmubed believes his education and professional experience have equipped him with a distinctive skill set. (Image Courtesy of Cyrus Dahmubed)

Cyrus Dahmubed Urges Affordability and Strategic Growth in Ward 4 City Council Candidacy

Samuel Lee-Papastavros, Sophia Chamberlin • September 28, 2025
Dahmubed believes his background in architecture, urban design, and policy gives him a unique understanding of design thinking and spatial dynamics—skills he argues are essential to solving Newton’s affordability crisis. 
Chaimanis said he will bring a fresh perspective to the city council, combining his acumen for finance with his entrepreneurship and management experience. (Image Courtesy of John Chaimanis)

John Chaimanis Emphasizes Pragmatic, Community-Focused Leadership in Ward 4 City Council Run

Matthew Antonecchia • September 21, 2025

John Chaimanis, a Newton resident and father of three, is running for the Ward 4 at-large Newton City Council seat in hopes of bringing common-sense decision-making and civil discourse to city hall. “I...

The request included the demolition of the existing building on site, as well as a parking relief design. (Genevieve Morrison / Heights Editor)

City Council Approves Single-Family Attached Homes at Watertown Street Intersection

Laney McAden • September 3, 2025
Newton City Council allowed the construction of three single-family attached homes at 790 Watertown St. in Newtonville, following debate over traffic safety implications at the council’s meeting.
Newton has more than $23 million in “free cash” or unspent money left over from past years’ budgets. (Genevieve Morrison / Heights Editor)

Newton Allocates $2 Million in “Free Cash” to Health Insurance, Citing Rising Costs

Genevieve Morrison • May 3, 2025
The City of Newton’s Finance Committee voted to allocate $2 million in “free cash” to pay for increases in health insurance costs next year.
Economic instability and inflation are negatively impacting Newton’s flexibility in FY26. (Genevieve Morrison / Heights Editor)

Facing Fiscal Challenges, Mayor Fuller Presents “Responsible” Budget for FY26

Riley Del Sesto • April 24, 2025
Newton Mayor Fuller presented a $623 million budget for fiscal year 2026 in her annual report, warning of economic uncertainty for the city.
Newton’s Zoning and Planning Committee voted 5–1, with two abstentions, to send the new ordinance to city council. (Genevieve Morrison / Heights Editor)

Newton City Council Delays Vote on Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinance

Laney McAden • April 9, 2025
Newton City Council discussed two versions of a zoning law concerning accessory dwelling units, but delayed voting on them.
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