The Needham Council for Arts and Culture discussed next steps for a proposed mural on Highland Avenue at its Sept. 30 meeting, describing a private cost‑share offer, a planned request‑for‑proposals for artists, and a subcommittee to shepherd the project through selection and town review.

Joni (council member) reported that Grossman (a local property owner) approached the council and has proposed a cost‑share for the mural. “They are corporate sponsor, and they are splitting the cost of this up to $7,000,” Joni said; council members noted the council had previously authorized up to $7,500 for the project. The council’s project notes and selection language were described as largely adapted from wording the Town Council approved for earlier murals.

Council members said the chosen wall is prepared for painting but that a vertical run of piping near the walkway complicates a single continuous design; the group is considering a smaller mural plus an adjacent art box to display rotating student work. Joni described a selection process in which the mural subcommittee would shortlist three finalists, pay each an honorarium to produce a final design, and then solicit community feedback before the council and town boards sign off: “Those 3 finalists… make a final design… [we] bring in some members of the community,” she said.

The council agreed to form a mural subcommittee to finalize RFP language and manage selection. Members who volunteered for the subcommittee included Rona (spelled “Rana” in one place), Steve, Sheila, Joanie, Heather and Joni; the subcommittee will present RFP language before both the Town Council and the Select Board. The council expects to meet the Select Board on Oct. 29 and aims to have a final mural design completed by December so that construction can begin in spring after required town reviews (design board, Select Board and any applicable permitting).

Council members also discussed maintenance funds for existing murals after an owner reported corner damage to the Chapel Street mural. One council member suggested setting aside 5–10% of a project’s cost as a maintenance reserve; using the example of a $9,000 mural, the 10% figure circulated as $900. A council member recommended tabling any formal appropriation and asking the town finance team about an appropriate mechanism to hold maintenance funds across fiscal years; council staff agreed to follow up.

No binding contract awards or municipal appropriations were approved during the meeting. The council asked the mural subcommittee to finalize RFP language and selection criteria and return to the full council before the Select Board review.