Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Local students were invited to submit entries for the downtown "A Chair To Remember" project.
This spring and summer, Needham's downtown merchants connected with amateur and professional artists from around town to create beautiful, unique pieces of public art, part of the "A Chair To Remember" project. Now, some of the community's youngest members are getting recognized for their efforts with the project. The Needham Park and Recreation Department and Council of Economic Advisors recently announced the winners of their collaborative "Design Your Own Adirondack Chair" contest, which gave local youth an opportunity to add their vision to the mix. Winning the contest's grand prize was seven-year-old Grace Culver, whose chair design featured a globe and stars. In addition, there were five age group winners: Reis Domini (ages 3-4), …
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Needham Town Hall
1471 Highland Ave, Needham, MA
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2004019
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Friday, February 17, 2012
Economic Development Director Devra Bailin shared findings on Feb. 14 from a recent study of the economic benefits of allowing retail alcohol sales in Needham.
While bringing wine and beer shops to Needham could help fill vacant storefronts and add a few new jobs to the local market, the ventures are not as profitable as some might think, Economic Development Director Devra Bailin told selectmen Tuesday evening—at least, not on their own. Bailin shared the Council of Economic Advisors’ latest findings after talking with people who know the business of retail alcohol sales. The council’s subcommittee on the issue spoke to three Needham residents: Rich Cataldo, who works for Murrays and has been in the business for more than 30 years; Steve Rubin, who owns Huntington Wine and Spirits; and Nik Ligris, who is affiliated with the Brookline Fine Wine and Gourmet on Harvard Street in Brookline. “We were…
42.28049
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Needham Town Hall
1471 Highland Ave, Needham, MA
/articles/report-wine-beer-shops-not-hugely-profitable
2004019
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Thursday, January 26, 2012
The board continued its discussion on Jan. 24 of whether to lift Needham's dry status.
Selectmen took a first look at four local options Town Meeting members could choose to place on the ballot as they consider a possibility of removing Needham’s dry status and allowing wine, beer and liquor to be sold in retail shops. A placeholder article has been set on the May 7 annual Town Meeting warrant, although selectmen said Tuesday there is still much research to be done and discussions to be had. Currently, Needham allows alcohol to be served in restaurants with more than 100 seats, and one-day special liquor licenses are available for events. However, stores are not allowed to sell alcohol for consumption at home. At their Tuesday, Jan. 24 meeting, selectmen reviewed four possible home rule petitions that could change that. The …
42.28049
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Needham Town Hall
1471 Highland Ave, Needham, MA
/articles/selectmen-review-options-for-local-alcohol-sales
2004019
/locations/6249561
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
The Board of Selectmen have asked the town manager and town counsel to draw up a draft home rule petition outlining the rules of allowing retail alcohol sales in Needham.
The Needham Board of Selectmen agreed to continue exploring an option to allow retail alcohol sales in Needham, directing the town manager and town counsel Tuesday night to draft a sample petition and a detailed procedure the town would follow to pursue the change. Though selectmen were not convinced the move would be good or bad for the town, they did feel that the decision should be left up to Needham voters and said it was the board’s responsibility to lead by providing all the necessary information prior to a public vote. The board discussion on Tuesday, Dec. 20 was a follow-up to a well-attended public hearing on Dec. 6, where 20 residents spoke against removing Needham’s “dry” status, 13 spoke in favor of the change and two said they…
42.28049
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Needham Town Hall
1471 Highland Ave, Needham, MA
/articles/selectmen-voters-should-decide-alcohol-issue
2004019
/locations/6049471
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Residents are encouraged to provide input on whether Needham should change its "dry" laws at a meeting scheduled for 7:45 p.m. at Town Hall.
Needham selectmen are asking residents to weigh in today on whether the town should allow the retail sale of alcohol. A public hearing is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. at the board's meeting room inside Town Hall, part of selectmen's regular meeting which will begin at 6:45 p.m. Needham has been essentially dry since before the days of Prohibition, which began in 1920. Today, the town allows limited sale of alcohol in restaurants with more than 100 seats and for special one-day events with a license. The only bar in town that is not part of a restaurant is at the Sheraton Needham, which was allowed under the town's 1960s hotels exception. In June, members of the Council of Economic Advisors appeared before selectmen suggesting they authorize a …
42.28049
-71.23606
Needham Town Hall
1471 Highland Ave, Needham, MA
/articles/public-hearing-on-alcohol-sales-tonight
2004019
/locations/5956699
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Needham's Council of Economic Advisors held a public workshop on Oct. 5 to review zoning changes for the 213-acre commercial/industrial development off I-95.
Needham’s economic advisers are hoping to “unlock the potential” in the New England Business Center by relaxing zoning requirements, which could make the corporate park more attractive to companies. The New England Business Center features about 213 acres of developed property lying east of I-95/Route 128 and stretching from just south of Highland Avenue down to Kendrick Street. More than half the space is used for offices, with other uses including manufacturing, research and development, warehousing and retail. On Wednesday, Oct. 5, the Council of Economic Advisors held a public workshop at Broadmeadow Elementary School, inviting town officials, employees, public safety officers, property owners and residents to weigh in on changes that …
42.30495
-71.21918
Highland Ave & 2nd Ave, Needham, MA
/articles/cea-hopes-to-get-business-center-buzzing
/locations/5563701
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Selectmen, Council of Economic Advisors considering benefits of allowing beer and wine shops in town after decades of being essentially a 'dry' community.
After a prompt from the town’s economic advisors, selectmen opened discussion Tuesday night about whether wine and beer should be sold off the shelf in Needham for the first time since before Prohibition. Damon Borelli, a member of the Council of Economic Advisors, told selectmen the council had received several inquiries from entrepreneurs interested in setting up beer and wine shops in town, but Needham currently does not allow these types of businesses. Though the town does allow liquor to be served in restaurants with more than 100 seats, and one-day special liquor licenses are available for events, Needham is still considered by many to be a “dry” town. There are no licenses available for package stores serving wine, beer or liquor, …
42.267797
-71.218353
Public Services Administration Building
500 Dedham Ave, Needham, MA
/articles/needham-to-revisit-alcohol-sale-ban
154801
/locations/4618349
Matt C.
11:34 am on Friday, February 17, 2012
Who cares what the profitiability is of the liquor store? Does anyone care that the GM for gas stations is under 12%, the GM for Car Dealers is under 15% or the GM for grocery stores is under 29%? The convenience of having a liquor store in town, capuring the local tax dollars that have traditionally gone to Newton and recreating a vibrant downtown is what is at stake. It isn't our job as … more ›