I am signing the petition to express my appreciation for the introduction of outdoor dining in Newton during the pandemic and to encourage the city’s government to do everything it can to ensure Newton has a vibrant outdoor dining scene for years to come.

Outdoor dining has been wonderful for Newton’s diners and businesses. But because some of the state rules that allowed restaurants to operate outdoors during the pandemic expire on March 31, 2023, the city must quickly enact new rules and regulations to allow outdoor dining to continue. This should include allowing patios in the public way (including along sidewalks and parklets) as well as enabling restaurants to operate in private parking lots.

Please act expeditiously to ensure that the proper procedures and regulations are in place to allow our restaurants to return outdoors this spring and permanently thereafter.