The Town of Needham Planning Board voted Oct. 30 to allow the Needham High School to begin using its newly reconstructed tennis courts, contingent on a memo from town engineering that details additional plantings, fence adjustments and a timeline for finishing work.

The board's action follows staff reports that the contractor installed different evergreen species than those shown on the approved landscape plan because the originally specified plants were not available. Tom (DPW project staff) told the board he and other town staff had contacted nearby residents and that most responses were positive, though one Webster Street homeowner remained opposed to additional plantings and another asked for higher fencing.

Board Chair Artie Crocker said he would accept a written memo from the engineer describing the 'additional items that DPW plans to do and the communication they plan to have with the neighborhoods' as the basis for conditional sign‑off. Tom displayed photos showing new plantings and the replaced perimeter fence; he said the contractor still owes the town one tree that failed to establish and that the town intends to use that replacement to fill gaps.

Ed Olsen, Parks and Forestry Superintendent and Tree Warden, said the change to green giant arborvitae was a de minimis substitution intended to preserve the project's screening and sound‑attenuation goals. 'The green giant arborvitae is an effective screen,' Olsen said, noting the species can grow three to four feet a year and that several neighbors said the plantings will provide quick privacy.

Board members focused on two unresolved items: (1) a stretch near Highland Avenue where several members saw a direct line of sight to the courts and identified a planting gap, and (2) the Webster Street resident who opposes more vegetation and instead requested a higher fence or slats for visual privacy. Justin Saviano, assistant town engineer, said the town is procuring additional evergreens for Webster Street but that the resident has declined plantings and staff will explore fence slats or modest increases in fence height.

Planning Board member Adam Block urged staff to reach any neighbors who were not contacted during the recent door‑knock outreach and to document that outreach because the installed species deviate from the plan the board approved. Tom and Justin said they would continue outreach and adjust the punch list accordingly.

The board's conditional approval requires the engineer to submit a memo to Planning Board staff describing the additional plantings toward Highland Avenue, any fence modifications or slats to address the Webster Street resident's privacy concerns, and a schedule for when the work will be completed. The motion passed with recorded votes in favor from Natasha Spada, Eric Greenberg, Adam Block, Justin McCullen and Chair Artie Crocker.

The town staff noted that the project must keep an access drive for emergency vehicles; staff said that route cannot be planted over because it is needed for police, fire and ambulance access.

The board said it will confirm when the memo arrives and that final clearance for ongoing use of the courts will depend on the documented follow‑up items being completed.