Property Tax Assistance Fund
Residents struggling to pay their property tax bills may be eligible for financial assistance through the town’s Elderly and Disabled Taxation Fund.
Seniors residing in Needham could receive a grant to be applied to their property taxes if they meet the qualifications for low-income, elderly or disabled as defined by state law. The criteria include age, ownership, residency, disability, income and assets.
Established in 2005, the program initially was funded solely by voluntary contributions from Needham taxpayers. The voluntary fund received $12,561 in 2023. Since 2009, that source has been supplemented by an annual town appropriation approved at Town Meeting, which this year is set at $50,000.
The town’s Taxation Aid Committee, a five-member board that meets twice a year and includes the town’s assessor and treasurer or their designee(s) and three citizens at large, oversees the program.
Applications must be received by the assessor’s office by April 16. Application forms are available online and at the assessor’s and or/tax collector’s offices in Town Hall, at the Center at the Heights and at the Needham Public Library. The application also can be downloaded
For more information contact the assessor’s office at 781-455-7500, ext 238.
Parent Survey on Substance Use
The Substance Prevention Alliance of Needham, in collaboration with the Needham Public Health Division, is surveying parents of 6th-12th graders living in Needham. The goal is to learn more about their personal beliefs and perceptions regarding underage drinking and substance use and abuse among youth. Those interested can take the survey that will be open until April 26. The survey is anonymous and helps inform SPAN’s work to address youth substance use in Needham.
Early voting in town election starts March 30
Town Hall will be open for early voting for this year’s town election from Saturday, March 30, to Friday, April 5.
Early voting will begin at the first floor Select Board Chambers, 1471 Highland Ave., from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 30.
There will be no voting on Sunday, March 31, but it will resume the week of April 1-5 from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., plus a single 7-9 p.m. session on Tuesday, April 2.
The last day to register to vote in this year’s election is Friday, March 29. Election Day is Tuesday, April 9, with voting at the town’s five polling locations.
How to meet the candidates
Voters will have multiple chances to compare candidates at three forums between now and election day on April 9.
League of Women Voters Candidates Night
Monday, March 25, at 7 p.m. / Broadmeadow School
Organized by the League of Women Voters of Needham, the event will have question-and-answer sessions with the three Select Board candidates and the two Needham Housing Authority Commission candidates.
The program will be both live and virtual via Zoom. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions.
Charles River Regional Chamber Select Board Business Forum
Wednesday, March 27, from 3-4 p.m. / Zoom
Chamber President Greg Reibman will moderate a debate featuring the three Select Board candidates. It will focus on issues of importance to the town’s economic development, businesses and nonprofits. The event will be recorded.
Register to watch at https://crrc.charlesriverchamber.com/events.
North Hill Civics Affairs Committee Debate
Monday, April 1 at 1 p.m. / North Hill Fourth Floor Conference Center
The candidates for Select Board will summarize their positions on what they see as the key issues and then take questions from attendees.
This event is open to the public. It will not be available virtually, nor will it be recorded.
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