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Overview:
Established in June 1999, the NCRTF was created to help provide a centralized channel for private funding of town beatification projects. A seven member town committee oversees the town trust. The town committee, established under the office of the Board of Selectmen, defines, researches, and solicits funding for town beautification projects that meet the committee's criteria and town approval. Ten percent of every donation is allocated to the fund's separate Long-Term Maintenance fund to help insure the legacy of each gift to the town.
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Once Upon A Time bronze sculpture by Dennis Smith, depicting a sister reading to her younger brother on a bench under a tree. (Location: Town Common).
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The Circle of Peace bronze sculpture by Gary Price, depicting seven life size, multi-national, multi-abled children dancing in a circle with outstretched hands to welcome one more playmate. (Location: Town Common)
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Custom designed Bicycle Rack designed by Schiff Architectural Detail. The rack was modeled after the gates of Needham Town Hall. (Location: Town Common) This item replaced a rusted, broken bicycle rack in the same location.
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Historic styled Water Bubbler with a black cast base and two brass bowels, one for walking adults and another for wheelchair and child access. (Location: Town Common) ) This item replaced a rusted, broken, modern styled bubbler in the same location.
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Celebration Benches, period styled, made of Ipe wood, with inlaid bronze commemorative / memorial plaques. Six benches to date have been funded by the NCRTF, both on Town Common and at the Needham Post Office.
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Twenty one Period Styled Street Trash Containers. The 21 containers replaced all the worn or broken containers located on Town Common and on the streets from Needham Center on Great Plain Avenue, down Chapel and Highland Avenue as well as on the Needham Heights common and in the Height's retail district.
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The NCRTF Commemorative Archway and rear pedestrian safe passage gates. This archway spans the alleyway located between Vicki Lee's Bakery and Scorby's Camera, on Great Plain Avenue. This is a highly used passageway to the municipal parking lot behind the stores and restaurants.
Period styled lights in the same alleyway.
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Restoration of the Willett and Chadwick Coal Co. wall painting, originally painted in 1910. The NCRTF was able to hire a "Wall Dog" (Rob Ondo) , to research and fully restore the original, full wall sign painting.
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Soon the names of the first 100 donors, who have contributed at least $100.00 to the fund, will be inscribed on two bronze plaques to be installed on the NCRTF Commemorative Archway. The archway is located in the center of town, between Vicki Lee's Bakery and Scorby's Camera, on Great Plain Avenue. Donations can be made either to the General Fund, which helps fund all projects or to a specific project, such as a memorial/commemorative bench or other selected item. Only 5 spaces remain unfilled. Plaque installment should take place within the next few months.
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The following projects have also been accomplished by the NCRTF:
The Celebration Garden behind the Once Upon A Time sculpture. (Location: Town Common-Highland Avenue side).
Custom made bronze Town Seal installed in the center of the Town Common.
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Current Projects Being Researched:
Banner Project:
This proposed project would install colorful, high quality banners on selected light poles in designated areas from the Great Plain Avenue retail district, down Chapel Street and Highland Avenue, down to the Needham Heights retail district. Themes for the custom designed banners will be both historic and theme oriented. The banners will be rotated periodically to create continual interest.
Historic Pedestal Project:
This proposed project would initially install several appropriately sized pedestals at key locations throughout the town center and in Needham Heights. Each pedestal would contain text and potentially a photo to describe the historic significance of the location as part of a self guided walking tour. Adults, children, and school classes could walk to each location and in a few minutes learn the history of their town that was established in 1711. A member of The Needham Historical Society has agreed to provide the research.
Period styled Bus Stop:
Initial designs are being created to potentially replace the existing aluminum and plexiglass structure on the Chapel Street side of the Town Common.
We are always looking for specific project ideas that would create
the long-term beautification of Needham.
Project costs have ranged from $800.00 to $100,000.
Each approved project is installed as soon as it is funded.
Your tax deductible donations can be made to:
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"Town O f Needham-NCRTF"
Town Hall, Board of Selectmen's Office,
1471 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA 02492
For inquires, contact: Paul Good (781) 718-5552.
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Every donation funds visible change in Needham.
See your contribution come alive!
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