$13M here, $13M there, pretty soon you're talking real money
$13M here, $13M there, pretty soon you're talking real money
For as long as any of us can remember, our chamber has been awarding scholarships to graduating high school seniors attending a four-year college or university.
We're changing that.
At the recommendation of our scholarship committee, we’re expanding eligibility to also include high school graduates enrolling at a community college, or other accredited post-secondary program.
That's because we’ve come to appreciate that there’s more than one educational path students can take to a fulfilling career, just as different jobs require different skills, knowledge or credentials.
The 2024 application deadline is March 29. Full criteria here.
$13M here, $13M there, pretty soon you're talking real money
$13M here, $13M there, pretty soon you're talking real money
What a relief it was to have Newton Public School students back in class yesterday and parents back at their jobs, following a tense 11-day strike.
I’m giving Gov. Maura Healey an assist for getting this settled.
Did you notice how less than 24 hours after Healey jumped in, the deadlocked sides magically found middle ground?
Now comes the hard part: Kids need to make up for lost time. The city needs to rebuild trust following much angst and distrust. And a great community to live, work and visit had its reputation hammered.
We also need to know: Is the new contract sustainable? How will it impact other city union negotiations and other municipal needs?
After repeatedly saying giving teachers what they asked for would result in layoffs (and then giving them a lot, but not all they asked for ) Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said Friday no layoffs are needed.
Is that with, or without, raising taxes mayor?
The teachers' new four-year contract will cost taxpayers an added $53 million over four years, an average of $13.25 million per year.
That’s millions more than the $9.2 million annual operating override taxpayers rejected (and the chamber opposed) last spring even though Fuller and school leaders said back then they needed it to avoid 40 to 50 school layoffs.
Also worth watching: Newton’s 2025 city elections
Also worth watching: Newton’s 2025 city elections
Suburban politicians don’t usually see their image in effigy. Fuller did.
Does she run again in 2025? Would you if you were her? Is there a candidate-in-waiting who might unite a city that was already deeply divided before this strike?
And what about Newton's sleep-deprived elected school committee? They receive a piddly $7,750 yearly stipend for the pleasure of being subjected to ridicule or brought to tears. And yet, after not one competitive race last fall, it's likely many candidates will emerge following recent events.
(ICYMI: Here’s an op-ed I wrote last week about how hostility to development in Newton contributed to the teacher standoff.)
Watertown ISD is relocating
Watertown ISD is relocating
The Watertown Building/Inspectional Services department is moving to the Parker Annex, room 3D, 124 Watertown Street effective Feb. 26. The phone number 617-972-6480 is not changing.
The staff will not be available for in person meetings from 11 a.m. Feb. 23 and all-day Feb. 24 but available by phone at 617-972-6480 and monitoring emails. Inspections will be limited during the move.
We'll be seeing Newtonville Camera through a new lens
We'll be seeing Newtonville Camera through a new lens
Just one year shy of its 50th anniversary, destination retailer Newtonville Camera is merging in March with another family-owned and operated camera store: Hunt's Photo & Video.
Newtonville Camera has been locally owned and operated by the Roberts family since 1975, originally in Newtonville and since 2018 just across the river in Waltham.
Hunt's, which bills itself as “America's Oldest Camera Store since 1889,” has eight locations including five in Massachusetts.
“On behalf of my family and our entire team, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to all of our friends, clients, and community members who have supported us throughout the years,” Newtonville’s President Kenneth Roberts told customers in an email.
He said the "merger" will enable the store to offer longer hours, more open days and expanded product offerings.
Back when developer Robert Korff was seeking support for the mixed-use development that became Trio, Newtonville Camera's founder, Paul Roberts was one of the project’s most articulate supporters — even though the project meant he would need to relocate his family business.
Paul recognized that Newton needed the housing. He knew the project was going to be good for Newton and Newtonville, even though it was going to stink for him.
He was right on all accounts.
Mass High Tech lays out path to competitiveness
Mass High Tech lays out path to competitiveness
The Massachusetts High Technology Council has just released, MassVision2050 a first-of-its-kind analysis designed to determine market size, talent needs and growth opportunities in AI, fin tech, cybersecurity, life sciences, and semiconductors.
The report also explores strategies to launch a sustained statewide campaign to defend and strengthen the Massachusetts business climate.
Today’s grab bag
- J.P. Licks is running its 5th annual sock drive to benefit Rosie's Place throughout February. Bring NEW socks into any of the 17 J.P. Licks locations (including Newton, Wellesley and Brookline) and receive a coupon for your next visit for each pair. More than 700 pairs of socks were collected last year which also means they gave away a lot of ice cream.
- MassDOT is preparing to redesign and replace the bridge over Route 9 in Newton that carries the D-Line trains. There’s a virtual public meeting to explain the project tomorrow (Weds.) at 6 p.m. Details.
- Owning a home keeps getting further and further out of reach. As of late last year, only about one quarter of households could qualify for a mortgage. That’s half the 2019 level. (Boston Real Estate Times)
- After 42 years, much-loved Auburndale gift shop Just Next Door is closing last Saturday (Feb. 3). This upcoming Saturday (Feb. 10), ALL Over Newton is hosting a farewell celebration for longtime owner, Amy Shih, 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Auburndale Community Library.
- Lasell University and Newton-Wellesley Hospital have partnered to address a critical shortage of surgical technologists in the nation's hospital system. (NBC10)
- Wellesley will hold the first two upcoming public forums to discuss MBTA Community Zoning and the town's plans for compliance this Thursday (Feb. 8) at 6:30 p.m. at the Wellesley Police Department (485 Washington Street) and live streamed on Wellesley Public Media. The second meeting, March 7, 6:30 p.m., will be virtual.
- Abbey Myers is Watertown’s new Director of Public Health. She’s been Interim Director since August of last year. When you see her, ask what's it like to catch a bat?
Clarification about Needham’s MBTA Communities plan
I did a less than perfect job last week explaining Needham’s planned approach to the MBTA Communities Law compliance.
While the town-appointed Needham (HONE) Advisory Group is indeed planning on submitting two zoning articles to Town Meeting this fall, the goal is to put both items up for votes, not as I wrote, choose one or the other.
The first article would be a “do-only-enough-to-comply” proposal that would allow for the slightly more than the 1,784 multi-family units mandated by law. The second will be a more expansive “add-on” plan that would go beyond what’s required.
A cultural asset is saved and expanded
A cultural asset is saved and expanded
|  |
 |  |
Finally this morning, when the Embassy Cinema abruptly closed back in 2022, it looked like the almost century-old Waltham staple just off of Moody Street was destined to meet the fate of so many older movie theaters.
In other words, no one would have been surprised if the theater was knocked down and redeveloped.
In other words, no one would have been surprised if the theater was knocked down and redeveloped.
The proprietor of the amazing Boston Rhythmic, which had been running classes in rented spaces in Watertown and Newton, somehow managed to cobble together $4.5 million to purchase the building and reimagining as a nonprofit hub for creativity, entertainment, and wellness.
This Friday (Feb. 9) at 10 a.m. the Embassy Performing Arts Center in Waltham celebrates its grand opening, following an extensive 9-month renovation which now includes two cinema screens operated by Embassy Theater Waltham and four activity rooms, hosting performances and Boston Rhythmic hosted events.
That’s what you need to know for today –-unless you need to know that the moon is shrinking and why that worries scientists.
RIP Lawrence Langer, a Wellesley resident the New York Times called an “unblinking scholar of Holocaust literature.” (h/t Swellesley Report)
Be back Friday.
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President & CEO
617.244.1688
Powered By GrowthZone