RightSize Newton Files Another Complaint Against Mayor Fuller

NEWTON, MA — Less than a month away from a citywide vote on the future of a 22 acre project in the Upper Falls, the Committee for Responsible Development, the group that requested the special vote and organized against the Northland project said they filed a second complaint against the mayor with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance, which is an independent state agency that works to ensure complete disclosure of campaign finance activity.

The Committee for Responsible Development is part of RightSize Newton. The group is accusing Mayor Ruthanne Fuller, who — along with a majority of the city council that voted in favor of the project — is for the project, of using city resources to influence the special election on the Northland development proposal set for March 3.

“Mayor Fuller’s inappropriate use of city and state resources undermines the democratic election process and sets a dangerous precedent,” said Co-chair of the Committee for Responsible Development Martina Jackson in a release.

This group previously filed a complaint with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance on Jan. 2, accusing the mayor of using the city resources for influence when she sent out an email to constituents in December, publicizing her decision to vote “yes” on the referendum regarding the Northland plan.

The opposition group said in a statement that when the mayor requested a meeting with Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development Michael Kennealy in December to talk about how MassWorks grant program. The group said the mayor wanted to secure grant money to help with infrastructure improvements in Upper Falls to address roadway and traffic issues there it was in an effort to make it more likely that voters would approve the project, pointing to Fuller saying in the email the meeting and conversation was time sensitive ahead of the citywide vote in March.

After the mayor met Kennealy about MassWorks and a representative from Northland on December 19, Fuller followed up:

"We feel that, given the likelihood of a citywide referendum in March, a signal from the Commonwealth that they also see the tremendous value in this project could be extremely helpful," the memo read. "As discussed, even an announcement that Massworks design funding would be made available immediately contingent upon the project moving forward, with construction funding to be determined, could make a difference."

Office of Campaign and Political Finance Spokesperson Jason Tait said the organization doesn't comment about whether a case exists, but said in general, governmental resources may not be used for political campaign purposes (an issue or a candidate who will appear on a ballot in an election qualifies).

"Government resources include anything that's paid for by the tax payers," he said. "When we give our general list, it is employee time, email, the postage printing, those kinds of public resources cannot be used."

The opposition group points to the meeting and the announcement that the city will be getting grant money from the state to address Pettee Square improvements and the Upper Falls Greenway Extension projects related to the Northland Project as using her role as mayor to promote a project.

The mayor's office disagrees and says she was just doing her job.

"Ruthanne Fuller is the mayor of this city, and she’s doing her job looking out for this city," said Ellen Ishkanian of the mayor's office. "If Northland moves forward, Mayor Fuller has put the city in a position to benefit from state funding to make improvements to the Upper Falls neighborhood. These improvements will address issues residents have raised.

Mayor Fuller is being proactive. She is putting Newton in an excellent position if the project moves forward. She would be remiss if she sat still and didn’t do her job to take advantage of state funds to address issues the residents of Upper Falls have raised."

• RightSize Newton Campaign Finance Law Violation ... (Jan)
• RightSize Newton Files State Complaint Against Mayor (Jan)
• Resident Files Open Meeting Law Complaint Against Newton
• Newton To Hold Citywide Vote On Northland Project In March
• Group Pulls Out Of Newton Voter Forum On Northland ...
• Newton Referendum Forum Held Despite No Show (Feb)

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).