MassVoter.com← Needham Select BoardNeedham Select Board · 2025–2026 Board · Regular meeting
June 10, 2025
9 recorded votes, 2 with disagreement.
Sources: Official minutes (PDF) · Agenda
A monthly email on what it voted on, starting in November.
Attendance
Present: Heidi Frail, Catherine Reid Dowd, Joshua Levy, Marianne B. Cooley, Kevin Keane
Absent: None
During the meeting:
- Vice Chair Cathy Dowd joined via Zoom.
Every vote, in order
Joint Meeting: Select Board and School Committee - Executive Session
Enter into Executive Session pursuant to Exception 4: To discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices, and strategies with respect thereto; with said executive session to include the...
The Select Board vote to enter into Executive Session pursuant to Exception 4: To discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices, and strategies with respect thereto; with said executive session to include the School Committee and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Finance Committee, and with the Board to return to open session at the conclusion of the executive session.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Keane that the Select Board vote to enter into Executive Session pursuant to Exception 4: To discuss the deployment of security personnel or devices, and strategies with respect thereto; with said executive session to include the School Committee and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Finance Committee, and with the Board to return to open session at the conclusion of the executive session. Second: Ms. Cooley. Unanimously approved 5-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Keane, second: Cooley)
Appointment Calendar and Consent Agenda
Approve the Appointment Calendar and Consent Agenda with the exception of Item 8. Mr. Levy asked to remove Item 8 from the Consent Agenda given that there is an additional request that the...
The Board vote to approve the Appointment Calendar and Consent Agenda with the exception of Item 8. Mr. Levy asked to remove Item 8 from the Consent Agenda given that there is an additional request that the individual would like to make at the same time. David Davison explained that the individual who filed for an abatement also requested further discussions regarding an unintentional use of water.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Cooley that the Board vote to approve the Appointment Calendar and Consent Agenda with the exception of Item 8. Mr. Levy asked to remove Item 8 from the Consent Agenda given that there is an additional request that the individual would like to make at the same time. David Davison explained that the individual who filed for an abatement also requested further discussions regarding an unintentional use of water. Second: Mr. Keane. Ms. Cooley noted that she hopes the work of the NUARI Working Group continues despite following its dissolution. Mr. Levy noted the presence of Sheila Selby in the audience who is being appointed to Needham Council for Arts and Culture. Unanimously approved 5-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Keane)
2025 Juneteenth Proclamation
Approve and sign the 2025 Juneteenth Proclamation
The Board vote to approve and sign the 2025 Juneteenth Proclamation.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Cooley that the Board vote to approve and sign the 2025 Juneteenth Proclamation. Second: Mr. Levy. Unanimously approved 5-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Levy)
Public Hearing: Eversource Grant of Location - 77 Oxbow Road
Approve and sign a petition from Eversource Energy to install approximately 9 feet of conduit in Oxbow Road
The Board vote to approve and sign a petition from Eversource Energy to install approximately 9 feet of conduit in Oxbow Road.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Keane that the Board vote to approve and sign a petition from Eversource Energy to install approximately 9 feet of conduit in Oxbow Road. Second: Ms. Cooley. Unanimously approved 5-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Keane, second: Cooley)
Joint Meeting: Select Board and Needham Housing Authority Board of
Appoint Amanda Berman to the Needham Housing Authority Board of Commissioners until the next Town Election (joint vote with the Housing Authority board)
The Select Board and Needham Housing Authority Board of Commissioners vote to appoint Amanda Berman to the Needham Housing Authority Board of Commissioners until the next Town Election.
Yes: Cooley, Dowd, Frail, KeaneNo: LevyA joint vote of the Select Board and the Needham Housing Authority Board of Commissioners ("Approved 7-1 by roll call vote of both Boards"). Shown here are the five Select Board members' votes from the roll call. The seconder, Ms. Bennett, is a Housing Authority commissioner.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Keane that the Select Board and Needham Housing Authority Board of Commissioners vote to appoint Amanda Berman to the Needham Housing Authority Board of Commissioners until the next Town Election. Second: Ms. Bennett. Discussion continued regarding Ms. Berman's specific skills that are advantageous in this role. Board members also weighed the advantages and drawbacks of appointing individuals who are already serving on Town committees compared with new individuals. Mr. Flanagan expressed his support for Ms. Berman given the most urgent work ahead of the NHA Board of Commissioners at the moment. Approved 7-1 by roll call vote of both Boards: Ms. Dowd - Yes Ms. Cooley - Yes Mr. Levy - No Mr. Keane - Yes Ms. Frail - Yes Mr. Foster - Yes Mr. Flanagan - Yes.” (Motion: Keane)
Town Manager
Rescind special municipal employee designation for the following municipal employees, and for all those holding positions on the following Town entities: a. Housing Needham (HONE) Advisory Group...
The Board vote: 1. To rescind special municipal employee designation for the following municipal employees, and for all those holding positions on the following Town entities: a. Housing Needham (HONE) Advisory Group b. Needham United Against Racism Initiative (NUARI) Working Group c. Representative to the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee d. Town Manager Screening Committee 2. 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.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Cooley that the Board vote: 1. To rescind special municipal employee designation for the following municipal employees, and for all those holding positions on the following Town entities: a. Housing Needham (HONE) Advisory Group b. Needham United Against Racism Initiative (NUARI) Working Group c. Representative to the Regional Transportation Advisory Committee d. Town Manager Screening Committee 2. 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: Mr. Levy. Unanimously approved 5-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Levy)
Board Discussion
Adopt Items 2, 3, and 4 as specified in the Agenda Packet
The Board vote to adopt Items 2, 3, and 4 as specified in the Agenda Packet.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Cooley that the Board vote to adopt Items 2, 3, and 4 as specified in the Agenda Packet. Second: Mr. Keane. Ms. Dowd expressed her support for Item 1 but recognized the importance of consensus and emphasized her commitment to keeping an open mind despite the possibility of receiving grant funding. Unanimously approved 5-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Keane)
Adopt the revised Envision Needham Center Working Group Charge and Composition as presented in the Agenda Packet
The Board vote to adopt the revised Envision Needham Center Working Group Charge and Composition as presented in the Agenda Packet.
The minutes give only the count (3-2), not how each member voted.
From the minutes
“Motion by Mr. Levy that the Board vote to adopt the revised Envision Needham Center Working Group Charge and Composition as presented in the Agenda Packet. Second: Ms. Dowd. Approved 3-2..” (Motion: Levy, second: Dowd)
Adjourn
Adjourn the Select Board Meeting of Tuesday, June 10, 2025
The Board vote to adjourn the Select Board Meeting of Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
From the minutes
“Motion by Ms. Cooley that the Board vote to adjourn the Select Board Meeting of Tuesday, June 10, 2025. Second: Mr. Levy. Unanimously approved 5-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Levy)
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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