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For four decades they always had that perfect something

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For four decades they always had that perfect something

Newton is on the verge of joining seven other communities that will be allowed to significantly limit the use of fossil fuels in both commercial and residential building projects.

The rules would ban gas or oil hookups in most new construction and major renovations.

Seven municipalities -- Acton, Aquinnah, Brookline, Cambridge, Concord, Lincoln, and Lexington -- have already received the green light to begin the ground breaking experiment, reports State House News Chris Lisinski.

ļ»æNewton and Arlington also received “conditional" state approval to impose the building restrictions, pending achieving of affordable housing requirements mandated by the pilot program’s rules.

And yesterday it appears Newton just met that milestone and now qualifies. (See next item.)

It could take up to a year before the all-electric rules go into effect in the Garden City. That's because the Newton City Council now needs to approve a final ordinance and set an effective date.

Worth watching closely is how councilors decide to define "major renovations" since it could become a deterrent for property owners looking to redo part of their business or home.

Others worry that banning natural gas hookups will drive up housing costs, hurt affordability and place participating municipalities at a competitive disadvantage.

Newton finally in compliance with 1969 housing law 

Dunstan Residences

It took more than a half century but yesterday Newton finally moved into compliance with the state’s Chapter 40B affordable housing law.
This. Is. A. Big. Deal.

The milestone was reached when Garden Homes, a housing developer with properties in New Jersey and Connecticut, secured a building permit Monday to construct 292 residential units (with 25% affordable) on Washington Street just outside of West Newton Square.

The 3.5 acre project was originally conceived by Mark Development and first approved in 2020. Mark demolished the buildings in 2022 and started preparing the site work but stalled due to the same sort of economic headwinds that's stalled many projects across the nation.
Mark agreement to sell the property to Garden Homes for $48 million closed late last month, according to the city.

Plans includes three buildings and approximately 8,000 SF of retail space and public open space. Also included are commitments to make improvements to Cheesecake Brook at the rear of the site, add bus shelters, a pedestrian activated crosswalk and sewer, streetscape. park and playground improvements.

Happy new year: Here’s a new federal regulation 

Small-business owners have a new reporting requirement in 2024.

The Corporate Transparency Act requires businesses with fewer than 20 employees to report their ownership information to the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network as part of an effort to curb money laundering and illicit financial operations.

The law went into effect Jan. 1 but existing small businesses have until the end of this year to comply, reports Andy Medici for the BBJ. Businesses that form in 2024 have 90 days to fulfill the requirement.
 
Mercifully, this is not an annual requirement. Once done, business owners only need to update their information if there's an ownership change.


Note: The Treasury Department is warning about “recent fraudulent attempts to solicit information from individuals and entities who may be subject to reporting requirements.”

Tax credit available for hiring people with disabilities 

Massachusetts employers can claim a tax credit equal to $5,000 for hiring a worker with a disability in their first year of employment -- or 30 percent of their wages, depending on which amount is lower.

In subsequent years, employers can claim a credit of $2,000 or 30 percent of wages.

The credits are part of the Disability Employment Tax Credit, approved in the fiscal 2022 budget, according to State House News.

Today's grab bag


  • Michael Aldi is bringing a version of his version of his Revere Breach seafood restaurant Dryft to Wellesley’s Linden Square. He’ll be taking over the former Wellesley Tavern site, just two doors down from the new Asian-fusion restaurant Karma that’s also opening at Linden. (Swellesley Report)


  • Tonight at 7:45 p.m., the Wellesley Select Board will take up a proposed 40R project  by developers Victor Sheen and Peter Holland at 489 Worcester Street that’s stirred up a great deal of abutter angst.

  • “The Massachusetts Latino Electoral Project and Economic Empowerment Summit” is set for Jan. 31, 9 a.m. in Boston. The event is dedicated to enhancing political representation and economic empowerment within the Massachusetts Latino community.

  • The Charles River YMCA is partnering with Elliott Physical Therapy, for a free Injury Prevention Seminar specifically tailored to activities and injuries that are common throughout the winter season, tomorrow (Jan. 10) at 11 a.m.

  • This is totally random but I found it fascinating: Turns out Neptune is blue, just not the blue we've been told it is.

  • Looking for a college intern or co-op this summer? Register now for the Mount Ida Campus UMass Amherst internship fair, Jan. 25, 2-5 p.m. Email Jenny Reynolds for more info.

For four decades they always had that perfect something 

Just Next Door


Heart-broken customers packed Just Next Door Cards and Gifts in Auburndale on Saturday, just hours after owner Amy Shih announced she's closing after 42 years of having that perfect something for generations of shoppers.

Amy Shih owned the neighborhood favorite for 19 years and spent five years before that working there for the original owner, reports at Lauren Berman at All Over Newton.

"Coming back from COVID’s impact on commerce has not been easy," but Just Next Door was a viable business, Shih says.
But she’s been operating without a lease for a number of years after her landlord passed away and has been unable to negotiate a lease, making the prospect of selling to a new owner "uncomfortable."

"The landlord’s children have strongly encouraged me to stay but with no resolution, I do not want to wait any longer," she writes on her website.
 
"I thank the community from the bottom of my heart for all the years of support. I have always felt the expression of appreciation for Just Next Door’s place in the community.”

Just Next Store has been partnering with the chamber’s Young Professionals' Group in recent years on Newton's annual Toy Drive organized by the Village Bank.

A going out of business sale (including fixtures) is now underway before closing for good at the end of February.

That’s what you need to know for today – National Poetry at Work Day -- unless you need know what’s the best snack food in America, according to Brits Paul Hollywood and Prue Leith.
 
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President & CEO
617.244.1688
 
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