[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",6269078,"mediaKeyId","3048021-023f6d82f2d9d636d1161f417e5d251c","parentId",3048021,"title","Commission allocates previously approved $500 toward Low Vision Lunch and outlines FY26 budget changes","audioSeconds",190,"startMs",1309000,"endMs",1499000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048021-023f6d82f2d9d636d1161f417e5d251c&start=1309&end=1499","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048021-023f6d82f2d9d636d1161f417e5d251c/thumbnail_1309000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6269078/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Commission-allocates-previously-approved-500-toward-Low-Vision-Lunch-and-outlines-FY26-budget-changes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269078-26f9a4fb475903b4b9136478186555c3/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172971&Signature=cbElKgQGaUGG7-bXJ~s2--R72faqaGC6lv504AhHIpouF6qm52zTApba7-dcCpoIAlaWxfg3oEYnzFFJDjV3NIM7-IDrHzDj5gDo8UE0xOfHRfYsjIgMoYWlyHnwtCWP~xKUmP2ixKDsH~se1c2~-ugzJfwTna94uUnwwzh5imh3zVvjEhcvYn6BXtXdTr-hXxeFiy6U7r8Wc~m07YmVEA0H5QpPhmuVLaZKV5K-Ik8g-kjD75jALe4ArEdtJMx2f4QsbBlOWqA70~f62PwYVO9~qW3rLr6ShfnYlwXogPoPYc5HQvbVSj8fJTI6FcvX1aolXBsgRQsq45jWGjbv3g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Needham, MA","date","2025-04-18T07:32:35.67Z","article","The Needham Commission on Disabilities confirmed on April 15 that it spent roughly $307.03 on food for a Low Vision Lunch and will allocate the remaining $192.97 of a previously approved $500 to pay the Carroll Center speaker fee.

Tatiana, reporting as ADA liaison, said the commission had originally approved up to $500 to cover food and a speaker and that the actual food bill was $307.03. The commission agreed it could apply the remainder toward the Carroll Center speaker fee without requesting a town budget transfer because the expense falls within the commission's operating allotment. Staff explained that FY26 budget requests submitted in the usual cycle propose clearer lines—$500 for professional/technical (for speaker fees) and a larger food line—to reflect the commission's recent event-based spending.

Commissioners discussed general town finance policy and agreed to remain within operating lines where possible; staff said towns vary in how strictly they require transfers between lines but that Needham practice allows reasonable reallocation within the commission's budget lines. After the Low Vision Lunch allocation, the commission reported a $50 remaining balance in the current fiscal year allocation.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Commission on Disabilities 04/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The commission reported spending roughly $307 on food and allocating the remaining $192.97 of a previously approved $500 toward a speaker fee for a Low Vision Lunch; members reviewed FY26 budget line changes that would better reflect event and speaker expenses.","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},6269083,"Commission follows up on Charles River Center housing support, hears town finance concerns",277,215000,492000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048021-023f6d82f2d9d636d1161f417e5d251c&start=215&end=492","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048021-023f6d82f2d9d636d1161f417e5d251c/thumbnail_215000.jpg","/articles/6269083/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Commission-follows-up-on-Charles-River-Center-housing-support-hears-town-finance-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269083-0bfbb8131a2a199546e560c1ccf6c1c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172971&Signature=HknlUevyfcv0VTLLvrMWl1VJMJwD0kcdPjXBT~g1Z-4zyDVjztg~0nC49-p7yDMPd74g46xpD1qyxl6n7UEL31CjYD2XUrCTJ3ji0cwN-Aiisg1ySFrEJEtwPWrU0ESNPjKaI4rUJlbT8XIweVmMvfICA1-UaV-YG6MJM6Jl7dUulzAFNdae1z8NUKKsnMttw0xiVOjfH0XAKoD0bmuN3tpY8vKXLYSkZTMlupfU3LtbNSpx4MTE~K1FjUj--KQgqJ98A5Wp4dta66SmuMtsGs-L~dGKn3YPjLXWFNoynYnnfN8yfZlUdSM6AgVrExf0JxeIvxAwv1Ob6To-6OxJnw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Needham Commission on Disabilities confirmed at its April 15 meeting that a letter supporting the Charles River Center accessible-housing project had been submitted and discussed ongoing financing questions raised by the Town of Needham finance committee.

Chair Jeanne said the commission's letter—written after the commission voted to support the project at a prior meeting—was sent to Allison Steinfeld and likely forwarded to Lauren Spinney, the Community Preservation Committee staff member who collects letters about projects under review. Maureen said the developer and Charles River Center appeared before the finance committee and that the committee wanted more detail on the capital plan, including a proposed $5 million capital campaign component. Finance committee members reportedly questioned why the town should support a private nonprofit rather than a town entity; Maureen said the commission's role was to reiterate the public benefit and the town's housing plan priorities.

Commission members noted that the Town of Needham's 2023 housing plan lists housing for residents with disabilities as a priority; the chair said she planned to attend the finance-committee meeting to restate the commission's position and to let the developer address technical finance questions.

Members also discussed next steps for ensuring the letter reached the appropriate contacts and asked staff and members to forward the letter directly to Community Preservation Committee staff if necessary. No formal new vote was recorded on the project at the April 15 meeting.","The commission confirmed it submitted a support letter for a Charles River Center accessible housing project and heard that the town finance committee asked the developer for more details about fundraising and financing before recommending the project to Town Meeting.",{"_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},6269089,"Needham Commission unanimously authorizes letter supporting 'Trails for All' legislation",256,928000,1184000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048021-023f6d82f2d9d636d1161f417e5d251c&start=928&end=1184","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048021-023f6d82f2d9d636d1161f417e5d251c/thumbnail_928000.jpg","/articles/6269089/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-Commission-unanimously-authorizes-letter-supporting-Trails-for-All-legislation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269089-287c0b6e594a3c077500ba9e16fa23f9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172971&Signature=lblhn8ZsHytRBxxvtQGurw2QZ7cmd1JPJ0~IDmkhcpS-Q01WPyrpY6QYcZMjfeYybpcvg3NXzUV5fWWpIF1abkNeESQ18AHN-J9Wb75fVLJM-pY8uvding5XPKDKOV1I6KCEo0~uPv6jqPbmyS~rK8cXOEqmoXhdw4AGSvLut9AqaWzcQfH~BimenmRqpXHqIQOSUeMfQ~MGKTt~4sFD~GpN09wd3xU368gg8fZGbVT~wnBrsoOrJRwQKCPok0b9rkUxl8fRMbfjitcGpPOCwb7vx-GuLJORVkMMAfhyTe~5U56LcNOHVNT2QZZc8k-LLxnkxRF6fSFBh3Kwx439og__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Needham Commission on Disabilities voted unanimously April 15 to send a letter supporting the state-level Trails for All bill and authorized the commission co-chairs to sign the letter on the commission’s behalf.

Commission members said the Trails for All bill would create a commonwealth policy to maximize accessible access to trails and would advance equity in trail systems. Members who attended informational sessions described the bill's evidence and data showing growing need among older and disabled residents and asked that the commission add its name to the suggested letter being circulated by the bill organizers.

Carol presented the recommended letter draft, and a motion was made and seconded to authorize the co-chairs to sign and transmit it to legislators. A roll-call vote recorded multiple commissioners voting in favor; the chair reported the motion passed unanimously and that co-chairs Jeanne and another co-chair would send the letter on behalf of the commission.

Commissioners also discussed individual outreach options and encouraged members to write personal letters to their representatives if they wished.","The commission voted to send a letter in support of the statewide \"Trails for All\" bill and authorized the co-chairs to sign on the commission's behalf.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6269094,"Needham disabilities commission backs 339 Chestnut Street housing project pending accessibility clarifications",1360,2173000,3533000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3048021-023f6d82f2d9d636d1161f417e5d251c&start=2173&end=3533","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3048021-023f6d82f2d9d636d1161f417e5d251c/thumbnail_2173000.jpg","/articles/6269094/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-disabilities-commission-backs-339-Chestnut-Street-housing-project-pending-accessibility-clarifications","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6269094-2ea3ad9cf94615252a002cbd652ba016/orig.mp4?Expires=1771172971&Signature=KqrYYMi5Jn2sczxjhWnJDF~qmNuZeMQG1ny~lFDLcI7i2UPxtkOS~j5MI3i~t14SUaT-aDh52lvzLaZo3BWGW6PHzqLXvoqEA~I0BJknC0448OILR-qE97n2imijV-fFeejvFW5HPQ-FGK7SpdMuYlM25dHyYLS3C7wdbSfvXHKOsEB2JyXKHLTRV2HGm0OHlCsYhPNHZuNAf9qvPx~sEjgLCeGCtekXEA9qT0XqcRwv3DHskPrYXMilmhE7ZV2XGlq~jC1o7dvrRcW6rEN0n~~hx5JbalOZ3zCa~7N~dR0q0SVNCctXDV~2DItMi0u6FdoZ8nMFzNKg5cWZs0O1~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Needham Commission on Disabilities voted April 15 to support a comprehensive-permit proposal to demolish a 1904 two-story building at 339 Chestnut Street and replace it with a three-story, six-unit residential building, while requesting firm confirmation that the two first-floor units will be built to accessibility standards and that at least one unit be adaptable for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Commissioners said the project, submitted by Needham Enterprises LLC, would add two affordable units to the downtown and noted the site plan shows parking at grade and no front steps. The commission’s motion asked the Zoning Board of Appeals to require accessible bathrooms, grab bars, and other features be shown on final plans and recommended prewiring or other measures to accommodate residents who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Members said the developer’s application already lists two first-floor units as “accessible and affordable,” but several commissioners asked for the features to be reflected on floor plans. Commission member Felix (commission member) reviewed state accessibility categories and noted the difference between “adaptable” (sometimes called group 1) and fully accessible or group 2 units, and described features—grab bars, five-foot turning radii, roll-in showers or accessible bathtubs, and prewiring for strobe notification—that should be present in accessible units. The commission asked the ZBA to make any such accessibility commitments conditions of the comprehensive permit so the building official could enforce them at inspection.

The motion to support the project was made to be conditional on written confirmation that the first-floor units would be outfitted as accessible units and that at least one unit be adaptable for deaf or hard-of-hearing residents; the commission voted in favor of that motion by roll call.

The commission noted the development would include eight off-street parking spaces, one designated accessible space, and that two of the six units will be designated affordable under the comprehensive-permit submission. Commissioners asked staff to forward specific plan-sheet references and to request that the developer label grab bars and turning radii on the plan set.

The commission’s recommendation is advisory; final authority rests with the Zoning Board of Appeals and the building department, which would enforce any accessibility conditions attached to the comprehensive permit.

The commission asked staff to send a letter to the ZBA stating the commission’s support and listing the clarifications requested.","The Needham Commission on Disabilities voted to support a six-unit redevelopment at 339 Chestnut Street and asked the Zoning Board of Appeals to confirm that first-floor units will be fully accessible and that at least one unit be adaptable for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission allocates previously approved $500 toward Low Vision Lunch and outlines FY26 budget changes

Commission follows up on Charles River Center housing support, hears town finance concerns

Needham Commission unanimously authorizes letter supporting 'Trails for All' legislation

Needham disabilities commission backs 339 Chestnut Street housing project pending accessibility clarifications