Newton Council Goes Nuclear, Considers Resolution

NEWTON, MA — Newton is considering weighing in on the federal government's nuclear policy.

Following the Trump administration's announcement that the U.S. would suspend a nuclear treaty with Russia that goes back to the 1980s earlier this month, members of the group Newton Dialogues on Peace And War reached out to City Councilor Alison Leary of Ward 1, about bringing forward the resolution.

"She was all for it," said Dan Shaw of the peace activist group that has helped push previous nuclear resolutions in years past in the city.

"Towns around us have already endorsed this, and Newton has been a Mayors for Peace City for many years," said Shaw, referencing an anti-nuclear organization based on the idea that mayors cannot fulfill their duties to protect their cities if there's a nuclear war or threat of one.

Brookline and Somerville have both passed similar resolutions, and Cambridge and Needham are considering it, he said.

The proposal, named "Back From The Brink," would add Newton's voice to those asking the United States to be part of a national effort to reduce the risk of nuclear war.

The proposal also supports a number of bills currently in the legislature, said Shaw.

There are a three different kinds of resolutions that see the floor of Newton City Council Chambers, according to the Newton City Clerk David Olson. From a nonbinding request that the mayor act on something to resolutions honoring those who have contributed in some way to the city. This resolution would be a largely symbolic letter directed to the federal government.

The summary of the resolution was on the docket this week, along with a listing of everything that's going to committee in the next couple weeks.

"It will be in committee, then if they decide to approve it, it will be drafted up as a resolution," said Olson, "but, there's nothing binding about it. It's [essentially] a letter from the council."

The item will go before the Programs & Services Committee on March 20.

The advocates for the proposal are set to meet with the mayor on Tuesday.

From the Feb. 19 City Council docket:

Resolution to the federal government to adopt a new nuclear policy
COUNCILOR LEARY requesting a Resolution to the federal government to freeze plans
to spend over a trillion dollars rebuilding the US nuclear arsenal and instead to adopt
a new nuclear policy based on the active pursuit of a verifiable, enforceable
agreement among nuclear armed states to eliminate their nuclear arsenals.

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