Priorities
Constituent Services
Constituent Services
Constituent Services
I will bring energy and a problem-solving commitment to constituent services. In my career as a reference librarian, I answered questions and helped people find resources and solve problems every day.
I will listen to and help Ward 4 residents via email and phone, hosting meet and greets, and attending local events and meetings.
Thriving Villages
Constituent Services
Constituent Services
My daughter, Martha, started Breadsong Bakery in 1993. Firsthand, I saw the importance of finding ways to bring new customers to our local stores and restaurants.
I’ll work to ensure Auburndale can thrive as the village we love.
Excellent Schools
Constituent Services
Climate & Green Space
Newton’s neighborhood schools and high-quality education are what brought many of us here to live in Newton. I value the education that both my children and grandchildren have had in our schools.
I will advocate for high quality education for all students, supporting our teachers, and providing the modern facilities to meet the needs of education today.
Climate & Green Space
Building Better Infrastructure
Climate & Green Space
Electrifying new homes, insulating and retrofitting older ones, installing solar on new and existing buildings, and better access to EV charging are all critical measures that can be done at the local level here in Newton.
Green space in our city is vital to our health and well-being. I am reminded of this virtually every day as I walk Kahlo, our dog, in Auburndale’s Flowed Meadow Conservation Area.
Well-maintained athletic fields and playgrounds help our children thrive fostering both active play and building community.
Options for Housing
Building Better Infrastructure
Building Better Infrastructure
Photo: Renovating the Walker Center will bring more homes to Newton.
Young adults can’t afford to live here. Seniors want to downsize and stay near family and friends. Affordable homes are needed. We need more housing options.
Building Better Infrastructure
Building Better Infrastructure
Building Better Infrastructure
Developing safe and well-maintained roads is critical for all who use them – walkers, bikers & drivers.
Improving public transit is essential for Newton’s future. We need to work with the MBTA to ensure the commuter rail is accessible and there are enough bus routes through Newton.
For an Open & Sustainable Newton
Meet Doris Ann Sweet
I grew up in the small town of Jefferson, New Hampshire, and later moved to NYC, where I earned both undergraduate and graduate degrees at Columbia University. I moved with my husband and two daughters to Newton in 1978, at a time when we were able to buy a house, even with our moderate income.
I enjoyed a career as a librarian at Columbia University, Boston University, Harvard University, Simmons College, and Assumption College. Many of my days were spent collaborating with faculty and students to develop research strategies and locate resources for their research and writing projects.
My family joined the United Parish of Auburndale where I eventually became a co-manager of the Harwood Fund, an endowment established to assist Auburndale residents in need. This experience has shown me a side of Newton many don't see.
My late husband, Douglas, served as a mediator in the Newton District Court for a several years, and also served on the Planning and Development Board and volunteered for the Understanding Our Differences program in the schools.
Our daughters and, later, our three grandchildren, all graduated from Newton North High School.
Our daughter, Betsy, is Associate Professor of Equitable and Sustainable Development at UMass Boston and also serves on the Newton Zoning Board of Appeals.
Our daughter Martha, opened Breadsong Bakery in Auburndale in 1993, and participated in the Newton Farmers Market. Martha also served on the Newton Economic Development Commission. She eventually sold Breadsong to her employees, who still operate it. She now works for The Trustees of Reservations.
In 2010, I was stunned by vehement neighborhood opposition to a modest affordable homeownership project proposed, and eventually built, on my street. (See below)
When Engine 6 was forming in 2013, I was primed to join with like-minded folks in advocating for more, and more affordable, housing.
As a Ward 4 Newton City Councilor, I will bring energy, respect for accurate information, and a problem-solving commitment to both Council deliberations and constituent services.
Open to Everyone
Housing is just one of many issues in the City for which I would like to be one of Newton's solution builders.
As a long-time resident of Newton, I have watched as housing purchase and rental prices skyrocketed, putting life in this city out of reach for many folks who would like to live here.
Many who already live here and, as they age, wish to downsize, have trouble finding suitable and reasonably affordable housing in Newton.
Many young adults who grew up in Newton cannot afford to buy or rent housing here. In 1978, our family bought the house I live in today, but I could not afford to purchase it at today’s Zillow estimate.
I was a founding member of Engine 6: Newton Housing Advocates ten years ago and have worked with other Engine 6 members to advocate for more housing in Newton, and especially more affordable housing for both middle-income and low-income members of our community. More can be done, though, and the rezoning effort underway is an important step forward.
Much of Newton’s deed-restricted affordable housing is generated by our Inclusionary Zoning ordinance that requires larger housing developments to include specified percentages of units for lower income residents.
Importantly, the proposed rezoning allows for conversion of larger single-family homes to 3-4 housing units, which could increase housing supply, with minimal change to the look and feel of the original house. This could benefit both homeowners and potential renters or condo owners, depending on how the conversion is structured.
Sustainable
We can all agree environmental challenges must be addressed.
I support Green Newton's goal for the City to be fossil-fuel free as soon as possible. There are actions each of us can take along the path to carbon neutrality.
In my home, I have installed double-pane windows, solar panels, mini-split heat pumps, an electric water heater, and an induction stove top. I also drive a hybrid car.
According to the Climate Action Plan, the second largest source of GHG emissions in Newton comes from on-road transportation.
My husband, Douglas, and I moved to Newton, partly because public transportation would allow him, as a blind person, to travel independently.
Public transportation continues to be an important part of my family’s life and I support Newton’s continued commitment to affordable and sustainable public transportation.
I support the City’s commitment to increase energy efficiency in existing buildings and ensure that new construction meets standards necessary to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.