Needham Observer – Year in Review

The Observer’s first full year of covering more than 300 local news stories included a wide range of topics, people, and significant events. Here’s a look back at some of the most-read articles and most-covered topics in 2024.

HOUSING

As was true with large swaths of the state and even the nation, Needham spent a lot of time in 2024 talking about housing, specifically how to comply with the MBTA Communities Law.

According to a survey of nearly 700 town residents conducted in the spring, only 14% of Needhamites are satisfied with the availability of “affordable quality housing” in town. Three out of four respondents were not satisfied with “the variety of housing options,” and 57% were not satisfied with the “overall quality of new development.”

That sentiment seemed to prevail at October Town Meeting when 57% of Town Meeting members voted to approve the more extensive of two plans to loosen zoning along the town’s commercial spine and increase potential to expand Needham’s housing options for multifamily dwellings.

The subsequent successful signature drive to repeal the Town Meeting vote showed there is also a desire for Needham to slow its roll on zoning. On Jan. 14, residents will now have to consider a repeal of the Town Meeting action for the first time in 45 years.

Meanwhile, the Board of Assessors mandatory five-year review of town property values raised the total valuation of Needham residential properties by some $2.5 billion. 

The median sales price of a single-family home increased 13% to $1.55 million. At the same time, the annual volume of single-family homes sales declined for the eighth consecutive year. The volume of sales in 2024 was roughly half of the 2016 total of 430 sales.

RESTAURANTS

We’ve learned in our year and a half of publishing that readers like to know about new restaurants. In March, Needham welcomed both the Common Room and Just Salad and awaits the opening of Conrads and the Noodle Bar. And soon there will be even more space to enjoy Blue on Highland.

COMMERCIAL IMPROVEMENT HAS FITS AND STARTS

The town’s two most conspicuous commercial properties — the former Muzi site at 557 Highland Ave. and the former Carter Building about three-quarters of a mile down the road — remain dormant. The Carter site at 100 West Street may be revived by a possible MBTA Law-related zoning change, but the Muzi owners seem content to wait for the market for commercial real estate to recover.

On the plus side, Needham Garden & Hardware, formerly Needham Garden Center, filled the void left by Harvey’s Hardware’s closure. Learning Express moved to a larger location on Great Plain Avenue, making room for the expansion on Chestnut street — a win-win. 

And Union Pharmacy opened its doors, filling most of the space vacated by Harvey’s —which may be gone but won’t be forgotten. 

POLLARD PROJECT ADVANCES

The long-anticipated project to renovate the Pollard Middle School was accepted for funding consideration through the Mass. School Building Authority process. At an estimated $300 million, it would be easily the largest construction project in town history. The issue could come before town voters for a Prop. 2 1/2 override election as early as November 2026. 

 COMINGS AND GOINGS

Marcus Nelson, who in 2021 became the first black candidate elected to the Select Board, announced at the start of 2024 that he would not seek re-election. 

In February, Denise Garlick surprised many by announcing she would not be seeking re-election to a seventh term as state representative from Needham, Dover and half of Medfield. She will be succeeded by Josh Tarsky, a relative newcomer to Needham who won both a four-way Democratic primary and the November general election. He will be sworn in on Jan. 1. 

Tedi Eaton ended her more than four-decade tenure as Town Clerk, stepping away with one year still remaining on her most recent term. She was succeeded by Louise Miller who ran unopposed.

Among non-elected officials, Kate Fitzpatrick — Needham’s first town manager —announced in October that she plans to retire mid-2025. 

POLICE BLOTTER

While incidents of violent crime remain rare in Needham, the town did experience episodes of property crimes and mailbox thefts perpetrated by organized crime rings that periodically plague suburban communities.

More particular to Needham was a case of alleged theft by fraud against leaders of Needham Junior Football and Cheer as well as the arrest on an assault charge of a local acupuncturist who remains a fugitive after fleeing the country while out on bail.

SPORTS

It was an exciting year for Needham High School athletes. For the first time, the varsity football team made it to the MIAA Division 1 state championship game. The Rockets were unbeaten (12-0) before falling to Xaverian 14-7 in the title game.

Junior Greta Hammer’s 5k time of 18:19.31 was more than 30 seconds better than that of any other competitor as the girls’ cross-country team captured the state Division 1A championship. 

Freshman Andrea Qie won the 200-yard individual medley and the 100-yard butterfly, and senior Becky Hwang took the 100-yard backstroke at the girls’ Division 1 swimming and diving state tournament.

The NHS boys’ volleyball team made it to the state Division 1 finals before losing. So did the upset-minded boys’ lacrosse team. The girls’ volleyball team was eliminated in the semifinals. 

AQUATIC ADVENTURES

Finally, we’ll close our review with two water-related incidents that brought Needham some regional and even national attention.

Rosemary Pool’s “Salsagate” proved some national media outlets will travel far and wide for condiment-related coverage. And the adventures of some intrepid magnet fishing practitioners showed that living in a town surrounded on three sides by the Charles River opens it up to all kinds of recreational options.