600 fewer residents on SNAP; pantry fills gap

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Newton SNAP Enrollment Drops as Food Pantry Demand Rises

Newton's SNAP enrollment fell from about 4,300 to 3,700 over the past 12 months, a drop Newton Food Pantry Director Jeff Lemberg attributes to stricter federal eligibility rules under the July 2025 Reconciliation Bill. "It's not 600 fewer people because they're doing so well," Lemberg told the Newton Beacon. "It's 600 fewer people [getting] kicked off." The pantry is absorbing the added need from its first permanent home, a 5,000-square-foot building at 131 Rumford Ave. in Auburndale that opened June 12; 30% of its clients are 65 or older and living on fixed incomes.

The Newton Record

Newton School Committee Adopts PROTECT Act, Adds DEI Role

At its first in-person meeting of the school year on September 15, 2026, the Newton School Committee unanimously adopted the Massachusetts PROTECT Act limiting warrantless ICE arrests in schools, and Superintendent Anna Nolin named Christina Maryland chief of access and engagement.

Newton Beacon

Missing Woman Found Safe After Overnight Search in Newton Woods

Newton police located Deborah Chang on September 15 after an hours-long search near Theodore Road; she was reunited with her son and received medical attention as the investigation continues.

Boston 25 News

Newton Leaders Weigh Compromise on Overnight Winter Parking Ban

The City Council's Public Safety and Transportation Committee reviewed public testimony on September 15 on a working group's recommendations for partial repeals and compromises to the city's overnight winter parking rules.

Newton Beacon

Health Department Holds Public Hearing on Animal Keeping License

Newton's Health and Human Services Department holds a public hearing Wednesday, September 16, at 9 a.m. in City Hall Room 205 on an appeal of a denied license to keep a miniature horse on West Pine Street.

City of Newton, MA

World Dance Wednesdays Class Held at Hannah's Dance Community

Dance artist Andromeda leads a beginner-to-intermediate world and belly dance class Wednesday, September 16, at 6:30 p.m. at 230 Adams Street.

Patch

Councilors Seek Oversight Rules for Police Surveillance Tech

Six Newton City Council members filed a petition for an ordinance setting review, transparency and accountability standards for police surveillance technology; it was referred to the Public Safety & Transportation Committee, which has until March 2027 to act.

The Newton Record

Volunteers Will Remove Invasive Plants at Hemlock Gorge

Newton Conservators volunteers will clear invasive plants at Hemlock Gorge Reservation near Cook's Bridge on Wednesday, September 16, from 9:30 a.m. to noon; participants should wear long pants, closed shoes and garden gloves.

Newton Conservators

Bike Newton Holds Its Monthly Steering Committee Meeting

Bike Newton holds its monthly steering committee meeting Wednesday, September 16, from 5 to 6:30 p.m., open to the public.

Bike Newton

Design Review Committee Meets Wednesday Evening

Newton's Design Review Committee meets Wednesday, September 16, from 6 to 8 p.m.; the city's listing includes Zoom access for residents following the development-review process.

City of Newton, MA

Report Links Crystal Lake Closures to Climate Change

A student analysis published by Green Newton linked Crystal Lake's 2026 cyanobacteria and E. coli closures to rising water temperatures and climate-related conditions.

The Newton Record

Matt Heaton Leads Family Sing-Along at Newton Free Library

Matt Heaton leads a family sing-along at the Newton Free Library on Wednesday, September 16, at 10:30 a.m.

Newton Free Library

Newton Library Hosts Murder by the Book Club

The Newton Free Library hosts its Murder by the Book Club for adult readers on Wednesday, September 16, from 10 to 11 a.m.

Newton Free Library