Supporting Village-Based Initiatives

Each neighborhood of Newton is unique and has different needs. In addition to improving citywide responsiveness to those needs, we should support neighborhood- and village-based initiatives that address the needs of local residents. To encourage and support these local efforts, the city should provide resources to help start and maintain these initiatives. One village might want a community center, another might want local library services, and another might want new playground equipment. By providing some resources to be allocated at the local village level, we will not only help to address the needs of each neighborhood, we will also foster innovation that makes a few dollars go a long way. The creative solutions piloted in individual villages may show us how to provide better services more efficiently citywide.

Starting January 1, 2010, it will be the City’s official policy to support these initiatives and to provide seed money, operational support, and other assistance to make them succeed.