Thirteen Villages & One Goal... Nonantum
Nonantum is one of the most distinct of Newton's 13 villages, because of its particularly close-knit community, and longstanding traditions. The village even has its own language, "Lake Talk", which is thought to have evolved from a regional Italian slang.
Nonantum residents call the village "The Lake", because for centuries there was one here. Known as "Silver Lake", it covered an area where one can now find Watertown Street, Silver Lake Avenue, and Nevada Street. The 1938 hurricane had a big impact on the village and disturbed the connection between Silver Lake and the Charles River. Later, when Storrow Drive was being built in 1950, the State filled parts of the lake in with debris from the Storrow Drive construction site. Today, what remains of the lake can be found on a Nevada Street private residence. It is a very small swampy area in the back of the property. |
At one time much of Nonantum housed factories. On Chapel and Bridge Street there were factories, as well as on the corner of Nevada and Watertown Street. These buildings have kept their historic character, but have been converted to office suites. The factories were built before the age of the automobile, and lack adequate parking, adding to the shortage of sufficient parking throughout the village.
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Historically, Nonantum had a Christian and Jewish population. Original immigrants came from Russia and Ireland, but many came from Italy, and the village is known for its Italian spirit.
The Italian community has hosted a St. Mary Della Carmen feast annually for many years in July. In addition the Nonantum Christmas Party Association hosts a Christmas party for special needs children and has a Christmas Light display with a large Santa Claus in the park on the corner of Bridge Street annually. Most recently, the Nonantum Neighborhood Association was formed and has begun hosting an annual village day in June.
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Concerns in Nonantum
With regard to building, there is no end in sight, and Nonantum residents are tired of hearing that nothing can be done.
With regard to building, there is no end in sight, and Nonantum residents are tired of hearing that nothing can be done.
School Overcrowding
We have been told by members of the Board of Alderman in Ward 1 that they can’t stop people from building “just because the schools are overcrowded”. There is no plan to open a school or address the overcrowding in this area for at least eight years. The need is critical at this point. Lincoln Eliot Elementary School is facing overcrowding issues. They have class sizes currently in the high twenties: 25-28 in the 4th and 5th grade sections. In addition, due to the extreme overcrowding at Horace Mann Elementary School (there are over 400 children in a school built for 275), there has been redistricting into Lincoln Eliot and Bigelow Middle School. |
Increasing Density & Traffic
In addition, the traffic in this area has become more congested. As mentioned above a lot of new businesses have moved to the area with the renovation of many of the old factory buildings, and the addition of many residential units. In the past three years alone, there has been an addition of over 30 additional residential units approved. This does not include the two family houses being knocked down and rebuilt to larger style two-unit condos. The 30 units were built in areas that either only had one unit and multiple units was added on, or on lots that were being used for open space or other uses.
There are additional taxes being collected on the additional units being added to neighborhoods throughout the city. There is no explanation as to where these taxes are going, and why they are not addressing the problems in these neighborhoods. Neighbors are becoming frustrated.
In addition, the traffic in this area has become more congested. As mentioned above a lot of new businesses have moved to the area with the renovation of many of the old factory buildings, and the addition of many residential units. In the past three years alone, there has been an addition of over 30 additional residential units approved. This does not include the two family houses being knocked down and rebuilt to larger style two-unit condos. The 30 units were built in areas that either only had one unit and multiple units was added on, or on lots that were being used for open space or other uses.
There are additional taxes being collected on the additional units being added to neighborhoods throughout the city. There is no explanation as to where these taxes are going, and why they are not addressing the problems in these neighborhoods. Neighbors are becoming frustrated.
Will the Aquinas Junior College Property Become a Massive high-Density Condo or Apartment Complex?
The site of Aquinas College is being looked at for a senior housing development or a possible 40B site. The site is large enough that a huge number of 40B units could be added here, and residents are very opposed to that. It's really a disgrace that the City didn't buy this property to use for the Newton schools, which are so over-crowded. |
Adams Street & Hawthorne Street Get Unwanted
Condo Developments On Adams Street a single family home was purchased and torn down and there are eight units being built there. Just two years ago, an industrial yard was purchased by a developer and eight units were added where there had been none. On Hawthorne Street the old parking lot from Yerardi’s restaurant was sold to a developer and two units were added where there had been none. |
Over-sized Multi-Unit Condos Replace Two-Family Houses
There are houses on Chapel, West and Cook Streets that have been knocked down and rebuilt. They are two family lots where older smaller two family houses are being knocked down and are replaced with duplexes—large town house style condos. These large condo structures are out of keeping with the rest of the houses on the street, and destroy the traditional character of the neighborhood. |
Trouble Up and Down Nevada Street
On Nevada Street a two family home was sold and currently there are four units being built. This property has been empty for 15 years in probate. Over the past 10 years several builders had come in and proposed different options: 1. A 40B developer proposed 24 units on this property. The developer was opposed by the neighborhood and the developer backed out. 2. A second developer proposed 12 units. The neighborhood contested that plan and he backed out. 3. A third developer proposed eight units and the neighborhood said no to that, and the developer backed out. 4. A fourth developer proposed four units and the neighborhood, desperate for this property to be cleaned up due to pest infestations, etc., had no choice but to agree. |
At another residence on Nevada Street, currently there is a two family home and there are two units being added to the rear of the property. It was contested by residents, but was still passed by the aldermen's Land Use Committee. The corner of Nevada and Linwood was purchased a by developer. An old style up and down two-family house was replaced by two single family units with two car garages.
What Will be Built at JFK Circle? or Churchill Street?
JFK Circle is being surveyed currently by Mass Housing Development for additional senior housing. On Churchill Street there is a single family property that has been purchased by a developer, who is currently waiting a year to clear the Historical Commission's demolition delay order, after which the house will likely be knocked down. The plan appears to be to build multi-units. |