At its meeting of March 13, 2012, the Board of Selectmen voted to create a separate committee to oversee the New Year's Needham celebration.

The charge of the New Year's Needham Commitee is to plan, execute and oversee the operational logistics of New Years Needham.  In this regard, responsibilities include, but are not limited to, establishing a list of desired performers, interviewing, screening and contracting with performers, compiling a list of potential venues, identifying sources of funding, recruiting and managing volunteers, supervising venues on NYN, developing program schedules, promoting the event and drafting annual reports.

The Committee shall consist of nine members.  When practicable, the Committee should include individuals with demonstrated experience in performing arts, fundraising, and event planning.  Qualified candidates should be able to commit to one full cycle and be available to participate in NYN activities during the holiday season.

Council on Aging (two vacancies)
The Council on Aging is the Town’s general oversight board for matters affecting elders, and works directly with department staff and other town agencies on a wide range of programs and issues. The responsibilities of this Board include (1) To assist in identifying the needs and concerns and strengths of Needham's elderly and retired persons and those approaching retirement age; (2) To assist in designing, promoting, coordinating or implementing services and programs to meet those needs and concerns; (3) To assist in informing the community and enlisting the support and participation of all citizens in this effort; and (4) To work in coordination with programs of the Executive Office of Elder Affairs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

To ensure a Committee with a broad range of experience, qualified candidates for these vacancies would ideally have a background in community relations or in marketing. Committee meetings are at least monthly from September through June, and more often as necessary.  Membership terms are for three years.

Cultural Council (multiple vacancies)
The Cultural Council supports community-based projects and activities in the arts, humanities and interpretive sciences to benefit the residents of Needham, through dispensing public funding allocated by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. They also sponsor events such as New Year’s Needham and the Spring Arts Festival, for which money is raised separately.

The Council is responsible for informing the public about the availability of public funding for cultural projects and for reviewing and approving applications. The budget of the Massachusetts Cultural Council is determined annually by the state Legislature.
Support is also provided to the Needham Cultural Community through the facilitation of communication among the many cultural organizations and their collaboration through NeedArts and other venues.

Residents who have experience or an interest in the arts, event planning, fund raising, marketing, record keeping and public relations are urged to apply. Also needed are someone to assume the role of Treasurer next year and volunteers who want to take on leadership roles. Meetings are generally the third Monday of each month at 7 pm. Membership terms are for three years.

Design Review Board 
The Design Review Board (DRB) reviews and approves all signage under the Town sign by-law, evaluates and makes recommendations regarding design elements of construction projects on Planning Board submissions and on applications for renovations and new construction on commercial and institutional properties of the town, and certain other categories of development. The purpose of the Committee is to encourage quality design, including architectural appearance, historic considerations, enhancement of landscape, and relationships to the visual environment. Qualified candidates should have a background in either horticulture/landscape design. The DRB meets about twice a month. Membership terms are for three years.

Human Rights Committee (multiple vacancies)
The Town of Needham's Human Rights Committee strives to reaffirm the worth and dignity of every human being. The diversity of the community is embraced and celebrated through the following activities: (1) Education: Advocate appreciation for and respect for diversity; (2) Community Outreach: Organize community events to constructively promote diversity and tolerance; and (3) Community Response: response to issues that challenge the human rights of any individual or group in the Needham community.

Vacancies for this Committee include, but are not limited to, representatives from the following areas: Commission on Disabilities, Needham Housing Authority, Senior Citizen, Realtor, High School Student and Tenant of the Needham Housing Authority.

Meetings are usually held the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. Membership terms are for three years.

Needham Community Revitalization Trust Fund
The mission of the Needham Community Revitalization Trust Fund (NCRTF) is to revitalize Needham public spaces and bring more art into the public venue through the use of private funds. The NCRTF fund allows private citizens, organizations and businesses to contribute to the general fund to help support a variety of NCRTF projects or directly to a specific NCRTF approved project within the Town.

The NCRTF Committee is composed of five members. Members are chosen for their ability to represent a cross section of Town areas and interests. Project proposals are brought to the Committee for consideration by committee members and members of the community and Town government.

Qualified candidates should have a good perspective for the Heights section of Needham. Committee meets as often as required. Membership terms are for three years.

Permanent Public Building Committee  * NEW  1/27/2012 *
The Town of Needham is seeking qualified candidates to fill a vacancy on the Permanent Public Building Committee. The Committee is responsible for the construction, alteration and enlargement of town and school buildings. This vacancy is for the member architect. Interested individuals should have an architectural background and familiarity with large scale construction projects. Town of Needham Bylaw 2.6.2.2 states that members of the Permanent Public Building Committee shall be a registered voter of the Town, shall not be a paid employee of the Town, or serve as an elected official, or appointed or elected member of another standing Town board, committee or commission, except Town Meeting.

Regional Transportation Advisory Council
The Regional Transportation Advisory Council is an independent group of citizens and officials charged with providing public input on transportation planning to the Boston Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). The Advisory Council provides a forum for broad-based and robust discussions of transportation issues and planning, including programming of federal transportation funding for the region, and is a main avenue for public participation in the planning process. It brings the perspectives of the public to the members of the MPO for consideration as plans and programs are developed.

One specific responsibility of the Advisory Council is to review and comment on the MPO’s certification documents: the Regional Transportation Plan, the Unified Planning Work Program, the Transportation Improvement Program, and Air Quality Conformity Determinations. The Council, through its representatives and subcommittees, participates in the development of the documents and submits comments and recommendations on drafts. The Council’s chairman has direct input to the MPO as a voting member of its Transportation Planning and Programming Committee.

The Council meets the second Wednesday of each month at 3:00 pm in the State Transportation Building, 10 Park Plaza, Boston. Meetings are open to the public. The standing and ad hoc committees meet as necessary throughout the year. The Council also conducts site visits for first-hand reviews of important projects, planned or underway.

The Board of Selectmen is seeking interested candidates to represent the Town of Needham on this Council. Membership terms are for three years. 

Water / Sewer Rate Structure Committee
This Committee annually reviews the block rate structure and makes a recommendation to the Board of Selectmen. Qualified candidates would have previous experience or interest in public utilities and how rate structures work. This Committee meets several times each year. Membership terms are for one year.

Applicants must be registered voters of the Town. Interested individuals are requested to submit an application consisting of a brief letter of interest, including a summary of relevant experience and contact information. Applications may be submitted in writing or by email or may be completed online at:  www.needhamma.gov/committeeform.  Vacancies may remain open until a suitable candidate has been appointed. 

Applications, or any questions or requests for information, may be submitted to:

Needham Board of Selectmen, Attn: Ms. Sandy Cincotta, Town Hall, 1471 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492 Tel: 781-455-7500 Email: .