Needham Select Board, 5/12/26

Several residents provided comments regarding ongoing town projects: * Karen Carpenter (28 Douglas Road): Advocated for the four-lane plan for Envision Needham Center, stating, 'I hope the Select Board honors the voices... by voting to keep a four-lane plan while pursuing thoughtful and much needed safety improvements.' * Lars Onyem (56 Meadowbrook Road): Representing Safe, Quiet, Needham, he thanked the Board for the successful Quiet Zone vote, noting it wouldn't have been possible without the Board's persistence. * Marianne Cooley: Former Board member discussed Envision Needham Center data, urging the Board to 'design smart and flexibly' to accommodate future generations and emphasizing the safety of children on bikes and in crosswalks.

Karis Lustig, Director of Public Works, and Shane Marks, Assistant Director, presented the 66th annual Public Works Week theme: 'Rooted in Service, Empowered by Community.' * Discussion: Lustig highlighted that DPW work is about improving daily quality of life and thanked the Board and Town Meeting for supporting the capital improvement plan. * Events: A 'Touch a Truck' event is scheduled for Saturday at DeFazio Park, including a food drive for the Needham Community Council. * Official Action: The Board designated May 17-23, 2026, as National Public Works Week. Vote: Motion passed unanimously.

The Board held a hearing for a petition from Eversource Energy to install approximately 16 feet of conduit in Aldrich Road for underground electrical service. * Action: The contractor admitted the work was completed prior to obtaining the grant. The Board emphasized that state law requires approval before work begins to allow for abutter input. * Vote: The Board voted unanimously to approve and sign the petition.

The Board considered an application for a 1,000-gallon underground propane storage tank at 106 Windsor Road. * Discussion: Fire Inspectors Jay Steeves and Rob Tremetti confirmed the plan meets all safety setbacks and requirements. Michael Gillespie (210 Stratford Road) raised concerns regarding the tank's proximity to wetlands and long-term inspection protocols. * Official Action: The Board voted to approve the license subject to confirmation from the Conservation Commission that no further review is required. Vote: Motion passed unanimously.

Justin McCullen (Vice Chair) and Karis Lustig presented the final report of the working group. * Survey Results: A town-wide survey received 2,750 responses. 63% of respondents supported a four-lane plan, while 37% supported a two-lane alternative. * Infrastructure: Lustig noted that the drainage pipes in the corridor are 80 years old and undersized, contributing to downstream flooding. * Board Discussion: The Board reached a consensus to move forward with a four-lane configuration. However, members requested a detailed memo justifying the $13 million cost and the urgency of the project relative to other town priorities before voting on design funds. * Key Quote: Karis Lustig stated, 'There's an integral relationship between the sidewalk and the drainage system... it's a lot easier to deal with as an interrelated project than it is in its discrete components.'

The Board reviewed the renewal of the Norfolk County Intergovernmental Agreement (IMA) and a proposed update to the fee schedule, which had not been changed since 1991. * Financials: The IMA costs the town $12,000 annually. Current fee revenue is $3,700, projected to rise to $9,300 by FY29 under the new schedule. * Official Action 1: Renew the Norfolk County IMA for FY27-29. Vote: Passed unanimously. * Official Action 2: Approve phased fee increases over three years. Vote: Passed (Majority; Joshua Levy voted Nay, citing concerns over the burden on small businesses).

Town Manager Katie King reported that the MBTA has returned the signed cooperation agreement for the town's Quiet Zone. * Official Action: The Board authorized the Town Manager to countersign the agreement. Vote: Motion passed unanimously. * Town Meeting: King thanked staff and volunteers for their work during the recently concluded Town Meeting.