Lakshmi Balachandra

“Motion by Mr. Matthews that the Select Board vote to approve and authorize the Chair to sign a license for Eastern Propane & Oil to install (2) 1,000-gallon above ground fuel tanks on the property located at 1554 Central Avenue, Needham. Second: Ms. Cooley. Approved 3-1 by roll call vote. Ms. Balachandra voted no..” (Motion: Matthews, second: Cooley)

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

“Motion by Mr. Matthews that the Select Board vote to designate the position of Trustee of the Affordable Housing Trust as a special municipal employee pursuant to General Laws Chapter 268A. Second: Ms. Cooley. Approved 4-1 by roll call vote. Ms. Balachandra voted no..” (Motion: Matthews, second: Cooley)

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

“Motion by Ms. Balachandra that the Select Board vote to not have any special municipal employee designation for those who serve on boards and committees. Second: Mr. Nelson. Mr. Nelson suggested a Code of Conduct be enacted in order to continue having special municipal designations. Mr. Borrelli said a goal of the Select Board is to have a Code of Conduct manual, agreeing with Mr. Nelson that the time is now, especially as there is member turnover. He said the current list of designees would be under the impression the designation would continue, noting to remove a designation without a public hearing and further discussion would be completely unfair. Ms. Cooley noted Ms. Balachandra's motion is challenging in many ways. She said all municipal employees are required to comply with the state ethics law. She said there is value in having the designation, but more clarity on a Code of Conduct is necessary. She said the reason for the designation is so people can do the work to assist the town on boards and committees and to live their life in Town. Discussion continued on the role of special and regular municipal employees, their volunteer service in town, and conflict of interest laws. Mr. Matthews commented eliminating the entire list will affect the lives of hundreds of people who work in Needham. He said a posted public hearing should be held to inform the public of what has been proposed and so everyone can be heard and make an informed community decision. He said he will vote no on Ms. Balachandra's motion. Ms. Balachandra said she is very familiar with conflict-of-interest laws, noting many emails have been received and is one of the reasons to think about eliminating the special designation because of ethics concerns before the Select Board. She said it is affecting the lives of many citizen's, but you can do business with the Town, but you don't have to serve on the Board at the same time. She said there must be a clear delineation between business and service. Ms. Balachandra said the integrity of the conversation with a biased perspective leading the discussion and vote is not appropriate and a slippery slope. She concluded saying there is no need to serve on a board if you would like to do business with the Town. Mr. Borrelli cautioned Ms. Balachandra on the difference between a violation and an accusation, and anyone can discuss any question of ethics with Town Counsel. Mr. Borrelli called for the vote. Motion failed 1-4 by roll call vote. Mr. Nelson, Ms. Cooley, Mr. Matthews, and Mr. Borrelli voted no..” (Motion: Balachandra, second: Nelson)

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

“Motion by Ms. Cooley that the Select Board vote to approve Motions 2-6 as follows: 2. That the Board vote to designate the position of member of the Council of Economic Advisors as special municipal employee pursuant to General Laws Chapter 268A. 3. That the Board vote to designate the position of member of the Needham Council for Arts & Culture as special municipal employee pursuant to General Laws Chapter 268A. 4. That the Board vote to designate the position of member of the Needham Unite Against Racism Working Group as special municipal employee pursuant to General Laws Chapter 268A. 5. That the Board vote to designate the position of member of the Rail Trail Advisory Committee as special municipal employee pursuant to General Laws Chapter 268A. 6. That the Board vote to rescind special municipal employee designation for the following municipal employees, and for all those holding positions on the following Town entities: Accessory Study Committee Auxiliary Police Officer Cable Television Advisory Board Economic Development Advisory Committee Emergency Management Volunteer Facility Working Group Field Study Committee Fire Staffing Study Committee Insurance Advisory Committee Joint Regional Transportation Committee Representative Korean War semicentennial Memorial Committee Local Building Code Appeals Board Local Emergency Planning Committee-Executive Committee MWRA Advisory Board Alternate Member New England Business Center Advisory Council Norfolk County Advisory Board Alternative Representative Open Space Recreation Plan Advisory Committee Permitting By-laws, Regulations and Policies Committee Planned Production Task Force Property Tax Relief Study Committee Special Police Officer Stephen Palmer Future Planning Committee Stephen Palmer Rent Review/Tenant Committee Substitute Building Inspector Substitute Plumbing Inspector Substitute Wiring Inspector Town Hall Display Committee Trustee School Trust Fund Youth Center Committee Second: Mr. Matthews. Approved 4-1 by roll call vote. Ms. Balachandra voted no..” (Motion: Cooley, second: Matthews)

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

“Motion by Mr. Matthews that the Select Board vote 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: Ms. Cooley. Approved 3-1-1 by roll call vote. Ms. Balachandra voted no. Mr. Borrelli abstained..” (Motion: Matthews, second: Cooley)

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

“Motion by Ms. Balachandra that the Select Board vote to engage a consultant to review our policing policies and help rewrite operations guidelines, including de-escalation matters and complaint/IA processes, required bias reviews etc. Second: Mr. Nelson. Motion failed 2-3 by roll call vote. Mr. Matthews, Ms. Cooley, and Mr. Borrelli voted no..” (Motion: Balachandra, second: Nelson)

Read it in the official minutes, page 14 (PDF)

“Motion by Ms. Balachandra that this meeting be continued to the Select Board's next scheduled meeting on Tuesday, June 8, 2021, if a technical problem develops that makes it impossible for the Select Board to conduct the meeting in this format. Second: Mr. Nelson. Unanimously approved 4-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Balachandra, second: Nelson)

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

“Motion by Mr. Matthews in recognition of over 45 years of service to the Town of Needham, including 28 years as a Town Meeting Member, 9 years as a School Committee member, and 29 years as a member of the Historical Commission, serving as chair for 14 years. The Town thanks you for your many years of dedication, commitment, and contributions to Needham. Congratulations! Second: Mr. Nelson. Unanimously approved 4-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Matthews, second: Nelson)

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

“Motion by Ms. Balachandra that June, 2021 be declared Pride Month in the Town of Needham and that all residents be encouraged to recognize and acknowledge the contributions of the LGBTQIA+ members of our community as we continue to advance the principles of liberty, equality and inclusivity for all. Second: Mr. Matthews. Unanimously approved 5-0 by roll call vote..” (Motion: Balachandra, second: Matthews)

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

“Motion by Ms. Balachandra that the Select Board vote to approve the application for a new All Alcohol Retail Package Store License under the Town of Needham Rules and Regulations Applicable to Package Stores for Gordon's Fine Wines of Needham, Inc., d/b/a Gordon's Fine Wine David Gordon, Manager. If approved, vote to forward the approved Alcohol License application to the ABCC for its review and final approval. Second: Mr. Nelson. Approved 4-1. Mr. Borrelli voted nay..” (Motion: Balachandra, second: Nelson)

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