Wheeling and dealing at Needham lot

The town is “plugging away” with remedial efforts at the Newman School, with the planned cleaning and scoping of the school’s entire ductwork, which may go a long way in assessing the extent of the heating and ventilation problems, already underway.

Kudos goes to the Exchange Club for taking the blow in stride and continuing its remaining Fourth of July traditions in the face of this impediment. The construction — to install artificial turf on Memorial Field — is, after all, meant to benefit the families of Needham as well, giving folks more playing time.

Before they dive into finding a way to finance restoring the upstairs auditorium at Town Hall, the town is still seeking answers on whether the restoration would be worth the cost.

A crowd gathered in front of the Needham Town Hall Saturday morning as Needham resident Sara Orozco announced her campaign for the Norfolk, Bristol and Middlesex District seat in the state Senate. As the only Democrat in the race, Orozco will face Republican incumbent state Sen. Scott Brown, who has served since early 2004, in the upcoming November election.