Assuring Newton's financial future:

Lisle has also worked to help Newton prepare for its future, co-appointing first the Blue Ribbon Commission on the City's Finances and then its successor, the Citizen Advisory Group, which has conducted its evaluation of revenues and costs, including capital expenditures. Here's what Ward 7 resident Malcolm Salter, who served on both groups and chaired the Citizen Advisory Group, wrote about Lisle in 2009:

"With Lisle Baker, we get a two-for-one Alderman. The first Alderman is the straightforward 'what you see is what you get' Lisle Baker. We all know by now, and can easily see, that Lisle is one of the most devoted, long-serving, responsive, and gentlemanly public servants known to Newton residents. Lisle is viewed as such not only my Ward 7 residents, but also by his colleagues who have elected him to the very important position of President of the Board of Aldermen - arguably the second most important elective office in the City.

"The second Alderman is the less obvious 'what you don't see is what you get' Lisle Baker. This less public Lisle Baker is the highly effective, behind the scenes, take-no-credit coach to many other elected officials, municipal executives, and citizen work groups. I can personally attest to the fact that the Citizen Advisory Group turned to Lisle numerous times for advice on both substance and process. Lisle is a 'City treasure.' It's just that simple. Oh, do you know anyone else in the City who answers your email at 3:00 am before turning in?"

Mal Salter Chair, Citizen Advisory Group Ward 7 For information about the Citizen Advisory Group, with links to reports, meeting notes, and other information: www.newtonma.gov/government/city-clerk/city-council/special-committees/citizen-advisory-group

Discussion - Newton's Financial Choices:

Ward Seven Councilor Lisle Baker hosted a discussion about the financial choices facing Newton on Thursday, March 12, 2009 at 7:30 p.m. in the Parish Hall at the Church of the Redeemer at 379 Hammond Street, to which neighbors and the general public were invited.

Attendees had the opportunity to engage in a discussion with special guests, Ward Seven residents Malcolm Salter and Ruthanne Fuller, Chair and Vice-Chair, of the fourteen member Citizen Advisory Group, whose members Councilor Baker, as City Council president, co-appointed with the Mayor and Chair of the School Committee, to study Newton's revenues, costs, and capital expenditures.

When Lisle first became Council president in 2004, he appointed a new committee on Long Range Planning Committee, where he led the effort to get the administration to renew a prior practice of providing a five year financial forecast, He also worked with Mayor Cohen to get joint agreement on a statement of financial policies and procedures adopted by the Board and important to Newton's AAA bond rating.

R. Lisle Baker
137 Suffolk Road
Newton, MA 02467-1217
(617) 566-3848
councilorbaker@comcast.net