A New Neighborhood Council for UMass Amherst at Mount Ida Campus

Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller and UMass Amherst Chancellor Kumble R. Subbaswamy have announced the formation of the UMass Amherst at Mount Ida Campus Neighborhood Council to facilitate regular conversations between the university and the community.

The council will provide opportunities for dialogue around ongoing campus activities and projects, including by not limited to construction and renovation, traffic and traffic management, natural resource management, parking and parking management, special events and athletic events.

The new council is made up of two representatives from UMass Amherst, Tony Maroulis, executive director of External Relations and University Events and Deputy Chancellor Steve Goodwin; three neighborhood representatives, Pamela Burton, Dean Abby and Marvin Fox; Ward 8 City Councilor Cheryl Lappin; a representative from the Newton Planning and Development department; and Jay Hirsh of Jumbo Capital Management, representing the Wells Avenue Office Park.

The formation of the council fulfills a promise made by Subbaswamy during a neighborhood forum in August.

“This is an important step for cooperation and coordination between the university and its host community in Newton. We are new to the City of Newton and hope to have a great partnership with City Hall and our campus neighbors,” he said.

Fuller said she is excited to welcome UMass Amherst to the City of Newton. “Along with the residents in Ward 8 and in Oak Hill we look forward to working with the university to welcomeits students to Newton and the Mount Ida campus and look forward to a vibrant partnership,” she said.

The first neighborhood council meeting will take place at the start of the 2019 spring semester.