Good morning,

This is not an easy time to be a federal employee, or the family of a federal employee who relies on someone to provide for them.

Heck, it’s probably a stressful time to hold down any government job at any level, although in many roles the work has rarely been so critical.

So how about if we all resolve to go out of our way to thank our government workers in the days ahead?

Not just elected officials. Everyone. Office clerks, tax collectors, engineers, social workers, university and school employees, planners, DPW and public safety workers, scientists, letter carriers, librarians, and on and on.

Just tell them you appreciate them and what they do.

Fifty ways to build more housing

A commission formed by Gov. Maura Healey has generated more than 50 recommendations to increase the supply of housing and lower costs for Massachusetts residents.

One idea that will likely cause the most teeth gnashing in our suburban communities would eliminate single-family zoning statewide.

Eliminating parking minimums and size lot minimums will spark some interesting conversations in these parts too.

There’s also suggestions for financing programs for water and sewer infrastructure,  tax credits, accelerating modular home construction, faster project approval times and others that I’m sure we’ll be talking about in the days and years ahead.

Dive into the 108 page “Building for Tomorrow” report here.

One way to build less housing

A citizen's petition headed to Wellesley Town Meeting in April is clearly aimed at building less housing.

The petition seeks to gut Wellesley's Residential Incentive Overlay, or RIO bylaw, which allows properties close to public transit and commercial districts to be rezoned for new multifamily or assisted living development.

Revised in 2019 to expand housing options (for example, the 34-unit project at 150 Cedar St), RIO has been instrumental in providing smaller, more affordable housing amid soaring local prices.

But the petition would dramatically reduce the eligible land for RIO projects by 97%, shrinking it from 5,248 to just 134 acres and undercut a proven strategy for addressing the town’s housing needs.

The Planning Board and Advisory Committee will discuss and vote on the petition in a joint meeting tomorrow (Feb. 26). Planning is expected to oppose the petition. Advisory’s position is unclear.

Last week, we voiced our objection.

If you’re a Wellesley resident, or business, or just someone who wishes they could one day live in Wellesley, email Advisory add share your opposition to this counterproductive and shortsighted bylaw change.

Tuesday grab bag

• Clarification: Last week’s newsletter included an inaccurate description of accessory dwelling units (ADU) changes needed in Wellesley to comply with the new state law.  The Planning Board is sponsoring two bylaw changes: Elimination of owner occupancy requirements and removal of special permit requirements for detached units.
  
  
• Newton cybersecurity company CyberArk just reached an important milestone: $1 billion in annual revenue. (Boston Globe)
  
  
• A federal judge has lifted the preliminary injunction that had blocked the enforcement of the Beneficial Ownership Information reporting requirements. So, once again, if your business has not filed this mandatory report you now need to do this by March 21.  Here’s an update from Beacon Law.  Here are some FAQs from the feds.
  
  
• Flooding from a burst pipe from a neighboring business has closed We Rock the Spectrum, a sensory gym that caters to children with autism and other special needs in Wellesley Square. Help by donating: GoFundMe. (Swellesley Report)
  
  
• Massachusetts Center for Employee Ownership is hosting its inaugural Symposium on Employee Ownership this Friday (Feb. 28) 9 a.m. at Cambridge City Hall.
  
  
• Newton resident Jim Koch, who started brewing beer in his Newton kitchen in 1984 and went on to found Sam Adams, is one of a dozen of inductees in the inaugural class of the American Craft Beer Hall of Fame.
  
  
• Watertown is seeking residents to serve on the Cultural Council, Housing Authority and Traffic Commission. If you're passionate about the arts, affordable housing, or traffic safety, submit an application to be considered.
  
  
• Deluxe Pizza on Forest Street in Wellesley has closed after more than 30 years. The owners of The Local, located next door plan to re-open it as Deluxe Pizza this spring. (Swellesley Report) .
  
  
• Our webinar “How immigration policy shifts may impact your employees and business” is this Thursday (Feb. 27) at 9 a.m. Register.
  
  
• Could your business or nonprofit benefit from some free consulting from Babson College students? The No. 2 ranked college in the U.S., is seeking partners/organizations for its 2025-2026 experiential learning courses.  Deadline March 1. Details.
  
  
• Let the Newton City Council know prior to tomorrow’s meeting that you support two common-sense amendments that would make accessory dwelling units (ADU) more likely.
• There are only 41 days until Spring Seasonings: A Taste of our Towns . Tickets went on sale yesterday for chamber members.

AG refutes latest MBTA-C challenge

State Auditor Diana DiZoglio inflamed housing advocates late last week when she pronounced that the MBTA Communities Act is an “unfunded mandate,” a move that

creates more chaos most consequential state housing law in 50 years back into uncertain territory.

But Attorney General Andrea Campbell responded forcefully yesterday, saying DiZoglio was incorrect.

Campbell warned communities not to use the auditor’s claim as an excuse not to comply, even though Globe’s Andrew Brickner reports that’s exactly what a few municipalities are considering,

Wellesley recognizing link between arts and commerce

Wellesley is planning to develop a strategic plan for arts and culture to boost the town’s social fabric and economic viability.

Here’s my favorite paragraphs from Jennifer Lambert’s Swellesley Report story:

[Selectboard member Lise] Olney said an arts and culture initiative has been on her “back burner for a long time,” but the turning point for many Select Board members was when they attended a Chamber of Commerce event last year. Michael J. Bobbitt, the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s executive director, spoke about how arts and culture can drive economic development.

“He made such a compelling case for this kind of nexus between arts and culture and economic development, and particularly on the local level, and what a huge boon it is to communities to have active arts and culture scenes because it brings people to your community,” Olney said.

The Wellesley Select Board will be discussing this tonight (Feb. 25)

Weight loss drugs may keep your team from slimming down

Finally today, looking for the right benefit package to attract and retain workers?

Offer a health plan that covers weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Zepbound.

A survey by 9amHealth found that 31% of workers said they would change jobs if it gave them access to health-insurance coverage for the medications, up from 21% in the previous survey, reports Andy Medici at the Business Journals.

The number of companies with insurance that covers the medications for at least some uses has also more than doubled, from 30% to 63%.

Another survey taken last year found 52% of more than 1,000 surveyed employees want weight-loss drugs included in their benefits.

That’s what you need to know for today, unless you need to know that Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard are bad at naming celebrities

Be back Friday.

And remember those government workers, okay?

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

P.S. Don’t keep this newsletter a secret. Tell a friend.