At its April 7 meeting, the Town of Needham Climate Action Planning Committee voted to recommend that the Select Board not add new climate priorities for FY26 beyond those projects already underway and to reaffirm support for work in flight.

A committee member moved “that we not add new priorities to the select board list for the or not recommend additional priorities beyond what is already in flight and to underscore that we still support everything that's under flight.” Another member seconded the motion. During discussion members emphasized a preference for narrowing tasks and focusing on execution for items already underway — for example, the stormwater bylaw work, the tree preservation planning committee, Electrify Needham and the Needham Power Choice efforts — rather than adding new initiatives this fiscal year.

The committee called the vote. Members recorded as voting in favor were Perry (yes), Penny (yes), Erwin (yes), Paul (yes) and the committee chair (yes). One member stated that they do not vote. The motion carried.

Committee members also discussed an overarching communications theme and encouraged establishing a routine outreach mechanism — for example, a quarterly update or newsletter — to inform departments, boards and the public about Roadmap progress. Members noted that the Select Board has separately identified a comprehensive climate communication strategy as a FY26 priority that staff expect to pick up next fiscal year.

Outcome: the committee approved the motion to refrain from recommending additional Select Board priorities at this time and to concentrate on executing items already underway.