Needham Select Board, 2/24/26

City Council
February 24, 2026
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Executive Summary

The Needham Select Board met on February 24, 2026, to address several key municipal matters, including the approval of a change of manager for Cook Needham's liquor license and the authorization of a seasonal pilot program to close the at-grade railroad crossing at the Needham Golf Club to mitigate train horn noise. The Board also voted to execute a purchase and sale agreement for approximately 10 acres of open space at 0 Cartwright Road for $800,000, funded in part by the Community Preservation Act. Additionally, the Community Preservation Committee presented updates on pending funding applications for school playgrounds and housing authority repairs, and the Board engaged in a lengthy discussion regarding the philosophy and formatting of official meeting minutes.

Meeting Metadata

  • Governing Body: Needham Select Board
  • Meeting Date: February 24, 2026
  • Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
  • Attendees: Catherine Reid Dowd (Chair), Katie King (Town Manager), Joshua Levy, Kevin Keane, Marianne Cooley, Heidi Frail (via Zoom).

Public Comment

  • Nick King and Margaret Handridge (945 South Street): Representing the Charles River Watershed, the speakers expressed concern regarding a proposal by the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to lower water quality standards. They argued this would allow for continued combined sewer overflows (CSOs) containing raw sewage into the Charles River.
  • Key Quote: "The river is the lifeblood of our environment, of our ecology, and I think that you don't have to be downriver of an open sewer to care whether we have raw sewage going into the Charles."
  • Board Response: The Board indicated they are collecting information from the MassDEP and the Charles River Watershed Association to assess the ramifications before committing to a formal letter of opposition.

Amendment to All-Alcohol Restaurant License - Cook Needham

  • Action: The Board considered an application for a change of manager for Cook Needham, located at 109 Chapel Street.
  • Proposed Manager: Virginia Chan.
  • Discussion: The Board emphasized the importance of strict adherence to liquor laws and the use of ID-checking tools to prevent underage drinking.
  • Vote: Approved 5-0. (Roll Call: Reid Dowd-Yes, Keane-Yes, Levy-Yes, Cooley-Yes, Frail-Yes).

Seasonal Closure of At-Grade Railroad Crossing - Needham Golf Club

  • Action: Discussion and vote on a pilot program to close the at-grade railroad crossing at the Needham Golf Club seasonally from December 1st through March 1st to eliminate train horn sounding.
  • Decision: The pilot is scheduled to begin December 1, 2026, pending finalized agreements with the MBTA and the Needham Golf Club.
  • Vote: Approved 5-0. (Roll Call: Reid Dowd-Yes, Keane-Yes, Levy-Yes, Cooley-Yes, Frail-Yes).

Property Acquisition - 0 Cartwright Road

  • Action: The Board discussed the acquisition of approximately 10 acres of open space at 0 Cartwright Road (Assessors Parcel 219-0019).
  • Financials: The purchase price is $800,000. Funding includes $500,000 from the Conservation Commission and $300,000 from Community Preservation Act (CPA) open space funds.
  • Details: The town will acquire a 10-acre portion of a 12-acre parcel; the remaining 2 acres will be retained by the current owner. The land is contiguous to the existing Ridge Hill reservation.
  • Vote: Approved 5-0 to execute the purchase and sale agreement with Marjorie Pine. (Roll Call: Reid Dowd-Yes, Keane-Yes, Levy-Yes, Cooley-Yes, Frail-Yes).

Community Preservation Committee (CPC) Update

  • Presenters: Dave Harrer (Chair) and Maureen Callahan (Vice Chair).
  • Budget: The CPC expects approximately $4.2 million this season ($4M from surcharge, $300k+ from state match).
  • Project Applications:
    1. Elliott School Playground and Field: $3 million request for safety improvements and accessibility. The committee is considering a phased approach to manage costs.
    2. Disc Golf Feasibility Study: $50,000 request to identify a suitable location (Ridge Hill, Town Forest, or other sites) for a course.
    3. Seabeds Way (Needham Housing Authority): $800,000 request for roof replacements to facilitate the installation of a solar photovoltaic system. Concerns were raised regarding the remaining useful life of current roofs and the return on investment.

Town Manager's Report

  • Great Plain Avenue: Plans are being finalized for road narrowing and edge line adjustments between Harris Avenue and the Dedham town line to calm traffic and widen shoulders.
  • Town Meeting Warrant: The Board noted a recommendation to rescind $55,000 in prior borrowing authorizations for RTS property improvements.
  • Public Health Accreditation: The Needham Public Health Division has achieved national accreditation, joining only four other accredited departments in Massachusetts.
  • Sunita Williams School: The Town is working on a one-year renewal of a license agreement with the Town of Wellesley for the use of land behind the school, with plans to discuss a permanent easement.

Board Discussion - Meeting Minutes Revisions

  • Discussion: The Board engaged in a debate regarding the philosophy of meeting minutes. Member Joshua Levy proposed narrative edits to include specific member perspectives and exchanges with Town Counsel. Other members argued for a minimalist, consensus-based approach to avoid "weaponizing" or politicizing the minutes.
  • Action on November 12, 2025 Minutes: Voted to approve as originally drafted (unamended). Vote: 4-1 (Levy dissenting).
  • Action on November 25, 2025 Minutes: Voted to approve as originally drafted (unamended). Vote: 4-1 (Levy dissenting).
  • Action on December 16, 2025 Minutes: Voted to approve as originally drafted (unamended). Vote: 4-1 (Levy dissenting).

Committee Reports

  • General Bylaw Committee: Approved a final report for the May Town Meeting; formal warrant articles are expected for the Fall Special Town Meeting.
  • Branding and Seal Committee: Voted to approve the new town seal with minor illustrative tweaks.
  • Tree Preservation Planning Committee: Completed a legal review of the proposed bylaw with Town Counsel. A public forum is being planned before the bylaw is presented to the Select Board in late May.

Executive Session

  • Action: The Board voted to enter Executive Session under Exception 3 to discuss litigation strategy regarding a DPW/DEP matter (Docket No. 2023-014) and collective bargaining strategy for Fire, Police, and Building Custodian unions.
  • Vote: Approved 5-0. (Roll Call: Reid Dowd-Yes, Keane-Yes, Levy-Yes, Cooley-Yes, Frail-Yes).

Last updated: Mar 1, 2026

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