Needham Select Board, 2/10/26

City Council
February 10, 2026
Watch Video View Transcript View Insights
AI Disclaimer: Summaries and transcripts above were created by various AI tools. By their nature, these tools will produce mistakes and inaccuraies. Links to the official meeting recordings are provided for verification. If you find an error, please report it to somervillecivicpulse at gmail dot com.

Podcast Summary

Subscribe to AI-generated podcasts:
RSS Spotify Apple Podcasts

Executive Summary

The Needham Select Board met on February 10, 2026, to conduct public hearings and address municipal financial and administrative matters. Key actions included approving a grant of location for Eversource and authorizing a $3.4 million MWRA grant and loan package for sewer realignment, which includes $2.5 million in principal forgiveness. The Board held a significant public hearing regarding a proposed seasonal pilot closure of the Needham Golf Club rail crossing to mitigate train horn noise, ultimately closing the hearing with a vote scheduled for February 24. Additionally, the Board voted to close the 2026 Annual Town Meeting warrant, which now includes several citizen petitions related to zoning and contract notification thresholds.

Meeting Information

  • Date: February 10, 2026
  • Governing Body: Needham Select Board
  • Meeting Type: Regular Meeting
  • Attendees:
    • Catherine Reid Dowd, Chair
    • Katie King, Town Manager
    • Joshua Levy, Select Board Member
    • Kevin Keane, Select Board Member
    • Marianne Cooley, Select Board Member
    • Heidi Frail, Select Board Member

Public Hearing: Grant of Location - 184 Brookline Street

  • Subject: Petition from Eversource Energy to install approximately 13 feet of conduit in Brookline Street to provide service to a new home at 184 Brookline Street.
  • Representative: Joanne Callender, Eversource.
  • Official Action: The Select Board moved to approve and sign the petition.
  • Vote Outcome: Unanimous approval (5-0-0).

Public Hearing: Golf Course Seasonal Crossing Closure Pilot

  • Subject: A proposal to pilot a seasonal closure of the at-grade railroad crossing at the Needham Golf Club from December 1 through March 1 to eliminate regular train horn sounding. The pilot is proposed to begin December 1, 2026.
  • Discussion Points:
    • Town Manager Katie King reported that specifications for the gate have been received from the MBTA and shared with the Golf Club.
    • The agreement with the MBTA is a template involving a release of liability but not indemnification.
    • The proposed physical barrier consists of fencing with a lock, approximately 5 feet 4 inches high and 24 feet wide.
  • Public Comment Summary:
    • Charlie Mahoney (Lawton Road): Supported the proposal and suggested the greenskeeper could lock the gate daily to extend the quiet period.
    • Toby Segerman (10 Fuller Road): Supported the proposal, noting that residents endure 148 horn blasts per weekday. He stated, "This proposal is what, 700 bucks? to stop the train horns for at least three months... this just seems like such an easy, simple, common sense solution."
    • Tammy Lomenzo (148 Harris Ave): Supported the closure, noting the horns disrupt her grandchildren's sleep.
    • Chris Supple (62 Harris Ave): Advocated for an immediate pilot this season, offering to pay the $700 installation cost himself. He argued that the current crossing is unsafe and that "closing that crossing with a chain link fence would make it much more safe."
    • Alexandra Clark (President, Needham Golf Club): Stated the club wants to be a "good neighbor" and supports the seasonal crossing and potential future culvert.
  • Board Action: The Board closed the public hearing. A formal vote on the pilot is scheduled for the February 24, 2026, meeting.

MWRA Grant and Loan Approval: Sewer Realignment Project

  • Subject: Authorization of a bond for the Sewer Realignment Project (Article 33 of the 2024 Annual Town Meeting).
  • Financial Details:
    • Total MWRA funding: $3,400,000.
    • Grant portion (Principal Forgiveness): $2,454,950.
    • Loan portion: $945,050 at 0% interest.
    • Total project appropriation: $13,600,000.
  • Official Action: The Board voted to approve the motions for the issuance of the bond as presented.
  • Vote Outcome: Unanimous approval (5-0-0).

Town Manager's Report: 2026 Annual Town Meeting Warrant

  • Warrant Updates:
    • Additions: Five citizen petitions were certified and added to the warrant.
    • Removals: Zoning related to Large House Review was moved to the Special Town Meeting. Corner lot zoning and general bylaw technical cleanups were moved to the October Special Town Meeting.
  • Citizen Petitions Summary:
    • Elizabeth Grimes: Three petitions regarding zoning and map changes for 888 Great Plain Avenue to extend the Center Business District and Needham Center Overlay District.
    • Wells Blanchard: A non-binding petition regarding the use of funds for the 'Envision Needham Center' project.
    • Robert Dangle: A petition to amend General Bylaw 2.1.3 to reduce the contract notification threshold from $1,000,000 to $500,000 and include change orders/amendments.
  • Official Action: The Board voted to close the warrant for the 2026 Annual Town Meeting.
  • Vote Outcome: Unanimous approval (5-0-0).
  • Federal Grant Announcement: The Town secured $1,092,000 in federal appropriations via Congressman Auchincloss for stormwater control measures.

Special Municipal Employee Designations

  • Action: The Board updated the Special Municipal Employee list to reflect current committee structures.
  • Changes:
    • Added: Stephen Palmer Committee and School Councils.
    • Removed: Stormwater Working Group (dissolved).
  • Vote Outcome: Unanimous approval (5-0-0).

Zoning Referrals to Planning Board

  • Referral 1: Proposed zoning and map changes for 888 Great Plain Avenue (Citizen Petitions).
  • Referral 2: Proposed zoning articles regarding Large House Review, including amendments to floor area ratio (FAR), lot coverage, height, and front yard setback requirements in the Single Residence B District.
  • Official Action: The Board voted to refer these items to the Planning Board for review and hearing.
  • Vote Outcome: Unanimous approval (5-0-0).

Committee Reports

  • Quiet Zone Working Group: Marianne Cooley reported that the group is awaiting final cost estimates from the MBTA to present at Town Meeting.
  • General Bylaw Review Committee: Heidi Frail noted that while a report will be provided for the Annual Town Meeting, the formal warrant article for technical cleanup will be delayed until Fall due to the complexity of digitizing old records.
  • Envision Needham Center: Kevin Keane and Joshua Levy noted a successful public information session. A community survey remains open for feedback.
  • Tree Preservation and Planning Committee: Catherine Reid Dowd reported ongoing work on mitigation fees and overstory preservation, with a public forum planned for the near future.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2026

Back to Meetings