← Needham Select Board

Needham Select Board · 2024–2025 Board · Regular meeting

September 10, 2024

9 recorded votes, 1 with disagreement.

Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda

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Attendance

Present: Kevin Keane, Heidi Frail, Catherine Reid Dowd, Marianne B. Cooley, Joshua Levy

Absent: None

Every vote, in order

Proclamation: 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month

Approve and sign the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation

Minutes, page 1

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

The Board vote to approve and sign the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation.

From the minutes

“Motion by Ms. Cooley that the Board vote to approve and sign the 2024 Hispanic Heritage Month Proclamation. Second: Ms. Dowd. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Dowd)

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

Public Hearing: Removal of Public Shade Tree at 239 Manning Street (Continued)

Approve and sign the Public Shade Tree Hearing form for the removal of one London Plane tree in the front berm at 239 Manning Street subject to the conditions from the Tree Warden

Minutes, page 2

ApprovePassed · 3–2

The Board vote to approve and sign the Public Shade Tree Hearing form for the removal of one London Plane tree in the front berm at 239 Manning Street subject to the conditions from the Tree Warden.

Yes: Cooley, Dowd, FrailNo: Keane, Levy

From the minutes

“Motion by Ms. Cooley that the Board vote to approve and sign the Public Shade Tree Hearing form for the removal of one London Plane tree in the front berm at 239 Manning Street subject to the conditions from the Tree Warden. Second: Ms. Dowd. Approved 3-2. Ms. Frail, Ms. Dowd, and Ms. Cooley voted in the affirmative. Mr. Keane and Mr. Levy voted in opposition..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Dowd)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Appointment Calendar and Consent Agenda

Approve the Appointment Calendar and Consent Agenda

Minutes, page 2

AppointPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

The Board vote to approve the Appointment Calendar and Consent Agenda.

From the minutes

“Motion by Ms. Cooley that the Board vote to approve the Appointment Calendar and Consent Agenda. Second: Ms. Frail. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Frail)

Read it in the official minutes, page 2 (PDF)

Public Hearing: Application for New All-Alcohol Restaurant License - Poet King

Convene in Executive Session for the purpose of complying with Massachusetts General Law, namely c.6, §§167-172B and 803 CMR 2.05, to invite license applicant Nezahualcoyotl Leon, Wilson Mejia...

Minutes, page 6

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

The Select Board vote to convene in Executive Session for the purpose of complying with Massachusetts General Law, namely c.6, §§167-172B and 803 CMR 2.05, to invite license applicant Nezahualcoyotl Leon, Wilson Mejia, and Leona Leon to attend and participate in the Executive Session, and to return to Open Session at the conclusion of the Executive Session.

From the minutes

“Motion by Ms. Frail that the Select Board vote to convene in Executive Session for the purpose of complying with Massachusetts General Law, namely c.6, §§167-172B and 803 CMR 2.05, to invite license applicant Nezahualcoyotl Leon, Wilson Mejia, and Leona Leon to attend and participate in the Executive Session, and to return to Open Session at the conclusion of the Executive Session. Second: Mr. Levy. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Frail, second: Levy)

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

The Select Board returned to Open Session.

Deny the application of Poet King Restaurant Group LLC, d/b/a The Hungry Coyote, for a liquor license pursuant to G.L. c. 138, §12, to be located at 1185 Highland Avenue, with Leona Leon as the...

Minutes, page 7

DenyPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

The Board vote to deny the application of Poet King Restaurant Group LLC, d/b/a The Hungry Coyote, for a liquor license pursuant to G.L. c. 138, §12, to be located at 1185 Highland Avenue, with Leona Leon as the manager of record, for the following reasons: 1. The application included false statements in violation of 204 CMR 2.01(8), to wit: a. Ms. Leon's employment history does not reflect her actual dates of employment; and b. Ms. Leon failed to list the disciplinary actions taken on January 11, 2022 and July 25, 2023 by this Board in Section 10.D of the application. c. Mr. Leon provided false statements in his portion of the application materials. 2. The Board finds that within the meaning of Massachusetts liquor licensing law, Mr. Leon is not of "good character" to hold a license for the following reasons: a. Mr. Leon has a history of ignoring orders of local municipal bodies, including disregard for a Summary Suspension Order of the Needham Board of Health; and b. Mr. Leon has provided information to the Select Board relative to this application that he knows to be false, including information related to prior violations of the license. c. Mr. Leon has delayed providing documents requested by the Select Board relevant to this hearing. d. The contents of the CORI report received in connection with this application. And to authorize Town Counsel to draft a decision capturing the Board's discussion and vote and authorize the Town Manager to sign said decision and send notic

From the minutes

“Motion by Ms. Frail that the Board vote to deny the application of Poet King Restaurant Group LLC, d/b/a The Hungry Coyote, for a liquor license pursuant to G.L. c. 138, §12, to be located at 1185 Highland Avenue, with Leona Leon as the manager of record, for the following reasons: 1. The application included false statements in violation of 204 CMR 2.01(8), to wit: a. Ms. Leon's employment history does not reflect her actual dates of employment; and b. Ms. Leon failed to list the disciplinary actions taken on January 11, 2022 and July 25, 2023 by this Board in Section 10.D of the application. c. Mr. Leon provided false statements in his portion of the application materials. 2. The Board finds that within the meaning of Massachusetts liquor licensing law, Mr. Leon is not of "good character" to hold a license for the following reasons: a. Mr. Leon has a history of ignoring orders of local municipal bodies, including disregard for a Summary Suspension Order of the Needham Board of Health; and b. Mr. Leon has provided information to the Select Board relative to this application that he knows to be false, including information related to prior violations of the license. c. Mr. Leon has delayed providing documents requested by the Select Board relevant to this hearing. d. The contents of the CORI report received in connection with this application. And to authorize Town Counsel to draft a decision capturing the Board's discussion and vote and authorize the Town Manager to sign said decision and send notice of the decision to the ABCC and the Licensee, as required under Chapter 138 of the General Laws. Second: Ms. Cooley. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Frail, second: Cooley)

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

Abatement of Community Stormwater Mitigation Assessments Policy

Adopt the policy SB-FIN-013, Abatement of Community Stormwater Mitigation Assessments, and authorize the Chair of the Board to sign attesting to the adoption of the policy

Minutes, page 8

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

The Board adopt the policy SB-FIN-013, Abatement of Community Stormwater Mitigation Assessments, and authorize the Chair of the Board to sign attesting to the adoption of the policy.

From the minutes

“Motion by Ms. Dowd that the Board adopt the policy SB-FIN-013, Abatement of Community Stormwater Mitigation Assessments, and authorize the Chair of the Board to sign attesting to the adoption of the policy. Second: Ms. Frail. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Dowd, second: Frail)

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

Town Manager

Close the warrant for the October 21, 2024 Special Town Meeting, subject to minor technical corrections to be made by the Town Manager, Town Counsel and Bond Counsel and potential changes to...

Minutes, page 9

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

The Board vote to close the warrant for the October 21, 2024 Special Town Meeting, subject to minor technical corrections to be made by the Town Manager, Town Counsel and Bond Counsel and potential changes to zoning subject to the Planning Board's final deliberations.

From the minutes

“Motion by Mr. Levy that the Board vote to close the warrant for the October 21, 2024 Special Town Meeting, subject to minor technical corrections to be made by the Town Manager, Town Counsel and Bond Counsel and potential changes to zoning subject to the Planning Board's final deliberations. Second: Ms. Cooley. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Levy, second: Cooley)

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

Set the following office hours for Town Hall, the Public Services Administration Building, and the Rosemary Recreation Complex on a year-round basis: Monday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday 8:00 a.m....

Minutes, page 9

ApprovePassed · Unanimous, 5 present

The Board vote to set the following office hours for Town Hall, the Public Services Administration Building, and the Rosemary Recreation Complex on a year-round basis: Monday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

From the minutes

“Motion by Mr. Levy that the Board vote to set the following office hours for Town Hall, the Public Services Administration Building, and the Rosemary Recreation Complex on a year-round basis: Monday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Tuesday 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Wednesday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Friday 8:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Second: Ms. Cooley. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Levy, second: Cooley)

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

Adjourn

Enter into Executive Session pursuant to Exception 6: to discuss the purchase of real property and not return to Open Session prior to adjournment

Minutes, page 10

ProceduralPassed · Unanimous, 5 present

The Board vote to enter into Executive Session pursuant to Exception 6: to discuss the purchase of real property and not return to Open Session prior to adjournment.

From the minutes

“Motion by Ms. Dowd that the Board vote to enter into Executive Session pursuant to Exception 6: to discuss the purchase of real property and not return to Open Session prior to adjournment. Second: Ms. Frail. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Dowd, second: Frail)

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

From the Needham Select Board’s official minutes, posted in the town’s Archive Center. We check every vote against the Select Board members present and quote the exact wording. MassVoter never grades or scores officials. Photos: Town of Needham, “Needham Select Board, April 2026–April 2027” member sheet.

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