Needham Select Board, 10/29/25

October 29, 2025
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Needham Select Board Meeting Minutes - October 29, 2025

Meeting Date: October 29, 2025, at 12:00 AM Governing Body: Needham Select Board Type of Meeting: Regular Meeting Attendees:

  • Joshua Levy, Select Board Member
  • Kevin Keane, Select Board Member
  • Marianne Cooley, Select Board Member
  • Catherine Reid Dowd, Select Board Member
  • Katie King, Town Manager
  • Kara Slustig, Director of Public Works
  • Peter Bowman, Eversource Gas and Electric
  • Kyle Gavone, Eversource Gas and Electric
  • Ian, Eversource Gas and Electric
  • Dylan, Eversource Gas and Electric
  • Ed, Chair of the Needham Board of Health
  • Rob Partridge, Needham Board of Health
  • Charlie Nonda, Town Meeting Member, Precinct H
  • Kate Linsmeyer, Town Meeting Member, Precinct H
  • Chris, Town Council

Executive Summary: The Select Board discussed proposed updates to alcohol regulations, including extending hours of sale and abeyance for compliance check failures, ultimately postponing a vote to gather more information. Updates were provided on the Pollard School project, highlighting upcoming community engagement and the complex timeline for decision-making and potential town meeting actions. The Board also reviewed the Fiscal Year 2027 budget outlook, noting challenges with labor contracts and health insurance costs. A discussion was held regarding an Open Meeting Law complaint, which the Board determined was not a violation.

Public Comments

  • Rob Partridge, 38 Sutton Road, Needham (Needham Board of Health):

    • Expressed concerns about extending alcohol sale hours from 11 PM to midnight, citing research linking extended hours to higher rates of injury, violence, and impaired driving.
    • Stated that extending hours is "not in the best interests of the residents and community of Needham."
    • Opposed holding penalties in abeyance for first-time compliance check failures, arguing it is a "slap on the wrist" and a step back from 2023 updates that incentivized compliance.
    • Cited the Metro West Adolescent Health Survey, indicating 10% of underage Needham residents purchase alcohol themselves.
    • Advocated for removal of abeyance language and stricter penalties to reduce underage sales.

  • Charlie Nonda, 38 Fuller Road, Needham (Town Meeting Member, Precinct H, Act for Needham Committee):

    • Kate Linsmeyer, 7 Stonecrest Drive, Needham (Town Meeting Member, Precinct H, Act for Needham Committee):
    • Spoke on behalf of the Act for Needham Committee, advocating for a "right-sized auditorium" at Pollard School.
    • Requested a 750-seat theater auditorium to provide access for all 6th-8th grade students and reliable community space for evenings and weekends.
    • Noted that 6th graders at HIRAC currently lack an auditorium.
    • Referenced a Needham Observer article, "Pollard Project Offers Needham a Chance to Prioritize Performing Arts," as a comprehensive overview of current facility shortcomings.
    • Highlighted alignment with the town's Arts and Culture Action Plan, Objective 2.3a, which calls for improving access to arts facilities.
    • Requested the Select Board support a 750-plus seat auditorium for the Pollard Project.
    • Announced an upcoming meeting on November 5th and directed interested parties to actforneedham.com.

  • Ed, 17 Laurel Drive, Needham (Chair of the Needham Board of Health):

    • Supported Rob Partridge's statements.
    • Emphasized that the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization support limiting alcohol sale hours and reducing availability to prevent abuse and underage drinking.

2025 Veterans Day Proclamation

  • Action: Vice Chair Catherine Reid Dowd read the "Town of Needham, 2025 Veterans Day Proclamation."
    • The proclamation recognizes Tuesday, November 11, 2025, as Veterans Day and asks citizens to observe those who served.
  • Motion: Moved to approve the proclamation.
  • Second: Seconded.
  • Discussion:
    • A reminder was given that the Veterans Day observance will be held on Tuesday, November 11th, at 11 AM at Memorial Park.
  • Vote:
    • For: All
    • Against: 0
    • Abstentions: 0
    • Outcome: Motion passes unanimously.

Public Hearing: Grant of Location for 160 Country Way

  • Presenter: Joanne Callender, Eversource Representative
  • Request: Eversource is seeking a grant of location to install approximately 10 feet of conduit from pole 344 over 16 onto the private property at 160 Country Way.
  • Purpose: To provide underground electric service to a new all-electric home with EV chargers.
  • Town Manager's Report: Town Manager Katie King confirmed everything was in order.
  • Public Comment: No public comments were made.
  • Motion: Madam Chair, I move that the Select Board approve and sign a petition from Eversource Energy to install approximately 10 feet of conduit in Country Way.
  • Second: Seconded.
  • Vote:
    • For: All
    • Against: 0
    • Abstentions: 0
    • Outcome: Motion passes unanimously.

Eversource Gas Proposed Winter Work

  • Presenters: Kara Slustig, Director of Public Works; Peter Bowman, Kyle Gavone, Ian, and Dylan from Eversource Gas and Electric.

  • Electric Work (Webster Street & Highland Avenue):

    • Eversource is currently adding underground electric conduit on Webster Street, extending to Highland Avenue.
    • Work on Highland Avenue is under MassDOT jurisdiction; only Webster Street work requires town permitting.
    • Coordination with town utilities (water and sewer) is ongoing to ensure appropriate clearance.
    • One to two blocks of Webster Street will have conduit installed under the sidewalk due to utility clearance issues.
    • Tree Impact: Three Norway maples are impacted. Eversource is not required to go through a street tree hearing but has committed to replacing them with 12 new trees.
      • New trees may be placed along the right-of-way or on private property setbacks.
      • If not all 12 fit, they will go to the nursery or be used for other town plantings.
      • Action: DPW will improve communication to the public regarding tree impacts, potentially using on-site signage with QR codes.
    • MWRA Redundancy Project: This work supports the MWRA redundancy project, providing power for two robotic tunnel digging machines at 128.
    • Conditions for Off-Season Work:
      • Two crews will work in close proximity, coordinating between gas and electric components to minimize detours.
      • Eversource is responsible for snow clearing in work areas.
      • No equipment will be left on the road during snow clearing.
    • Sidewalk Restoration: Sidewalks will be impacted and restored to town standards and ADA compliance.
      • Restoration will be with asphalt outside of business districts due to challenges with concrete (tree roots, salt corrosion).
    • Driveway Restoration: Driveways will be repaired permanently during permanent pavement work after trench settlement.
      • Action: DPW will communicate the reason for the waiting period for pavement settlement to residents.
    • Abutter Notification: Eversource has been notifying abutters about construction paths, tree impacts, and sidewalk impacts. Updates will continue.
    • Timeline: This request is for off-cycle work (December through March), outside the normal April-November permitting window. The overall project will be longer.
    • Tree Health: Eversource is working with the town arborist and abutters to assess and mitigate impacts on existing trees.
    • Manholes: Large concrete manholes (6x10x8 feet) are being installed to allow workers to pull wires through conduit. Seven are on Webster, eight on Highland, and three new on Graham.

  • Gas Main Replacement Work:

    • Eversource Gas requests to continue its gas main replacement work, which has been ongoing for three seasons.
    • The relationship with Eversource Gas has been positive, with collaboration on street selection to avoid recently paved roads.
    • Off-season work helps Eversource meet its annual mileage replacement requirements and upgrade gas mains to new safety regulations.
    • Work stops when school buses are present (morning and afternoon).
    • Goal: Replace all aging and leak-prone gas pipe in Needham by 2034, at approximately three miles per year.
      • Approximately 30 miles remain to be replaced.
    • Locations for Winter Work:
      • Intersection around the library on Highland Avenue to May Street.
      • Two other projects on smaller roads.
    • Police Details: Off-season work on major roads reduces competition for police details.
    • Abandoned Gas Lines: Old lines remain in place but can be demoed if needed for other utilities.
    • Risk Assessment: No immediate danger of explosions; the mandate for replacement came after issues in North Andover and Lawrence.
      • Utilities are not meeting mandated replacement goals, raising concerns about potential loss of local control if DPU intervenes.
    • Methane Leaks: A list of leaks is shared quarterly with the Sustainability Director, graded by severity (1, 2, 3).
    • New Pipe Lifespan: New pipelines are predicted to last at least 200 years.
    • Action: Eversource will provide a map showing replaced gas lines and the next planned chunk of work.

  • Underground Cable Modernization Project (Chestnut Street):

    • Status: Has not started. Test pits are being conducted to confirm existing utilities.
    • Timeline: Test pits are expected to finish in late November/early December, slightly past the November 15th goal.
    • Construction: Actual construction is subject to DPU approval and would be late 2026/early 2027.
    • Abutter Notification: Eversource has sent notifications and provides email updates.

Town Manager's Report

Proposed Updates to Alcohol Regulations

  • Presenter: Town Manager Katie King (Miles Tucker, Support Services Manager, is on leave).
  • Background: Recommendations were presented two meetings ago, followed by a public hearing. No changes to the proposed regulations since original presentation.
  • Clarification on Violations:
    • Violations are categorized: 1) Select Board's regulations, ABCC regulations, and Mass General Law (penalties on PDF page 117). 2) Compliance checks, which are viewed as educational by ABCC.
    • The proposed abeyance for first-time compliance check failures applies only to compliance checks, not other regulation violations.
    • Often, a compliance check failure also involves a regulation violation (e.g., not using a scanner), allowing the Board to consider both penalty tables.
  • Discussion on Hours of Sale (11 PM vs. Midnight):
    • Current Practice: Regulations state 11 PM closure "unless otherwise determined by the Select Board." The Board has exercised discretion, approving midnight closures for many establishments.
    • Current Licenses: 15 establishments have midnight closure, 7 close before midnight.
    • Proposed Change: Update regulations to reflect midnight as the standard, aligning policy with practice.
    • Impact: Changing the written regulation to midnight would not automatically extend hours for existing licensees; their current approved hours would remain. Licensees could request changes.
    • Board of Health Concerns: Rob Partridge and Ed expressed concerns about extending hours due to public health and safety risks.
    • Police Data: Police department data over two years showed few OUI incidents directly tied to restaurant closures, suggesting establishments are generally managing patrons well.
    • Consistency: Board members expressed a desire for consistency between written policy and actual practice.
  • Discussion on Abeyance for Compliance Check Failures:
    • Rationale: Town Council advises using abeyance for first-time compliance check failures because they are considered educational.
    • Board Concerns: Board members questioned if this practice is common in other towns, especially given Needham's stricter penalties for scanner use, which can effectively double the penalty time.
    • Action: Town Council will gather more information on other communities' practices regarding abeyance and penalties for scanner use.
  • Decision: The Select Board decided to postpone a vote on the proposed alcohol regulation updates to gather more information from Town Council regarding other communities' practices and the implications of the abeyance language.

Pollard School Project Update

  • Presenter: Town Manager Katie King
  • Current Phase: Preferred Schematics Rappaport (PSR), the second half of the feasibility process with the Mass School Building Authority (MSBA).
  • Ongoing Work:
    • Further exploration of building options on both Pollard and DeFazio sites.
    • Traffic studies for both sites.
    • Stormwater analysis, including mitigation strategies.
    • Updated cost estimates.
    • Clarification of process questions from MSBA.
  • Upcoming Community Events:
    • November 17th, 6:30 PM, Pollard: Public hearing for residents to share thoughts with the Select Board, School Committee, and School Building Committee (PPBC).
    • November 24th: Second All-Board Summit.
      • Focus: Seek consensus on one option (Pollard or DeFazio) and determine if additional time is needed within the PSR phase.
  • Town Meeting Process:
    • Any chosen option will require Town Meeting action.
    • Both sites require zoning amendments.
    • DeFazio site would require land transfer votes and Article 97 requirements.
    • Timeline: Mapping out process for a potential Special Town Meeting in January.
      • Planning Board will discuss zoning amendments in November.
      • Select Board will open a warrant at its second November meeting (November 25th).
    • Land Transfer (DeFazio): School Committee has requested formal discussions with Park and Recreation Commission and Select Board for a working group on land transfer details.
  • Timeline Challenges:
    • Time is the "largest challenge" due to the need to answer all questions for both sites and grade configurations on a single timeline.
    • Working on parallel tracks: construction/engineering and governance (land transfers, zoning).
    • MSBA Timeline: School Building Committee aims to vote in early December and submit to MSBA by December 18th.
      • Extending submission past December would delay a ballot vote to Spring 2027 or later.
      • MSBA has strict time requirements; potential "domino effects" of delays are being investigated.
      • Concern: Possibility of going to voters with a project that does not yet have full MSBA commitment (conditional support).
        • This is particularly a concern for DeFazio due to Article 97 and MEPA review.
        • It is an open question if MEPA could be triggered at the Pollard site.
  • Board Questions/Concerns:
    • Underutilized Buildings: Concerns about potential underutilization of Hillside, High Rock (as swing space), and the old Pollard building if a new building is constructed.
    • Mitchell School Timeline: Questioned the timeline for Mitchell School and its impact on the "least expensive option" argument for 6-8 grade configuration.
    • Total Project Costs: Emphasized the need for "fully loaded costs" for evaluation, including impacts beyond direct construction (e.g., field replacement, traffic management, DPW impacts).
      • Acknowledged MSBA regulations dictate what costs can be included in the ballot question vs. reimbursed.
      • Concern that non-eligible costs might compete with other levy items.
      • Desire for a clear understanding of the "entire cost to the town" for each option.

Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Consultation

  • Presenters: Town Manager Katie King and Director of Finance Dave.
  • Outlook: "Not bad, but not good either." FY26 was largely a maintenance budget.
  • Cost Trends:
    • Labor Contracts: Outstanding contracts for FY27: Police Superiors, Police Union, Fire, and BCTIA (trades/custodial staff).
    • Classification and Compensation Study: Consultant being procured for non-public safety personnel to ensure competitive pay and proper classification.
    • Health Insurance: Monitoring costs; evaluating participation in West Suburban Health Group vs. Group Insurance Commission or Maya's insurance program.
    • Tariffs: Departments advised not to budget higher unless directly informed by vendors of tariff-related price adjustments.
  • Revenue Trends:
    • Property Taxes: Majority of revenue.
    • State Aid/Federal Budget: Monitoring discussions at state level regarding potential mid-year budget cuts and federal budget volatility.
  • Timeline:
    • Departmental budgets (capital and operating) have been submitted and are under review.
    • Finance Committee liaisons are participating in reviews.
    • Next Meeting: Initial list of capital requests will be presented.
    • December 16th: Board vote on capital priorities.
    • Early January: Final CIP (Capital Improvement Plan) release.
    • Late January: Town Manager's operating budget presented.
  • Projected Revenue Growth: Not yet available; will be finalized after the tax recap process (late November/early December). FY26 was based on ~5% overall growth.
  • Capital Projects: Discussion on whether planned projects (Center at the Heights, Cooks Bridge, Public Works Phase 2 Design, Water Supply) will proceed on schedule.
    • Deadline for submissions just passed; more information in 4-6 weeks.
    • Quiet Zone placeholder ($4.5 million) has other impacting factors.

Town Manager's Report (Continued)

  • Fall Family Day/Spooky Walk: Park and Recreation team hosted a successful event with just under 600 registered children.
  • Fraudulent Emails: Residents are receiving fraudulent emails appearing to be from the Planning Department, requesting money for permits.
    • Advice: If in doubt, call Town Hall or the department directly to verify.
    • Suggestion: Consider offering "phishing type training" at the CAF for residents.

Board Discussion of an Open Meeting Law Complaint

  • Presenter: Chris, Town Council
  • Complaint: Filed by Judith McIntyre concerning a meeting held on October 9th at Memorial Park Field House.
    • Attendees: Town Manager, Deputy Town Manager, Select Board members (Kathy, Mary Ann), Director of Planning and Community Development, Town Housing Specialist, and two representatives from Housing to Home (consultant).
    • Purpose: To inform residents of the Stephen Palmer building about town efforts regarding the ground lease expiration in May 2027.
    • Allegation: Meeting violated Open Meeting Law due to lack of 48-hour posted notice, no minutes kept, and not being conducted as an open meeting.
  • Town Council's Opinion: Not a violation of the Open Meeting Law for several reasons:
    1. Town Manager's Meeting: Primarily arranged and conducted by the Town Manager.
    2. Not a Public Body: The group of town attendees was not a subcommittee or public body under the Open Meeting Law.
    3. Lack of Quorum: Only two Select Board members attended, which is less than a quorum. The Open Meeting Law applies only to a quorum of the Select Board.
  • Board Discussion:
    • Agreed that no deliberations occurred; the meeting's primary intent was to share information directly with residents.
    • The timing was due to negotiations with Stephen Palmer Associates concluding just before the meeting.
    • Acknowledged that the subject matter (Stephen Palmer building) should eventually be discussed in open session.
    • Sympathized with the complainant's frustration due to lack of publicly available information at the time.
  • Action: The Board is required to discuss the complaint within 14 business days and provide a written response to the complainant and the Attorney General's office.
  • Motion: Madam Chair, I move that the Board authorize Town Council to prepare and submit a response to the open meeting law complaint.
  • Second: Seconded.
  • Vote:
    • For: All
    • Against: 0
    • Abstentions: 0
    • Outcome: Motion passes unanimously.

Committee Reports

  • Kevin Keane:

    • Tower Ave. Neighborhood Meeting (October 21st):
      • General consensus that the project was beneficial.
      • Appreciation for DPW's iterations of the plan.
      • Disappointment from some residents about project delay until spring.
      • Desire for sidewalks on Paul Revere (acknowledged as a separate project).
      • Action: Select Board members requested a block-by-block walkthrough of the plans to clarify details and address confusion.
    • Envision Needham: Discussed Select Board feedback; no parklets; survey questions coming mid-January.

  • Marianne Cooley:

    • Large House Review Committee:
      • Met Monday (this week).
      • Discussed fiscal impact of different options, focusing on potential reductions in total house size and their impact on new growth.
      • Working to narrow options for further discussion.
      • Upcoming: Presenting to the Planning Board on November 4th.
      • Public Forum: Large House Review public forum in Powers Hall on November 18th.

  • Catherine Reid Dowd:

    • Congratulated Town Manager Katie King on her first solo Special Town Meeting.
    • MWRA Rock Core Sample Facility Visit (Friday): Select Board members visited the facility to understand work for the massive tunnel project, including detailed mapping of ground conditions.
    • Spooky Walk: Attended with Kevin Keane; noted the success of the event.
    • Upcoming Public Forums (Next Week):
      • Monday, November 17th: Pollard Project public forum.
      • Tuesday, November 18th: Large House Review public forum.
      • Wednesday, November 19th: Tree Preservation Planning Committee public forum on proposed tree bylaw.
    • Veterans Day: Reminder that the observance is on November 11th at 11 AM at Memorial Park.

Motion to Adjourn: Moved to adjourn. Second: Seconded. Vote:

  • For: All
  • Against: 0
  • Abstentions: 0
  • Outcome: Motion passes unanimously.

Last updated: Dec 7, 2025

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