Needham Say More

Doug and Aaron discuss the huge Northland development, recently approved by voters in Newton, to be built just over the Charles River from Needham Heights. You can see what the project is supposed to look like on the developer's web site. Here's one explanation of the plans to extend the MBTA's green and orange lines near Needham. And finally, as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread in our area, please consider donating to the Needham Community Council, which looks after some of our neighbors who are most in need of assistance.

Doug and Aaron discuss the spread of COVID-19, or the coronavirus disease 2019, outbreak as it begins to reach our local area. This is a good overview article from Scientific American that Doug mentioned. The Chinese doctor in Wuhan who died after warning of the outbreak was named Li Wenliang. You can sign up for the newsletter Doug mentioned called The Factual to keep up with various topics. The Atlantic tallied the low number of COVID-19 tests administered in the United States so far. And Needham's own health department is also posting updates on its web page about the status of the outbreak in our area.

Doug and Aaron discuss the challenges for the agency that oversees hundreds of affordable housing units in Needham, after one resident was murdered in 2017 and a state audit found multiple shortcomings. They also discuss the housing authority's 2019 facilities master plan for redeveloping its holdings.

Doug and Aaron discuss complaints about the noise of the commuter rail train horns in Needham and ideas to alleviate the problem. You can watch the 2017 public hearing on the issue, which starts at the about the 45 minute mark, and read the Federal Railroad Administration's info page about train horn rules and the establishment of quiet zones. 

Doug and Aaron discuss the hearing on potential new uses at the Ridge Hill-Nike site, including the desire for a local hockey rink. You can watch the hearing online at the Needham Channel's web site (skip to the 25 minute mark for the start of the public hearing). And the consultants report on the site is also on the town web site.

Doug and Aaron discuss efforts to make Needham safer for pedestrians. The town commissioned an audit on pedestrian safety, which you can find on the town web site here: http://needhamma.gov/4707/Pedestrian-Safety. 

Doug and Aaron talk about the contentious efforts to re-zone a part of Needham containing Muzi Ford and Channel 5.