Friday, September 14, 2012
Seven-member group will research potential projects for town lands.
Needham selectmen are looking for experts in solar energy and other qualified individuals to serve on a new committee that will be exploring ways the town can develop alternative energy projects on public land. In particular, the Solar Energy Exploratory Committee will be researching the viability, benefits and challenges of developing solar power generation on the town’s now closed landfill. “The board has adopted as a goal the exploration of alternative energy siting in town, particularly solar,” Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick said at the selectmen's meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 11. Selectmen voted unanimously that evening to establish the committee. The committee will include seven voting members as well as the director of the town’s solid …
Monday, August 20, 2012
Ninety-seven percent of respondents to the 2010 National Citizen Survey felt the overall quality of life in Needham is good or excellent.
Needham is a pretty great place to live. That’s the overall finding of the town’s 2012 National Citizen Survey, a questionnaire sent out every two years to local residents to gauge satisfaction with town services and identify areas of improvement. Ninety-seven percent of residents who responded to the survey rated the quality of life in Needham as “good” or excellent,” and 91 percent said they planned to remain in Needham for the next five years. The survey was mailed to about 1,200 households in Needham in late April, with 542 surveys returned (a response rate of 48 percent), according to Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick, who presented the results to selectmen on Tuesday, Aug. 14, along with Needham Fire Chief Paul Buckley. The survey is a …
Thursday, July 12, 2012
This map posted Wednesday on the town website shows the area that will be affected by the electric company's vegetation management plan.
Residents wondering whether NSTAR's tree work will be done in their backyards can check out this PDF map posted Wednesday on the town website, needhammma.gov. The map, reposted at right in the image gallery, shows the miles of easements NSTAR operates in Needham along its transmission lines. The transmission system largely follows the MBTA Commuter Rail tracks, which are marked on the map with red lines. Needham residences that abut the NSTAR right-of-way are marked in purple. The NSTAR transmission line is show in green. Also in the image gallery and on the town website, residents can view a PDF of the presentation given by NSTAR representatives at the meeting on Tuesday, July 10. Individuals can sign up to be notified by e-mail when new …
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Residents have called asking about the location of the senior center and MBTA parking on the property at Hillside Avenue and West Street.
After receiving several inquiries about construction at the site of the new senior center, Town Manager Kate Fitzpatrick spoke briefly about the project during Tuesday night's selectmen's meeting. Fitzpatrick said that several people had called her office asking about excavation work being done on the south side of the lot and wondering if the building had been moved to that side. The senior center location remains the same as it was on original plans, Fitzpatrick said, located more to the north end of the site, facing Hillside Avenue, with the south end of the lot being reserved for MBTA parking. The excavation is part of basic preparation work required before building the foundation of the building, she added. Once that work is completed…
Friday, April 20, 2012
Concord resident has more than 25 years of experience in local government.
The Framingham Board of Selectmen agreed Thursday night to offer the job of town manager to Newton-Needham Chamber of Commerce President Robert Halpin. Former Longmeadow town manager Robin Crosbie and Naugatuck, CT, mayor Ronald San Angelo were the other two finalists for the position. Halpin, a Concord resident, has more than 25 years of experience in local government and served as town manager in Westford and North Andover. He also was in charge of the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council. “It came down to who could match skills with Framingham’s needs, both in the short term and the long term,” Framingham Selectman Dennis Giombetti said. “We were fortunate to have three very, very, very good candidates.” After hearing glowing …
John Oneil
4:02 am on Saturday, April 21, 2012
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