A political rarity in Newton and Needham
A political rarity in Newton and Needham
Housing and open space advocates are often at odds in our suburban communities.
But we’re facing a housing crisis, a climate crisis and a biodiversity crisis. Couldn’t we best address those challenges through collaboration?
That was the question asked during a compelling presentation in Wellesley the other day called “Housing and Land Protection Panel: It's Not Either/Or.”
I particularly recommend watching Mark Wamsley’s example from Easthampton at the 9:00 mark.
Thanks to the Wellesley Conservation Land Trust for organizing this discussion.
Update on our big event next week
We’ve just added Jason Hoch, deputy director of the Innovation Institute at Mass. Tech. Collaborative, to our Spring Business Breakfast lineup, one week from this morning (June 7), at the Needham Sheraton.
Jason will join Michael Bobbitt of the Mass. Cultural Council; Kate Fox of the Mass. Office of Travel & Tourism; and Dr. Emily Reichert of Mass Clean Energy Center on a panel looking at ways to grow our region’s and state’s economy.
We’re also looking forward to hearing from Gov. Healey’s Housing Secretary Ed Augustus and honoring everyone’s friend, Susan Paley from the Village Bank.
Our event is sold out. But we typically get a some cancellations when sponsors return any extra tickets. So if you want to be there, join the waitlist.
A political rarity in Newton and Needham
Two of our chamber communities will experience a political rarity this fall: Actual contested races for seats in the Massachusetts Legislature.
Newton state Reps. Kay Khan (29 years ) and Ruth Balser (25 years) along with Needham Rep. Denise Garlick (14 years) have collectively spent nearly seven decades representing our communities on Beacon Hill, almost always getting reelected without an opponent.
That’s typical in our communities and across the state. The Massachusetts Legislature has been the nation’s least competitive for years. This fall, two-thirds of the state’s senators and representatives, including the rest of our local delegation, have no opponents.
But due, perhaps, to cosmic coincidence (or, maybe, we’ll find out they decided to quit their day jobs and form a punk band) Khan, Balser and Garlick are all retiring this year.
And while reasonable people may wonder about the job’s appeal, nine men and one woman will be giving up their summers to campaign for one of those three open seats.
The deadline to submit papers to be on the ballot was Tuesday. Here’s who will be asking for campaign contributions and knocking on your door:
- In Newton, the 11th Middlesex seat now held by Khan, has two Democrats in a Sept. 3 run-off: former City Councilor Amy Sangiolo and Alexander Jablon. That winner faces Republican Vladislav Yanovsky on Nov. 5.
- Also in Newton (and a small slice of Brookline), the contest to fill Balser’s 12th Middlesex seat, will be between two sitting city councilors, Rick Lipof and Bill Humphrey and their former council colleague. Greg Schwartz in a Sept. 3 runoff. No Republicans or independents are running, so the September winner will get to sit in some windowless Beacon Hill basement office with the other freshmen reps without breaking a sweat in November.
- Four candidates want to fill Garlick’s 13th Norfolk seat covering Needham, Dover and part of Medfield. Democrats -- Patrick A. Gatto, Kenneth Ruetenik and Joshua Tarsky face off Sept. 3. They’ll compete with Bill Dermody, who’s running as an unenrolled candidate in November.
These seats don’t turn over often. Once they’re in, they don’t typically leave anytime soon and no one runs against them. If you’re a voter in one of those three districts, please choose thoughtfully.
And see you next year when Khan, Balser and Garlick make their debut at Porchfest.
Zoning without the Zzz’s
Long before he became Watertown’s city manager, George Proakis gave a TedX talk about zoning that’s been viewed more than 7,000 times. He also lectures on the topic at Harvard.
On Monday (June 3) at 6 p.m. Proakis will present his talk about how zoning works, how it can benefit and shape the community, its limitations, and much more. Watch it live here.
Then on June 13 at 6 p.m. the Watertown City Council and Planning Board will host a joint hearing at the Watertown Middle School Auditorium on the Proakis’ administration’s just-released Watertown Square Area Plan Document which includes the city’s MBTA Communities Act compliance approach.
Friday grab bag
- The MBTA will be conducting maintenance along the Needham Line commuter rail and replacing trains with bus shuttles for eight days in June between Needham Heights and South Station.
- Some Wellesley property owners will see a new stormwater fee on their monthly utility bills starting in July. Enter your address here to find out if you will be charged. FAQ’s.
- Take a trip down the Charles with Michael Tougias, author of Exploring the Hidden Charles, Sunday (June 2) at 2 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library. This narrated slide presentation follows our favorite river on an 80 mile journey from Hopkinton to Boston.
- Needham Bank hosts "Scaling your Small Business" a free in-person event featuring an expert panel at WBZ Radio Headquarters in Medford, June 13 at 4 p.m. Register
- Today is the final day to participate in the City of Newton’s online survey that aims to measure how residents, businesses, workers and visitors feel the city does on issues related to integrating diversity, equity and inclusion.
- Needham’s Climate Action Plan Committee hosts a meeting to introduce the town’s first-ever Climate Action Roadmap at Town Hall, June 5 at 6 p.m.
- Shin-Yi Lao will be Newton’s new Health & Human Services commissioner, pending city council approval. Lao had been the city’s director of public health under Commissioner Linda Walsh who is retiring. (Newton Beacon)
- Arsenal Yards' annual and very tasty Stick a Fork in it Food Festival is happening June 5. Proceeds benefit the Watertown Community Foundation.
Women’s Leadership Luncheon set for June 12
In 2022, Commander Billie J. Farrell became the first woman to command the USS Constitution.
Join our Women’s Impact Network for a special lunchtime event, June 12 at One Wingate Way to meet Farrell and learn about her journey and leadership. Limited tickets remain.
We need your help with something
Finally this morning, I have a request. And it’s time sensitive
This Monday (June 3), Newton’s Zoning Board of Appeals will hold one of its final public hearings on a proposed housing project at 78 Crafts Street in Newtonville.
The Boylston Properties project would create 295 units of much-needed multifamily rental housing and could very well be one of the last substantial opportunities to add to the city’s housing stock for a while.
It includes 59 units at 50% AMI, something that’s both all too rare and puts these homes within reach for many restaurant staff, hotel workers, autobody mechanics, child and senior care employees, etc.
It’s also within walking distance of the MBTA Commuter rail, Whole Foods, shops like Fulfilled Goods, restaurants and many jobs. Plus, it will increase property tax revenue for the City of Newton by an additional ~$1M annually.
Oh, and have you seen what the site looks like today?
Here’s what we need from you:
To date, the ZBA has heard from residents in support and against. But they haven’t heard from employers about how important projects like this benefit their urgent need to hire and retain workers.
Please send a short email today to Chair Michael Rossi via Zoning Board Clerk Brenda Belsanti. Simply let Rossi know you support 78 Crafts Street for the housing it will provide for families and workers. Ask that the project be approved at its current size.
Better yet, comment in person at Monday’s 7 p.m. meeting at City Hall or via zoom (details here).
I wouldn’t be asking if it wasn’t important. It’s important.
That’s what you need to know for today, unless you have a few minutes to take a virtual walk in one of the world’s great cities.
Please shop and dine locally this and every weekend.
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President & CEO
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
P.S. 34 is my new favorite number.