[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6382817,"mediaKeyId","2126181-95f6ab09d4cc6e1c0f26130c4905f5d2","parentId",2126181,"title","Needham human rights committee approves minutes, reviews vacancies and shares several upcoming community programs","audioSeconds",60,"startMs",120000,"endMs",180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126181-95f6ab09d4cc6e1c0f26130c4905f5d2&start=120&end=180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126181-95f6ab09d4cc6e1c0f26130c4905f5d2/thumbnail_120000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6382817/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-human-rights-committee-approves-minutes-reviews-vacancies-and-shares-several-upcoming-community-programs","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382817-f14d8f4dfbb28c179740c31157a59841/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063365&Signature=bwT6SUGBKjYP3BzhrgJj3lhGyxxZka1vYoyTghqHKN-LQX0sevgjiHWasKbHnnSIcOiiNFeY-M7yjmgGbi8UFM3e97QvoTpkkGqRB28JoUcEm3pQnc2L5Wg~3NIam00Qs4OJVQamZFA0gJzaqigwI1VnqAQlL-0QpymnjuHj4Rn5oPVN2DtUT0B9xZQrUGVR~7dXKo47eI2Up8CEkpX-PJHcz98LcIFnBmi2ukZoDtD-mzqFpI0yUMs57mBEPtJoejAv28dgzVi23W9wM2QreOR4wAM99g7tOKBmA-jmWc7nr8jnvvdIWGCDZQJohZRghu4bsU5gl7dhE-1r9emL2A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Needham, MA","date","2025-01-17T00:00:00Z","article","The Town of Needham Human Rights Committee approved the minutes from the prior meeting with edits, discussed one current vacancy on the committee and reviewed website updates and meeting dates.

Committee business: A motion to approve the minutes was moved and seconded and adopted by voice vote; the committee asked staff to incorporate edits and post the revised minutes to the town website. Committee members noted one applicant—Marie Shapiro—under review for a vacancy and described the process for a short interview with the select board followed by a potential appointment at a February meeting. Staff said they are updating the committee’s webpage and will post agendas and the meeting link at least 48 hours before meetings.

Upcoming programs and community announcements highlighted by members included:
- A disabilities-focused film series running January–April with showings at Newman and panels for discussion; February 11 is the next screening focused on autism.
- StoryStars’ family program (ages 3–8) using picture books to help families discuss race; sessions run Jan. 26–March 23 at First Parish Church; registration and scholarship information were discussed.
- A Needham Community Theater production, If the Walls Could Talk, on Feb. 2 at Powers Hall; committee members said the production is free and locally produced.
- A library event on Sunday, Feb. 9 (2–3:30 p.m.) featuring Dr. Ted Landsmark presenting on racism in Boston; registration required through the library.

Ending: Staff will post updated minutes and agenda materials online and follow up at the next meeting on the vacancy, police follow-up on immigration policy and outreach for the committee’s calendar of events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Needham: Human Rights Committee 01/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Committee approved prior meeting minutes, discussed a vacancy and website updates, and members highlighted upcoming programs including a disabilities film series, a StoryStars family program, a play at Powers Hall and a library talk on Feb. 9 with Dr. Ted Landsmark.","taxTitle","Town of Needham, Norfolk County, Massachusetts","taxId",54445,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6382820,"Needham committee weighs education and outreach on housing and restrictive zoning",301,3769000,4070000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126181-95f6ab09d4cc6e1c0f26130c4905f5d2&start=3769&end=4070","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126181-95f6ab09d4cc6e1c0f26130c4905f5d2/thumbnail_3769000.jpg","/articles/6382820/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-committee-weighs-education-and-outreach-on-housing-and-restrictive-zoning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382820-282f9e4456c69ab019f28acae05d2dbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063365&Signature=gqnkUXfgxbemyqKikeOWhjs30ML04ICNwJ52IcmjX0rQwT4i-bSZZF6d-qRqJLUZWXNkmW1VZifhMN6c4etFmtvI9ovUA83ywsVq~i00LBjS26QOB8~E0gC7I6VayT~lLMf-lhp90RE84ZcK7xI6P5nic~p5KP~bFTiLDq~m7yM5ivLEUWoY-r2kZYccUaOveqy2cUeGRTAGXtRufH6HlP1EZrN0wMvsywBnC~nI2OqWRdEj9MbuUu7CT2Xz5I7bCp1~85V6NZ5F5ktoBMNi4Nud-kcCDCBK5BHAZWc76hr~Yi8I0Fq7nNik1UYZGQM-eGRFg88CSM3jfc8flMbTiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Needham Human Rights Committee discussed taking a more active educational role on housing issues, including restrictive zoning and the historical role of deed covenants and redlining.

Committee members described recent local debates over housing and said they want to host educational programming that explains how land-use rules intersect with segregation, class and access to opportunity. Suggested activities included a lecture or panel, a speaker series, a book discussion (candidates mentioned included works on housing history), and inviting real-estate professionals who could speak about lending, sales and neighborhood change.

Members noted prior local programs on the history of discrimination in housing and discussed partnering with regional housing-advocacy groups and referencing recent state-level actions such as MBTA Communities (mentioned in discussion) to frame what structural change looks like. Several members said the Human Rights Committee has or may have modest budget authority and could use funds to pay a speaker or support outreach.

Members also discussed the political sensitivity of municipal advocacy. Committee members reminded one another that, as an appointed town committee, it must avoid officially taking positions on referendum-style votes while still being able to host education and discussion. Several members proposed placing an item on a future agenda to brainstorm speakers, partners and potential dates for public programs.

Ending: Committee members agreed to brainstorm program ideas before the next meeting and to place housing education on the next agenda for planning and next steps.","Committee members discussed holding public education and speaker events about restrictive zoning, redlining and the links among zoning, segregation and opportunity; members said they view housing as a human-rights issue and proposed using available committee funds to host programs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6382821,"Needham committee advances planning for two-session Community Conversations on Race",381,2639000,3020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126181-95f6ab09d4cc6e1c0f26130c4905f5d2&start=2639&end=3020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126181-95f6ab09d4cc6e1c0f26130c4905f5d2/thumbnail_2639000.jpg","/articles/6382821/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-committee-advances-planning-for-two-session-Community-Conversations-on-Race","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382821-8f5cb4742a7b56f65acba0e8c142f8c1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063365&Signature=chQFknFpQUG8jUZQMJwlGG4jJakekg-5synv0SuOM4gOKq05JqMtejoUoJM2OUGjCakFq3sQ3csTIuihKicJu3pd701G~mcZATN5hsnTGKGpZnPRdmCrZg~KI0Xd9MR42npnafehv5VwsyLqAvQKyGwTjZaLHZ4~i5~uxKIOcfQzvo2k69qdOnBnCG4I8kTvXHxrvP3lDuVMTHhP7DyQc3zdJXrSoT7TildYk~YadYwjs6SCZJp0kvPwSaPNP4oIVlw6fW4i~NvbedPyRJXsYZNpN5ZCkYmn-YKtSFKZsZOXDzw7uGCnE-12AXqRxFHteUiIPnodFLwNQDRT7L8FdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the Town of Needham Human Rights Committee reviewed plans for a two-session program titled Community Conversations on Race.

The planning group — which includes community volunteers and representatives from the school system, the Chinese Friends of Needham and the select board — is using a consultant’s outline for two sessions that will aim to engage majority‑group residents as well as people who have experienced discrimination. Committee members said the objective is to move beyond personal testimony and to structure sessions to motivate sustained engagement from attendees who are not already involved in equity work.

The committee confirmed it has one open spot to appoint a second Human Rights Committee representative to the steering group after a recent member stepped down. Committee members said the group will conduct planning meetings (the next planning meeting was noted for January 30 in committee discussion) and will reach out to additional stakeholders, including the police department and the community council, as programming is finalized.

Members praised school system involvement and described the sessions as an initial step in a longer series rather than a single one-off event. The planning group will return with a refined plan for publicizing the sessions and integrating follow‑up work.

Ending: The committee agreed to designate a second liaison, continue planning with the consultant, and bring a publicity and outreach plan to a future meeting.","Members reviewed a consultant outline and a planning group roster, discussed goals for impact beyond personal testimony and sought a Human Rights Committee representative to join the steering group.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6382822,"Needham human rights committee plans immigration resources and “Know Your Rights” materials for upcoming event",1045,705000,1750000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2126181-95f6ab09d4cc6e1c0f26130c4905f5d2&start=705&end=1750","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2126181-95f6ab09d4cc6e1c0f26130c4905f5d2/thumbnail_705000.jpg","/articles/6382822/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-human-rights-committee-plans-immigration-resources-and-Know-Your-Rights-materials-for-upcoming-event","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382822-d6e22db98762debbb6143528338ae5d0/orig.mp4?Expires=1771063365&Signature=OGP9M47ROhAWI0qVNaeQO4kGEOHGcO1TcaNtDXFfBpDhBKLpW4jQPuCjFbGOv-R3fLwpq5xjlXkIbR6a40rmhJJAJjcvC-bBF-1jiEXBcIUxHG3KBdmiN1nL9CI3VynWZQN6n~h92rxvED7X4fQwxg1fKH4SAXxWWjBowV-6i0-2NqTlUQcVOW3Z6fVZUolmEY9efOHfTuDUp4RRifi8aJyTd5BGPzKfFdMiKbtMJPxNKVp1Iq2udZwvYUWzrcvFJMIGFOZv4totXmF2z8cS9yCnmecywzsCG-eqgkj2wf0AfdeaDd5Ekwynwhh4~unHTxYHomZ4HFlQAIVCc6cUcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Town of Needham Human Rights Committee discussed plans to staff an information table at an upcoming community event with materials about immigration processes, know-your-rights guidance and volunteer opportunities.

Committee members said they want a small set of printed handouts plus a QR code linking to a live Google document that can be updated on the day of the event. The committee discussed translating key materials (Spanish, Portuguese and Creole) and using a poster or display so visitors can quickly see what is being offered.

Members identified organizations to coordinate with, including the Immigration Justice Task Force and the MetroWest Workers’ Center, which has previously run clinics and accompaniment programs for people navigating asylum and other immigration processes. The committee discussed including brief one-page explanations of topics such as asylum and temporary protected status, and a separate path for allies who want to volunteer or be trained to help (for example, research assistance on country conditions, accompaniment to court or medical appointments, or staffing clinics).

Committee members emphasized the limits of what a town committee can offer and the need to connect people with legal services. They proposed a two-track resource: (1) an information link and QR code labeled for those seeking help, with contacts for legal or clinical referrals; and (2) a separate volunteers/ally sign-up link with next steps (training links and clinic schedules). They discussed putting together a short, digestible collection of resources rather than a large packet of papers.

The committee also flagged practical logistics: name tags for volunteers, backup volunteers for hospitality tasks, and a cart to move refreshments. Members agreed to consult the immigration justice group and other local partners to avoid duplicating materials and to ensure referrals to legal services where available.

The Human Rights Committee said it will follow up with the Town Police Chief and other town offices on policies and clarify any town-level limits before publicizing specific referrals or legal advice.

Ending: Committee staff and volunteers will collect sample handouts and a working QR link and report back at the next meeting with a proposed resource page and volunteer sign-up flow.","Committee members discussed assembling multilingual handouts, a QR-linked resource page, and coordinating with local groups — including the Immigration Justice Task Force and MetroWest Workers’ Center — to offer know-your-rights information and volunteer pathways at a community table during an upcoming program.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Needham human rights committee approves minutes, reviews vacancies and shares several upcoming community programs

Needham committee weighs education and outreach on housing and restrictive zoning

Needham committee advances planning for two-session Community Conversations on Race

Needham human rights committee plans immigration resources and “Know Your Rights” materials for upcoming event