Category: Waltham Times

  • Here’s what you need to know about Needham’s group electricity program

    Margaret Corona

    Margaret Corona

    Town sustainability manager Gabby Queenan speaks at a Power Choice information session/ Credit: Needham Observer

    Needham is preparing to enroll its residents and businesses in a group electricity buying program that aims to provide stable costs and more renewable energy for the community.

    Needham Power Choice, which launches in March, lets customers decide how much of their electricity is powered by renewable sources. While every participant will automatically receive at least 27% of electricity from renewable sources, they can choose to pay higher rates to receive up to 100% of electricity from renewable sources.

    Here’s what you need to know ahead of your March meter reading:

    How does it work?

    Group electricity buying, known as municipal aggregation, is a program in which a municipality buys electricity in bulk from an electricity supplier for residents and businesses. Needham is joining more than 200 Massachusetts communities with similar initiatives.

    After receiving bids from five suppliers, Needham selected Constellation in December 2024 as its electricity supplier, Gabrielle Queenan, the town’s sustainability manager, said at a public information session Jan. 30.

    In accordance with state law, Needham Power Choice will automatically enroll all customers, though participation is not required. Customers can opt out at any time.

    How much will I pay?

    Needham Power Choice offers three options based on the percentage of electricity produced from renewable sources. The more electricity that comes from renewable sources, the higher the cost.

    Regardless of which option customers choose, all Needham Power Choice prices will be fixed from March 2025 to March 2027. 

    Customers who choose the Needham Basic plan will get the lowest amount of electricity required by state law – 27% – from renewable sources. Its price is 12.226 cents per kilowatt-hour. By comparison, the current Eversource price is 13.078 cents per kilowatt-hour.

    Customers in the Needham Standard plan will get an additional 15% of their electricity from renewable energy, bringing it to 42%. Its price is 12.880 cents/kWh. Residents and businesses are automatically enrolled in the Standard plan, which will always provide 15% more renewable power than the state minimum, even if the latter changes.

    Those in the Needham 100% Green plan will get all of their electricity from renewable sources. Its price is 15.330 cents/kWh.

    Customers who opt out of Needham Power Choice and stick with the Eversource Basic Service plan will get the same amount of electricity from renewable sources as those in the Needham Basic plan. Its price is 13.241 cents/kWh.

    While Needham Power Choice’s rates are fixed for two years, residents and businesses in the Eversource Basic Service plan are subject to price changes every six months, MassPowerChoice Town Consultant Paul Gromer said at the information session Jan. 30.

    “It is normal for Needham’s prices to be lower than Eversource sometimes and higher at other times,” according to the Needham Power Choice website. The program’s goal is to “provide savings when compared with the average of Eversource’s changing prices.”

    Needham intends to sign a new, long-term contract when the Constellation contract expires in March 2027.

    What’s the point of paying more?

    Customers who enroll in Needham 100% Green will not actually receive 100% of their electricity from renewable sources. The system can’t target specific types of power to individual homes and businesses. Instead, voluntarily paying more enables the grid to obtain a higher percentage of its electricity from renewable sources.

    Imagine a reservoir fed by streams and wells; once the water is in the reservoir, it mixes. “The same with electricity,” Gromer said. “You have all these different power plants. Some are solar, some are wind, some are coal, some are nuclear, some are natural gas. They’re all generating electricity, and they’re putting it into a big reservoir.” 

    The system tracks what is put into the grid on customers’ behalf rather than what shows up at their houses. 

    “Let’s say you’re 100% Green and you use 1,000 kilowatt hours,” Gromer said. “The accounting system makes sure that 1,000 kilowatt hours of green electricity were put into the grid to match what you took out.”

    Who bills me?

    All bills will continue to come from Eversource. Electric bills are made up of two parts — supply and delivery. Eversource delivers electricity for Needham customers no matter which plan they choose. Constellation supplies the power for those in Needham Power Choice. Residents eligible for discounts and fuel assistance from Eversource will continue to receive them. 

    How do I enroll or opt out?

    Customers can opt in or out of Needham Power Choice at any time without penalties or fees, according to the Needham Power Choice website. Should someone opt out and then wish to re-enroll, they are not guaranteed the program price. If Constellation decides to charge market pricing, the participant will be notified before re-enrolling and can decide whether to continue.


    The three pricing options for customers who opt in and stay enrolled in Needham Power Choice, however, are locked. “You can move from one option to another within the program and always be guaranteed you’d get [that] price,” Gromer said. Participants can switch among the Needham Power Choice options as many times as they’d like.

    Customers who will be enrolled automatically should have received an opt-out notice in the mail from the town in January, Queenan said.

    Needham Power Choice is advising customers not to confuse its program with third-party electric company advertisements, whose materials may resemble official mail from Needham. “If they don’t see the town seal, it is not the Needham Power Choice program,” Queenan said at a Climate Action Plan Committee meeting.

    Residents and businesses can enroll, change program options, or opt out of Needham Power Choice by visiting NeedhamPowerChoice.com or calling 1-844-379-2171. Additional resources, including frequently asked questions, can also be found on NeedhamPowerChoice.com.

    This story is part of a partnership between the Needham Observer and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

    This article was originally published on February 12, 2025.

  • Lexington schools recognize more holidays

    by Vanessa Lee

    February 7, 2025

    Two years ago, fifth-grader Nikhil Shah stood before the Lexington School Committee, urging administrators to recognize Indian holidays like Diwali. His words sparked something bigger. 

    The following year, educators, religious leaders, PTO members and community representatives — led by School Committee member Kathleen Lenihan — came together to discuss adding Lunar New Year, Diwali and Eid to the school calendar.

    This year that idea became a reality.

    For the first time, the district included these holidays on the school calendar, giving students a break to celebrate their cultures. For many families, it was a long-awaited win.

    “I was really excited because I never expected Lunar New Year to be recognized as a federal holiday,” said Avia Liao, a sophomore at Lexington High School. 

    Lunar New Year, widely celebrated across East and Southeast Asian cultures, marks the beginning of the lunar calendar and is often a time for family gatherings, feasts and traditions.

    Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a major Hindu holiday symbolizing the triumph of light over darkness. Eid al-Fitr is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and reflection.

    Lexington, MA

    Genevieve Wang and her daughter Zoe at the CALex Lunar New Year celebration

    The district’s recognition of these holidays reflects its diverse and growing community. Lexington has the highest percentage of Asian residents in Massachusetts, with 33% identifying as Asian, according to U.S. Census data. It’s even higher in Lexington’s public schools, where nearly 50% of students identify as Asian, according to the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education.

    “It was especially nice because I feel like Lunar New Year celebrations are a lot like Christmas,” Liao said. “The main exciting stuff happens the night before, and the day after is just a hangover day.”

    Celebrating with family—without worrying about school the next day—was a refreshing change for Liao. 

    Although she noted that some students may not fully understand the significance of the holiday, she believes the recognition has opened up opportunities for cultural awareness among her peers.

    Beyond the day off, the new school policy is seen as a step toward broadening cultural education.

    Mamata Banerjee, a support educator for special education students in Lexington Public Schools, described these holidays as an “eye-opening experience.”

    “The kids were excited to have a long weekend and wanted to invite friends from all backgrounds to celebrate Diwali together… making diyas, lighting them and sharing sweets,” Banjeree said. “It’s all about bringing everyone closer through celebration.”

    She emphasized that these holidays can help children grow up to be more inclusive and open-minded, embracing one another’s cultures and religions through shared experiences of joy and food.

    Robin Strizhak, president of the Lexington Education Association, said adding these holidays to the school calendar is a step in the right direction but only a starting point for true cultural inclusion.

    “Kids need to know that their values and cultural ethos are just as important and ‘worthy’ as the Christian-Judaic observances are,” Strizhak said.

    Few employers recognize these holidays, though, so some families had to arrange for child care or activities for their children.

    Genevieve Wang, a Lexington parent of a second-grader, said her family typically celebrates Lunar New Year with a family dinner on the weekend.

    “My husband and I don’t get the day off, so on Lunar New Year my daughter attended a sewing camp in Wellesley,” Wang said. “Most camps we’ve seen cost around $150 to $200 and fill up fast. We’ve tried everything — painting, sewing, STEM, improv…”

    While Wang does not expect employers to recognize these holidays, she supports the school district’s decision to acknowledge them for students. 

    Strizhak said she recognized holidays should reflect the community’s needs.

    “If a religious or cultural holiday leads to significant absenteeism, then yes, it makes sense for it to be recognized,” Strizhak said. “The holidays observed should align with the demographics of the community and workplace.”

    Diya Nigam, a sophomore at Lexington High School and youth chair of the Indian Americans of Lexington’s education committee, said having these holidays off acknowledges the diverse backgrounds of the student body and ensures that students do not have to choose between their education and their cultural or religious celebrations.

    “Not having Diwali off meant I couldn’t spend the day with my family or fully enjoy the festival,” Nigam said. “Imagine having to go to school on Christmas Day.”

    Nigam’s family chose to live in Lexington for its diverse and culturally welcoming environment. She believes that recognizing these holidays brings awareness to a new level.

    “Now, every household in Lexington knows about Diwali, Eid and Lunar New Year,” she said.

    Although Nigam appreciates the inclusive step, she thinks Lexington can go further by incorporating more cultural studies into the school curriculum.

    “We have so many lived experiences in our community,” Nigam said. “We should invite speakers from different communities into classrooms to share their stories.”

    This story is part of a partnership between the Lexington Observer and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • Harlem Wizards dazzle sold-out crowd at Kennedy Middle School

    Kamil Brown (center) of the Harlem Wizards posing with Waltham fans.

    One, two, three, four, five, six lighting-fast passes in a row, and then a lob to the 6-foot-8 Tyler “Sky-Rise” Cronk, who dunks it over the head of a 5-foot-something middle school teacher.

    The crowd goes wild. The other teachers on the opposing basketball team can only stand and watch as the dazzling sequence unfolds in front of them.

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    Scenes like that played out again and again as the Harlem Wizards put on a show last Friday for a fundraiser at John F. Kennedy Middle School in front of a sold-out crowd.

    The Wizards faced off against the Waltham Hawkstars, a team of educators from across Waltham Public Schools.

    The Wizards won by a score of 78-63.

    The Wizards, a basketball team that travels around the country putting on shows and doing fundraising events for schools and nonprofits, played the Hawkstars as part of an event organized by the Kennedy Middle School PTO. This year marks the third year in a row and the sixth overall that the Wizards have come to Waltham.

    The crowd of about 1,000 people was filled with parents and children – many sporting Wizards merchandise – who cheered raucously as the Wizards dunked and joked and made half-court trick shots all evening.

    The Waltham Hawkstars, by contrast, spent the evening serving as a foil for the Wizards’ skill showcases and antics, a role they embraced wholeheartedly.

    “I mean, we’re just a placeholder,” said Rob Howes, an assistant principal at MacArthur Elementary School who played for the Hawkstars. “It’s all about the Wizards, it’s all about the kids, but yeah, it’s so much fun.”  

    Howes, who has played on the team for the past three years, said this event is the only time he ever plays basketball. 

    “It’s great – it brings in great money for our PTO as well as providing great entertainment for the kids,” he said. “It’s so much fun. I look forward to signing up every year.”

    $20,000 raised to enhance school programs

    The teachers are recruited via email, with the sign-ups open to any teacher or educator who wants to play. Chad Mazza, an assistant superintendent, served as the team’s coach this year.

    “We have a good portion of the players play every year, because those are the folks that seem to enjoy it,” said Jen Priore, head of the Kennedy Middle School PTO. 

    The event is run by volunteers from every school in the district, with each school receiving a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales.

    The Kennedy Middle School PTO raised just under $20,000 after making payments to the Wizards and to the other PTOs in the district, Priore said.

    Priore said the money will fund various activities at the school – such as Teacher Appreciation Day – and help pay for buses for field trips. The money also helps pay for equipment for the school’s volleyball and ultimate Frisbee teams.

    “When I started in the PTO four years ago, we had maybe $5,000 in the bank, and now we have $50,000 or so after expenses and these [basketball games],” she said. “It helps to have a little bit of a cushion so that the school can fund those activities for students.”

    Mark Vanetten, a parent and ER nurse whose children attend Waltham Public Schools, said he and his family had come to the games both last year and the year before.

    “It’s something for everybody to do to get out at night,” he said. “Everybody socializes, and the kids hang out and get to see each other.”

    Other parents agreed with this sentiment.

    “It’s just a great event for the community, it’s a fundraiser, and the kids get to come and have fun with their friends,” said Wendell Jean, a parent and nurse attending the game. 

    The Wizards signed autographs and played games with the kids throughout the evening, including a relay race before the game started and a version of musical chairs at halftime that required the kids to make a shot before being able to sit in the chairs.

    Devin Curry, known on the Wizards by the nickname “Livewire,” said he has always enjoyed entertaining the crowds. 

    “I love big crowds,” Curry said. “They’re energized. They get it pumped up.”

    Curry, who has been a member of the Harlem Wizards for 12 years, also talked about how these events expose kids to professional basketball, some for the first time.

    “Some of these kids, they’ve never seen a professional basketball player before, live, so it’s always a good time to come out and showcase,” he said.

    This story is part of a partnership between the Waltham Times and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

    The Wizard Walk. Photo courtesy of John F. Kennedy Middle School PTO.

    The Hawkstars. Photo courtesy of John F. Kennedy Middle School PTO.

    Volunteers. Photo courtesy of John F. Kennedy Middle School PTO.

    Team huddle. Photo courtesy of John F. Kennedy Middle School PTO.

    Fans. Photo courtesy of John F. Kennedy Middle School PTO.

    Fans pose with Photo courtesy of John F. Kennedy Middle School PTO.