The Public Facilities Committee voted to authorize Community Preservation Committee (CPC) funding to cover architecture, engineering and investigative work to determine the scope and cost of restoring the deteriorated granite stairs at Newton City Hall’s War Memorial.

"We don't really know what's going on underneath the stairs," said Josh Morse, Commissioner of Public Buildings, explaining why the department proposed funding an investigative phase before committing to full restoration. The committee recommendation asked for $214,300 in CPC funding for the work; Morse and staff later clarified the request to the committee excludes certain internal staff costs and that the CPC-funded request itself totals $189,300.

The restoration project addresses water infiltration that has caused deterioration of mortar joints and steps; new handrails will be added to meet current building code, and the project is eligible for historic resource funding because Newton City Hall is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the presentation said. The CPC voted unanimously to recommend funding the investigation phase, which will let engineers remove sections of the stairs and inspect underlying structural conditions to refine the construction scope and budget.

Several councilors said they supported the investigative approach. Councilor Leary said the community preservation process is intended to advance projects prioritized by residents, and the smaller investigative appropriation is an appropriate first step. Chief Operating Officer Jonathan Yeo told the committee the item had faced opposition in prior years and that CPC priorities have changed since the original 2019 application; the administration took another run at funding after conditions worsened.

Committee members asked whether accessibility would be reviewed as part of the study; Morse said the investigative phase will include an accessibility review and would likely involve the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board. The committee approved the motion to fund the investigative phase by voice vote.