Week in Review: Prostitution Arrest, an MBTA Decision and Town Election Preview

Life gets busy, and we at Patch certainly understand that. So with that in mind, here are a few stories you might have missed on Needham Patch this week.

1. — A Georgia woman was arrested for alleged prostitution as the result of an undercover operation at the in Needham.
2. —After all of the talk, public hearings, and protests over the past three months, the MBTA Board voted to boost fares 23 percent and cut back service in an attempt to close a projected $161 million deficit in the next fiscal year.
3. —On Friday, March 30, staff and students wore white T-shirts decorated with a variety of quotes, song lyrics and phrases from inspirational to funny for the annual Make a Statement Day.
4. —This May will mark two years since the Massachusetts legislature passed new legislation requiring schools to take a more active role in educating kids about bullying, and on Tuesday, April 3, the Needham School Committee heard an update on how the district is meeting those goals.
5. —North Hill will hold its first ever True North Documentary Film Series on April 9-10 in Needham and Newton.
6. Find out who won the latest Best Of Needham – Readers’ Choice poll, which asked who is the best tax preparer in town.

ELECTION COVERAGE

The Town Election is set for Tuesday, April 10. Haven’t decided who to vote for yet? Check out our coverage below for letters, video and more highlighting the candidates seeking town office.

• — The two candidates for a two-year term on the Needham Board of Selectmen shared their views on a variety of topics Monday night during the League of Women Voters of Needham Candidates' Night, held at .
• — Candidates for the Needham Park and Recreation Commission shared their views on a variety of issues at the League of Women Voters Candidates’ Night on Monday, April 2—from the future of to the addition of new turf fields, use of capped land near the and the possible development of .
• In a recent blog post, Needham resident Lollie Weeks—also known as "The Fortuitious Housewife"—wrote about her experience of filling out an absentee ballot, with kids in tow, and recommended that busy parents consider voting early. Absentee ballots can be submitted through noon on Monday, April 9.
• Election Letters—See what local residents had to say about candidates in the 2012 Town Election.

THIS WEEK IN POLLS

Each week, Needham Patch asks readers to weigh in on a few topics through polls.

(21 votes)

• I think they'll keep rising through the summer. … 43 percent
• I think they're peaking and that prices will begin to drop soon. …. 19 percent
• I’m not surprised. … 19 percent
• Another increase? When will it end?! … 19 percent
• Other (see my comments below). … 0 percent

(47 votes)

• I’m just glad they didn’t approve one of the first two proposals. … 34 percent
• It’s not ideal, but we’ll adjust. … 31 percent
• I’m not surprised. … 29 percent
• Other (see my comments below). … 4 percent

Did we miss something? Send news tips, comments and suggestions to Becca.Manning@patch.com.