Good morning friends.

At the end of today’s newsletter, I’ll tell you about a problem one of my predecessors warned us about, a mere 104 years ago.

But we begin with some local election updates, including city council contests in Watertown and Newton. Plus, perhaps an open state senate seat in Needham?

Even before all that:  You now have a chance to vote for something that can only turn out positive: Your favorite small businesses and businesses person in Newton.

Cast your vote for outstanding Newton small businesses

We’re now accepting nominations for our inaugural Newton Small Business Awards, a new celebration, sponsored by The Village Bank, recognizing Newton-based businesses, nonprofits and individuals who’ve made a meaningful impact in the past year.

Our awards will be presented at a special event this fall (date and location to be announced soon), bringing together Newton’s businesses, civic leaders and residents for an evening of recognition, networking, and celebration.

The event will feature local food, drink and networking and spotlight the people and organizations that help Newton thrive.

Nominations are due Aug. 3. Vote early and often and tell your friends.

Airasian out, three others seek to join Watertown Council

Two years ago, there was only one contested race for a seat on Watertown’s City Council: Incumbent Mark Sideris clobbered former Council President Clyde Younger.

This November’s council contest promises to be more interesting.

Charlie Breitrose of Watertown News reports at-large councilor (and owner of Eastern Clothing Co.) John Airasian is not seeking reelection.

Two newcomers—retired city auditor and 40-year government employee Tom Tracy, and historic property developer Theo Offei—will join incumbents Tony Palomba, Caroline Bays and John Gannon in a five-person contest for four at-large seats.

Meanwhile, Andres Guzman will challenge Council Vice President Vincent Piccirilli for his District C seat.

New faces coming to the Newton Council, but how many?

You may need an org chart and some Advil to fully follow the Newton City Council and School Committee contests this fall. But that beats the alternative when there have been very few competive contests.

Newton’s field won’t be finalized until after next Tuesday’s deadline. But the city will have a new mayor and at minimum five new councilors on Jan.1. Lenny Gentile (Ward 4 at large), Andrea Downs (Ward 5 at large), Bill Humphrey (Ward 5) and Vicki Danberg (Ward 6 at large) are stepping away. Marc Laredo (Ward 7 at large) is running for mayor.

Last minute surprises aside (it’s happened before), here’s the latest:

• Ward 1: Business and IT consultant JJ Kazakoff‑Eigen* has pulled papers to run against incumbent Maria Greenberg for her ward seat.
• Ward 4: Incumbent Josh Krintzman and director of a clean infrastructure firm, John Chaimanis, have pulled papers for two at-large seats. Cyrus Dahmubed*, director of research at Utile Design and Incumbent Randy Block have pulled papers for both the ward and at-large seats, leaving the final matchups in this ward unclear.
• Ward 5: Newcomers Garry Miller and Julie Irish will vie for Humphreys’ ward seat. So far, Brittany Hume Charm may fill vacancy the Downs’ vacancy without a competitor.
• Ward 6: Incumbent Alan Lobovits* will face off against perennial candidate Lisa Gordon, housing and transit advocate Sean Roche, and Newton Dems Ward 6 chair, Ted Gross*.
• Ward 7: Brian Golden*, the Boston Planning & Development Agency head under Mayors Menino and Walsh, could also be getting a seat without facing an opponent.
• Ward 8: Organizer of Newton Impact, Jacob Silber*, will face off against incumbents David Kalis and Rick Lipof* for two at‑large seats.

* As of Wednesday, nomination papers for these candidates had NOT been certified.

One other possible piece of breaking election news

Politico’s Massachusetts Playbook reports that Needham state Sen. Becca Rausch “has been fielding calls about running for secretary of state” in 2026. 

If Raush were to run statewide (incumbent Bill Galvin hasn’t said he’s running again but Politico’s Kelly Garrity reports he’s expected to), that would open up a state senate seat Needham and the rest of the oddly shaped district.

Also: A new source of support for pro-housing candidates

Recognizing that so many battles to address the state’s soul-crushing housing shortage are won and lost on the local level, YIMBY champions Abundant Housing MA has just established a political action committee that aims to support local pro-housing candidates.

“While we have been strong advocates at the state and local level for more housing, we have yet to involve ourselves directly in electoral politics,” says executive director Jesse Kanson-Benanav.

“But, we know that if we are to ever build the new homes Massachusetts residents want and need, we must support pro-housing advocates who want to be leaders in their communities.”

Josh Rosmarin, who has been part of the Housing For All Watertown steering committee, is the new PAC’s treasurer

Friday grab bag

• Why are you waiting? Prices for tickets to our Needham Night BBQ — with the Needham Business Awards — Aug. 6 at Cutler Park, increase on Monday.
• State Rep. John Lawn, who represents parts of Watertown, Newton and Waltham, has pled guilty — and apologized — to OUI, leaving scene of crash charges. (WCVB)
• Head to Wellesley tomorrow (Saturday) 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for the July Jubilation Sidewalk Sale 2025. Enjoy a Wellesley tradition with sales, entertainment, live demonstrations and performances.
• Echo Bridge Restaurant’s request to add two Keno lottery screens is in limbo. Although the Newton City Council’s Land Use Committee approved the special permit, 6–2, Councilor Rena Getz delayed the final decision. The full council will take up the matter Aug. 11. It requires 16 votes, which may be difficult to obtain.
• Register now to golf, sponsor or volunteer at Watertown Boys & Girls Club’s Stephen P. Mugar Golf Tournament, Aug. 11 at Oakley Country Club.
• Newton-raised Jack Winnay was selected by the Red Sox in the 13th round of the 2025 MLB Draft. Watch City Councilor Rick Lipof give Winnay a shout-out at this week’s council meeting.
• Artists have until July 27 to enter Watertown’s open call for artists for its a banner project aimed at beautifying the fence screen at the former Sterritt Lumber site.
• Learn about and comment on Wellesley's Complete Streets Prioritization Plan. Public comments to Sheila Page due July 30
• Attorney General Andrea Campbell is giving 15 towns that have blown past their deadlines to pass MBTA-Communities compliance plans until Jan. 1 to get their acts together. To date, 139 towns and cities have passed compliant zoning.  Another 20 small communities have a Dec. 31 deadline. (Baker& Tradesman)
• Get Konnected!’s 11th Annual A Taste of Ethnic Boston returns July 29 at The Grand in the Seaport, featuring 15+ ethnic restaurants, live music, and networking . Chamber members use promo code “GKPartner” for $20 off your ticket.
• Economic activity was flat or up slightly across New England, according to the Feds’ latest Beige Book.  Retail revenues decreased modestly. Tourism revenues edged lower, in part because of fewer visitors from Canada. Price increases were modest overall, although tariffs drove above-average price increases in a few cases. Home sales increased modestly. Hiring plans remained conservative amid a guardedly optimistic outlook.
• Amazon’s One Medical primary care practice, in partnership with Mass General Hospital, will open next to Shake Shack on Central Street, in Wellesley Square.
• The feds are swooping in and expelling immigrant restaurant workers, scientists, students, construction workers, farmworkers and others. But they’re looking at recruiting foreigners as air traffic controllers. And that’s making security experts nervous.  (The Atlantic)
• The third annual Allen Center Lunchtime Pop-Up Series returns Thurs. July 24 (11:30-2 p.m.) in West Newton, featuring weekly restaurant pop-ups, live music, and local vendors. Meals must be pre-ordered at allovernewton.com.
• The Mass Center for Employee Ownership hosts a symposium titled “Why is it important to become more familiar with employee ownership?,” July 30 at 9 a.m. at Framingham State University.
• I never aspired to be someone folks would seek out to discuss solid waste.  But there I was last Friday on Channel 5, NBC10  and  CBS News Boston.

Our 110th anniversary celebration kicks off and looks back.

Our thanks to the nearly 200 old-and-new friends who helped us launch our 110th anniversary celebration at the stunning Nathaniel Allen House in West Newton this week.

We’re particularly grateful to our hosts, Adrienne Hartzell Knudsen of the Newton Cultural Alliance and to Family Access for sharing their parking lot.

This event would not have been possible without our presenting sponsors Boylston Properties, Eastern Bank and Needham Bank, along with Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital, The Bulfinch Group, CliftonLasronAllen, Riptide LLC and Sassoon Cyymrot Law.

As I mentioned at the event, we’ll be using the rest of this year to look back at our chamber’s 110 years of advocacy, what’s been accomplished and what’s ahead.

As we’ve begun reflecting on our history, we’re learning how many things change, while others never seem to.

Consider, for example, a warning Mr. C. C. Mowrey — the chamber’s very first paid staff director —made in his first speech to the business community back on Nov. 18 of 1921:

“I have ascertained that there is a shortage of good but comparatively cheap houses and tenements,” Mowrey said. “I am assured by representatives of the Welfare Bureau that there are many families living [here] who are able and willing to buy modest homes were such homes available,”

“…And I am assured that there are many young couples and other people of modest means who are prevented from locating [here] because no homes are available at a moderate rental.

“One Newton manufacturer has assured me that practically all of his employees would prefer to live [locally]. But the type of homes they can afford are not available,” he added.

Yup.

With your help — if need be — we’ll keep working until we fix that, even if it takes another 110 years.

(Thanks to historian Alice E. Ingerson for digging up Mowrey’s quotes.)

I value your feedback.

And that’s what you need to know for today — Insurance Nerd Day — unless you need to know that the tooth fairy is real.

Enjoy the weekend and one of these chamber member restaurants.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.