Select Board Interviews Arts Council Candidates
Needham's Select Board jointly interviewed three candidates for two Council for Arts and Culture seats under a newly revised appointment policy.
Select Board · Meeting of September 30, 2026
Needham's Select Board jointly interviewed three candidates for two Council for Arts and Culture seats under a newly revised appointment policy. The joint-interview format, pairing the select board's vice chair with a committee chair, had been overhauled twice since a December 15, 2025 open meeting law violation forced changes; a July 2026 revision now allows a committee chair to take part only if the session is publicly posted. Candidates Lisa Pearlstein, a 25-year resident and real estate agent tied to the nonprofit Ballet Rocks, and Lauren Faga, a former attorney now grant-writing for a Needham nonprofit, both said they wanted to "add some light to the world" and "serve a good purpose" through the arts.
A Needham High School junior, a longtime Youth & Family Services volunteer, said she hoped to be "a bridge between the Needham town hall and the Needham High School." No appointments were made; additional candidates are expected to interview Monday.
In the full story:
- Who Was There
- Organizations And Documents Referenced
- The complete report — 2,066 words
Source: the Select Board meeting of September 30, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.
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