[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6278526,"mediaKeyId","2640819-a4f4b30cd0f9df0c1f8210ae94133258","parentId",2640819,"title","VFW member reports new town VSO Dan O'Neil; veterans tax work‑off and HERO Act benefits discussed","audioSeconds",392,"startMs",2160000,"endMs",2552000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2640819-a4f4b30cd0f9df0c1f8210ae94133258&start=2160&end=2552","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2640819-a4f4b30cd0f9df0c1f8210ae94133258/thumbnail_2160000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6278526/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/VFW-member-reports-new-town-VSO-Dan-ONeil-veterans-tax-workoff-and-HERO-Act-benefits-discussed","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278526-ce3a9ac8fca9af1d515355d0b30658f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1775717456&Signature=YI8oY5K9tlAi0RmsULx~rLgn37MCRsDDoaJY~HVt-6aYHbo8hti2utII7Mg5dTgzPl2t-jeX5V7dD7DXlde7aYFTWyZXl1FsG7iK7Iz0LsvlR~agcY134nCBLuhUZ4UARFuQgMmEsGXW0WJOA-909jSCAL-ln6BdAXnArmR3kZ9sGnRtezQ7ykcD45Es1y5V~-BnRWwYyyu5MoUgxDGzV9rPyIq9x5vYS0o7G0T29OBdG4ePWn2McRFSYn3vl5dUalNUh9W1NDqG1j-GXqvw~MFUgMXnxkYdLMMzHfJ2kUQZIMrtQxrZyaJVonuyzh9IKxWi8tIWYryFhlu3snr7-g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Needham, MA","date","2025-03-14T00:00:00Z","article","A VFW member addressed the Council on Aging to summarize recent veterans‑service developments including local staffing and state benefit changes.

The speaker said the town’s new veterans service officer will start work March 17 and that the officer will be in Needham on March 20. “The new person is Dan O'Neil, and he's a Needham resident,” the speaker said. He reported that notices about the hire had not been widely circulated to veterans groups and that a local VFW commander’s letters seeking information had not received a response.

The speaker also said he had researched veterans tax work‑off programs and shared materials with town officials, citing Brockton as an example of a city that previously removed income/asset limits from its veterans program to encourage participation. He said he passed those examples to Kevin Keane and Josh Levy and will continue following up with the select board and town staff.

Separately, he summarized several state HERO Act items that can affect veterans, noting some benefits are administered at the state level and do not require town action. He described excise‑tax exemptions, sales‑tax exemptions on vehicle purchases, and other administrative rebates or exemptions that the assessor’s office can process and said he observed town staff already making accommodations in at least one case.

The remarks did not produce formal council action but signaled ongoing outreach between veterans' representatives and town officials on staffing, tax work‑off ideas, and program outreach.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Needham: Council on Aging 03/13/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A VFW member told the Council on Aging that Dan O'Neil will begin as the town’s veterans service officer the week of March 17 and that the council has shared examples of veterans tax work‑off programs. The speaker also summarized recently enacted HERO Act state benefits that affect veterans' excise and license exemptions.","taxTitle","Town of Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",54445,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6278531,"Needham forms committee to study Stephen Palmer site as property returns to town in two years",75,1545000,1620000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2640819-a4f4b30cd0f9df0c1f8210ae94133258&start=1545&end=1620","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2640819-a4f4b30cd0f9df0c1f8210ae94133258/thumbnail_1545000.jpg","/articles/6278531/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-forms-committee-to-study-Stephen-Palmer-site-as-property-returns-to-town-in-two-years","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278531-64dc9223b8944f148e213fc908171dc2/orig.mp4?Expires=1775717456&Signature=BgKRfaY6Q8QnK7dokjNYWzYxHlrogvm51kD5dUmy8cNKhataP6M-yt9evwqJ2AtNkVZoTuABNjYkXecuQlwj8nb7gHVLLVbYb6p~8rtM-0H2z~Y0BxXvtKG8iDA68wc1mdUd1OEBXLZhMyizrE1CyTgupFGmV~6zb4q73xHZ08nTU12IHlBYWHGm6fyOkkV1GGsc4SAv5Lrw8OKFW4~o4opO6727~YpOTdmhDa1c4KCBuwEjbqXdf6vuv6SHRuZSVn99-jluNd8aBBQFo~WEY0cokl1HMI06yBCUN7caxXweIL5AYe786ZCDAQ25NUMoqS5cwX88fYfs7BSvU0TAww__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","During the council’s meeting, a Council on Aging member reported an email from Myles Tucker stating the town is assembling a committee to study the Stephen Palmer property before it returns to town control in approximately two years.

The member said the select board, planning board, Council on Aging, Park and Rec and other groups were asked to appoint representatives. “I have asked Sue to be our representative, and she has agreed,” the member said. The council discussed hopes that any future use could include apartments and “hopefully, seniors,” but noted no formal agenda or proposals have been released.

Members said there has been past talk of tearing down the building and relocating some uses to Great Plain Avenue; the new committee will study options and produce recommendations before any decisions are made. Council members also raised the need to consider relocation assistance and whether the town or a consultant will help residents and stakeholders navigate any transition.

No formal decisions were recorded at the meeting; the town will notify council members when the committee begins meeting and when appointments are finalized.","Council on Aging members said the town is assembling a committee — including a COA seat — to study the future of the Stephen Palmer property, which will revert to town control in roughly two years; COA appointed a representative and said seniors and affordable housing were topics of interest.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6278535,"Needham senior center enforces upfront payment for multi‑week classes; credit‑card acceptance remains unresolved",320,414000,734000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2640819-a4f4b30cd0f9df0c1f8210ae94133258&start=414&end=734","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2640819-a4f4b30cd0f9df0c1f8210ae94133258/thumbnail_414000.jpg","/articles/6278535/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-senior-center-enforces-upfront-payment-for-multiweek-classes-creditcard-acceptance-remains-unresolved","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278535-888cd49f0ad62931de3e70c4774f0ebc/orig.mp4?Expires=1775717456&Signature=jyl3qfSi-0u11US0~KAnmyOokgQ3wsHM-NJJ~Svx57MRDGOiUVwWMT7o2DOA8~rYJjwvvU4WbxwTboqdvv~Zf1IlBZzJQ6tufv0KHA6SNOj~U8~NR5BI0N13AJdDzTCUHR3Z6skT~TJfFQqZqiBUqylmDTlvL0jSZb~yknzzzvsRY3S9KNYqijaDT-FGk2KhmU5Kq~Iq9wp99Grr1tVa4N0GjFw9BVgd6CxSlGRYTx9fVtpTMK96B5zwjJTLCr1mfL3jvUEB8m~wjyQJ2bFtIAblWh6br0J3tWqt12w8n0zKw5w~KY-w4olTzmAlOgrbONARVe7q9uWzk4GnN9Cy~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council on Aging members said the senior center has begun requiring full payment at registration for eight‑week class series after repeated nonpayment by some participants.

A council member described the change: “So, we started asking for for, payment in full when they sign up for a class, a series. It's not being taken very well. People are not happy with it, but we're going to stick to the process.” The center said the move responds to repeated instances of participants not paying for classes where instructors still must be paid.

Attendees at the meeting pushed for faster adoption of electronic payments. A meeting participant said bluntly, “Not accepting credit cards is disgraceful,” and noted many class participants travel seasonally and cannot easily pay by check.

Staff and finance representatives explained the technical and security hurdles. The council was told the center’s current registration software is not compatible with the town’s approved payment system used by Park and Rec and other departments. A staff member said the center must obtain authorization from Treasury and accounting because “the biggest thing they are worried about is security, who's the third party that will see the invoice slip or the credit card information.”

The council reported follow-up steps: Tim (staff) will contact Treasury and accounting so those offices can evaluate whether the senior center can adopt the payment software used elsewhere in town or instead obtain approval to use a different vendor that supports the senior center’s registration system.

Council members said they will continue enforcing upfront payment for series signups while staff pursue an electronic payment option and consider short‑term accommodations (credits for a subsequent series) for participants with demonstrable inability to pay in advance.

No formal vote was recorded; staff described the approach as an operating decision being implemented immediately and subject to adjustments if a town‑approved electronic option becomes available.","Council on Aging members said the center has begun requiring full payment at registration for eight‑week class series after repeated no‑shows and nonpayment. Participants expressed frustration over the absence of an on‑site credit‑card option; town finance and accounting must approve any new system.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6278539,"Needham senior center wins state grant to continue Gogo medical transportation; staff pursues meal, dementia and connectivity partnerships",0,1590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2640819-a4f4b30cd0f9df0c1f8210ae94133258&start=1590&end=1590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2640819-a4f4b30cd0f9df0c1f8210ae94133258/thumbnail_1590000.jpg","/articles/6278539/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-senior-center-wins-state-grant-to-continue-Gogo-medical-transportation-staff-pursues-meal-dementia-and-connectivity-partnerships","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6278539-fdba500f1e56cf6de70b46ff6cbdc5d5/orig.mp4?Expires=1775717456&Signature=gMPutyH1z0urHJHvbfmLdgENKPGWCDcZfdA9HntlCFKDHjmFiwAoon1C7VpCloVGob0Z2rsrEMnJhRn1q13IK4l56Ou9WWz~ngYxNDXW9ax7af9K2cNg23AzlsVKOSPZJwoj3kxKV167HtPRKr8eI1dg5uSEHNATOzHleRzQYBi4j9Em1RWHH5vDD8AAsJYnbG76rh38Kb9tORc7IRr7lkQGreuoS58wwna7n6zIyCOSWnc5gYl9TR9oiL9C~xb23kUe7WL2XLhwH8LXqXTiiCdeR9OvAIp5aD1bI-1s-LWU0MVxhcYNpNyVMwgNZNECbP9heIBdDRhsk3XcuLLPrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A senior center staff member told the Town of Needham Council on Aging that the center received a state grant “for, just under $10,000 to continue the medical transportation program through Gogo Inc.” The report came during routine program updates at the council’s meeting.

The staff member said the Gogo Inc. service differs from taxi-based transport and has produced “some growing pains,” but staff and the provider are “working with them to figure out… the most effective people way to get people from point a to point b.” The center will evaluate later whether to continue Gogo or return to taxi services.

Staff also reported progress on a tablet-distribution program intended to improve remote access and reporting. “And I think about 52 of the tablets are accounted for at this point,” the staff member said, then corrected the count: “I’m sorry. 72.” Reporting on the tablet program is due in April, and staff thanked volunteers who completed surveys used in the required reports.

On outreach, the staff member said the center met with a Needham Public Library employee interested in expanding dementia supports. Staff described possible monthly “dementia-friendly” days and co‑sponsored lectures to “reach younger caregivers,” noting their existing caregiver support “tends to trend on the older side.”

To shore up meal delivery, staff said the center is applying for an additional grant from the MetroWest Health Foundation “around just increasing food supports.” The center is also discussing a possible partnership with the Needham Public Schools to provide meals and is exploring other private vendors as a contingency if SpringWell — the current meal provider — becomes unavailable for certain delivery services.

The updates framed the council’s near-term priorities: maintain transportation service while assessing its cost-effectiveness, finish tablet reporting in April, expand dementia outreach through the library, and secure additional funding or vendor options to preserve congregate and delivered meals.

Staff said next steps are to monitor the Gogo pilot’s performance, finalize the tablet reporting, and continue grant and partnership conversations with MetroWest, the school system and alternate vendors.","At a Council on Aging meeting, staff reported a state grant of just under $10,000 to continue a medical transportation pilot with Gogo Inc., progress on a tablet distribution program and plans for dementia-focused programming and backup meal vendors amid funding uncertainty.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

VFW member reports new town VSO Dan O'Neil; veterans tax work‑off and HERO Act benefits discussed

Needham forms committee to study Stephen Palmer site as property returns to town in two years

Needham senior center enforces upfront payment for multi‑week classes; credit‑card acceptance remains unresolved

Needham senior center wins state grant to continue Gogo medical transportation; staff pursues meal, dementia and connectivity partnerships