Jacob Silber: Ward 8 At-Large

Jacob Silber is a candidate for the Newton school committee in Ward 8. Learn more about his views from his campaign website and his responses to the Beacon’s candidate survey:

How would you improve CITY FINANCES in Newton?

Newton has relied too heavily on residential real estate to address its budgetary issues. In a neutral or low inflation climate, the last five years would have been of less concern. However, we are and continue to be in a moderate to high inflation economy. 

Boston is currently struggling with commercial real estate, facing similar challenges to those faced by many municipalities. However, the approach there, to penalize commercial landlords, is an opportunity for Newton. We are and are surrounded by communities with a high-value workforce, and are easily accessible by highway for shoppers, diners, and other retail consumers. 

We should focus on streamlining our processes to attract more commercial tenants and ensure that our buildings are easily accessible, with sufficient parking.

How would you improve PUBLIC EDUCATION in Newton?

Newton continues to be the largest highly ranked public school system in Massachusetts. We need to ensure that overrides will never be a necessity by making our city more attractive to commercial tenants. The recent strike demonstrated that we have not done enough to help both the teachers and students. Inflation inevitably caused a discrepancy between our ability to pay our teachers and the city’s finances. I continue to support our teachers and staff, not only because that is the right thing to do but also because it’s the only sustainable way to make sure our students continue to come first.

How would you improve TRANSPORTATION and INFRASTRUCTURE in Newton?

Newton’s great location also puts pressure on our roads. So we must expect that when we authorize massive new building projects, like in Ward 8, our road infrastructure will be impacted. 

The immediate future of transportation for Newton is not in mass transit. The MBTA is underfunded, and any additional funding is likely to be allocated to more urban areas. It is no longer possible to build roads or additional mass transit infrastructure. 

We need to utilize our existing roads more effectively. First, by planning for a future where autonomous vehicles allow fewer residents to require vehicles to go about their lives. Second, by figuring out how to bridge the gap between today and the future through shuttles and light buses.  

Finally, storm water systems need to be bolstered. We can expect a future with extreme precipitation events. We must inventory our system and evaluate, before any new building projects, whether we can support a 100-year storm happening every 5 years. 

How would you improve PUBLIC SAFETY in Newton?

We are lucky to live in a very safe city. My greatest concern, as both a parent and a resident, is that children, whether walking, taking the bus, biking, or driving, can get to school without worrying about aggressive and unsafe drivers. We have limited tools and a limited budget to enforce traffic laws. However, there are two bright spots.

First, the MA legislature is moving towards authorizing municipal use of traffic cameras to monitor reckless drivers. This will at least give us the ability to use tools that a majority of states already legally use. 

Second, new systems are available to implement speed reductions on roads without impeding the flow of traffic moving at the speed limit. I hope to conduct trials of some of these systems in the next few years to determine whether they are viable alternatives.

How would you improve PARKS and RECREATION in Newton?

Our parks and recreation system has a great team of dedicated staff. However, as a regular user of the hiking paths, I noticed that they are underutilized.   I’d love to explore ways to encourage more residents to take advantage of the existing infrastructure while also learning more about what people need.

How would you improve COMMERCE and the LOCAL ECONOMY in Newton?

Streamline permitting, make sure we are not imposing unreasonable costs on our commercial landlords and tenants, make it easy for residents and non-residents to patronize local establishments.

How would you improve CLIMATE RESILIENCY and the NATURAL ENVIRONMENT in Newton?

We need a more comprehensive review of climate adaptation risks when we construct large impervious surfaces and buildings in the Newton area. Residents should not be expected to assume the risk associated with development. 

In the last few years, we have seen at least two examples of flooding risk. First, the flooding that took place at the Newton Free Library. Second, the current debate over the best way to rebuild Bullough’s Dam. Large amounts of Newton are on floodplains or reclaimed land. Our top focus needs to be on flooding, stormwater, and planning for high-risk, now higher probability flooding events. 

How would you improve SENIOR LIFE in Newton?

Limit increase in city taxes where possible. Build a path towards better local transportation. Encourage living arrangements in the city that make downsizing easier.

Would you support a Proposition 2 1/2 operating override to fund schools and other city expenses?

No. We need to find a way to deal with city finances that does not put more pressure on our residential tax base, and make the city even more unaffordable.

How would you make Newton a more affordable place to live, for seniors and others?

Focus on building more affordable housing, when it is necessary or required to build housing. Assure that we are financially stable and do not push out fixed-income seniors by raising taxes. Avoid removing naturally occurring affordable housing.

How would you attract more businesses to Newton?

Start by surveying current business owners about their biggest concerns. Our top commercial tenants are shopping malls. Streamline permitting for new and growing businesses. Create a friendly work environment by partnering with our numerous non-profit entities, which employ a large number of people. Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) can be an opportunity, not an impediment.

Would you support keeping Newton’s “welcoming city” ordinance if it may mean losing millions of dollars in federal funds? The “welcoming city” ordinance, approved in 2017, prohibits local law enforcement and city officials from arresting, investigating or alerting federal authorities about someone based solely on immigration status, with some exceptions.

No position. Newton receives about $8.5MM yearly in federal funds. $3.5MM for affordable housing and public services, and $4.7MM for our schools. I believe our officers and officials have better things to do than enforce federal misdemeanors (8 U.S.C. § 1325) without evidence that such a crime has occurred.

However, I do believe that keeping the ordinance should be a city-wide decision, not just one made by City Council. The decision to keep or remove the ordinance should be coupled with an override that allows voters to decide how to cover any potential shortfall.

Would you support extending the city’s Building Emissions Reduction and Disclosure Ordinance to include more buildings?

Yes. I would like to see large residential buildings included. It is unreasonable to ask our commercial landlords to bear the burden, but not our residential landlords, who already pay lower tax rates.

That said, imposing any costs locally just increases the likelihood of businesses and residents moving to lower cost parts of the state and country that do not have these laws. If we are serious about local-only action on climate change, this should not be an unfunded mandate on certain landlords.

Do you support keeping or repealing the city’s winter overnight parking ban?

Keeping. The current ban is insufficient to properly address parking concerns across the city. We should repeal the ban, but only when we have a stronger parking plan in place.

What one big idea or initiative would you champion, once elected?

Improve communication systems and access to communication systesm between elected officials, city staff and residents regarding important issues. It’s currently too hard to contact residents about hyperlocal events.