Newton Mayor: Marathon Bombings 'Will Change the Way We Think...Act'

It was not the typical mayoral budget address Tuesday night at Newton City Hall. 

As city officials and aldermen started to file into the chambers for the presentation, Newton Police officers paced hallways and police dogs sniffed around meeting rooms. 

"The leadership of the city was here and I want to make sure we take every step and use our resources to protect everyone," Police Chief Howard Mintz told Newton Patch, clarifying that there was no threat made to city officials or City Hall.

Mayor Setti Warren was scheduled last night to deliver his annual budget address before the aldermen and city officials. The address, which was posted last night on the city's website, touted the work of Warren's administration and highlighted new investments in fiscal 2014.

While Warren delivered the $313 million budget document to the aldermen's desks, he decided to forego his planned remarks and instead, address yesterday's bombings at the Boston Marathon finish line.

"Yesterday will change the way we think, the way we act, the way we prepare our days, and how we execute government. I believe strongly that the operations of government must move forward, which is why I made the decision to submit the budget," Warren said. "At the same time, it's incredibly important that we reflect as a community on what happened."

Warren thanked first responders, city officials and community members for their work during yesterday's Boston Marathon bombings. 

"People were not just doing their jobs, but taking their time to make sure people in extremely tragic circumstances were taken care of," Warren said. "They took the time, they made sure we surrounded those people with love and kindness."

After yesterday's explosions at the finish line, the race was canceled and marathon runners were stopped in Newton, unable to finish. First responders directed many of the runners to a shelter at the City Hall War Memorial where they were given food, water, warmth and comfort. 

A similar shelter was set up at St. Ignatius Church next to Boston College's campus.

"Let's make sure that we never forget what happened in this war memorial, because that's who we are," Warren said. "It's not the cowardice act of some terrorists, it's the love and compassion of a community."

The city of Newton will hold a vigil for the marathon bombing victims tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. on the steps of the City Hall War Memorial. In addition, the city is offering drop-in counseling services for the community on Thursday and Friday.

As for continued security, Mintz said the department is not expecting any security problems, but will continue to "monitor what happened" in Boston as it decides how much extra security to use in the city.

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