Campaigns file finance reports

The special town election on Jan. 14 to consider repealing the zoning plan passed at October’s Town Meeting prompted residents on both sides of the ballot question to form campaign organizations. On Jan. 6 each group filed the required campaign finance report with the Town Clerk’s Office listing their funding sources and how the monies were spent.

The report for NRTZ, Needham Residents for Thoughtful Zoning, which advocates rejecting the Neighborhood Plan by voting no on the ballot question, was submitted by treasurer Nathan Levin. It lists donations dating from Oct. 21, the day Town Meeting voted for the Neighborhood Plan, through Jan. 6. The campaign raised $15,617 from 72 individuals, 70 of whom are Needham residents.

The report for Yes for Needham, which advocates a yes vote to accept the Neighborhood Plan, was submitted by treasurer Evan Rauch. It lists donations from Nov. 27 through Dec. 27. The campaign raised a total of $19,616. Of that amount, $8,616 came from 94 individuals, 89 of whom are Needham residents. It also lists $1,000 from the Charles River Regional Chamber and $10,000 from the organization One Commonwealth Inc. 

One Commonwealth Inc. is a nonprofit advocacy group formed in 2024 by Governor Maura Healey to provide political and financial support to local housing initiatives.

The largest donors listed to the NRTZ campaign, who either donated or provided in-kind support, were Nathan Levin ($3,760.96), Ken Buckley ($2,050), Susan Herman ($2,000), Barbara McDonald ($1,797.09) and Gary Ajamian ($1,301.79). The largest donors listed for the Yes for Needham campaign were John Terry ($500), Daniel Matthews ($320) and $250 each from Lise Elcock, Michael Diener, Jennifer Muroff and Andrew Musgrave. 

Each campaign spent on printing and postage for postcards, flyers, lawn signs and advertisements in Hometown Weekly. The NRTZ campaign reported spending $12,797.03 and the Yes for Needham campaign reported spending $12,622.23. NRTZ listed a remaining balance of $2,819.97 and Yes for Needham listed a remaining balance of $6,993.77.

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