The Needham Observer

11/12/2023

Local holiday traditions are lighting up Needham:

by Jeanne Hopkins - Local holiday traditions are lighting up Needham. On Saturday hundreds of residents gathered at the Town Common for the annual Blue Tree lighting. Performances by the Needham High School chorale and Olin College Fire Arts Club, and hot chocolate courtesy of Dunkin’ and the Char...

06/12/2023

For more than 30 years, Toys for Tots has been collecting gifts for children in need. This year, the Needham Police decided to participate in the toy drive for the first time.

Officers Joe Brienze and Danny Conner are running the effort around town and at the station. “We were able to obtain 10-plus donation boxes, and we empty them constantly,” said Brienze. The boxes have been spread around Needham at Sunita Williams Elementary School, Mitchell Elementary School, Eliot Elementary School, Pollard Middle School, and St. Joseph School as well as at the police station.

by Lizzie Idelson - For more than 30 years, Toys for Tots has been collecting gifts for children in need. This year, the Needham Police decided to participate in the toy drive for the first time. Officers Joe Brienze and Danny Conner are running the effort around town and at the station. “We were ...

05/12/2023

Needham has become the latest community to consider whether a holiday that celebrates Christopher Columbus is good public policy.

The Select Board dedicated 25 minutes of its meeting this week to a public hearing on a proposal for three possible courses of action on the holiday: to continue to observe the second Monday in October as Columbus Day; to replace it with Indigenous People’s Day; to recognize that date as Indigenous People’s Day and also establish a celebration of Italian American Heritage Day (or Month).

For more:

by Peter O'Neil - Needham has become the latest community to consider whether a holiday that celebrates Christopher Columbus is good public policy. The Select Board dedicated 25 minutes of its meeting this week to a public hearing on a proposal for three possible courses of action on the holiday: to...

04/12/2023

How Needham deals with trees has been at the root of many discussions in recent years. Everyone loves them — but not necessarily on their property or if they affect construction they wish to do. Many residents want to protect them at all cost, others want the right to raze anything on privately owned land. And with the most recent and ever more frequent flooding, what does a lack of trees mean for homeowners?

Find out at:

by Frederica Saylor Lalonde - How Needham deals with trees has been at the root of many discussions in recent years. Everyone loves them — but not necessarily on their property or if they affect construction they wish to do. Many residents want to protect them at all cost, others want the right to...

03/12/2023

Boards & Briefs
November 30, 2023

Select Board approves tiered rates for trash haulers

https://needhamobserver.com/boards-briefs/?utm_medium=email

02/12/2023

The operation and success of Needham restaurant blue on highland is a true family affair. Owner Scott Drago, his wife, three kids and his parents are all involved. But it’s his 83-year-old mother, Barbara, who is the genius behind the restaurant’s now famous coconut cake.

Find out more at:

by Linda Polach - The operation and success of Needham restaurant blue on highland is a true family affair. Owner Scott Drago, his wife, three kids and his parents are all involved. But it’s his 83-year-old mother, Barbara, who is the genius behind the restaurant’s now famous coconut cake. “My...

01/12/2023

Story by Needham High School junior Josh Rosenberg:

by Josh Rosenberg - On Thanksgiving morning, with low temps and high spirits, Needham brought home a 21-7 victory over Wellesley in the 136th annual Needham-Wellesley Turkey Day football game. Coming off their defeat in the state semifinals the week before, the Rockets bounced back with their first....

28/11/2023

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27/11/2023

Preliminary work has begun on the construction of a long-planned day care facility at 1688 Central Ave. at the same time the building permit for the project is being challenged by a group of abutters.

by Peter O'Neil - Preliminary work has begun on the construction of a long-planned day care facility at 1688 Central Ave. at the same time the building permit for the project is being challenged by a group of abutters. The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) heard nearly three hours of testimony last week...

26/11/2023

Strong postseason runs ended in disappointment late last week for two Needham High teams.

by Bob Clark - Strong postseason runs ended in disappointment late last week for two Needham High teams. For the second year in a row, the boys’ soccer team fell short in the final of the state Division 1 tournament, losing to unbeaten top-seed Concord-Carlisle 2-0. It was the first time in eight ...

25/11/2023

As a general rule, gatherings designed for a discussion of zoning don’t require large venues. This is true even though nearly every square foot of real estate in the United States is regulated through land use regulations and zoning laws.

When a generational piece of legislation such as the MBTA Communities law is passed, however, zoning and its various terms of art become central to the public dialogue.

More:

by Peter O'Neil - As a general rule, gatherings designed for a discussion of zoning don’t require large venues. This is true even though nearly every square foot of real estate in the United States is regulated through land use regulations and zoning laws. When a generational piece of legislation ...

24/11/2023

A water main break along William Street caused temporary flooding late Sunday night and a loss of water service for approximately five hours before DPW crews were able to repair the pipe and restore service early Monday.

by Peter O'Neil - A water main break along William Street caused temporary flooding late Sunday night and a loss of water service for approximately five hours before DPW crews were able to repair the pipe and restore service early Monday. Carys Lustig, director of the Department of Public Works (DPW...

24/11/2023

Boards & Briefs
November 23, 2023

- Select Board to hold hearing on Columbus Day alternatives
- Housing, housing and more housing

23/11/2023

They’ve become a more common sight in our backyards or strutting across the street with their young ones, called poults. It’s not because there are more of them, said Needham Animal Control Officer David Parsons, but because once again they are losing their habitat. “It’s not that they’re increasing, it’s just that their space is decreasing, so we see more of them,” he said.

by Jeanne Hopkins - “A bird of courage” is what Benjamin Franklin called the turkey, though somewhat facetiously. He was suggesting it was a better choice for our national bird than the bald eagle, which he called “a bird of bad moral character.” By comparison, he said, “the turkey is … ...

23/11/2023

Go Rockets! 🚀

It’s America’s oldest public high school football rivalry – Needham vs. Wellesley. They’ll meet for the 135th time Thanksgiving morning, this time in Wellesley, whose Red Raiders lead the series 65-60 with nine ties, and have won the last three Turkey Day games.

Needham’s Rockets, 9-2 on the season, are coming off last week’s disappointing 20-17 loss to Xaverian in the semifinals of the Division 1 state tournament. So for seniors, Thanksgiving Day is the last time they’ll take the field together.

Plus:
- Girls best Wellesley in Powderpuff for third straight year
- Football rivals huddle for dinner

by Needham Observer - It’s America’s oldest public high school football rivalry – Needham vs. Wellesley. They’ll meet for the 135th time Thanksgiving morning, this time in Wellesley, whose Red Raiders lead the series 65-60 with nine ties, and have won the last three Turkey Day games.

22/11/2023

Leaf season in Needham means lovely colors, crisp air — and the endless roar of leaf blowers. Across the U.S., gas-powered leaf blowers have become a local concern for their noise and air-polluting emissions, but an affluent community of single-family homes like Needham is a magnet for landscape companies. With the number of landscapers at work in town each day, it’s no wonder a springtime Facebook post on the subject drew more than 80 comments.

More:

by Seth Bauer - Leaf season in Needham means lovely colors, crisp air — and the endless roar of leaf blowers. Across the U.S., gas-powered leaf blowers have become a local concern for their noise and air-polluting emissions, but an affluent community of single-family homes like Needham is a magnet...

21/11/2023

Two of the three structures that sat at 1688 Central Ave. were razed last week, but Needham Enterprises still faces yet another obstacle along the gauntlet it has been running for two years to gain approval to build a daycare center at that site. At tonight’s Zoning Board of Appeals meeting, the project will face legal pushback by abutters who have opposed the project from its conception.

More:

by Peter O'Neil - Two of the three structures that sat at 1688 Central Ave. were razed last week, but Needham Enterprises still faces yet another obstacle along the gauntlet it has been running for two years to gain approval to build a daycare center at that site. At tonight’s Zoning Board of Appe...

20/11/2023

The Needham girls’ swim and dive team is celebrating its first Division 1 state championship. First-year Coach Kate Curtin’s Rockets amassed 335 points at last weekend’s state meet at MIT to 277.5 for runner-up Acton-Boxboro, which was seeking its third straight title. They especially excelled in the relays, with Lucy Mackey, Becky Hwang, Julia Shulman and Ella Bobocea winning the 200-yard freestyle, and the team of Mackey, Shulman, Bobocea and Chloe Wukitch finishing first (and breaking the school record) in the 400-yard freestyle.

More:

by Bob Clark - The Needham girls’ swim and dive team is celebrating its first Division 1 state championship. First-year Coach Kate Curtin’s Rockets amassed 335 points at last weekend’s state meet at MIT to 277.5 for runner-up Acton-Boxboro, which was seeking its third straight title. They espe...

19/11/2023

Tucked up the hill from the North Hill retirement community, the Charles River Center (CRC) lies on the storied parcel of Needham called East Militia Heights. The Paul D. Merritt Center is the central location for a program that oversees 28 group homes throughout the MetroWest area and offers a wide range of services for 400 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and for people on the autism spectrum.

Earlier this year, the center acquired 3.5 acres adjacent to its main campus. The parcel contained 13 single-story homes that have since been demolished in preparation for new construction. A small playground at the far end of the property and the short driveways of the homes are all that remain of this neighborhood that once housed army personnel and their families.

Full story:

by Bob Baker - Tucked up the hill from the North Hill retirement community, the Charles River Center (CRC) lies on the storied parcel of Needham called East Militia Heights. The Paul D. Merritt Center is the central location for a program that oversees 28 group homes throughout the MetroWest area an...

18/11/2023

After 21 years of teaching kindergarten students at Broadmeadow Elementary School, Monica Staley will be retiring at the end of this school year.

Staley didn’t always know she wanted to be a teacher. It wasn’t until her own children were going through school that she was inspired to go back herself. She was in her 40s when, taking one class at a time at night for five years, she earned her master’s degree in education. Since 2002, Staley has taught hundreds of 5- and 6-year-olds and has interacted with their families. Her memory for faces and names is remarkable, and is testament to her deep involvement with her students. This year she is teaching her final class.

by Ginger Newcombe - After 21 years of teaching kindergarten students at Broadmeadow Elementary School, Monica Staley will be retiring at the end of this school year. Staley didn’t always know she wanted to be a teacher. It wasn’t until her own children were going through school that she was ins...

17/11/2023

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15/11/2023

FROM THE ARCHIVES: The DeFazio Park parking lot is dusty and dangerous. Why can’t the town just pave it?

To pave or not to pave, that is the question on the minds of residents who navigate the parking lot at DeFazio. Cars driving on the gravel surface kick up huge dust clouds that are inhaled by those who use the track or the athletic fields and drift toward the nearby tot playground.

Regi, a Needham resident of 38 years, brings her medically compromised husband to the track regularly to walk. “Dust is a big problem, especially in the summer when it’s so dry,” she said.

Get the full story:

by Linda Polach - The DeFazio Park parking lot is dusty and dangerous. Why can’t the town just pave it? To pave or not to pave, that is the question on the minds of residents who navigate the parking lot at DeFazio. Cars driving on the gravel surface kick up huge dust clouds that are inhaled by th...

14/11/2023

Under the lights at Memorial Park, more than 100 Needham flag football players gathered to compete for the Dave DiCicco Championship Trophy on Nov. 6. Teams of students from second to eighth grades faced each other for the final games of the eight-week season.

Over the past six years, the Needham program has seen exponential growth, from 280 athletes in the first year to more than 600 registered this fall. Flag football gained popularity around the world — it will be an Olympic event in 2028 — as parents wanted to delay contact sports for their children because of the risk of traumatic head injury.

Story continues:

by Frederica Saylor Lalonde - Under the lights at Memorial Park, more than 100 Needham flag football players gathered to compete for the Dave DiCicco Championship Trophy on Nov. 6. Teams of students from second to eighth grades faced each other for the final games of the eight-week season. Over the....

13/11/2023

Four veteran leaders from the Needham Public Schools joined 10 other Massachusetts educators on a recent educational tour of Finland and Estonia. Over one week, Mitchell School principal Greg Bayse, Newman School assistant principal and president of the Needham Education Association Caren Firger, assistant superintendent for student support Mary Lammi, and Needham High principal Aaron Sicotte looked at how schools perform in the context of different societies, curricula and practices. They returned with a reinvigorated appreciation for the progress Needham schools are making.

Read the full story:

by Jim Flanagan - Four veteran leaders from the Needham Public Schools joined 10 other Massachusetts educators on a recent educational tour of Finland and Estonia. Over one week, Mitchell School principal Greg Bayse, Newman School assistant principal and president of the Needham Education Associatio...

12/11/2023

Needham Police Blotter

10/30/2023 to 11/05/2023

- On 10/30/23 at approximately 12:00 PM an Officer took a walk-in report from a Hunnewell Street resident regarding theft from a checking account. The matter is still under investigation.

- On 10/30/23 at approximately 1:30 PM an Officer took a report of suspicious texts. The incident is under investigation.

- On 10/31/23 at approximately 3:30 PM an Officer responded to an Oak Hill Road address for a report of a property damage accident. A plan to fix the damage was facilitated.

- On 10/31/23 at approximately 2:43 PM an Officer was dispatched to the area of Highland Ave near Cottage Rd for the report of a trailer that was struck, and the vehicle fled the scene. A search found the vehicle in a nearby parking lot and after a short search the operator was located. The operator, a 68-year-old Florida resident will be summoned to court for leaving the scene of a property damage accident.

- On 11/1/23 at approximately 8:38 AM an Officer responded to a MORTON ST for a report of a past larceny of a check. The reporting party stated that he had placed a check into the outdoor mailbox of the Heights post office where it was subsequently stolen, washed, and cashed. The matter is under investigation.

- On 11/1/23 at approximately 11:30 AM Officers were dispatched to a Broadmeadow Rd address for the report of a suspicious party taking photos. This party was spoken to, and the incident was documented.

- On 11/1/23 at approximately 11:54 AM an Officer responded to a Central Avenue address for an ongoing noise complaint. The issue is being worked out.

- On 11/1/23 at approximately 12:59 PM an employee of a 1st Ave business reported a suspicious patron.

- On 11/1/23 at approximately 5:20 PM an Officer was Dispatched to a Highland Court residence for a fraud report.

- On 11/2/23 at approximately 10:30 AM an Officer took a report of online threats from a Webster St address. The incident is under investigation.

- On 11/2/23 at approximately 4:49 PM a unit responded to a Highland Avenue business to take a report of a larceny. The incident has been documented.

- On 11/2/23 at approximately 5:42 PM an Officer took a report of a suspicious person from a Webster St address. The incident is under investigation.

- On 11/3/23 at approximately 12:46 PM a Prospect Street resident came into the station to report fraud. The incident was documented, and the resident was advised.

- On 11/3/23 at approximately 1:01 PM a Parish Road resident came into the station to report fraudulent activity. The incident was documented, and the resident was advised.

- On 11/3/23 at approximately 10:36 AM an Officer spoke to a Lee Road resident about fraudulent activity. The incident was documented and under investigation.

- On 11/3/23 at approximately 12:38 PM a resident came into the station to report fraud. The incident was documented and under investigation.

- On 11/4/23 at approximately 7:52 AM an Officer observed multiple residents on Plymouth Rd in their yards pointing to Prince St near Kerrydale Rd and saw heavy smoke coming from a house. The Officer notified dispatch of the house fire and Needham Fire and Police were dispatched.

- On 11/4/23 at 3:15pm an Officer responded to a Canavan Cir address for a report of a suspicious email. That matter was documented.

- On 11/5/23 at approximately 12:46 AM an Officer responded to a Gould Street address for report of an injured rabbit. The animal was located and euthanized.

- On 11/5/23 at approximately 1:00 AM Units responded to a disturbance at a Highland Ave business. The parties involved were separated and peace was restored.

- On 11/5/23 at approximately 10:43 AM an Officer responded to a Kendrick Street address for a report of an ongoing noise complaint. The matter was addressed with the involved parties, a resolution reached, and the incident was documented.

NO REPORTABLE ARRESTS FOR THE PERIOD

11/11/2023

The gas explosion that destroyed a Needham home Nov. 4 is under investigation by local and state officials and could become subject to federal review as well.

Investigators from the state Department of Public Utilities (DPU), the Needham Fire Department, the state Department of Fire Safety and Eversource were all working at the 126 Prince St. site this week. They sifted through the debris from the two-story garrison-style colonial that had to be demolished after being heavily damaged by an explosion during routine service by an Eversoure contractor.

More on this story:

by Peter O'Neil - The gas explosion that destroyed a Needham home Nov. 4 is under investigation by local and state officials and could become subject to federal review as well. Investigators from the state Department of Public Utilities (DPU), the Needham Fire Department, the state Department of Fir...

10/11/2023

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10/11/2023

A week and a day after Town Meeting gave its blessing for the Select Board to pursue zoning changes to facilitate a combined open space/development project for the Foster property, attorneys for the property’s owners informed the town that the parcel is no longer on the market and may be under contract with an unnamed new potential buyer.

In an email response to a Foster-related inquiry from Town Counsel Chris Heep, an attorney for the Foster Trust replied: “I understand that you have reached out . . . about the above-referenced property. I wanted to let you know that the property is no longer on the market at this time. Our firm is bound by confidentiality requirements and cannot comment further on the matter.”

For more:

by Peter O'Neil - A week and a day after Town Meeting gave its blessing for the Select Board to pursue zoning changes to facilitate a combined open space/development project for the Foster property, attorneys for the property’s owners informed the town that the parcel is no longer on the market an...

10/11/2023

Boards & Briefs
November 9, 2023

- Residents to get first look at land-use options for MBTA Law compliance
- Democratic and GOP town committee candidates up against deadline
- Veterans Day Ceremony at Memorial Park

For complete coverage:

by Keith LaFace - November 2, 2023 Housing a popular topic Town residents will have a chance to do a hands-on review of the town’s initial land use plans in connection with the MBTA Communities Law when the Housing Needham Working Group (HONE) meets Nov. 9 from 7-9 p.m. at Town Hall. This will be ...

09/11/2023

It was a busy week for Needham teams! Read on for updates on boy's soccer, girl's volleyball, football, field hockey, girl's swim and dive, boys’ and girls’ cross-country, coed unified basketball team, cheer, and dance:

by Bob Clark - The Needham boys’ soccer team advanced to the MIAA Division 1 quarterfinals last night with a 3-0 home victory over Boston College High School. The teams played a scoreless first half before the Rockets broke through with goals by Harry Clapham, Danny Jordan and Matteo Neretti after...

08/11/2023

*Special Town Meeting Edition*

Coasting in the streets. Animals grazing through town. Dogs roaming while in heat. Those are just a few of the bylaws governing life in Needham that will be on the chopping block at tonight’s Special Town Meeting.

The town’s general bylaws are codified in a 74-page document containing the rules and ordinances that regulate everything from Town Meeting to trench safety. Last updated in July 2022, the document is slated for a range of revisions, some of which are motivated by the Select Board’s belief that the current version is more than occasionally incoherent.

by Peter O'Neil - Coasting in the streets. Animals grazing through town. Dogs roaming while in heat. Those are just a few of the bylaws governing life in Needham that will be on the chopping block at tonight’s Special Town Meeting. The town’s general bylaws are codified in a 74-page document con...

08/11/2023

The casually dressed visitor from Concord took a seat in the rear of Powers Hall at Special Town Meeting Monday and quietly observed as the fate of his proposed multi-million dollar project hung in the balance.

When he departed more than three hours later, Jack Dawley, president and CEO of Northland Residential, knew he would likely be back in Needham with some frequency after Town Meeting overwhelmingly extended the lifeline the project required.

The Observer followed up with Dawley to discuss the combined open space preservation/housing development project his firm is proposing for the Foster property off Charles River Street.

07/11/2023

Boards & Briefs
November 2, 2023

Housing a popular topic

Town residents will have a chance to do a hands-on review of the town’s initial land use plans in connection with the MBTA Communities Law when the Housing Needham Working Group (HONE) meets Nov. 9 from 7-9 p.m. at Town Hall.

For more information: https://needhamobserver.com/boards-briefs/

06/11/2023

Police Blotter 10/23/2023 to 10/29/2023

On 10/23/23 at approximately 10:11 AM an Officer took a report of identity fraud. The reporting party, a Damon Road resident, stated that his personal information was used to open a bank account in his name. The reporting party was advised to contact the credit reporting agencies about the incident.

On 10/23/23 at approximately 12:45 PM an Officer took a report from a Birch St resident for a report of identity theft. The reporting party explained their identity was used in order to open an account and purchase a cell phone. The party was advised, and the matter was documented.

On 10/23/23 at approximately 3:03 PM an Officer conducted a motor vehicle stop on Hunting Rd. Following a brief investigation, the operator, a 70-year-old Stoughton woman, was issued a criminal citation for operating a motor vehicle with a revoked registration.

On 10/23/23 at approximately 4:39 PM an Officer took a report from a 2nd Ave resident regarding an online larceny.

On 10/23/23 at approximately 4:22 PM a South Street resident reported an attempted fraud via Craig’s List. The resident realized it was a scam and no finical lost was reported.

On 10/23/23 at approximately 4:24 PM Officers responded to a High Street address for a report of neighbor troubles. Peace was restored and the incident was documented.

On 10/23/23 at approximately 9:45 PM a walk in reported that he could not find his vehicle. A search of the area located the vehicle.

On 10/24/23 at approximately 12:00 PM an Officer took a report from a Farley Pond Ln resident regarding check fraud. The reporting party explained two mailed checks had been stolen and altered in a different amount. The reporting party was advised, and the matter was documented.

On 10/24/23 at approximately 1:30 PM a report was taken from a Chestnut Street business for several past shopliftings. Report taken and ongoing investigation.

On 10/24/23 at approximately 2:00 PM a report was taken from a Pickering Street resident involving fraudulent use of her credit card. Report filed.

On 10/24/23 at approximately 6:04 PM an Officer responded to a Morton Street address for a report of a dog barking. The dog was brought inside, and the matter was documented.

On 10/25/23 at approximately 12:56 PM an Officer came upon a minor motor vehicle crash on Dedham Ave. No injuries were reported. One of the vehicle operators reported that she did not have a license and provided a Brazilian passport. A 37-year-old female party currently residing in Walpole MA will be summoned to Court for Unlicensed operation of a MV.

On 10/23/23 at approximately 2:38 PM a Sutton Rd resident reported their insurance company was the victim of a hack. They did not report they were a victim, they just wanted it on file.

On 10/25/23 at approximately 3:35 PM a Chestnut Street business report a past larceny via check fraud.

On 10/25/23 at approximately 6:30 PM Officers responded to the Hersey MBTA Lower parking lot for a caller reporting that a golf ball had broken the back window to their vehicle.

On 10/25/23 at approximately 11:00 AM a Newton resident emailed an Officer about a vandalism in Cutler Park.

On 10/26/23 at approximately 10:53 AM a Sutton Rd resident reported ID fraud. This matter is under investigation.

On 10/27/23 at approximately 8:29 AM a Great Plain Ave resident reported check fraud. This matter is under investigation.

On 10/27/23 approximately 5:15 PM an Officer was notified that some individuals broke into a Webster St address. The incident is under investigation.

On 10/27/23 at approximately 6:00 PM an Officer was notified of a suspicious male at Memorial Field. Officers encountered the individual. He was no trespassed from the field and the incident is under investigation.

On 10/27/23 at approximately 8:36 PM an Officer was informed that a male party had stolen a hand cart full of meat from a Chestnut St business. Further investigation to follow.

On 10/27/23 at approximately 4:00 PM a Ware Road resident reported his bank account, and a credit card account were compromised, and cash was fraudulently withdrawn, and his credit card was fraudulently charged.

On 10/28/23 at approximately 9:22 PM Officers responded to a High Street address for a report of neighbor troubles. Peace was restored and the incident was documented.

On 10/29/23 at approximately 4:00 AM Officers responded to a Greendale Ave address for a report of a house fire. Officers were able to assist the resident with safely getting out of the home and provided support for the Needham Fire Department while they extinguished the fire.

NO REPORTABLE ARRESTS FOR THE PERIOD

Any arrests associated with domestic violence and/or sexual assaults are impounded and not for public release (Ref MGL c.41 s.98F ).