Charlie Baker’s message to Needham

It was miserably and wonderfully wet yesterday.  Still it wasn’t nearly enough to end our drought.

Wondering how a record dry fall has affected our favorite river as it heads into our chamber communities? This stream-flow gauge provides hourly Charles River measurements.  Select the 30-day or one year view for the best perspective.

An MBTA Communities milestone!

Over 100 communities have now approved plans to comply with the MBTA Communities Act.

That includes our four chamber communities — Newton, Needham, Wellesley and Watertown — although the Needham Town Clerk continues to count petition signatures that would force a repeal referendum. 

It’s now believed there will likely a referendum in January. If opponents prevail Needham could be at risk of losing millions in state grants, including a possible $20 million project funded by the state for improvements along Highland Ave. from Webster Street to Great Plain Ave., reports Peter O’Neal at the Observer.

Meanwhile, after being told by the state it needed to redo its MBTA-C plan, our next door neighbors in Waltham just approved a new, more expansive, plan that should unlock more housing opportunities in the Watch City.

Waltham’s new plan increases density from four to eight units per building and reduces building setbacks and reduces parking minimums.

Charlie Baker’s message to Needham

The MBTA Communities Act was signed in 2021 by then-Gov. Charlie Baker in 2021. although execution (and blame on the floors of many town meetings) has largely fallen to the Healey administration.

Baker, a Needham native, doesn’t usually wade into state, or town, politics these days. But when the former governor was in Needham on Sunday to unveil a mural in his honor, he was asked why he prioritized housing housing a priority during his two terms in office.

“For Massachusetts to succeed in the future we’ve got to build more housing,” he told the Needham Observer. “And a lot of it’s gotta be in places with spaces where people can afford it. I get the fact that everybody that’s got a house has a certain comfort with the way things are. But if you look at all the demographic trends, the crowd we’re losing is the 25 to 35-year-olds.

“They’re the next generation and it’s gonna be important for us to figure out a way to create places and spaces that they can afford to do what we did. You know, build a life, create a future and become the next act.”

Read the rest here.

High-profile block in Wellesley Square goes on the market

The Sullivan family of Sullivan & Co. in Braintree have put the Taylor Block in Wellesley Square (540-568 Washington Street) on the market through Colliers

“Roughly 70,000 square feet of two- and three-story buildings stand there today, with shops and restaurants on the ground floor and some offices and apartments upstairs, along with an auto repair shop in the back,” the Globe’s Jon Chesto reports.

“The brochure suggests the site, currently assessed at $23 million, could accommodate a project roughly twice that size, with retail and amenities on the first floor and housing in the three stories above the ground floor.”

Just don’t look for the site to provide any, or much, additional housing, even though it’s located in one of the region’s best small downtowns and directly across from the train station.

That’s because there are already 20 units of housing at the 1.2 acre site now — the exact same number of units allowed by right under the town’s new MBTA Communities zoning.  

What a lost opportunity!

Back when Wellesley’s MBTA-C compliance plan was first proposed, the chamber recommended adding density and height to buildings near transit and shops, rather than focusing on an isolated site off I-95. That’s not what happened.

Newton rental costs could spike under BERDO

The Newton City Council’s Zoning and Planning Committee will consider an amendment on Monday that we fear will increase the cost of housing for many of the city’s most vulnerable residents.

The amendment to the proposed BERDO ordinance would place strict emissions regulations on 120 residential properties larger than 20,000 SF.  (Fig City News explains here.)

Ultimately, the properties will be required to replace fossil fuel heating and cooling systems over a phased-in schedule or pay significant fines.

There are two problems with this:

• First: Older buildings were never constructed with conversions in mind. While the technology exists to transition many single-family homes off fossil fuels, the remedy for larger properties is much more complicated. Capital costs and resident disruption will be substantial.
• Second:  Those costs will inevitably be passed onto tenants through rent increases, or to condo owners through assessments. Meanwhile, the residents in many of these properties are among our most economically challenged, including seniors and others living on fixed incomes.   

We recognize the urgency of the climate crisis and the best intentions of those who support this amendment.  However, if councilors want to curtail carbon emissions in a meaningful way, they should look first to regulating single-family homes which are a far greater source of carbon than multi-family properties.

We urge the council to not erode Newton’s already limited supply of affordable and naturally affordable housing by including multi-family housing in the BERDO ordinance. Share your views with councilors here.

Friday grab bag

• The holiday season is almost here. You can help our local businesses by promoting the "Support Local" message! We've put together a digital folder with social media graphics and email banners. Please share to spread the word.
• Good news. Last night Newton’s Traffic Council approved a request by 14 restaurants and retailers to extend the parking time limit in the Newton Centre triangle parking lot from two to three hours. The businesses believe the change will allow customers time to make multiple stops, making Newton Centre a more attractive and viable commercial destination. The change should happen on or after Dec. 11.
• You're invited to be part of a massive group photo tomorrow (Sat.) at Memorial Park Football Field, 92 Rosemary Street, that will be sent to astronaut, Needham hometown hero and sweat recycler Sunita Williams. Be there at 11:30 a.m. And smile!
• The finally approved economic development bill allows farmers' markets to sell craft beer and craft spirits. (WBUR)
• If you work in the arts and culture sector -- or sit on the board of an arts organization –you’re invited to join the chamber’s Arts & Culture Committee Tuesday (Nov. 26) at noon for a virtual conversation with Michael Bobbitt from the Mass Cultural Council. Bobbitt will discuss MCC initiatives and how organizations and artists cam amplify their work regionally. Email Maxime Isaac for Zoom details.
• Under the Corporate Transparency Act, U.S. small businesses need to file beneficial ownership information reports with the Department of the Treasury by Jan. 1.  Not filing by the deadline puts small business owners at risk of fines and criminal penalties.  The U.S. Chamber has created a free step-by-step guide to help complete the reports
• Astound Business Solutions is recognizing exceptional small businesses that drive local economies and enrich their communities with the Community Impact Award. Nominees have the chance to win one year of free gig business internet service, with no purchase necessary, and a plaque to honor their contributions. Nominations due Dec 31.
• Save the evening of Thursday, Jan. 23 for a special event celebrating our businesses and nonprofits in Watertown.

Calls to repeal overnight parking bans grow

Watertown’s annual overnight winter parking ban goes into effect Dec. 2, even as more than 800 Watertown residents have signed a petition calling to end the practice. Watch this CBS Boston report.

Those 800 folks in Watertown have like-minded allies in Newton. But alas, Newton’s overnight parking ban starts Dec. 1.

Watertown Cultural District is officially a thing

Watertown’s application to establish a cultural district in and around Watertown Square has been approved by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, reports the Watertown News.

The Cultural District program is designed to benefit not just the creative and cultural sectors, but also boost economic vitality.

Watertown’s district (map) includes the Watertown Free Public Library, the Armenian Museum of America, Saltonstall Park, two independent privately-owned art galleries, several creative businesses, the sculpture walk and many restaurants and shops.

To support the effort Watertown will receive a$15,000 state grant.

Help some kids … and local businesses

Finally, the chamber’s Young Professionals Group is once again supporting Newton’s 17th annual Holiday Gift Drive in partnership with The Village Bank and the City of Newton Department of Health and Human Services.

Here’s how you can support local families and businesses this season:

• We’re headed to Showcase SuperLux at the Street Chestnut Hill on Dec. 4 for our annual networking after hours and gift drive. Enjoy good food, company and a festive atmosphere! Bring an unwrapped toy (newborn to age 10) or a $20 donation as admission. RSVP.
• Can't make it on the 4th? Our Women's Impact Network will also be collecting donations at their Dec. 6 lunch.
• Make a donation now: Every dollar collected through our online donation portal will be used to purchase gifts from local merchants for the toy drive. No amount is too small!
• Shop Local: Visit Henry Bear's Park (28 Austin Street, Newtonville). There are collection boxes and a donation option in-store.
• Or, purchase gifts at other local merchants and drop them off at any Village Bank branch location between Nov. 5 and Dec. 11.

That’s what you need to know for today, unless you didn’t know that the Sexiest Man Alive is apparently from Newton.

Enjoy the weekend and support local, okay?

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688