An Active August Ahead
• As we slip into the dog days of summer, there is usually a slow down in activities as town residents seek out a little rest and relaxation ahead of September. This year will buck that trend.
We are still in the midst of the season, but in the midst of all the heat and rain that the weather has brought is a frenzy of local action that is keeping civic-minded individuals and organizations hopping. With several high-profile decisions being made this fall, advocates are using the month to prepare the public and bring some attention to the issues facing our community. Here is a peek at a few of the events that are on our radar.
Get Ready for this Fall’s Election
We’ve already mentioned the series of candidate’s forums that are being put together by the League of Women Voters of Needham. Three events hosted by them, alongside other town chapters of the LWV, will introduce voters to candidates running for the Governor’s Council, register of deeds and for state representative. With September primaries just a few weeks away, each week will feature a different forum, starting with the Governor’s Council race this afternoon.
MBTA Community Zoning Ramping Up
The state’s response to the town’s proposed plans to comply with the MBTA Communities Act was due on Aug. 1. While there has been no further information released to date, there are several groups that are working to prepare for the Special Town Meeting this October. In addition to the series of walking tours hosted by the Needham Housing Coaltion — scheduled to conclude this Wednesday — the Needham Planning Board will be meeting twice this month, on Aug. 14 and Aug. 27. The proposed articles will be the subject of a public hearing they will hold together with the Select Board on Sep. 5.
A Month of Remembrance
Finally, two Memorial Park events will bookend the month, geared toward remembering our collective past and seeking to build a better future. The Needham Veterans of Foreign Wars will host a ceremony commemorating Purple Heart Day, honoring those who have received the nation’s oldest military decoration. Many town institutions will also come together for the town’s third annual Overdose Awareness Vigil on Aug. 29, seeking to remember those in our lives we have lost as a result of substance use.
There is more to come as the fall approaches, so check out the Needham Local calendar to keep ahead of all these events and more.
