We knew this would happen and it did

Good morning friends,

As your inbox has already inevitably reminded you, today is Giving Tuesday.

There are many worthy regional, national and global causes worthy of our support. However as you consider the many ways to donate your dollars and time, please also remember our local nonprofits as part of your philanthropic giving.

Here’s a list of our 150-plus nonprofit chamber members.

Newton delays inevitable BERDO vote

In the actual business world, not being prepared for what might be your biggest decision of the year might not get you too far.

However, at last night’s Newton City Council meeting, it was enough for City Councilor Lenny Gentile to use a parliamentary move to postpone a vote on proposed building emissions regulations known as BERDO.

Early in the debate, Gentile warned colleagues he planned to delay the vote because he’s been busy and was “little informed” about the ordinance.

But it wasn’t until Councilor Bill Humphry unsuccessfully tried to out-maneuver Gentile’s maneuver (which Gentile called “the lowest of the lows”), that Gentile kicked the proverbial can down the Hall.

(If you’re a fan of such things, here’s the video of the meeting’s chaotic final minutes. The Newton Beacon has a recap.)

As a result, two years after it was first proposed, the council will now likely vote to adopt BERDO at its Dec. 16 meeting.

The latest draft requires residential and non-residential buildings with a gross floor area at or above 20,000 SF to disclose fossil fuel emissions.  Over time it also requires emissions reductions for non-residential buildings, with hefty penalties for failure to do so.

That version is a change from a proposal the chamber opposed which would have required large residential properties to reduce fossil fuel use or pay fines.

We argued that the plan would drive up rents and erode Newton’s already limited supply of affordable and naturally affordable housing. The committee compromised by requiring “reporting only” for large residential buildings.

We knew this would happen and it did

Elections, as they say, have consequences.

That includes the decision by Massachusetts voters to immediately eliminate passing the 10th-grade English, math and science MCAS tests.

The consequences? Now every school system must scramble to come up with its own graduation standard.

A Globe analysis of the largest 50 districts’ high school graduation requirements found a wide variation among math, science, and foreign language requirements.

Students from 12 of those districts  — including Newton and Needham — can earn a diploma yet not be eligible for admission at UMass Amherst or any other state public college and university.

“The variation means students may leave high school with the same Massachusetts diploma but with vastly different educational experiences,” writes Mandy McLaren at the Globe.

And without a uniform standard, employers are left guessing if the grad they’re considering hiring has mastered the basic competencies, or not.

Wellesley to debate tax rate, ‘skip the stuff’

Tonight (Tuesday), the Wellesley Select Board will take up three important business-related items.

• First, the board is expected to continue applying level tax rates for both residential and commercial properties. This equitable approach sets Wellesley apart from most of its neighbors and helps keep local businesses competitive. Read our letter to the board here.
• Next, Sustainable Wellesley will present a proposed “Skip the Stuff Ordinance,” which will require restaurants to exclude plastic utensils, packaged condiments and other materials from takeout orders unless the customer requests them. A similar ordinance is in effect in Newton.
• Finally, the board will discuss and vote on a new entertainment licensing policy that expands and clarifies the current version.

Tuesday grab bag

• Wellesley Select Board Member Lise Olney says she will not seek reelection next spring.  
• Denise Garlick will be honored for 14 years of service as state representative for Needham, Medfield, and Dover and over 30 years of public service to the Town of Needham at Needham Town Hall next Monday (Dec. 9), 5:30-8 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
• For the first time in five years, there will be no state minimum wage increase on Jan. 1.
• The City of Watertown has launched a terrific free newsletter designed to connect and celebrate the Watertown business community, provide information on state and local resources, and showcase what's happening in the city. Subscribe
• To encourage holiday shopping and dining, parking meters in Needham Center and Needham Heights are free for up to two hours through Jan. 1. Of course, two-hour parking is already free year-round in downtown lots on Chapel Street, Chestnut Street, Lincoln Street and Dedham Ave. Here’s a map.
• The Health Equity Accelerator provides grants up to $50,000 in to advance equitable health outcomes in diagnostics, drug delivery, AI, medical device production and other areas of life sciences. Deadline is Dec. 6.
• Nice to see Newton’s Johnny’s Luncheonette featured in a page 1 Globe article yesterday about reducing food waste.
• Burnt Edges Bar Pizza, a South Shore-styled take-only operation, is now open at the Waltham Moose Lodge on Lexington Street. (Boston Restaurant Talk
• Chamber members Derby Farm Flowers & Gardens and Greentail Table are participating in a Holiday Wreath Workshop tomorrow (Weds.) supporting the Nonantum Neighborhood Association's Annual Scholarship Fund. Register/Questions, email Danielle Marzilli.
• The Globe has updated its map of municipalities that have acted on the MBTA Communities law.
• Wellesley Select Board Member Lise Olney says she will not seek reelection next spring.  
• Denise Garlick will be honored for 14 years of service as state representative for Needham, Medfield, and Dover and over 30 years of public service to the Town of Needham at Needham Town Hall next Monday (Dec. 9), 5:30-8 p.m. Everyone is welcome.
• For the first time in five years, there will be no state minimum wage increase on Jan. 1.
• The City of Watertown has launched a terrific free newsletter designed to connect and celebrate the Watertown business community, provide information on state and local resources, and showcase what's happening in the city. Subscribe
• To encourage holiday shopping and dining, parking meters in Needham Center and Needham Heights are free for up to two hours through Jan. 1. Of course, two-hour parking is already free year-round in downtown lots on Chapel Street, Chestnut Street, Lincoln Street and Dedham Ave. Here’s a map.
• The Health Equity Accelerator provides grants up to $50,000 in to advance equitable health outcomes in diagnostics, drug delivery, AI, medical device production and other areas of life sciences. Deadline is Dec. 6.
• Nice to see Newton’s Johnny’s Luncheonette featured in a page 1 Globe article yesterday about reducing food waste.
• Burnt Edges Bar Pizza, a South Shore-styled take-only operation, is now open at the Waltham Moose Lodge on Lexington Street. (Boston Restaurant Talk
• Chamber members Derby Farm Flowers & Gardens and Greentail Table are participating in a Holiday Wreath Workshop tomorrow (Weds.) supporting the Nonantum Neighborhood Association's Annual Scholarship Fund. Register/Questions, email Danielle Marzilli.
• The Globe has updated its map of municipalities that have acted on the MBTA Communities law.

Looking to understand why we’re losing so many young workers?

We’ve added a panel featuring four young professionals sharing their experiences looking or living in our communities to our Regional Real Estate Forum: The Road Ahead, next Wednesday (Dec. 11).

The program also includes a must-see presentation by Doug Howgate, president of the Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation on the recently released Massachusetts Competitiveness Index. And we’ll ask the planning directors representing our four chamber communities to discuss ways we can work together to enhance our region’s competitiveness.

The 9:30 a.m. program on the UMass Mount Ida campus includes a light breakfast and networking at 8:45 a.m. and is presented by Rockland Trust.  RSVP.

Auchincloss and colleagues stand up for more housing

U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss and six colleagues from across the country will co-chair a first-of-its-kind, bipartisan caucus to advance the case that America’s housing shortage is largely due to local regulations that make it too difficult to build new homes, Politico reports.

The Pro-Housing YIMBY (Yes In My Back Yard)  Caucus launched last week with 25 members who agree on one key concept: that the solution to America’s affordable housing problem is to accelerate production.

“The cost of housing is the greatest economic challenge facing Massachusetts. The answer: build more housing,” Auchincloss said in a statement. “At all levels of government, Americans need permitting and land use reforms that unlock more housing production.”

Holiday happenings in our communities

Finally today, our chamber communities are hosting multiple holiday events this weekend:

• Newton: The Mayor’s Holiday Mini Golf at City Hall is this Friday-Sunday (Dec 6-8). City Hall will be transformed into an 18-hole mini-golf course with greens and holes winding through the Mayor’s Office (including the secret passageway), City Council Chambers and the War Memorial. Bring an unwrapped gift(s) for children ages 0to 10.
• Needham: The annual Blue Tree Lighting takes place on the Town Common on Saturday (Dec. 7) at 5 p.m. Santa and others pecial guests will help with the countdown to the tree lighting. Santa will stay for photos after the event. Also this year is Needham Business Holiday Raffle runs through Dec 31.
• Watertown:  The Armenian Cultural and Education Center in Watertown will have a Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the center located at 47 Nichols Ave. on Friday (Dec6) at  5 p.m.   Also: Arsenal Yards is hosting a "Meet the Characters" and Santa event for families tomorrow (Weds), from 4-6p.m.
• Wellesley: The Wellesley Square Holiday Stroll and Scavenger Hunt is Sunday (Dec 8), 12-6 p.m. Head to the Wellesley Square Fire Station at 5 p.m. for the town tree lighting.

Before, or after, these events treat yourself by visiting some chamber member retailers and restaurants.  

That’s what you need to know for today, unless you need to know that the nicest place on the internet is in Needham.

Be back Friday.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

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