On February 3, at her eighth and final State of the City Address, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller reflected on her tenure and the current state of the City. After 2,590 days in office, Mayor Fuller declared that the state of Newton remains strong.
Entering the City Council chamber, Mayor Fuller was accompanied by Massachusetts’ Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, State Representatives Amy Sangiolo, Greg Schwartz, and Tommy Vitolo, and City Councilors Susan Albright, Lisle Baker, and Rick Lipof.
Council President Marc Laredo introduced Lieutenant Governor and former Salem Mayor Kim Driscoll, who thanked Mayor Fuller, discussed the many years that she has collaborated effectively with Mayor Fuller, and highlighted the crucial role that city government plays in peoples’ lives every day.
Mayor Fuller began her address by highlighting Newton’s financial health, citing its recent Aaa credit rating from Moody’s, which she described as a testament to the City’s attention to its fiscal responsibility. She credited strong leadership across municipal departments for maintaining high-quality services, from education to emergency response to the Newton Free Library.
The Mayor praised Newton’s democratic institutions, such as the City Council and School Committee, for their role in airing, debating, and resolving complex issues. She thanked the many volunteers serving on boards, commissions, and PTOs, and the robust engagement from neighborhoods, businesses, non-profits, and community groups.
Mayor Fuller claimed major accomplishments during her tenure including:
- Education: The Mayor discussed significant school renovations and construction projects, including new elementary schools at Lincoln-Eliot, Countryside, and Franklin, and the City’s first dedicated…