Needham BOS Agree To Extend Free Parking, Keep Blue Tree Lit

NEEDHAM, MA — At the Needham Board of Selectmen meeting on Tuesday, members agreed to some small changes to help residents through the COVID-19 pandemic.

The board agreed to keep in place the free 2-hour parking at town meters through June 30 to continue to support local businesses during the pandemic. The town will continue to strictly enforce the two-hour limit to make sure the spots are available to everyone.

“We’re all waiting for the vaccines to become more available in Needham,” said Select Board Chairman Moe Handel. “But until the vaccine gets to every person who wants it, it’s important that Town continues to take actions that will help ensure the long-term sustainability of our shops and restaurants that call Needham home. Our aim is to make it as easy and safe as possible for people to continue to support their favorite local establishments, and we continue to encourage those who can to patronize our local businesses and restaurants.”

The free metered-parking program is one of several pandemic-related programs the town rolled out. The town launched “Dine Around Needham,” in the summer as a progressive dinner series to encourage local dining. Throughout the pandemic the town created outdoor dining spaces on town properties.

Selectmen also agreed to keep the Blue Tree lit past the traditional end of the holiday season.

“The Blue Tree makes people happy,” Handel said. “It’s a little thing we can do to offer the community something to smile about during the winter months ahead.”