MassVoter.com← Needham Select BoardNeedham Select Board · 2024–2025 Board · Regular meeting
March 25, 2025
9 recorded votes, 4 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Kevin Keane, Heidi Frail, Catherine Reid Dowd, Marianne B. Cooley, Joshua Levy
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Ms. Frail recused herself from this item.
- Ms. Frail rejoined the meeting seat.
Every vote, in order
Babson College Scholarships
Award the Town of Needham Babson Scholarships to the following applicants: 1. Alberto Colon* - Rising Senior, Renewal Recipient 2. Isabella Farese - Admitted Freshman 3. Danielle Friedline* -...
The Select Board votes to award the Town of Needham Babson Scholarships to the following applicants: 1. Alberto Colon* - Rising Senior, Renewal Recipient 2. Isabella Farese - Admitted Freshman 3. Danielle Friedline* - Rising Senior, Renewal Recipient 4. Rebecca Hwang - Admitted Freshman 5. Mark Khudisman - Rising Sophomore, Renewal Recipient 6. Henry London - Part-Time Graduate Student, Babson Alumnus 7. Isabella Reidy - Admitted Freshman *Conditional Pending Application Receipt by Babson
Heidi Frail stepped aside (recused) and did not take part in this vote.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Dowd that the Select Board votes to award the Town of Needham Babson Scholarships to the following applicants: 1. Alberto Colon* - Rising Senior, Renewal Recipient 2. Isabella Farese - Admitted Freshman 3. Danielle Friedline* - Rising Senior, Renewal Recipient 4. Rebecca Hwang - Admitted Freshman 5. Mark Khudisman - Rising Sophomore, Renewal Recipient 6. Henry London - Part-Time Graduate Student, Babson Alumnus 7. Isabella Reidy - Admitted Freshman *Conditional Pending Application Receipt by Babson Second: Ms. Cooley. Unanimously approved 4-0..” (Motion: Dowd, second: Cooley)
Town Manager
Delegate the authority to declare or rescind an emergency non-essential water use restriction as set forth in the General Bylaws 2.2.5.5.2 to the Town Manager in accordance with the Town's Water...
The Select Board delegate the authority to declare or rescind an emergency non-essential water use restriction as set forth in the General Bylaws 2.2.5.5.2 to the Town Manager in accordance with the Town's Water Management Act registration. The Town's compliance with the conditions of the registration will include all exemptions as allowed under the regulation including: irrigation of public parks and recreation fields outside the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM; irrigation to establish replanted or resodded lawn or plantings during the months of May and September; irrigation of newly planted lawns (seeded or sodded) in the current calendar year for homes or businesses newly constructed in the previous twelve months; and filling of privately owned outdoor pools. Discussion: In response to a question from Ms. Cooley, Ms. Fitzpatrick explained that this information would be released to the public using the Town website's active notification feature, the Town newsletter, posting on the website and social media, and alerting media. Mr. Levy stated that he does not see a reason to change the process that is currently in place and has been working for some time. Mr. Keane stated that he would have liked the Board to be able to hold a Zoom meeting in order to make these calls during times of drought, but that does not seem to be an option. He is torn on this item.
Yes: Cooley, Dowd, Frail, KeaneNo: Levy
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Dowd that the Select Board delegate the authority to declare or rescind an emergency non-essential water use restriction as set forth in the General Bylaws 2.2.5.5.2 to the Town Manager in accordance with the Town's Water Management Act registration. The Town's compliance with the conditions of the registration will include all exemptions as allowed under the regulation including: irrigation of public parks and recreation fields outside the hours of 9 AM to 5 PM; irrigation to establish replanted or resodded lawn or plantings during the months of May and September; irrigation of newly planted lawns (seeded or sodded) in the current calendar year for homes or businesses newly constructed in the previous twelve months; and filling of privately owned outdoor pools. Discussion: In response to a question from Ms. Cooley, Ms. Fitzpatrick explained that this information would be released to the public using the Town website's active notification feature, the Town newsletter, posting on the website and social media, and alerting media. Mr. Levy stated that he does not see a reason to change the process that is currently in place and has been working for some time. Mr. Keane stated that he would have liked the Board to be able to hold a Zoom meeting in order to make these calls during times of drought, but that does not seem to be an option. He is torn on this item. Second: Ms. Frail. Approved 4-1, with Mr. Levy voting no..” (Motion: Dowd, second: Frail)
Include the article entitled Amend General By- Laws - Plastic Food And Beverage Serviceware And Single-Use Items in the Special Town Meeting Warrant
Vote to include the article entitled Amend General By- Laws - Plastic Food And Beverage Serviceware And Single-Use Items in the Special Town Meeting Warrant.
Yes: Dowd, Frail, KeaneNo: Cooley, Levy
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Frail to vote to include the article entitled Amend General By- Laws - Plastic Food And Beverage Serviceware And Single-Use Items in the Special Town Meeting Warrant. Second: Ms. Dowd. Approved 3-2, with Mr. Levy and Ms. Cooley against..” (Motion: Frail, second: Dowd)
Not include the article entitled Amend General By-Laws - Black Plastic Kitchenware in the Special Town Meeting Warrant
Vote to not include the article entitled Amend General By-Laws - Black Plastic Kitchenware in the Special Town Meeting Warrant.
Yes: Cooley, LevyNo: Dowd, Frail, Keane
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Levy to vote to not include the article entitled Amend General By-Laws - Black Plastic Kitchenware in the Special Town Meeting Warrant. Second: Ms. Cooley. Failed 2-3, with Ms. Dowd, Mr. Keane, and Ms. Frail against..” (Motion: Levy, second: Cooley)
Close the Warrant for the May 12, 2025 Special Town Meeting, subject to minor technical corrections to be made by the Town Manager, Town Counsel and Bond Counsel
Close the Warrant for the May 12, 2025 Special Town Meeting, subject to minor technical corrections to be made by the Town Manager, Town Counsel and Bond Counsel.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Levy to close the Warrant for the May 12, 2025 Special Town Meeting, subject to minor technical corrections to be made by the Town Manager, Town Counsel and Bond Counsel. Second: Ms. Frail. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Levy, second: Frail)
Authorize the Town Manager to remove Article 35: Appropriate for Quiet Zone Construction from the 2025 Annual Town Meeting Warrant, if the Quiet Zone Committee so votes
Authorize the Town Manager to remove Article 35: Appropriate for Quiet Zone Construction from the 2025 Annual Town Meeting Warrant, if the Quiet Zone Committee so votes.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Cooley to authorize the Town Manager to remove Article 35: Appropriate for Quiet Zone Construction from the 2025 Annual Town Meeting Warrant, if the Quiet Zone Committee so votes. Second: Ms. Dowd. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Dowd)
Approve the final 2025 Annual Town Meeting Warrant, subject to technical corrections to be made by the Town Manager, Town Counsel, and/or Bond Counsel
Vote to approve the final 2025 Annual Town Meeting Warrant, subject to technical corrections to be made by the Town Manager, Town Counsel, and/or Bond Counsel.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Dowd to vote to approve the final 2025 Annual Town Meeting Warrant, subject to technical corrections to be made by the Town Manager, Town Counsel, and/or Bond Counsel. Second: Ms. Frail. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Dowd, second: Frail)
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. Dowd. Unanimously approved 5-0..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Dowd)
Adjourn
Adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m
Adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Frail to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 p.m. 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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