Needham Select Board, 10/27/26

Executive Summary

At its October 27, 2026 meeting, the Needham Select Board approved the 2026 Veterans Day Proclamation, authorized the issuance and sale of bond anticipation notes with a 3.2346% net interest cost, and approved consent and appointment items. The Board received an update on the Needham Power Choice aggregation program in preparation for upcoming contract procurement, reviewed baseline demographic survey results for town boards and committees, and received the Town Manager's report regarding early voting and municipal maintenance. Following member reports, the Board voted to enter executive session regarding multi-district litigation involving fire truck manufacturers.

Public Comment

A member of the public requested that the Town install park benches or a picnic table in the new public green space at the intersection of Hoover Street, Paul Revere Road, and Tower Road.
The speaker explained that the town replaced an impermeable asphalt roadway area with permeable green space, but the removal of a private fence at an adjacent residence has caused the public parcel to appear as private property.
The commenter requested town action to clarify property boundaries, stating, "please delineate private from public and just put some benches or something up there" to allow residents to use the public parkland.

2026 Veterans Day Proclamation

The Vice Chair read the 2026 Veterans Day Proclamation recognizing the contributions and sacrifices of Needham veterans.
The proclamation resolved: "that the Select Board of the Town of Needham does hereby recognize Wednesday, November 11th, 2026 as Veterans Day and asks that citizens of the town join in appropriate observance of those who have served in uniform to preserve the principles of justice, freedom, and democracy."
The Town's Veterans Day observance was announced for Wednesday, November 11, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park.
Outcome: Passed 5-0.

Sale of Bond Anticipation Notes

Town financial staff and the Town Clerk presented the proposed issuance of a bond anticipation note (BAN) to roll over an existing note maturing on November 2, 2026.
Key financial terms of the sale include:
1. The replacement note matures on September 22, 2027.
2. The note was awarded at an interest rate of 4.75% with a premium of $107,384, resulting in a net interest cost of 3.2346%.
3. Five competitive bids were received, supported by the Town's AAA bond rating.
Town debt management policies aim to maintain overall debt service at or below 10% of general fund revenues and within 3% of the levy limit.
The notes are tax-exempt and non-bank-qualified because the Town issues more than $10 million in debt annually.
Outcome: Approved motions 1 through 6 as noted in the agenda. Passed 5-0.

Consent and Appointments

The Board considered routine consent and committee appointment matters.
Outcome: Passed 5-0.

Needham Power Choice Program Update and Contract Discussion

Sustainability Manager Gabby Queenan and representatives Paul Gromer and Kim Perret from Peregrine Energy Group presented a status report on the municipal electricity aggregation program.
Current program metrics:
1. Approximately 75% of residential accounts and 50% of small business accounts in Needham participate in the program.
2. Enrollment by tier consists of 89% in the standard option, 1% in the 100% green option, and 10% in the basic option.
3. The program has produced over $3 million in cumulative savings for participants compared to Eversource Basic Service.
4. Needham's locked-in rate has been 12.8 cents per kWh, compared to the current Eversource basic service rate of 17.3 cents per kWh.
Upcoming procurement considerations:
1. The existing two-year contract concludes in March 2027, requiring a new contract to be executed no later than December 2026.
2. Recent municipal aggregations have received bids between 15.5 and 16.5 cents per kWh due to broader energy market conditions.
3. The town will await Eversource's mid-November pricing benchmark before locking in contract terms.
4. The Board discussed options for Class 1 Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), noting regional supply constraints and alternative strategies used by nearby communities to mitigate customer rate increases.
5. The electricity supplier will cover customer mailing expenses, including the option for an annual town-wide informational mailing.

Board and Committee Demographics Survey

Support Services Manager Miles Tucker presented baseline findings from the three-year demographic survey of appointed and elected town board and committee members.
Survey findings and baseline data:
1. Survey participation increased from 52 responses in prior years to 77 unique responses in 2026, out of 209 unique committee positions appointed by the Select Board.
2. In comparison to American Community Survey (ACS) benchmarks, residents aged 45 and younger are underrepresented, while older residents and men are overrepresented.
3. Half of the 2024 respondents were Town Meeting members, reflecting concentrated participation among existing civic participants.
4. The majority of respondents serve on only one committee.
An analysis of the applicant pool will follow once annual applicant data collection is completed at year-end.
Board members recommended adding a question to the applicant survey to track outreach sources and determine where applicants learn about committee vacancies.

Town Manager's Report

Town Manager Katie King presented administrative announcements:
- Early voting continues at Town Hall through Friday at 12:30 p.m., with polls open on Election Day, November 3, from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Resurfacing of the rail trail with stone dust is underway to repair ruts, and trail users are asked to use alternate routes during construction.
- The annual Veterans Day ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, November 11, at 11:00 a.m. at Memorial Park.
- The second Fix-It Clinic will be held at the Needham Free Public Library on November 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in collaboration with the Recycling and Transfer Station.

Committee Reports

Select Board members shared updates regarding recent activities:
- Member office hours addressed resident topics including water restrictions, traffic on Chambers and Lyndon streets, neighborhood feedback from Garden Street, renovations to the library children's room, and Council on Aging facility improvements.
- Members noted attendance at the Police and Fire open house, the Spooky Walk at Greene's Field, and the No Kings rally organized by the Needham Diversity Initiative.
- Members announced the Needham High School Distinguished Career Awards breakfast and ceremony for Friday at 9:30 a.m.
- Condolences were offered to the family of former town leader Gil Cox.
- Members noted participation in the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA) Legislative Breakfast at the Rosemary Recreation Complex with local state legislators.

Executive Session

The Board moved to enter executive session: "pursuant to Exceptions 3 MGLC 30A Section 21 A3 to discuss strategy with respect to litigation namely multi-district litigation involving claims of price fixing and other anti competitive practice by fire truck manufacturers and fire truck manufacturer trade associations where an open meeting may have a detrimental effect on the bargaining or litigating position of the public body."
The Chair declared that the Board would not reconvene in open session at the conclusion of the executive session.
Outcome: Passed 5-0.