Catherine Reid Dowd

“Motion by Ms. Dowd that the Board vote to appoint Katie King as Town Manager effective July 5, 2025 subject to successful negotiation of an employment contract; and further to appoint the Chair and Vice Chair as a subcommittee to work with Town Counsel to conduct contract negotiations with Katie King. The final terms of employment shall be approved by the Board. Second: Ms. Cooley. Discussion: There was discussion regarding the timeline for negotiations and allowing the existing team to stay on through the negotiation period. It was agreed that the Chair and Vice Chair for the negotiations subcommittee would be Mr. Keane and Ms. Frail. Approved 4-1 with Mr. Levy against..” (Motion: Dowd, second: Cooley)

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

“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)

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

“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)

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

“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)

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

“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)

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

“Motion by Ms. Dowd that the Board vote to approve the Appointment Calendar and Consent Agenda. Second: Mr. Levy. Unanimously approved 3-0..” (Motion: Dowd, second: Levy)

Read it in the official minutes, page 4 (PDF)

“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)

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

“Motion by Ms. Dowd that the Board vote to support the "yes" position on the ballot question and the ratification of the zoning adopted under Articles 8 and 9, including amendments in Articles 10 and 11, of the October 21, 2024 Special Town Meeting. Second: Ms. Frail. Approved 4-1, with Mr. Levy against..” (Motion: Dowd, second: Frail)

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

“Motion by Ms. Dowd that the Board vote to support the Local Initiative Program application for the six-unit development at 339 Chestnut Street. Second: Ms. Cooley. Approved 4-1 with Mr. Levy against..” (Motion: Dowd, second: Cooley)

Read it in the official minutes, page 5 (PDF)

“Motion: Ms. Frail moved that the Board vote to support the motion to amend Article 8 (the "Mulno Amendment"). Second: Mr. Levy. Ms. Frail and Mr. Levy voting in the affirmative and Mr. Keane. Ms. Dowd, and Ms. Cooley voting in the negative, the motion failed to carry..” (Motion: Frail, second: Levy)

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