Select Board, Needham Housing Authority appoint Amanda Berman to NHA board until next election

At a joint meeting the Select Board and Needham Housing Authority Board of Commissioners voted to appoint Amanda Berman to the Needham Housing Authority (NHA) Board of Commissioners to serve until the next town election.

Why it matters: The appointment fills an interim vacancy ahead of a critical 10‑month period for the NHA as it seeks state and federal funding for redevelopment projects including Linden Chambers and other planned work. Commitments made during the interim may affect grant and funding applications.

Selection process and rationale: Vice Chair Kathy Dowd and Vice Chair Jim Flanagan interviewed applicants and said they prioritized professional experience in affordable housing, familiarity with funding programs and the ability to “hit the ground running” during a period of active grant and redevelopment work. The two finalists were Felix Zemmell and Amanda Berman; the joint board selected Berman by roll‑call vote. Supporters cited her experience managing affordable housing and community development programs, administering federal programs and managing compliance for subsidized housing.

Vote: The Select Board and NHA conducted a roll‑call vote; the motion to appoint Berman passed with the required majority (roll‑call recorded). Amanda Berman will serve until the town’s next election, at which voters will select a commissioner for the seat.

Next steps: The appointment is effective immediately; the board asked Berman and the commission to proceed with ongoing funding and redevelopment applications.