Good morning, 

When ICE agents took into custody nine employees of the Allston Car Wash on Nov. 4, they reportedly did so without allowing workers to retrieve documents proving they had legal authorization to work in the United States.

A proposed bill pending on Beacon Hill aims to curtail federal immigration raids in a way several other states have already adopted. It would require employers give workers three days notice when federal immigration authorities plan to inspect their I-9 forms and personnel files.

“Instead of surprising workers with an ICE inspection, lawful immigrants will have three days to gather the correct paperwork to prove valid work authorization,” according to Mass Legal Services, the nonprofit behind the legislation.

“This prevents wrongful deportations and helps employers avoid workforce disruption, incorrectly issued fines and the reputational harm that results from ICE officers incorrectly arresting lawful immigrant workers.”

The bill, as written, would fine businesses $500 for noncompliance. However, the chamber urges lawmakers to amend the legislation to allow a warning for first offenses, since the goal is protection—not punishment.  

Otherwise, we support this.

Here’s a fact sheet.  There will be a hearing on the I-9 Bill (S. 2665) on Thursday (Oct. 20) at 10 a.m.. 

I value your input.

It decision time for the Newton Centre Parklet

The fate of the Newton Centre Plaza could be decided on Thursday.

That’s when the city’s Traffic Council votes on whether to keep or remove the outdoor parklet that currently occupies about 15% of the Langley Parking lot.

The $287,000 project opened in June as a temporary public space with shade structures, benches, planters and interactive games.

Many businesses in Newton Centre were alarmed when Mayor Ruthanne Fuller first announced the project. Fuller reduced the project’s size. At least here at the chamber, we’ve heard few complaints since it opened, while some have sought to use it to their advantage.

Last month, the city released survey data showing that the plaza was consistently well-used.

Ninety-five percent of surveyed users reported patronizing a Newton Centre business on the same trip. One-in-four said they visited that business for the first time.

Just as importantly, parking impacts appear to be limited: traffic counts taken before and after installation showed that none of the four municipal lots were ever “functionally full”(over 85% occupied).

I don’t understand why the Traffic Council — which is responsible for “site-specific requests for traffic and parking improvements” — has the final word on whether this public amenity stays or goes.  

But it appears they do.

Thursday’s (Nov. 20) is at 7 p.m. meeting. Watch here.

And let us know what you think.

Bill would allow yet-another alcohol tax

Newton Sen. Cindy Creem filed a bill on behalf of the Mass. Municipal Association that would allow a 2% local excise tax on alcohol sold in bars, restaurants and liquor stores, reports Tori Torres for the Newton Beacon.

However, Jessica Moore, director of government affairs for the Mass. Restaurant Association, said she hopes the bill does not pass due to the added costs it would impose on both restaurateurs and customers.

Moore noted that most diners now pay by credit card, which already incurs processing fees applied to the full bill, including tax and tip.

“That 2% increase is not just 2% that the customer is paying and the restaurateur is remitting to the state — the restaurateur is also paying a fee on that swipe,” Moore said.

Tuesday grab bag

• The BC Heights takes a look back at Setti Warren’s years at Boston College, including a story about how Newton’s future mayor responded when a student was arrested for stealing at the BC bookstore.
  
  
• Matt Borrelli’s Needham Enterprises LLC has filed plans to develop a 14-unit multifamily project at 242 Hillside Avenue. The proposal will utilize Needham’s new MBTA Communities zoning. (edited)
  
  
• Last week’s Executive Order from the White House removing certain food and agricultural items from reciprocal tariffs was effective retroactively to Nov. 13. If your business paid duties for goods after that date, information about refunds can be found here.
  
  
• The Watertown City Council will consider a proposal tonight (Nov. 18) to modify the Winter Parking Ban from Jan. 1 to March 1. (Watertown News)
  
  
• White Mountain Creamery is closing Nov. 25 after more than three decades as a family-run fixture just across the street from Boston College. New City Microcreamery will be opening in the location. (BC Heights)
  
  
• Boston’s first-ever Michelin restaurants will be announced tonight. Let’s hope they don’t entirely ignore the burbs.
  
  
• Needham Bank has closed on its first acquisition since 2007 of Amesbury-based BankProv. (BBJ)
  
  
• Celebrate Newton Holiday Craft Fair returns Sun. Dec. 7 (10 a.m.–3 p.m.) at Newton South High, featuring 50+ local artisans offering original, handmade gifts; $7 admission supports the Newton Cultural Alliance.
  
  
• The sheriff of Thanksgiving lives in Newton.
  
  
• Our Gift Card Give Back program — in partnership with chamber-member restaurants and in support of Spoonfuls’ efforts to deliver fresh food to those in need — ends one week from tomorrow (Nov. 26), so make your purchases soon.

‘Support Local’ also means supporting local arts

Finally, the chamber is launching a new seasonal initiative today to encourage supporting the arts and creative economy across Newton, Needham, Watertown and Wellesley.

Our new Support Local Arts & Culture campaign offers downloadable, ready-to-share graphics and messaging designed to encourage supporting local artists, makers, galleries and cultural nonprofits during the holidays and all year long.

This effort builds on our long-standing Support Local efforts. It acknowledges that the arts uplift our spirits and challenge how we see the world, but also serves an essential economic driver.

At the heart of the campaign is “10 Ways to Support Arts and Culture,” featuring practical ways to engage with local cultural groups and creators.

“When you choose the gift of local art—by attending a performance, shopping at a gallery, or supporting an arts nonprofit—you strengthen our communities both culturally and economically,” says John Rufo, local architect, artist and co-chair of the chamber’s Arts and Culture Committee.

“Everything you need to experience the arts is right here in our footprint.”  

Help our artists and arts groups by downloading the campaign graphics and sharing them on your social media feeds and newsletters.

Use the tags @crrchamber and #SupportLocalArt when posting. Thanks!

And that’s what you need to know for today, unless you need to know how cranberries go from a bog in Massachusetts to your Thanksgiving plate.

Be back Friday.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.

I value your feedback