Three weeks ago, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller stepped in a hornet’s nest when she had the Italian flag-colored lines removed from Adams Street in Nonantum, right as the neighborhood was preparing for its 90^th Italian-American Festival—affectionately called Festa—and now the organization that organizes that festival has asked her not to come.

The Executive Board of the St. Mary of Carmen Society wrote a letter to Fuller this week asking the mayor to “re-evaluate” her decision to participate this year.

“Unfortunately, recent actions by your administration have deeply hurt many in Nonantum. What should have been a season of excitement and anticipation has instead been overshadowed by confusion, frustration, and division,” the letter, which can be read in its entirety, reads in part. “The community has expressed widespread concern and sadness over what they view as a disregard for our history and identity.”

Traditionally, the mayor of Newton takes part in Festa. But given the fresh wounds from the red, white and green line removal and the groundswell of public outrage about it, people were wondering if Fuller would back out this year, the festival’s milestone 90^th.

“We believe that your presence at this time would be disruptive and contrary to the welcoming and neighborly spirit we strive to uphold during the festival,” the letter continues. “We ask this not out of spite, but out of a sincere desire to preserve peace and harmony during a sacred week for our neighborhood. The 90th anniversary is not just another festival—it is a powerful reminder of who we are and what we’ve built together.”

Nonantum residents packed the steps of City Hall on Monday evening to demonstrate and urge the City Council to do something to get the lines painted back. There isn’t much the City Council can do, though, and even drafting and voting on a resolution calling for the lines to be repainted would take a while.

Fuller insists that the lines had to be replaced with a yellow line to comply with state regulations due to the amount of traffic and accidents reported on that street. But critics say the mayor cherry-picked traffic study dates that are typically busy in Nonantum due to Catholic church events, like the week of All Saints Day, and that the lines have been there for 90 years with no issue.

Fuller insists the neighbors can have their tribute while keeping a legal yellow line on the street, but neighbors aren’t budging.

Festa runs from Thursday through Sunday. There’s a carnival, an array of vendors and food trucks, games, rides, a parade on Sunday and more. You can learn more about the festival and see a full schedule of events here.

Letter from the St. Mary of Carmen Society to Mayor Ruthanne Fuller asking her not to attend its Italian-American Festival