Newton Residents Can Change This Long-time Law In November's Election

NEWTON, MA — Residents will have the chance to change a long-standing city rule this coming November.

Peter Klapes and Jeremy Freudberg have led the charge to get apotential overnight parking ban overturn on the 2025 municipal election ballot. Since 1936, overnight street parking has been banned in the city in some capacity. The current ban does not allow any on-street parking from Dec. 1 through April 1 between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m. Klapes expressed his belief that this rule is antiquated, and that it is time for a change.

“It’s supposed to be for snow clearing, Klapes said. “We have much better weather forecasting these days.”

According to Klapes, the city council has not changed the ordinance because they are hoping that the rule “disincentivizes” people from owning cars altogether.

“They want residents living what they call a car-light lifestyle, relying on bicycles and public transportation,” Klapes said.

Klapes and Freudberg have been trying to change the law since 2022, and have recently gathered enough signatures to put the possibility of a change on the voting ballot. The pair says his fellow residents are just as passionate about the situation as they are.

“We have about 70 yard signs all across the city and requests for many more,” Klapes said. “People have been very generous and supportive.”