Josh Krintzman: Ward 4 At-Large

Josh Krintzman is a candidate for the Newton city council Ward 4, at-large. Learn more about his views from his campaign website, profile, and his responses to the Beacon’s candidate survey:

How would you improve CITY FINANCES in Newton?

In order to enhance Newton’s financial sustainability, we need to develop mechanisms to help us avoid over-reliance on state or federal funding. We’ve seen recently that revenue streams which seemed reliable, may be less certain than believed. But through innovative taxation, including maximizing our participation in state option local taxes, and growing our property tax base through reasonable and appropriately located development, we will ensure a more fiscally sustainable future.

We should also continue to Invest in renewable energy and infrastructure to reduce long-term costs. Whenever possible, we should also promote public-private partnerships for community projects to share financial risks and benefits. Finally, transparency in budgeting and spending will build public trust should the city need to ask for another override.

How would you improve PUBLIC EDUCATION in Newton?

Most education policy decisions and determinations about the curriculum are within the purview of the Superintendent and the School Committee. However, the City Council has a valuable role to play in ensuring that our students are provided with the resources they require and using its public platform to regularly check-in with the schools and speak out when the direction of the schools seems off.

Improving our education system requires a thoughtful, balanced approach in which every student has access to excellent learning opportunities. We must meet each child where they are, whether they need enrichment or additional assistance.

Newton has spent years publicly quarreling over contracts and budgets. This has to stop. Newton needs to develop a budget strategy that is not only supportive of current needs, but represents a sustainable budget moving forward. Dr. Nolin has outlined a bold vision for the public schools that we should fully fund as soon as possible.

How would you improve TRANSPORTATION and INFRASTRUCTURE in Newton?

Improving transportation and infrastructure requires a comprehensive approach that invests in various types of infrastructure and technology.

We need to fix on our roads, for automobile users, bicyclists and pedestrians. Implementing traffic calming measures such as road diets, curb extensions, and improved signage can reduce speeding and protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. Expanding bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, including protected bike lanes, safer crosswalks, and accessible sidewalks, encourages active transportation while reducing the risk of accidents.

By upgrading facilities, calming traffic, enhancing infrastructure for non-motorized travel, and adopting smart technology, Newton can create a safer, more connected city that protects residents while supporting a vibrant, healthy community.

How would you improve PUBLIC SAFETY in Newton?

Improving public safety in Newton requires a comprehensive approach that invests in infrastructure, technology, and community well-being. One of my top priorities on the city council is, and will continue to be, investing in our infrastructure. For example, the city’s aging police headquarters needs significant upgrades and we should provide a modern, efficient facility that supports effective operations and fosters a safe, welcoming environment for residents and officers alike. A well-equipped headquarters enhances emergency response, training, and community engagement, strengthening trust and preparedness.

Keeping pace with technological advances is also essential. Investing in modern equipment, data-driven policing tools, and updated communications systems can improve response times, assist crime prevention, and enhance coordination among our public safety agencies. Technology can also enhance transparency and accountability through better data collection and public reporting.

How would you improve PARKS and RECREATION in Newton?

As Chair of the Programs and Services Committee for the past four year, I have prioritized improving our parks and recreational fields. During my time as Chair, the city has increased the maintenance budget for our fields from $75,000 to $375,000 per year. This has enabled us to bring life and vibrancy back to many fields that previously struggled during modest, inclement weather.

With the adoption of the open space and reaction plan, which covers 2020 – 2027, as well as the Parks, Recreation and Culture Projects master list presented in 2023, the city now has an excellent opportunity to build on the momentum of the maintenance increase, the completion of several parks projects across the city and deliver more meaningful upgrades that reflect the community’s needs.

The city should continue to expand this budget to enhance routine maintenance, ensuring that fields, playgrounds, walking trails, and athletic courts remain clean, functional, and welcoming.

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

The two most important things we can do to improve commerce and the local economy are:

1. Create more housing so that our local businesses have customers to patronize their businesses and employees who live in close enough proximity to their jobs; and
2. Thoughtfully revise our zoning ordinances enabling the creations and improvement of businesses that meet the needs of our residents with overly burdensome processes or requirements that hinder businesses from locating in Newton.

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

The recent revisions to the Newton Tree Ordinance represent significant progress towards environmental sustainability. My committee, Programs and Services, led the effort on those revisions.

One of my top priorities is the improvement and reconstruction of our recreational fields. By improving our parks, we improve our air quality and biodiversity. 

We must also continue to push the state to improve public transportation, while promoting cycling and walking, in order to reduce reliance on cars.

The city council has made great progress shifting the city to renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, through our codes, policies and use of public spaces. But there is always progress to be made.

Lastly, we must continue to evaluate and refine our waste reduction practices, including recycling and composting programs. Our plastics ordinance revision has helped reduce the prevalence of non-recyclable materials being sold in Newton, but again, there is definitely more that we can do.

How would you improve SENIOR LIFE in Newton?

As we near completion of The Cooper Center for Active Living, I am thrilled that our seniors (and others in the community) will have a brand new facility designed specifically for the needs of our seniors, increasing the available space for seniors to 33,000 square feet! Also in anticipation of this terrific municipal achievement – my Committee, supported and approved a Needs Assessment Report. 

Among the recommendations of that report, with which I wholeheartedly agree are:

• Operating hours that include nights and weekends;
• Increasing awareness of the Cooper Center and it’s programming;
• Developing programming for single, older adults, while also expanding online and remote learning opportunities;
• Creating an “aging in place” workshop to help educate residents about ways to leverage accrued equity in their home;
• Encouraging local businesses to offer a senior discount; and 
• Expanding the GoGo Newton program to help seniors navigate the city

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

No position. Once the city has exhausted all other options and demonstrated additional needs – then, yes, I would support an override. Out schools are facing a serious budget deficit over the next few years and we need to TRULY prioritize our schools by getting them the funding our children deserve.

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

Increasing affordable housing options is directly tied to enhancing the vitality of our village centers.

The easiest way to make housing more affordable in Newton is for the City Council and Mayor to implement a mix of strategies including incentives for developers to build more affordable units, zoning reforms to allow higher density where appropriate, and repurposing underutilized buildings like the Armory as housing.

Other cities have demonstrated that investing in housing supply is the most lasting way to put downward pressure on housing costs.

In addition, we should expand education and enrollment in the GoGo Newton program to help seniors navigate the city with transportation assistance and encourage local businesses to offer a senior discount.

How would you attract more businesses to Newton?

Newton should create a favorable economic environment to support existing businesses and bring in new commercial tenants. We should regularly engage with local business owners and encourage open and honest feedback about the Newton business environment to ensure that our policies enable their success, while providing needed services and resources to our residents.

Through explicit and targeted zoning, along with permitting processes that are simply as possible, and grants for local businesses, the city can encourage and incentivize the uses and businesses we desire.

Lastly, regular networking events and community events, we can improve connections between our residents and the businesses that serve them.

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.

Yes. I reject the premise of this question. Newton’s ordinance should, in no way, jeopardize federal funding.

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

No position. We should give some time for implementation of the recently adopted BERDO ordinance. As an excellent first step, we will see reporting on many of our buildings as well as implementation of our moratorium on newly constructed homes free from fossil fuels. Before expanding our ordinance to all residential homeowners, I would like to see how our current ordinance works.

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

Repealing. A blanket, one-size-fits-all approach to parking is foolish. We have better ways to prohibit parking during snow emergencies or in neighborhoods where we want to prevent overnight parking. We can easily implement more targeted prohibitions in areas of the city that warrant such a ban.

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

Free transportation to school for all Newton students