MassVoter.com← Needham Select BoardNeedham Select Board · 2024–2025 Board · Regular meeting
February 11, 2025
8 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
Public Hearing: Eversource Grant of Location - 111 Windsor Road
Approve and sign a petition from Eversource Energy to install approximately 46 feet of conduit in Windsor Road
The Board vote to approve and sign a petition from Eversource Energy to install approximately 46 feet of conduit in Windsor Road.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Frail that the Board vote to approve and sign a petition from Eversource Energy to install approximately 46 feet of conduit in Windsor Road. Second: Ms. Dowd. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Frail, second: Dowd)
Public Hearing: Application for a New All-Alcohol Beverages License - North Hill
To: 1. Move to find that the issuance of an on-premises liquor license, pursuant to Section 12 of Chapter 138 of the General Laws, to North Hill Needham Inc, d/b/a North Hill, located at 865...
The Board vote to: 1. Move to find that the issuance of an on-premises liquor license, pursuant to Section 12 of Chapter 138 of the General Laws, to North Hill Needham Inc, d/b/a North Hill, located at 865 Central Avenue, with Brianna Tucker as the manager of record, will not be detrimental to the educational and spiritual activities of schools and churches within a five hundred feet radius of the establishment; 2. Move to issue said license to North Hill Needham Inc, as outlined in the application and subject to the rules and regulations of the ABCC and the following Sections of the Town of Needham Regulations for the Sale of Alcohol Beverages: 2, 3, 5.3, 5.4, 6, excepting Section 6.2 and substituting the phrase "Continuing Care Retirement Community" for the phrase "club and veterans' organization", and 10; and 3. Authorize the Town Manager to send written notice of this decision to the applicant pursuant to Section 16C and the ABCC pursuant to Section 16B.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Frail that the Board vote to: 1. Move to find that the issuance of an on-premises liquor license, pursuant to Section 12 of Chapter 138 of the General Laws, to North Hill Needham Inc, d/b/a North Hill, located at 865 Central Avenue, with Brianna Tucker as the manager of record, will not be detrimental to the educational and spiritual activities of schools and churches within a five hundred feet radius of the establishment; 2. Move to issue said license to North Hill Needham Inc, as outlined in the application and subject to the rules and regulations of the ABCC and the following Sections of the Town of Needham Regulations for the Sale of Alcohol Beverages: 2, 3, 5.3, 5.4, 6, excepting Section 6.2 and substituting the phrase "Continuing Care Retirement Community" for the phrase "club and veterans' organization", and 10; and 3. Authorize the Town Manager to send written notice of this decision to the applicant pursuant to Section 16C and the ABCC pursuant to Section 16B. Second: Ms. Cooley. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Frail, second: Cooley)
Appointment Calendar and Consent Agenda
Approve the Appointment Calendar and Consent Agenda
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)
Plastic Warrant Articles
Sponsor the "Skip the Stuff" Bylaw, subject to revisions to be made by Town Counsel
The Board vote to sponsor the "Skip the Stuff" Bylaw, subject to revisions to be made by Town Counsel.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Levy that the Board vote to sponsor the "Skip the Stuff" Bylaw, subject to revisions to be made by Town Counsel. Second: Ms. Frail. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Levy, second: Frail)
Sponsor the Single Use Plastic Ban - Black Plastic Bylaw, subject to revisions to be made by Town Counsel and conditional upon the results of the Public Hearing
The Board vote to sponsor the Single Use Plastic Ban - Black Plastic Bylaw, subject to revisions to be made by Town Counsel and conditional upon the results of the Public Hearing.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Dowd that the Board vote to sponsor the Single Use Plastic Ban - Black Plastic Bylaw, subject to revisions to be made by Town Counsel and conditional upon the results of the Public Hearing. Second: Ms. Frail. Ms. Cooley noted her hesitation in supporting this ban and recognized the difficulty for restaurant-owners to attend public hearings in the evenings during their primary time of business. Ms. Frail suggested that these stakeholders submit feedback in written form. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Dowd, second: Frail)
Town Manager
Close the warrant for the 2025 Annual Town Meeting, subject to minor technical corrections to be made by the Town Manager, Town Counsel, and Bond Counsel
The Board vote to close the warrant for the 2025 Annual Town Meeting, subject to minor technical corrections to be made by the Town Manager, Town Counsel, and Bond Counsel. Ms. Cooley noted that Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are expected to be discussed at the Fall Town Meeting following work on behalf of the Planning Board related to a provision regarding Site Plan Review.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Levy that the Board vote to close the warrant for the 2025 Annual Town Meeting, subject to minor technical corrections to be made by the Town Manager, Town Counsel, and Bond Counsel. Ms. Cooley noted that Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) are expected to be discussed at the Fall Town Meeting following work on behalf of the Planning Board related to a provision regarding Site Plan Review. Second: Ms. Frail. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Levy, second: Frail)
Board Discussion
Appoint Oscar Mertz as the Large House Study Group representative to the Tree Preservation Planning Committee for a term to expire on June 30, 2026
The Board vote to appoint Oscar Mertz as the Large House Study Group representative to the Tree Preservation Planning Committee for a term to expire on June 30, 2026.
Yes: Cooley, Dowd, Frail, KeaneNo: Levy
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Cooley that the Board vote to appoint Oscar Mertz as the Large House Study Group representative to the Tree Preservation Planning Committee for a term to expire on June 30, 2026. Second: Ms. Dowd. Approved 4-1, with Mr. Levy opposed..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Dowd)
Adjourn
Adjourn the Select Board Special Meeting of Tuesday, February 11, 2025
The Select Board vote to adjourn the Select Board Special Meeting of Tuesday, February 11, 2025.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Frail that the Select Board vote to adjourn the Select Board Special Meeting of Tuesday, February 11, 2025. Second: Ms. Dowd. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Frail, second: Dowd)
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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