[{"_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",6366836,"mediaKeyId","2159315-49c0f3315d04211bcd5abe44662c704a","parentId",2159315,"title","Needham commission approves multiple summer clinics and special events; Tennis Academy paused this year","audioSeconds",1606,"startMs",4294000,"endMs",5900000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159315-49c0f3315d04211bcd5abe44662c704a&start=4294&end=5900","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159315-49c0f3315d04211bcd5abe44662c704a/thumbnail_4294000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6366836/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-commission-approves-multiple-summer-clinics-and-special-events-Tennis-Academy-paused-this-year","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366836-1f4e57a57ebb05bc2ea14f6d582aacec/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436856&Signature=Bd7KzLtdgoWX3cCEOSX5qqBIODTn800NY-rFn3CNuHqY90jpcdbH-Bd8CxlpaIPJmrlXh4EH6TTgiKH1bMshvRTkCgokrEGfe2HlAjo2RouDSFk1WdrlBonXFNBtgvc7MRuj1lCIW0T4WAq78WfWknVtOcSIXpgKXoTp8s~XdJR5KPbaCHaQXlvTTUVE~HAdCCeeaPZNgSi07D22NtT~QEIFme0y-K2qFUlmvcfckqhWJ8YtsGvWMxBLXLapHDI2QpRd6bt9kPj1uaBHsam3gxrD6GqbvFUXk8RW4EtKJpMDQrks17om7NF74F2qaXdl0nWf-qSss0Ru1~gCi3QPtQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Town of Needham, MA","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","The Park & Recreation Commission on Jan. 27 approved a series of special event and youth clinic permits for summer 2025, and the department announced it will not run its Tennis Academy this year because the Newman courts are offline for construction and public‑health concerns related to asbestos.

Approved permits included youth lacrosse clinics, multiple Needham Soccer Club camps and clinics, the Revolution Academy soccer camp, the Exchange Club Fourth of July request, and other community events. Approvals were typically unanimous and several permits were approved contingent on receipt of an acceptable certificate of insurance. Staff noted that PTC and school‑related fundraisers historically are not charged fees, but the packet lists the fee structure when applicable. The commission also approved recurring youth open‑play programming subject to staff fee recommendation.

On tennis, staff said public health and facility owners had advised against running tennis programs where airborne asbestos cannot be reliably contained; the department also reached out to private providers who declined to operate the program. Park & Recreation staff recommended suspending the Tennis Academy for 2025 and returning in 2026 after Newman and the new courts are available. \"I would prefer to not run Tennis Academy this year and then bring it back to its glory next year,\" a staff member said; the commission agreed.

Commissioners requested follow‑up on a pending fee discussion for the large Memorial Day soccer tournament; staff will invite the tournament organizer and provide fee‑increase scenarios at a future meeting. Several approved permits included a staff note that approvals may be contingent on properly completed certificates of insurance and custodial fees for Sunday events.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Town of Needham: Park and Recreation Commission 01/27/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Park & Recreation approved a set of special event and summer clinic permits and conditionally approved recurring open‑play programming. Because Newman courts are offline and public health flagged asbestos concerns, the department will not run the Tennis Academy in 2025 and plans to resume after court improvements.","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},6366841,"Needham Park & Rec approves 2025 camp fee schedule with modest increase",731,3237000,3968000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159315-49c0f3315d04211bcd5abe44662c704a&start=3237&end=3968","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159315-49c0f3315d04211bcd5abe44662c704a/thumbnail_3237000.jpg","/articles/6366841/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-Park-Rec-approves-2025-camp-fee-schedule-with-modest-increase","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366841-577ffa1b4dd2c8009efd915a91b9c72d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436856&Signature=CFP65C2w8Sqmr4tQfkcwkBQ-NR6P~qx1WjBhoR99gWOop98tGdgyI7dq7qiiw9TWiNUWHU2eizz~aPgjGlzFOKuoMGw~73FcWv7T863mTcYO-iLhE~kSqL1AQz9afTzf9dEWdzZJx1zzFCjf8bh42mHXw1D0iyjsxxK34xxpLPuaBf-6g9Kwr6rPMDoX6uP43HkRqg16xTSVABRZbqMmgpZAbIIy-C3x1lordZzYcfp9SCczztA6OECZv0yDdRmC0dBr5-W2VfY5qjZ1GnXsAXj33NpsqGMcy7m3mk8nUiIMUAY7XImZTOXyL0rYuAHSwc2opB33Tpv2D7~dhdWmHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Park & Recreation Commission voted unanimously on Jan. 27 to approve the department’s recommended 2025 camp fee schedule, adopting a 2 percent increase for most week‑long programs and a 3 percent increase for half‑day programs.

Staff recommended smaller incremental increases after several years of larger raises, noting that part‑time staff wage increases and supply costs have pushed operating expenses higher. Park & Recreation staff pointed out that minimum wage and staffing costs have risen in recent years and that a steady, modest increase helps keep the program predictable for families and sustainable for the department. \"I think 2% is enough,\" one commissioner said in support of the recommendation.

Commissioner James Rosenbaum, Commissioner Cindy Chasten, Commissioner Chuck Geddes and the chair voted Aye in a roll‑call vote; the motion passed unanimously.

The commission and staff discussed program cancellations, participant credits and outreach to encourage season passes. The vote authorizes the fee schedule recommended by the director and staff; the department will implement the new fees for the 2025 summer season.","The commission unanimously approved the department’s 2025 camp fee recommendations, adopting a 2 percent general increase (half‑day programs 3 percent) intended to keep programs affordable while covering rising staffing costs.",{"_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},6366846,"Needham staff propose dedicating pool receipts to athletic‑facilities stabilization fund; commission supportive",697,976000,1673000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159315-49c0f3315d04211bcd5abe44662c704a&start=976&end=1673","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159315-49c0f3315d04211bcd5abe44662c704a/thumbnail_976000.jpg","/articles/6366846/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-staff-propose-dedicating-pool-receipts-to-athleticfacilities-stabilization-fund-commission-supportive","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366846-3b9afff5ed9642a5656d301e4a365c6c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436856&Signature=d2KP2wbd6GxxrgXJqcOVLoAo-sOCkXa7pZLbLHEXndcnPJPhL7NGYNw20VynqfHhLMWJ4PMT9KP8rsbW-0L46renswd1gegiKzAOAePIZ8~7kQhVldtjQppuL6jaBAm0v7U6f3KkqSm-RiwiQx7Ngp9uM8DP-fXpVO0mXs4P1vFlXHaCY~Zq66b5zViec6Yk~aXmD~Wsdq4-OSpoQTXxfMQWbhgCj8B6l02QMouoJmfKgTtYqqXvuNsmMNZY8qjVHtONn-v6ic5PvGxY1EYiPWAhLEJVQerOYYXKOHQwdduaAXjEbDIXHxC6ArhRUI9pv4-cqT3CvzFtypF~ex7zRw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Park & Recreation staff told the Jan. 27 commission meeting that they want to add Rosemary Pool to an existing athletic facilities stabilization fund so the town can prepay for cyclical capital needs such as pumps and filtration equipment.

Staff explained the athletic facilities stabilization fund was created after the large field investments in 2012–13 and is intended to smooth the cost of periodic replacements (for example artificial turf replacement every 10–15 years). The proposal staff presented would credit a portion of pool proceeds into the stabilization fund — one illustrative option was 25 percent of pool receipts — or to set an annual contribution based on estimated replacement cycles and costs. Using historical revenue, staff said, a 25 percent share would have averaged roughly $40,000–$60,000 per year since 2014, but receipts fluctuate year to year.

Park & Recreation Director Stacy (last name not specified in the transcript) and staff described the practical benefits: they could plan for large‑ticket items such as pumps that sometimes must be sourced overseas or flown in to keep splash pads and pools running. \"Having a stable fund would certainly help the department plan ahead,\" Stacy said.

Commissioners and staff discussed alternatives including dedicating a percentage automatically versus making an annual determination. Several commissioners said they supported the concept and suggested staff present a recommended target, a definition of what items count as capital for the fund, and a model for contributions that the Select Board and Finance Committee can review.

There was no formal Town Meeting appropriation at this meeting; staff said the fund would need to be handled through the town's normal appropriation processes and returned for Select Board and Finance Committee consideration.","Park & Recreation staff proposed using a share of Rosemary Pool receipts to seed an athletic facilities stabilization fund to pay for periodic high‑cost replacements such as pumps. Commissioners endorsed the concept and asked staff to work with the Select Board and Finance Committee to set targets and rules.",{"_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},6366851,"Needham staff say Rosemary Trail, Mills fields feasible for off‑leash use; commission asks for community outreach",863,96000,959000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159315-49c0f3315d04211bcd5abe44662c704a&start=96&end=959","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159315-49c0f3315d04211bcd5abe44662c704a/thumbnail_96000.jpg","/articles/6366851/Town-of-Needham/Norfolk-County/Massachusetts/Needham-staff-say-Rosemary-Trail-Mills-fields-feasible-for-offleash-use-commission-asks-for-community-outreach","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6366851-6973a7dbb9849b45ca4e25d843a05ff0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770436856&Signature=JWad4gofsDmQaOBgrJ4-bgAJNYdjsFd~i2j7Tnd3CYQoUbrzSAtMnnoHBjh7HpgAPlrdNBLkYrv2~kwOoRHFVYGxnmCnoc1rYp6KD-h5GrRwOHmDW2ELpFskBijN~VUyyRvxBoPVgdA7aMF5VZQ54-pA8A1WBGKtQJUsfhrm3B78i8MvGBztTUC07bmzemqxD25mGy~HvKfsz2x3GMd2SyK-tKauGPaPw4LYQNgK9mmV3uukHJNkbtt61Q6aiMDT~EiGrEjZ~okUQRQBAqbYne9GbLAluZ90Tf~0WNs82cubmo1pvZly5TsJLnsoIy~fqOzbiPWbRS5Km0IGP6m1aw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Park & Recreation Commission on Jan. 27 heard a staff update on studies of possible off‑leash dog areas in Needham and agreed to pursue community engagement focused first on Rosemary Trail and (only with further discussion) Mills Fields.

Katie King of the Town of Needham summarized the working group process that led to the feasibility work. She said the working group recommended pilots at Hillside Fields (large field) with Mills as an alternate, plus Rosemary Trail and a pocket‑park option. DPW and consultants later ruled out 0 Harris Ave because of topography, deemed Mills and Hillside feasible as conceptual options, and said Rosemary Trail could be used with signage because it is a trail rather than a fenced facility. \"People's opinions on off‑leash dogs was really varied and quite split,\" King said, describing survey responses and public‑meeting input.

Commissioners who spoke at the meeting urged caution about using Mills Fields because neighbors already report heavy park use and limited parking. Commissioner Cindy Chasten said Mills is \"already overtaxed,\" citing tennis, baseball, playground and limited parking. Commissioner Michelle (last name not specified in the transcript) and others raised parking and crowding concerns that could add 20–30 cars on busy days.

Several commissioners and staff favored starting community engagement about Rosemary Trail, which staff described as underused and offering a woods‑like walk where signage could direct dog users to stay on trail. Commissioner discussion noted Rosemary Trail could attract mostly nearby residents because of its short loop and advised limiting outreach to town residents when framing proposals.

There was no vote to adopt any off‑leash facility. Instead the commission asked staff to coordinate a community engagement process and to return with results and options. Staff said DPW will supply any additional feasibility or liability information requested by the commission.

Community engagement is the next step; the commission did not approve construction, funding, or site changes at this meeting.","Town staff reported feasibility findings for off‑leash dog use and the Park & Recreation Commission agreed to coordinate community engagement, prioritizing Rosemary Trail and continuing study of Mills Fields while noting neighbor concerns about parking and field capacity.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Needham commission approves multiple summer clinics and special events; Tennis Academy paused this year

Needham Park & Rec approves 2025 camp fee schedule with modest increase

Needham staff propose dedicating pool receipts to athletic‑facilities stabilization fund; commission supportive

Needham staff say Rosemary Trail, Mills fields feasible for off‑leash use; commission asks for community outreach