Needham Select Board

“Motion by Ms. Cooley that the Select Board approve and sign a petition from Eversource Energy to install approximately 15 feet of conduit in Windsor Road. Second: Mr. Keane. Unanimously approved 4-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Keane)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

“Motion by Ms. Cooley that the Select Board approve and sign a petition from Eversource Energy to install approximately 66 feet of conduit in Lindbergh Avenue. Second: Mr. Keane. Unanimously approved 4-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Keane)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

“Motion by Mr. Matthews that the Select Board vote to approve the Appointments and Consent Agenda as presented. APPOINTMENTS 1. Adam Block - Transportation Planning and Review Committee Term Exp. 6/30/2022 2. Rachel Bright - Climate Action Plan Committee Term Exp. 6/30/2024 3. Paul Dellaripa - Climate Action Plan Committee Term Exp. 6/30/2024 4. Stephen Frail - Climate Action Plan Committee Term Exp. 6/30/2024 5. Joseph Higgins - Climate Action Plan Committee Term Exp. 6/30/2024 6. Nicholas Hill - Climate Action Plan Committee Term Exp. 6/30/2024 CONSENT AGENDA *=Backup attached 1.* Approve minutes of February 8, 2022 (open session) 2.* RATIFY the Alcohol License Suspension and Waiver for New Garden Inc., d/b/a New Garden Restaurant 3. Accept the following donations made to Youth & Family Services, Crisis Donation Fund from the 100 Women of Needham: $100 Lynn Basilio, $100 Marilyn Komessar, $200 Alyssa Kence, $250 Elizabeth Moore, $150 Cathy Freedberg, $100 Gail Guzelian, $100 Cynthia Howes, $100 Ellen Volpe, $100 Suzanne Fiering Nissen, $100 Karen Northrop Barzilay, $100 Jillian Erdos, $100 Carrie Dandy, $100 Kim Marie Nicols, $100 Abigail Jones Hays, $100 Jennifer Edwards, $100 Sindia Conroy. 4. Accept the following donation made to Youth & Family Services: $250 from the Forde Family for future programming. 5. Accept the following donation made to the Health Departments, Domestic Violence Action Committee (DVAC): $500 from the Needham Women's Club 6.* Approve new date for Youth & Family Services "Needham Unplugged" no meeting/no-homework night to be held on Friday, March 11, 2022 7.* Approve a request from Stacey Mulroy race coordinator for the Needham 2 Arlington to hold a race in Needham. The event is scheduled for Saturday, April 9, 2022. The event and route have been approved by the following departments: Fire, Police, DPW, Park & Recreation. 8.* Approve a request from Melissa Lassonde, Director of Special Events for the Needham Baseball & Softball Opening Day Parade to be held in Needham. The event is scheduled for Sunday, May 1, 2022. The event and route have been approved by the following departments: Fire, Police, DPW, Park & Recreation. 9.* To approve Economic Development ARPA Grant awards contingent on any pending compliance with federal, state and local law and regulations. 10.* Approve display of a new banner from The Revitalization Trust Fund to be displayed on Chapel Street. Second: Ms. Cooley. Unanimously approved 4-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Matthews, second: Cooley)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

“Second: Mr. Nelson. Unanimously approved 5-0 by roll call vote..” (second: Nelson)

Read it in the official minutes, page 3 (PDF)

“Motion by Mr. Matthews that the Select Board vote to support Article 7 - Appropriate for Emery Grover Building Design in the Special Town Meeting Warrant. Second: Ms. Cooley. Approved 3-1. Mr. Nelson voted nay..” (Motion: Matthews, second: Cooley)

Read it in the official minutes, page 10 (PDF)

“Motion by Mr. Matthews that the Select Board vote to approve and authorize the Chair to sign a license for Eastern Propane & Oil to install (2) 1,000-gallon above ground fuel tanks on the property located at 1554 Central Avenue, Needham. Second: Ms. Cooley. Approved 3-1 by roll call vote. Ms. Balachandra voted no..” (Motion: Matthews, second: Cooley)

Read it in the official minutes, page 1 (PDF)

“Motion by Mr. Matthews that the Select Board vote to designate the position of Trustee of the Affordable Housing Trust as a special municipal employee pursuant to General Laws Chapter 268A. Second: Ms. Cooley. Approved 4-1 by roll call vote. Ms. Balachandra voted no..” (Motion: Matthews, second: Cooley)

Read it in the official minutes, page 6 (PDF)

“Motion by Ms. Balachandra that the Select Board vote to not have any special municipal employee designation for those who serve on boards and committees. Second: Mr. Nelson. Mr. Nelson suggested a Code of Conduct be enacted in order to continue having special municipal designations. Mr. Borrelli said a goal of the Select Board is to have a Code of Conduct manual, agreeing with Mr. Nelson that the time is now, especially as there is member turnover. He said the current list of designees would be under the impression the designation would continue, noting to remove a designation without a public hearing and further discussion would be completely unfair. Ms. Cooley noted Ms. Balachandra's motion is challenging in many ways. She said all municipal employees are required to comply with the state ethics law. She said there is value in having the designation, but more clarity on a Code of Conduct is necessary. She said the reason for the designation is so people can do the work to assist the town on boards and committees and to live their life in Town. Discussion continued on the role of special and regular municipal employees, their volunteer service in town, and conflict of interest laws. Mr. Matthews commented eliminating the entire list will affect the lives of hundreds of people who work in Needham. He said a posted public hearing should be held to inform the public of what has been proposed and so everyone can be heard and make an informed community decision. He said he will vote no on Ms. Balachandra's motion. Ms. Balachandra said she is very familiar with conflict-of-interest laws, noting many emails have been received and is one of the reasons to think about eliminating the special designation because of ethics concerns before the Select Board. She said it is affecting the lives of many citizen's, but you can do business with the Town, but you don't have to serve on the Board at the same time. She said there must be a clear delineation between business and service. Ms. Balachandra said the integrity of the conversation with a biased perspective leading the discussion and vote is not appropriate and a slippery slope. She concluded saying there is no need to serve on a board if you would like to do business with the Town. Mr. Borrelli cautioned Ms. Balachandra on the difference between a violation and an accusation, and anyone can discuss any question of ethics with Town Counsel. Mr. Borrelli called for the vote. Motion failed 1-4 by roll call vote. Mr. Nelson, Ms. Cooley, Mr. Matthews, and Mr. Borrelli voted no..” (Motion: Balachandra, second: Nelson)

Read it in the official minutes, page 7 (PDF)

“Motion by Ms. Cooley that the Select Board vote to approve Motions 2-6 as follows: 2. That the Board vote to designate the position of member of the Council of Economic Advisors as special municipal employee pursuant to General Laws Chapter 268A. 3. That the Board vote to designate the position of member of the Needham Council for Arts & Culture as special municipal employee pursuant to General Laws Chapter 268A. 4. That the Board vote to designate the position of member of the Needham Unite Against Racism Working Group as special municipal employee pursuant to General Laws Chapter 268A. 5. That the Board vote to designate the position of member of the Rail Trail Advisory Committee as special municipal employee pursuant to General Laws Chapter 268A. 6. That the Board vote to rescind special municipal employee designation for the following municipal employees, and for all those holding positions on the following Town entities: Accessory Study Committee Auxiliary Police Officer Cable Television Advisory Board Economic Development Advisory Committee Emergency Management Volunteer Facility Working Group Field Study Committee Fire Staffing Study Committee Insurance Advisory Committee Joint Regional Transportation Committee Representative Korean War semicentennial Memorial Committee Local Building Code Appeals Board Local Emergency Planning Committee-Executive Committee MWRA Advisory Board Alternate Member New England Business Center Advisory Council Norfolk County Advisory Board Alternative Representative Open Space Recreation Plan Advisory Committee Permitting By-laws, Regulations and Policies Committee Planned Production Task Force Property Tax Relief Study Committee Special Police Officer Stephen Palmer Future Planning Committee Stephen Palmer Rent Review/Tenant Committee Substitute Building Inspector Substitute Plumbing Inspector Substitute Wiring Inspector Town Hall Display Committee Trustee School Trust Fund Youth Center Committee Second: Mr. Matthews. Approved 4-1 by roll call vote. Ms. Balachandra voted no..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Matthews)

Read it in the official minutes, page 8 (PDF)

“Motion by Mr. Matthews that the Select Board vote to place a list of special municipal employees, updated in accordance with its prior votes taken during this meeting, on file with the Town Clerk and to deliver a copy to the State Ethics Commission. Second: Ms. Cooley. Approved 3-1-1 by roll call vote. Ms. Balachandra voted no. Mr. Borrelli abstained..” (Motion: Matthews, second: Cooley)

Read it in the official minutes, page 9 (PDF)