Cohen Responds To Alderman Parker's Request to Implement Badly-Needed Capital Improvements

Mayor Cohen responded to Alderman Ken Parker's request to implement badly-needed capital improvements for Newton's school buildings today, saying he would like to make the improvements but will hold the necessary funds in reserve until learning whether Governor Deval Patrick will make additional cuts to local aid.

This is welcome news for Newton taxpayers. By implementing these capital improvements the City will save money through reduced energy usage and longer life of our physical infrastructure.

I appreciate Mayor Cohen's flexibility in this matter and his willingness to listen to the group of current elected officials and candidates for office who have asked him to make these badly needed school repairs a top priority and not forcing them to compete with space needs for a small pool of bonding funds. This has been a team effort and I can't thank enough all of the Newton leaders who co-signed the letter with me. Standing up and being counted does make a difference.

- Alderman Ken Parker

In July Parker sent a letter to Mayor Cohen which was co-signed by more than a dozen elected officials and candidates for public office urging him to implement capital improvements planned by the City and recommended by the Citizen Advisory Group. At the time Mayor Cohen dismissed the request, saying the City would wait for the completion of an environmental study being conducted by an independent firm.

This week, Parker followed-up on his July request by asking the Mayor to use $2.2 million in back taxes paid to the City by Verizon Communications to fund the capital improvements. The Mayor agreed to this request and said he would hold the funds in reserve until learning the Governor's decision on local aid.