Newton's Planning and Development Department, vacant at the top since January, has a nominee to fill the gap during a major building boom.

Mayor Marc Laredo announced Thursday, July 16, that he is nominating Catherine Feerick as the department's new director. Feerick has served as Foxborough's director of land use and economic development since June 2024, overseeing site plan reviews for this summer's FIFA World Cup matches at Gillette Stadium.

The department she would lead reviews all major commercial and residential projects across Newton's village centers, the Washington Street corridor, and large-scale developments at Riverside and Wells Avenue.

Six months without a planning chief

Former Planning Director Barney Heath and Deputy Director Jen Caira both left City Hall in January 2026, a departure first reported by the Newton Beacon in December 2025. Their exit left a leadership void at a time when Newton is experiencing heavy building construction and officials are simultaneously confronting a housing shortage and climate crisis.

Feerick's record

Before Foxborough, Feerick spent more than five years as economic development director for Attleboro, starting in December 2018. There, she oversaw new zoning for a state program that incentivized housing and ran a downtown business revitalization effort.

Her track record was concrete. Then-Mayor Cathleen DeSimone credited Feerick in May 2024 with playing a key role in development projects at 37 Union St., 45 Union St., and 27-39 South Main St. that produced hundreds of new housing units. DeSimone also said Feerick helped cut Attleboro's downtown store vacancy rate in half, from 38% to under 20%.

Feerick also led the creation of Cuddy Court, transforming a dark alley into a public gathering space, and worked with the Attleboro Redevelopment Authority on a transit-oriented development district.

In Foxborough, she guided the town's compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, which requires communities in the MBTA service district to zone for multifamily housing by right near transit stations. Newton's village centers face similar density requirements under the same law.

What happens next

Laredo cited Feerick's housing and zoning experience in his community email announcing the nomination.

The appointment must be confirmed by the Newton City Council. Laredo said the vote will likely come in August 2026, though no specific meeting date has been set.