Good morning,

This weekend, the City of Watertown and representatives of the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet nations will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Treaty of Watertown — the first treaty signed by the newly independent United States.

There’s a free celebration on Saturday from 2-5 p.m. at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, with ceremonial drumming, hands-on workshops and more.

Hope to see you there.

The end of single-family zoning in Massachusetts?

Yesterday, the state Senate Ways and Means Committee released its version of the Economic Development bill, including a provision that would allow two-family homes, or duplexes, to be built by right on any residentially zoned lot in the state.

This would be ginormous.

The proposal still has miles to go. The full Senate is expected to vote next week. Then the provision would need the support of the House, which did not include it in its version of the bill.

The Globe’s Anjali Huynh has more.

At last, a plan for Watertown Square’s sleeping giant

It may be the most underappreciated and best development opportunity in the heart of Watertown Square.

Now, there’s finally a new vision for that massive brick building on the far side of the center triangle, known as the delta.

This week, Newton-based RMR Group filed plans for a major mixed-use redevelopment, including 285 housing units and 6,000 SF of ground-floor retail, while keeping the garage for residents’ use, reports Steve Adams at Banker & Tradesman.

The current three-story brick building sits on the site of Watertown's first mill. It was built in phases between 1900 and 1987 and today totals about 97,268 SF, plus the garage.

Until 1967, it housed Lewando's French Dyeing and Cleansing Works. More recently, the now-defunct Steward Medical Group had offices there.

RMR's vision dovetails perfectly with the city's ambitious plans for Watertown Square. The developer has committed to retaining key architectural elements of the existing structures and façade and to providing a visual and pedestrian connection to the Charles River.

At 247,900 SF, the project would be among the largest office-to-residential conversions proposed in the state, according to Bisnow.

Halfway into his first year, Laredo picks a planning chief

Nearly two months before he took the oath of office on Jan. 1, Newton Mayor Marc Laredo had announced virtually every member of his leadership team except one: his director of planning and development.

Laredo is finally ready to fill the vacancy. He announced yesterday plans to nominate Catherine M. Feerick to head one of the city’s most consequential departments.

Feerick has two decades of experience in economic development, most recently as director of land use and economic development for the Town of Foxborough and, before that, as economic development director for the City of Attleboro.

Her appointment stands out because pretty much everyone else on Laredo’s team already worked at City Hall, lives in Newton or both.

There’s nothing wrong with that, per se. But there are real advantages to adding individuals to any team who bring experience and perspectives from outside the organization.

And Feerick’s role is critical, both to helping Laredo fulfill his campaign commitment to be a business-friendly mayor and to helping create new tax revenue opportunities as the city confronts looming budget shortfalls.

Friday grab bag

• FamilyAid has selected Luciano Ramos as its next president & CEO, succeeding Larry Seamans, who is retiring after a 42-years. Ramos is currently assistant dean for partnerships, engagement and advancement at BU's School of Public Health.
  
  
• Lasell University may soon offer three-year bachelor's degrees. The proposal is expected to be submitted to the state by the end of summer and will cover five fields, including health science, sport management and graphic design. (BBJ) 
  
  
• The Wellesley Square July Jubilation Sidewalk Sale returns tomorrow (Sat.) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Shop once-a-year deals from dozens of local retailers while enjoying live music, entertainment, demonstrations, performances and food trucks. It's one of the community's favorite summer traditions.
  
  
• Our condolences to the family and friends of Carolyn Beach Tolman on her passing. A nurse practitioner, she was married to Warren Tolman, the former state senator and state representative.
  
  
• Watertown's Matt D'Amico and Newton's Akshara Pappu are each advancing to the national finals of NBC’s American Ninja Warrior.
  
  
• There are two World Cup watch parties in Watertown this Sunday. An outdoor, family-friendly gathering at Saltonstall Field hosted by the Watertown Free Public Library starting at 2:40 p.m., and a ticketed watch party at the Armenian Cultural and Educational Center at 47 Nichols Ave. starting at 3 p.m. (Watertown News) 
  
  
• Brookline.News looks at how some local bars benefited from the World Cup.
  
  
• Wondering what that wondrous smell is along Gould Street in Needham? Le Petit Four’s Valerie Coullet has opened large-scale French kitchen created to supply her Wellesley retail bakery, growing wholesale and catering operations and future cafes.  It’s open for wholesale pickup only.  (Needham Observer)
  
  
• Newton Rotary holds a Helpsy collection tomorrow (Sat.), 9 a.m. to noon, at the Scandinavian Center. They’re collecting gently used clothes and textiles.
  
  
• Watertown will increase water and sewer rates by 4.5% across all tiers, 0.5% above the expected 4% increase this year. This increase is retroactive from July. (Watertown News)
  
  
• Our annual Summer Celebration next Thursday (July 23) at Commodore Builders is sold out. Waitlist is here.
  
  
• Did you know that the first amusement park in the U.S. was in Needham? So was the first sanitary pig farm. Both were created by William Baker, who, at 22, also co-invented the double-loop-stitch sewing machine. Needham’s Revitalization Trust Fund Committee is honoring this eccentric entrepreneur with the unveiling of a series of murals, Sunday (July 19) at 10 a.m.  Details.

Lawn vs. Leary: Déjà vote

It may not be Ali vs. Frazier, or even Spain vs. Argentina. But one of this year’s few legislative rematches is happening right here in our region.

Newton City Councilor Alison Leary is once again challenging incumbent State Rep. John Lawn for the Democratic nomination in the 10th Middlesex district, which includes parts of Newton, Watertown and Waltham. (see if you live in the district)

Their first matchup in 2020 was a close one. Lawn prevailed by just 431 votes, despite Leary carrying Newton and Waltham.

The deciding factor was Lawn's commanding 35-point margin in Watertown, which saw him re-elected.

Leary, who ran to Lawn's left in 2020, appears to be targeting many of the same voters this time around. However, endorsements have been limited so far. 

Lawn has earned the backing of Planned Parenthood, while Leary has been endorsed by Abundant Housing Massachusetts, one of the state's leading pro-housing organizations. Notably, Leary is the only Democratic House challenger the group endorsed this cycle.

Want to hear directly from both candidates? Join us virtually next Tuesday (July 21) at 1 p.m. as Lawn and Leary debate housing, economic development, nonprofit policy and other issues important to our region.

K9’s journey from Newton through Watertown inspires new law

Back in 2013, a Newton Police K-9 named Dakota and his handler helped secure downtown Boston in the hours after the Boston Marathon bombing.

Later, they helped pursue suspect Dzhokhar Tsarnaev through Watertown neighborhoods.

The German shepherd mix came home broken, diagnosed with canine post-traumatic stress disorder, fearful, withdrawn and unable to function, writes Boston Magazine’s Jaci Conry.

He was almost euthanized.

Instead, trainer James LaMonte took on a rehabilitated Dakota and later founded a nonprofit treating retired military and law-enforcement dogs suffering from trauma.

Dakota’s recovery and the broader need for post-service care are chronicled in the 2023 documentary “Healing Dakota,” available on various streaming service platforms.

Here’s the good news: Last week, after years of lobbying, Gov. Maura Healey signed a provision in the $63 billion state budget named Dakota’s Law.  It creates a Retired  Police Dog Care Fund, providing support grants to nonprofits for medical services and care to retired police dogs.

Pretty special, eh?

That’s what you need to know for today — World Emoji Day — unless you’re interested in finding the oldest bar in every state.

Go get ‘em, Red Sox. See you next week.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

I value your feedback

Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.