|  | News from the Town of Needham |  | Good morning, Needham! Town Meeting Members nearly wrapped up the 2022 Annual Town Meeting last evening. Debate will continue Monday night as members consider the Special Town Meeting articles. Special Town Meeting is called for Monday, May 9th at 7:30 pm in Powers Hall in Town Hall. While non-Town Meeting Members are welcome to attend, you can also watch the proceedings via The Needham Channel. May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Needham Youth and Family Services is available to support individuals and families who need help with mental health challenges. Please reach out via email or call 781-898-5132 to connect with someone who can help. In addition, the department is offering programs this month to help families successfully manage certain issues. They’re teaming up with the Lighthouse Initiative to offer parent support and education groups to those looking to connect with others around issues their children are facing, including eating disorders, self-harm, LGBTQ identity and more. These groups are open to residents and non-residents of Needham. They’re also hosting a Meditative Marbling event for teens. Learn more and register here. | | Download Free New Town of Needham Mobile App | | The Town’s new mobile app is now live and available to download for free.The app provides instant access to the Town calendar, Town news, online bill pay, jobs and more. The app is available in both the Apple iOS App Store and through Google Play for Android. You can find it there by entering “Needham." If you had the previous version of the Needham mobile app on your device, just update the app in your app store to get the new version. |
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| | “Connections: Cops & Community” Event Set for May 17th | The second session of the 3-part discussion series “Connections: Cops & Community” will take place Tuesday, May 17th at 7 pm in Powers Hall at Town Hall. The event, “Exploring the Role and Impact of School Resource Officers,” focuses on youth and police interactions, with a particular focus on School Resource Officers. Participants will hear from UMass Boston McCormack Graduate School Professor Mark Warren about the history of School Resource Officers, how their roles have evolved over time and current data on outcomes and racial impacts. Needham School Resource Officer RJ Poirier will share an overview of his role in Needham and the Needham Police Department’s philosophy, partnerships, and approach to working with youth. This will be followed by small break-out groups for discussion and reflection. The session will be moderated by Chad Williams, the Samuel J. and Augusta Spector Professor of History and African and African American Studies at Brandeis University. *** Registration for these events is not required, although it is helpful to help staff determine logistics. You may use the registration button below. If you plan to participate via Zoom, you must register to receive the Zoom link.*** | |
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| | Needham Public Health Offering Free Narcan Training Course Monday, May 16th Needham Public Health is offering an in-person naloxone (Narcan) training course on Monday, May 16th at 6:30 pm. This 30-minute class will teach when and how to use naloxone, and attendees will receive a carton of Narcan to take home. Registration is first-come, first-serve. If demand is higher than class capacity, we will add names to a wait list. If you are interested in a future Narcan class, please email publichealthnursing@needhamma.gov for more information. | | | DPW Hosting Paper Shredding, Paint Drop-Off Events | | Needham’s Recycling and Solid Waste Division will host a paper shredding event at the Jack Cogswell building next to the Recycling and Transfer Station (RTS) Saturday, May 14th from 9 am to 1 pm. Residents may bring up to five copy paper box-sized containers of material to shred. The RTS will also host the next Paint Collection Day Saturday, May 21st at the RTS from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Swap Shop is closed on Paint Collection Days. | |
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| | Bulfinch Invites Community to 557 Highland PresentationThe Bulfinch Companies’ affiliate 557 Highland, LLC, will host two community Zoom meetings this month to share information about their proposed redevelopment of the Muzi site, which the company purchased in December 2021. At the 2021 Annual Town Meeting, Town Meeting approved rezoning the parcel to allow for new uses. Bulfinch is proposing a combination of uses such as office, research and development and life science with a small amount of ancillary retail space. Bulfinch has applied to the Needham Planning Board for a Special Permit for the project, to be known as the Needham Innovation Center. Bulfinch is also proposing significant roadway improvements to improve traffic flow and safety in the area and public amenities including a pickleball court, jogging/walking path for the public, open space, and a water feature at the entrance to Gould Street along Highland Avenue. Additional information about the proposed development can be found at http://557highland.com. There will be two Zoom informational meetings on Thursday, May 12 and Thursday, May 19 at 7:30 PM. Zoom Info: Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/97872407637?pwd=dGlHTERDNUVrSXh3USt1YWQrWVFOUT09 Meeting ID: 978 7240 7637
Passcode: 248004
To join by phone:
+1 646 558 8656 US Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/adzutps0pG Members of the community can also learn more about the project as it proceeds through the Special Permit process by visiting the Planning Department’s dedicated webpage. You can also sign up for notifications about the project from the Town. | | Needham Open Studios is Back May 14th and 15th | After being postponed in 2020, Needham Open Studios (“NOS”) is back. On May 14th and May 15th more than 50 local Needham artists will showcase their art in 12 group and home studio locations across Needham. The artists will display works such as jewelry, paintings, textiles, wood carvings, and more. Some artists will also be providing live demonstrations for the public. The NOS Spring Event will be held on Saturday, May 14 and Sunday, May 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check out the NOS webpage for more info. |
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| | Save the Date - May 14th - Needham Spring Sidewalk Stroll |  | Spring is in full bloom in Needham! Celebrate with a stroll through Needham Center, Needham Heights and other corners of Town on Saturday, May 14th (Rain date May 21st) for the Needham Sidewalk Stroll. This inaugural celebration will showcase the many local brick and mortar businesses that Needham has to offer. There’ll be special promotions, live music, and some activities throughout the day. Check out the websites of the participating merchants and restaurants to see what they have planned. Visit the Charles River Chamber of Commerce’s website for more information. | | Needham Community Education Summer Adult Program Registration Now Open Needham Community Education (NCE) brings you opportunities to engage your mind, embrace your creativity, activate your body, satisfy your curiosity and enjoy new experiences…all while connecting with others (virtually or in person). The Summer 2022 NCE Adult Programs catalog is now available on the NCE website. The summer classes are uniquely suited for the season. In this catalog, you will find programs that get you outside, allow for a leisurely way to pass a summer day, make use of summer’s bounty, expose you to new areas in our region, give you the opportunity to indulge in an activity you love or to try something new while you have more free time. NCE programs are open to all, so ask a friend or family member to join you. Register online at or by phone with NCE, 781-455-0400 x5. If you have questions or need assistance registering, please email NCE Program Director, Amy Goldman or call 781-455-0400 x11214. | | | Townwide Clean-Up Nets 1,460 Pounds of Trash Thank you to everyone who participated in last week’s Townwide Cleanup hosted by Needham Park and Recreation and Needham Public Works! Thanks to your efforts, 1,460 pounds of trash were picked up and deposited at the Recycling and Transfer Station. Thank you for helping to keep Needham clean and beautiful! | | | CALENDAR OF PUBLIC MEETINGS & EVENTS***Meetings are linked to the relevant agenda***Monday, May 9, 2022 Local Emergency Planning Committee, 11 am, Emergency Operations Center, Public Safety Building, 88 Chestnut Street
Subcommittee of the School Committee on Negotiations, 3:30 pm, School Administration Building
Select Board Special Meeting, 6:45 pm, Select Board Chambers
Special Town Meeting, 7:30 pm, Powers Hall, Town Hall Wednesday, May 11, 2022 Needham Youth and Family Services, 5:30 pm, Center at the Heights Thursday, May 12, 2022 Subcommittee of the School Committee on Negotiations, 3:30 pm, School Administration Building
Taxation Aid Committee/Property Tax Assistance Committee, 6 pm, Great Plain Room, Town Hall Events shown as listed on the Town calendar as of 5/5/22. Don't forget to check out the Needham Meeting and Events calendar for updated information. You can also sign up to receive meeting notices and agendas on the Town’s “Notify Me” page. | | Did someone send you this newsletter? Subscribe directly using this sign-up link! We want to hear from you! Send questions or comments to Public Information Officer Cyndi Roy Gonzalez at croygonzalez@needhamma.gov or fill out this 1-question survey. If you’re inclined, forward this on and urge others to subscribe. Happy reading! | | Town of Needham
1471 Highland Ave.
Needham, MA 02492
781-455-7500
www.needhamma.gov | |
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