[{"_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",6217799,"mediaKeyId","3642981-a6a38b9213352438d34e93e38a503875","parentId",3642981,"title","Select Board-backed municipal decarbonization roadmap clears way for Climate Leader Communities application","audioSeconds",93,"startMs",3437000,"endMs",3530000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3642981-a6a38b9213352438d34e93e38a503875&start=3437&end=3530","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3642981-a6a38b9213352438d34e93e38a503875/thumbnail_3437000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6217799/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Select-Board-backed-municipal-decarbonization-roadmap-clears-way-for-Climate-Leader-Communities-application","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6217799-70892f2f95fd0a6d5b26b7a36408a75e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771222781&Signature=YZx6Qdtmcnx-Wc13~8vm-T8M7C8~KUoCdSNr5yUHvUTRDa2lBFs3~GCur1NxO6uuqjOpfcym5XcE86ABJDbEUoaBC7k8jexOsEk~fmVQfKXoEereNWmlxHu6uym8hEFhRg7r6tJ~qu-FFu0odzdpWfc~3P3hkVZLZ-yKXcjVnP6tURUwylY0Q~dOZW4Tqdtgl~AQby8R0gcx9PBxhObx0igNlFowvDJjzL5p8DVUPdC1NIm4M6cmr1ZMQxuo1mnka5s5wZJCd52t9sJFChljIjSLrzMPmGXKfdmx0KKalj2QoLEIwPtGr38YWAXqACnELLgAL7aDhtJqKzCZ69duzg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Needham, MA","date","2025-06-03T19:08:28Z","article","At the June 2 meeting the Climate Action Committee reported that the Town of Needham’s Select Board voted May 27 to approve an option of the draft municipal decarbonization roadmap.

Committee staff told members the school superintendent has submitted a letter confirming support for adoption and that the town is cleared to apply for the Climate Leader Communities program. Staff said the application deadline is June 30 and that the team will submit materials in advance of that date.

Committee members noted the approval moves municipal decarbonization measures from planning toward funding and implementation phases and expressed optimism that application for the Climate Leader Communities program will support further work on priority actions in the roadmap.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Climate Action Committee 06/02/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee reported that the Select Board approved an option of the draft municipal decarbonization roadmap on May 27 and that the school superintendent has sent a letter of support; the town plans to apply to the Climate Leader Communities program before the June 30 deadline.","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},6217804,"Needham committee debates strategy to expand EV charging for apartments and condominiums",728,3817000,4545000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3642981-a6a38b9213352438d34e93e38a503875&start=3817&end=4545","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3642981-a6a38b9213352438d34e93e38a503875/thumbnail_3817000.jpg","/articles/6217804/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-committee-debates-strategy-to-expand-EV-charging-for-apartments-and-condominiums","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6217804-d085fa8e84f7192833d539a9c862d9bf/orig.mp4?Expires=1771222781&Signature=fJNiYYTQNTZz3EzZSV9ZLltzit-ykPbTbNjh6XyQxQgbr8-vL-27GgRUJDDSh2~M5qK-eyL9f58~9Ucx0th1sJHB4DhNM5BAI2Zo6gNwRI-UCvgyhij6hyp2-9UntlsDTIdNOQxd2RnOPdSYJ5Z3JkuzY-jtgaWd6mVuAIofF1gzDaSq5j6b1qxdJ8GKOczDW5HexlSmXqzg~hTBs4IKdwVCHVGIEWaOb5Ll4Og5ERVj1UqM~clZMzcoe1UF-SrsWW3dg573xyb3AAtP5Kuc3jduZrDbZDivJAZpJV326epoXp9uD2HEplP6nbGwYDJrgdGaPJGfxj5HJPKZvJpTTw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Climate Action Committee focused part of its June 2 meeting on the challenge of increasing EV charging access for renters and multifamily properties in Needham.

Committee members described two parallel approaches: pursue broad residential adoption among single‑family homeowners, and separately tackle the harder problem of adding chargers at apartment and condominium complexes. Participants argued the town should pursue both paths: continue outreach and incentives that encourage homeowners to choose EVs at purchase time, while also pressing multifamily owners and regional developers to install chargers.

Staff noted that utility incentives for multifamily charging from Eversource remain available but are underused. The committee discussed outreach options including contacting the Chamber of Commerce and the town’s economic development manager, identifying condominium associations, and engaging regional real estate and property‑management stakeholders. Members recommended trying to find association contacts and a regional point of contact for large property owners rather than only individual property managers.

The committee also flagged a Low Impact Development (LID) parking‑requirements grant that includes a ‘‘future proofing’’ section to consider EV chargers and easier installation for the future. Members identified Hingham as an example to research; staff agreed to collect planning‑board language where local ordinances require chargers for new lots above a size threshold.

No regulatory requirement was adopted by the committee on June 2. The group directed staff to pursue outreach to the Chamber, the town’s economic development office and identified property contacts, and to include EV charging strategies in the ongoing Electrify Needham campaign.","The Climate Action Committee discussed barriers to installing EV chargers at multifamily properties, utility incentives, outreach to the Chamber of Commerce and a parking‑requirements grant that includes 'future proofing' for EVs.",{"_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},6217809,"Needham finalizes charger contract and plans first electric school bus; delivery timeline 6–12 months",110,3545000,3655000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3642981-a6a38b9213352438d34e93e38a503875&start=3545&end=3655","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3642981-a6a38b9213352438d34e93e38a503875/thumbnail_3545000.jpg","/articles/6217809/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-finalizes-charger-contract-and-plans-first-electric-school-bus-delivery-timeline-612-months","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6217809-2114d8afbf6019e57fe299a28369c37b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771222781&Signature=X2dagw0YruCGButJ~0y1ERSNwmKqrTyRCg4DJZbv3RmZanw~deTTSc9dRgvPT7k1z~YfmJ9eG9n9nGHoKMFymp8rVr7K56yqhgqh0BAqPdjMyqEU81ckVI~1jNIK5C7jPzsDZrK2F6sN243hlgsR5xGt~Ag5iruopjoBq6FlBeiHwxX7bg7T0C07OPVfaPgRgAfYa-cx88rqDjaYQcWktj52hb3rcUmwhhTGEAFff1l2NBWOlWYPkFoI6j0ClJugbIEBH5TKPN7iXWRk2NqkDXPC4Ucbhp9SfpB597Ah0YibSR6E6bbcZ0ab3j5kshifJocH6Y75ayR9pxgcAh71VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town of Needham staff told the Climate Action Committee on June 2 that the town has finalized a contract for an EV charger installer to support an electric school bus pilot.

Staff said they are preparing information for Eversource about additional site power needs so the charger installation can proceed. The timeline for receiving the converted school bus was described as six to 12 months; staff will place the vehicle order once that window is reached.

Committee members discussed whether the bus would serve specific routes and noted the town currently owns four school buses. Any electric transition of routes beyond the first vehicle will depend on the town’s owned fleet, third‑party contractor choices and future bus acquisitions. Members asked staff to confirm which routes will be served by the initial electric bus.

The committee also discussed coordinating with nearby communities and utilities to explore a shared charging depot for buses, which could allow a regional fleet approach and reduce barriers for small third‑party contractors. Members noted upfront bus cost differentials remain large but that lifetime operating and maintenance savings are an incentive for fleet operators.

No formal procurement action beyond the already finalized charger contract was taken at the meeting. Staff reported they will begin charger work contingent on the utility’s capacity assessment and will initiate the bus order when delivery lead times fall within the six‑ to 12‑month window.","Town staff finalized a contract for an EV charger installer and will work with Eversource on power needs; the first electric school bus is expected in six to 12 months and the town will order when within that window.",{"_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},6217813,"Needham committee weighs embodied-carbon measures for houses, major municipal projects",3230,102000,3332000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3642981-a6a38b9213352438d34e93e38a503875&start=102&end=3332","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3642981-a6a38b9213352438d34e93e38a503875/thumbnail_102000.jpg","/articles/6217813/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-committee-weighs-embodied-carbon-measures-for-houses-major-municipal-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6217813-e688ea2f78618360c1dfe5122cfe3b69/orig.mp4?Expires=1771222781&Signature=Rw6Rc8l9M5-dNJw5lhvrBCSBd~cmVhuYgCEqxozu57c8OJS7CepSTN~F6mJsDJlx~mvC~HPJPdhfcKjRRRp5Zmef8ZhbLkHw0v7E7VNGOrJwiq5LHZDkHHx1wjbY0-PLp6HTCJ2s5u6ALlXuabjf-yHQP54RLDRnFM1vAscRbxMHPL6SnPzIM9GYjH8LZMl2aHP98V8n2JLE8uORxMBsxABqCghCU4sV4mZ3ExBqzqm6V5dOhytj8aHsbYvKrOhKzA2X72Bb1pUJaXr3pMa3~gq3Ez1~kJIwAaASLIZBYypRxSaWOIzPn1tXeQly7YbyxqvqqpWKFqSTJGoQbRQyLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Town of Needham Climate Action Committee spent much of their June 2 meeting laying groundwork for how the town might address embodied carbon in both private development and municipal construction.

The committee discussed education, potential policy tools such as demolition-delay provisions and incentives, and next steps for integrating life-cycle considerations into the town’s large projects — most notably the Pollard school rebuild. Members agreed to gather more information from peer communities, sharpen recommendations and prepare materials the committee can offer to the town’s Large House Review and Tree committees.

Committee members opened by describing widespread public confusion about what embodied carbon means and how it differs from the operational carbon reductions required by state goals. They discussed case studies from Brookline, Newton, Cambridge, Wellesley and Amherst and noted that those communities mostly required reporting, limited demolition delays, or nonbinding resolutions rather than broad mandates. The group singled out Brookline’s demolition-delay policy and a resolution encouraging low‑carbon concrete as examples to investigate further.

Members examined demolition delays as a concrete policy tool and asked how long delays should be and what they accomplish. One member said Wellesley uses a one‑year delay for large houses; the meeting also included references to historic‑home delays of six months in other contexts. The committee discussed how delays sometimes simply create time for owners to find reuse or deconstruction options but do not necessarily prevent demolition when economics favor rebuilding.

On municipal projects, members recommended prioritizing adaptive reuse where feasible to avoid pouring new materials, and tracking material choices and life‑cycle metrics on town projects. The committee used Emery Grover as an example where adaptive reuse reduced lifecycle impacts, and flagged the Pollard school rebuild — an anticipated ~220,000‑square‑foot project — as a case the committee should follow as designers evaluate reuse options and material choices. Members noted the Massachusetts School Building Authority and the building committee will drive the Pollard process and that cost comparisons will be central to community acceptance.

The committee set out next steps: (1) the Embodied Carbon Working Group will gather implementation details and lessons from the towns cited in the primer; (2) the committee will prepare plain‑language materials explaining embodied carbon for outreach to the Large House Review and Tree committees and for the public hearings scheduled this year; and (3) staff will track available lower‑carbon materials (for example reduced‑carbon cement products) and share adoptable practices with municipal project teams.

Members emphasized that many actions remain informational and exploratory: the committee did not adopt ordinance language or formal mandates on June 2. Instead, the committee directed its working group to return with more data and suggested participants engage the planning and building communities and relevant town boards before proposing regulatory changes.","The Climate Action Committee discussed educating the community about embodied carbon, possible demolition-delay rules, outreach to other towns, and how to factor embodied carbon into the Pollard school rebuild and other municipal projects.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Select Board-backed municipal decarbonization roadmap clears way for Climate Leader Communities application

Needham committee debates strategy to expand EV charging for apartments and condominiums

Needham finalizes charger contract and plans first electric school bus; delivery timeline 6–12 months

Needham committee weighs embodied-carbon measures for houses, major municipal projects