The Needham Planning Board on March 27 appointed Stephen Palmer to a seven-member Reuse Development Committee that will advise a consultant hired through an RFP to develop reuse options for a town-owned site.

Chair Natasha Spada described the committee charge and membership composition: one designee from the Select Board, one from the Planning Board, one from the Finance Committee, one from the Council on Aging, one from Park and Recreation, and two at-large members. The charge specifies one at-large member with experience in housing development and one with experience in real estate or public‑private partnership development. Spada said the Planning and Community Development Department will staff the committee.

"There’s an RFP out for a consultant that would engage the Needham community to envision the future of the site," Spada said, explaining the committee’s role in reviewing consultant work and making reuse recommendations to the town. The transcript did not specify the site by name.

Board members asked procedural questions about who appoints the two at-large members and the committee’s term. Spada said the Select Board is the appointing authority for those at-large seats and that appointments are for a three-year term though the charge is written for an initial one-year effort, allowing extension if needed. Board members also noted staffing and coordination would be provided through the town manager’s office and Planning and Community Development staff.

The board moved to appoint Stephen Palmer to the Reuse Development Committee; the motion was seconded and approved unanimously among members present. The transcript records no public comment on the appointment.

The committee is expected to begin work once a consultant is under contract and after the Select Board fills any outstanding appointive seats. Planning staff will provide the board with updates as the RFP process and committee organization proceed.