[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6372656,"mediaKeyId","2147406-cca042245950a95b5f2b8288d959b634","parentId",2147406,"title","Needham resident proposes seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers; Board questions enforcement and exemptions","audioSeconds",937,"startMs",141000,"endMs",1078000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147406-cca042245950a95b5f2b8288d959b634&start=141&end=1078","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147406-cca042245950a95b5f2b8288d959b634/thumbnail_141000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6372656/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-resident-proposes-seasonal-ban-on-gas-powered-leaf-blowers-Board-questions-enforcement-and-exemptions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372656-fff1719d22e6f59cb0de07431668da10/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148637&Signature=WtNyAV33l3OWntWMQtVdmJHEI4HrE2QpBTgDB-89tnfph7RucNhtom3c7SsLl0W51HrhqNZRamsUt17wnB-3cj2fTzMpzddXTLxg8qyQDKXHGUKqu8u3tng0bosMVPM1KgOx8fAXIG42gHFWvfuka7ydCkftFLunZaXmCyCEZY3zmM5jki03epOi0fJmBQMplzm9MF9Wkb~qnI2~FIDOFvMDeH123Rip6dmLazwIp9DDr45HZSLuf3aMjdUtMU7sYudBIU~0v9KFjU3bZMcR42vyVnjLJ1N40h-PdcpKJg~5MBfFLQjOn6IgbCBvs0qt6a0Ro9keFNsykMmJd9a50A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Needham, MA","date","2025-01-24T00:00:00Z","article","A resident presenter urged the Needham Board of Health to back a citizen petition to ban gas-powered leaf blowers in town from May 15 through Sept. 30, beginning next year, citing noise and concentrated air pollution as the main public‑health concerns.

David Rudolph, who presented the petition and scientific background, said the proposal’s primary goal is to reduce noise exposure and its downstream health effects. “The primary thing we’re focusing on is the noise,” Rudolph said. He told the board gas-powered blowers can reach about 100 decibels and produce lower-frequency sound that travels farther and penetrates buildings more than electric models.

Rudolph also cited studies he said measured higher non‑methane hydrocarbon (NMHC) emissions from gas blowers and likened one commonly cited model’s one‑hour output to the concentrated emissions of a long cross‑country drive. He described other towns’ approaches—some adopt seasonal bans, some limit decibel levels, and a few (Lexington, Arlington, Belmont) have moved to full commercial bans—and recommended Needham start with a seasonal ban and monitor results.

Rudolph’s specific recommendations included a seasonal prohibition from May 15 to Sept. 30, enforcement assigned to the Board of Health, a property‑owner liability approach (rather than targeting small landscaping firms), a possible limit on the number of gas blowers on lots smaller than one‑third acre when usage is allowed, and a DPW waiver for storm or emergency cleanup. He said town DPW equipment would likely be exempt and that he was discussing the proposal with the Select Board.

Board members and staff focused questions on enforcement and technical feasibility. Tim (Town staff) said enforcement would likely be complaint driven and that staff are “much more comfortable, when our staff observe a violation rather than relying on sort of photographic evidence.” He added town staff hours begin at 8 a.m., so enforcing early‑morning violations would require overtime and extra funding.

Board members asked whether the ordinance should instead limit decibel levels. Rudolph said limiting decibels is technically possible—he cited towns that set a 65‑decibel cap for gas blowers—but warned it complicates enforcement because callers cannot easily verify decibel readings and staff would need to measure sound while the device is operating. One board member noted Newton’s approach of hiring a part‑time enforcement officer; Rudolph said Newton issued about $90,000 in fines in a period he summarized and collected roughly $70,000, and that Newton has seen higher compliance since adding focused enforcement.

Board members also raised practical concerns raised by landscapers: electric blowers with comparable power exist but have limited battery runtimes and higher equipment costs (Rudolph said a top‑end battery can cost about $2,000 and may only run two hours). Several members asked about educational and incentive options for landscapers; Rudolph said he has spoken with an equipment seller willing to coordinate group purchases at a discount.

Rudolph said town examples vary on enforcement targets (property owner, landscaping company or both) and the enforcing office (Board of Health, police, building department or DPW). He recommended Board of Health enforcement based on his conversations with other towns. He also said Belmont and Arlington reported increasing compliance where the board of health enforces bans, while police‑led enforcement generally had limited impact.

The board asked Rudolph to continue consultations with staff and the Select Board. Rudolph said he would coordinate further with Tim and the Select Board and that the draft will likely proceed as a citizens’ petition for Town Meeting.

Ending: The Board asked staff and Rudolph to continue refining the proposal—including enforcement details, potential fee schedule and an education plan for landscapers—and to return with more specifics. No formal vote on the petition was taken at the meeting.
","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Needham: Board of Health 01/24/2025","oneSentenceSummary","A resident presenter urged the Needham Board of Health to back a citizen petition to ban gas‑powered leaf blowers in town from May 15 through Sept. 30, beginning next year, citing noise and concentrated air pollution as the primary public‑health concerns.","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},6372637,"Inspector reports progress on St. Mary Street housing case; board permits staff discretion to finish compliance work",146,5141000,5287000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147406-cca042245950a95b5f2b8288d959b634&start=5141&end=5287","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147406-cca042245950a95b5f2b8288d959b634/thumbnail_5141000.jpg","/articles/6372637/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Inspector-reports-progress-on-St-Mary-Street-housing-case-board-permits-staff-discretion-to-finish-compliance-work","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372637-150e88080a60f8dfa567f65c472c5fb6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148637&Signature=CeTO6LL39raNqyBpWJmr1TCR2SOryVHQ1hSZBt79vp~D~f0usAlBQln~ZJWAYU3ljM0Hc5HclAdDPMYACnBsJ8HjVx~QKRr6Q7NEI~q~xp4ZIoZUHNDelbANwlYleDxn5dhmp6I6tALl06xtmyNTRZwYsI0hAWXFC4JtNsfBnDlrHp9~o4Oq-~EXaqOZa25OPum8mrp2EcNxgpeTRt~BZmb47sVUDpLSsDYCYHVgxys4v6FvWOYNElN6moTCojE-UK1uMghzB~J3mgWQpf0kRKsT9jpI-BnrJvFjSK98Nx64NpgHlfEzRgIBF3rtJIdcOav~doNqxKQowh~g4B4w0A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board received an update from housing inspector Sai on a previously reported property on St. Mary Street. Sai said the cars in the backyard—one of the board’s earlier concerns—were removed at the start of the year and an inspection on Jan. 15 confirmed progress. He asked the board to allow him discretion to continue overseeing the case and to grant the property owner additional time to address remaining items such as auto parts, rusted tools and other debris.

Tim and the board acknowledged the substantial progress Sai reported and supported allowing the inspector to continue working with the property owner to reach full compliance. Board members noted the earlier three‑month extension to Jan. 1 and expressed that the property has made notable improvements.

Ending: The board informally agreed to let Sai manage the case and assess whether compliance has been achieved; no formal vote was recorded at the meeting.
","Needham housing inspector reported vehicles removed and substantial cleanup at a St. Mary Street property. Inspector Sai requested discretion to continue case management; the board agreed informally and asked staff to pursue remaining compliance items.",{"_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},6372642,"Charles River training hub briefs Needham board on inspector training, 43‑community coverage and new field‑training cohorts",1142,3598000,4740000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147406-cca042245950a95b5f2b8288d959b634&start=3598&end=4740","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147406-cca042245950a95b5f2b8288d959b634/thumbnail_3598000.jpg","/articles/6372642/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Charles-River-training-hub-briefs-Needham-board-on-inspector-training-43community-coverage-and-new-fieldtraining-cohorts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372642-1c646638073cb7bbb228384d593374aa/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148637&Signature=iifDv8gWmyZ96gLBsaAHZmi~G8BbF3MZKQtLufJPYgs6NnKNT6FXM-IsifwNccmnkjGOsruGFYgLBJ099uZ3fEnIkT1EjK-GR1N8N7ht0S3ZycI0D8hyKSKr3QwD3d11jrl-LRapTEoQAdY8QXr9d0zw4nZU-VLrzWo7WBVjCs9ZT3krIQczT1d5sIX0V24mjpgoVLCsT0K~XSXzc6tMSCS1731pBnFtf-AHNVnKHuMEuEWt72~Bj4XFEKV1l3UpXLD~UctOMBHB8GxSQfihx3cV7jy8LmdWEEt4uoz7CaXbVjGyaUwZE5~OIEufn9C0d1IcAASA6P4e4y6GcDfpvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representatives of the Charles River Public Health training hub updated the Needham Board of Health on a regional training program that supports local inspectors and shared‑services groups.

Carrie Janelle, the training hub manager, said the hub serves 43 communities in its region (about 712,000 people, mostly urban) and is one of the state’s 10 training hubs created to implement recommendations from the Special Commission on Local and Regional Public Health’s June 2019 blueprint. The hubs aim to set consistent education and inspection standards and expand access to training across municipalities.

Sam Menard, lead trainer, described a tiered training model: Tier 1 is self‑paced online learning (TrainMassachusetts and FDA modules), Tier 2 is classroom and hybrid cohorts (Boston University was cited as a classroom partner), and Tier 3 is in‑field, one‑on‑one competency training. For food inspections the hub currently conducts field mentorship, typically four to five supervised inspections followed by a competency assessment; if trainees meet the competencies, the state is notified and the inspector is approved for independent inspections.

The hub also offers document review for shared services (applications, inspection reports, HACCP plans), an equipment‑lending library for items such as sound meters, and technical assistance. Sam said pools and camps training modules are expected to be added this year. The hub has also begun targeted refresher sessions (for example, a pre‑season pool refresher) and plans recurring cohorts so each jurisdiction’s inspectors can complete required training.

Board members said they support the effort to standardize inspection quality across municipalities. Carrie and Sam invited local inspectors to use the hub’s website and resources and asked the board to identify any specific training needs in Needham.

Ending: The board acknowledged the hub’s role and asked staff to share trainings with Needham inspectors; the hub said it will continue to schedule cohorts and offer document reviews on request.
","Representatives of the Charles River Public Health training hub described regional inspector training work, the hub’s role implementing the state blueprint for local public‑health training and a tiered training pathway that includes in‑field mentorship and upcoming pools and camps modules.",{"_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},6372646,"Town staff review 2024 synthetic‑turf tests; zinc flagged and arsenic measurement questioned",159,3471000,3630000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147406-cca042245950a95b5f2b8288d959b634&start=3471&end=3630","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147406-cca042245950a95b5f2b8288d959b634/thumbnail_3471000.jpg","/articles/6372646/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Town-staff-review-2024-syntheticturf-tests-zinc-flagged-and-arsenic-measurement-questioned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372646-ddae41abfff3526f79f222d6405e185b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148637&Signature=hFOH6tGrKdQelhWe0pJPwYwJF-Qr9t1CAbDNQWajG3dvoyj0IWtg83pHkgYZIxSLozfyv~quFo2bE3SoLK7BIm3tonEGTXN0ZcRZqeYHjSLOF9963iwKMuV-i0K1PfB9mtR-HdCFN842JHC5u0Jx9NbpqJ~oLjjsRGOIgC-aFrrWLHxEBcptwaixGlZfbPl5ZVwOwY9rIn4JfdZY3boa1Zh-Y-cC3GcmlzE19724Eo5JRmEitmLPX5NiCKIKFb~vQhEBUHsVsI5NcyDZv8~Mv~Ng3MmwdUjkGRwg0FxvGfp0laUim55xZrcZ0QGVnuYjIyORnC68pKNPAXm5tlqssw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Town environmental staff presented the 2024 synthetic‑turf testing reports for Needham fields, noting metal concentrations mostly consistent with 2023 but flagging a higher zinc reading at Memorial Field and an arsenic measurement complicated by a lab method change.

Tara (environmental staff) summarized results: semi‑volatile and volatile organic compound levels were consistent or lower than 2023; metal concentrations were mostly consistent but two analytes—zinc and arsenic—showed increases in the 2024 report. She said the laboratory told town staff that equipment availability affected which analytical method was used for arsenic testing in 2024; the lab used a more sensitive method (described in the meeting as the “6‑10” method) because the facility’s usual instrument (the “6‑20” method) was unavailable, and that could explain the year‑to‑year change.

Tara told the board that the lab’s written interpretation said the measured levels do not pose a public‑health risk. Board members asked for clarification. One member noted a report line stating one zinc concentration exceeded a MassDEP threshold and asked for the actual numeric result and follow‑up guidance; Tara said she would request retesting using the same protocol used in prior years and ask the lab to provide clearer documentation of the methods and the health‑risk rationale.

Board members also discussed sampling protocol. Tara said the lab typically collects three grab samples (end, center, end) and combines them; members asked whether additional sampling locations would give a better picture of the field. Several board members recommended repeating the arsenic analysis using the consistent method when the lab’s preferred instrument is available and considering annual or next‑year zinc re‑sampling to track any trend.

Staff noted the synthetic fields are midway through an expected life span and are usually replaced on roughly a 10‑year cycle; testing had been on a roughly two‑year schedule. No immediate public‑health action was recommended at the meeting; the board asked staff to secure a clearer method explanation from the lab and to consider additional sampling.

Ending: Staff will ask the lab to re‑run the arsenic analysis with the standard method when feasible, report the numeric concentrations for zinc and arsenic, and propose a resampling schedule; the board requested documentation of the lab’s rationale that current levels pose no public‑health risk.
","Needham staff reviewed 2024 testing of synthetic turf at town fields; one zinc sample exceeded a DEP threshold and the lab used a more sensitive method for arsenic that complicated year‑to‑year comparisons. Board asked staff to request repeat testing with consistent methods and consider more frequent sampling.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6372651,"Needham CCIT team presents quarterly data: mental‑health contacts, hospital transports and outreach",858,1996000,2854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2147406-cca042245950a95b5f2b8288d959b634&start=1996&end=2854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2147406-cca042245950a95b5f2b8288d959b634/thumbnail_1996000.jpg","/articles/6372651/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-CCIT-team-presents-quarterly-data-mentalhealth-contacts-hospital-transports-and-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6372651-8a03fc7d7089ecf93d1e27216780eb83/orig.mp4?Expires=1771148637&Signature=mNIkskggMVkIGoq0tEuEZ~CEFMKSstyWers69mdhjJFDKT79QRb1QvnNDlPv7qErVWV4pyss2l6fUl98GxTqnbgtitIOx46qKXWtwJc1XMqLWxQK-WZSQz1hJl-fXTWbfYdDcsi6wDAy-VBQmLSnK2qRAFJRiWLtqp9V0YsCbS3BPBxSVWQcSh-T-kqqkwz26CRx09hOd8hyJ~SPhQDv3ADC7klCDfxwnHt1L-WrvByRTnyRzXnZDcxhO7zhbk9FddTn27~DMFuaGOveryQ7vKxWVSdKj8n4fk1PfcKrHpO74oLZs7905F-b-2ZO-232BvGO0zHgmcjmYx3eznZihQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Needham Board of Health received a quarterly briefing on the Community Crisis Intervention Team (CCIT) and associated outreach, hospital transports and follow‑up work across town.

Carol (public‑health staff) and Jessica “Jess” Moss, assistant director at the Council on Aging, outlined the program’s history and partnerships. Carol said the CCIT model began in Needham in 2015 as a multi‑disciplinary effort among public‑health staff, police and fire to intervene earlier in high‑risk cases and coordinate services. She said the program later expanded with a drug‑prevention grant and a memorandum of understanding to embed an emergency‑services social worker from Riverside, who can access clinical records and arrange beds in collaboration with town social workers.

“It's really become such a great resource in the community,” Jessica Moss said, describing regular interdisciplinary meetings and case coordination that aim to prevent escalation to crises.

The team presented data for the quarter July–September (Q3). Kelsey Conoyer, crime analyst, said the department recorded 47 mental‑health calls in the quarter; 26 of those 47 calls resulted in a Section 12 civil‑commitment transport to hospital (reported as “section 12” by staff). Kelsey noted a wide age range for cases (reported as 9 to 85 years). Emily Turnbull, Riverside mobile crisis social worker placed with Needham, reported 110 total outreach contacts during the quarter and said outcomes varied; some contacts were initial co‑responses with officers, others were follow‑ups.

Team members described practical workload detail: follow‑up contacts can range from 20 minutes to many hours, and staff sometimes spend dozens of hours on a single case. Victoria and other outreach staff reported a noticeable increase in cognitive‑impairment cases and described close coordination with the Council on Aging for older residents; the group also tracks homelessness referrals through a Homelessness Prevention Coalition that meets quarterly.

Carol and several team members credited long‑standing police engagement and hospital partnerships for improved coordination; they said periodic cross‑agency meetings helped ensure patients brought to emergency departments have known community supports and that transport burdens on local police are better managed.

Board members asked whether the CCIT is identifying upstream prevention opportunities. Team members said prevention is challenging because many cases present as personal or medical problems; staff are pursuing targeted education (for example, domestic‑violence prevention and school outreach) and expanded community outreach to, over time, increase awareness of available supports.

Ending: The board thanked the team and invited continued quarterly reporting. Team members said they would return with updated quarterly data and noted staffing needs and data‑tracking improvements as ongoing work.
","Needham’s Community Crisis Intervention Team (CCIT) team reviewed quarterly outreach and response data, reporting dozens of mental‑health calls with a substantial share resulting in hospital transport and ongoing follow‑up work by social‑work staff and Riverside mobile crisis.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Needham resident proposes seasonal ban on gas-powered leaf blowers; Board questions enforcement and exemptions

Inspector reports progress on St. Mary Street housing case; board permits staff discretion to finish compliance work

Charles River training hub briefs Needham board on inspector training, 43‑community coverage and new field‑training cohorts

Town staff review 2024 synthetic‑turf tests; zinc flagged and arsenic measurement questioned

Needham CCIT team presents quarterly data: mental‑health contacts, hospital transports and outreach