Select Board approves agreement to end Stephen Palmer leases Oct. 31, 2026, and fund tenant relocation aid

The Needham Select Board voted Oct. 14 to approve a memorandum of agreement with Stephen Palmer Associates that sets a final move-out date of Oct. 31, 2026, for residents of the 28-unit Stephen Palmer Apartments and creates a tenant assistance package pending appropriation at a special town meeting.

Town Manager Katie King said the agreement is intended to give tenants predictable notice and time to relocate while the town completes a community planning process to determine future uses for the former school site. “May 2027 is 18 months away and in town time, I think that's really, like a blink of an eye,” King said, summarizing why the town sought an earlier uniform move-out date.

The agreement requires Stephen Palmer Associates to stop entering new leases once a unit becomes vacant and gives residents the option to leave earlier without penalty. The town agreed to reimburse Stephen Palmer Associates for rent on units that become vacant and to cover individually metered utilities for vacant units…