News from the Town of Needham

This is the banner image of Town Hall in the spring

Good afternoon, Needham!

Summer officially made her debut this week, and Needham is getting ready to celebrate with a return of the Exchange Club’s 4th of July celebration! More information on the festivities and related road closures below.

The Exchange Club is also encouraging residents to show their patriotism by decorating their house and sending a photo of it by July 2nd to needhamexchangeclub@gmail.com to be judged by the club. Submissions must provide name, address and the photo in the email.

Finally, as you make your summer plans, please remember that the Recycling and Transfer Station (RTS) closes at noon on Fridays in the summer. The RTS is open 7:30 am to 4 pm Saturdays.

Independence Day Festivities Return July 3rd, 4th

Mark your calendars for the return of the Exchange Club’s 4th of July celebration! The festivities kick off Sunday, July 3rd at Memorial Field with food, pony rides, entertainment, children’s pie eating contest, and fireworks. The celebrations continue Monday, July 4th with the YMCA’s 5K Road Race at 8:30 am and the parade on Monday, July 4th at 9 am. Enjoy the celebration!

More 4th of July Information

Expect Road Closures in Needham July 3rd and 4th

Residents and visitors should be aware that parking restrictions will be in place in Needham July 3rd and 4th to support the Independence Day activities.

Road closings will begin at 5pm Sunday, July 3rd

Sunday, July 3rd

5:00 p.m. Rosemary St. (from Webster St. to Highland Ave.)
5:00 p.m. Kingsbury St. @ Webster St
5:00 p.m. Fair Oaks Pkwy. (from Kingsbury St. to May St.)
5:00 p.m. Warren St. (from Kingsbury St. to May St.)
5:00 p.m. Pickering St. (from Kingsbury St to May St.)
6:00 p.m. Rosemary St. at Hillside Ave.
6:00 p.m. Highland Ave. at Carey Rd.
6:00 p.m. Webster St. at Carey Rd.
6:00 p.m. Highland Ave. at Oakland Ave.

Monday, July 4th

To facilitate both the YMCA Road Race and parade, road closures will begin at about 8 am.

Needham Center (Great Plain Ave between Nehoiden and Warren, Chapel St, Highland Ave From Great Plain Ave to Webster St at Station 2)
Webster St from Great Plain Ave to Highland Ave
Highland Ave from Webster to Great Plain Ave.

New Public Safety Buildings to be Dedicated Next Week - Public Invited to Attend Ceremonies, Tour Sites

The grand opening of the new Public Safety Complex on Chestnut Street, which houses the Needham Police and Needham Fire headquarters, and Fire Station 2 in the Heights will take place next Thursday, June 30th. The dedication ceremonies will be open to the community, and residents and others are welcomed to join and tour the new facilities.

The Town will dedicate Fire Station 2 (707 Highland Ave) at 4 pm, followed immediately by a ceremony at the Public Safety Building (88 Chestnut St) at 5 pm. After the 5 pm ceremony, light refreshments will be served and tours will be available.

These public safety buildings were made possible by the support of the community, who voted in 2018 to fund the new stations. The former stations were built in the 1930s and 1940s and could no longer accommodate the needs of a modern police and fire staffing and equipment.

Select Board to Hold Hearing on Brewery Rules Next Week

The Needham Select Board will hold a public hearing Tuesday, June 28th to solicit public input on proposed changes to the Town’s liquor license policies to allow for the establishment of microbreweries and brew pubs in Needham.

The proposed changes would apply to brew pubs the same liquor license regulations that currently exist for restaurants. They would also create a new Farmer Series Pouring Permits section to regulate on-premises consumption of alcohol at microbreweries.

The establishment of microbreweries and brew pubs also requires changes to Needham’s current Zoning By-Law. The Planning Board will resume the hearing process it began earlier this year in the coming weeks before a proposal is submitted to Fall Town Meeting.

The Select Board hearing will be held Tuesday, June 28th during the Select Board meeting currently scheduled for 5:45 pm. Members of the public are invited to attend in person or via Zoom. Comments may also be submitted via email to OTM@needhamma.gov using the subject line: “Brewery Comments.” The deadline for written comments is Friday, July 15th.

Pools at Rosemary Open for the Season This Weekend

The grand opening of the summer pool season in Needham kicks off tomorrow! Needham Park and Recreation will open the Pools and the Rosemary Complex Friday, June 24th. Pools are open seven days a week. Memberships are still available by visiting needhamprogams.com.

Members will be allowed to pre-register for weekday (Monday – Friday) time slots. 50 percent of weekday capacity will be reserved for those members who pre-register. The additional 50 percent of capacity Monday through Friday will be open for walk-in swimmers. There is no pre-registration available for weekend pool use. Pool use will be on a first come, first-served basis on Saturdays and Sundays.

Find out everything you need to know about the pools this summer by visiting Park and Recreation’s website.

Needham Human Rights Issues Statement in Support of Jewish Organizations Targeted by Mapping Project

The Needham Human Rights Committee issued a statement last week in support Jewish organizations that have been the target of anti-Semitic actions by the Mapping Project. Read the full statement below:

“Recently, many Jewish organizations in Massachusetts have been the focus of hate through an online published list which contains harmful anti-Semitic rhetoric. Specifically, the aim of the Mapping Project is to “dismantle” and “disrupt” the entities that are targeted on this list.

“Given this, The Needham Human Rights Committee declares that we stand in solidarity and support of the Jewish community, as hate, in all forms, does not belong in our communities.”

School’s Out - Join the Library’s Summer Reading Program!

Join Read Beyond the Beaten Path, Needham Library's 2022 Summer Reading Program for all ages! Register online. Then, simply log your reading over the summer to be entered to win some great prizes! For more information, visit the Needham Public Library in person or online.

Funds Available Now for Small Home Repairs, Safety Modifications

Deadline to Apply is Friday, July 8th

The Town of Needham is offering grants through the Small Repair Grant Program for qualifying seniors and those with disabilities to make health and safety improvements to their homes.

Grant funding can cover a wide variety of home repairs and modifications. The grant limit for this program is $5,000. Applications will be evaluated and prioritized based on program funding, health and safety considerations, and the financial need of the applicant. These grants are provided on an unsecured basis; there is no repayment required unless the grant recipient does not comply with program terms or transfers the home within one year.

To obtain an application and a confidential assessment, contact Needham’s Affordable Housing Trust at 781-455-7550 ext. 220 or ksunnarborg@needhamma.gov. You can also access the application on the Town’s website.

The deadline to apply is July 8, 2022.

CALENDAR OF PUBLIC MEETINGS & EVENTS

Meetings are linked to the relevant agenda

Thursday, June 23, 2022

Board of Assessors, 8:30 am, Great Plain Room, Town Hall and via Zoom
Commissioners of Trust Funds, 4:30 pm, Great Plain Room, Town Hall and via Zoom
Needham Community Revitalization Trust Fund, 5 pm via Zoom
Water and Sewer Rate Structure Committee, 6 pm, Great Plan Room, Town Hall and via Zoom
Conservation Commission, 7 pm via Zoom
Needham Board of Health, 7 pm, Rosemary Recreation Complex and via Zoom

Monday, June 27, 2022

Finance Committee, 6:30 pm, Select Board Chambers, Town Hall and via Zoom
Design Review Board Hearing (173 Chestnut St.), 7:30 pm via Zoom
Permanent Public Building Committee, 7:30 pm via Zoom

Tuesday, June 28, 2022

School Committee Executive Session, 11 am, Broadmeadow School Media Center
Select Board Meeting, 5:45 pm, Select Board Chambers, Town Hall and via Zoom (agenda to be posted Friday)

Events shown as listed on the Town calendar as of 6/23/22. Don't forget to check out the Needham Meeting and Events calendar for updated information. You can also sign up to receive meeting notices and agendas on the Town’s “Notify Me” page.

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