Good morning,

Happy new year to those who don’t believe it’s too late to celebrate. Turns out, it may not be.

Either way, I’m happy to be back in your inbox. And I want to invite you to attend our first big event of 2025: Our annual Winter Celebration on Feb. 5.  It’s always a special night and it would be great to see you.

Here’s what else you need to know, starting with the pivotal MBTA Communities vote in Needham next Tuesday.

Next week isn’t just about Needham

One week from tonight we’ll know if Needham voters are willing to embrace a plan to gradually allow small, multi-family homes along two commercial corridors.

Or, voters could reject the proposal and leave the town out of compliance with the MBTA Communities law.

The Jan. 14 repeal referendum — similar to an effort undertaken in Milton last year — has divided the town, pitting neighbors against neighbors in ways that will be difficult to heal.  

And with young adults shut out of the local housing market; and seniors with few options to downsize in a community where one-out-of-four residents will be 65-plus by 2030; the referendum also stands to define what Needham wants to be in the years ahead.

The results are also being carefully watched statewide, with two possible outcomes:

• A “no” vote could energize a NIMBY movement that either fails to see a need to be part of addressing Massachusetts’ soul-crushing housing shortage; doesn’t think it’s their problem since they already have a home; or, as many often say “I’m not against housing, just this housing.”
  
  
• A “yes” vote could reverse the Milton narrative. It would suggest that even when put before voters, some communities see the benefits of sharing their community with others (including with health care, child care senior care, teachers, public safety workers, etc.) want to live near the restaurants, shops and other businesses they love; and bolster the economy.

It’s a future worth fighting for.   

Need information on the Needham referendum?

We recommend these three articles:

1. “The Risk Is Real,” Needham Local explores how the town could lose access to millions in grants if a “no” vote prevails.
2. “Propensity for density” The Needham Observer goes parcel by parcel to project where housing might be built and where its unlikely.
3. Why Needham’s Plan won't ever yield 3,296 new units My chamber colleague Max Woolf explains one of the most misunderstood issues of the referendum.

And these three videos:

• My interviews with Needham business leaders explaining why they support approval of the plan approved by Town Meeting last October.
• Walking tours of the areas being upzoned.
• Select Chair Heidi Frail answers questions from residents.

The chamber endorses voting YES. Contact me with comments and questions.

We’re hiring!

We have a rare opening on our small but mighty chamber team for a Programs & Events Manager.

You’ll play a critical role in the planning, execution and growth of our robust and varied calendar of 70+ annual programs and events. Learn more, spread the word, or apply here.

Natural gas, tigers and Styrofoam, oh my

• On Jan. 1, Newton’s new electrification ordinance, requiring complete electrification of newly constructed buildings and buildings undergoing extensive renovations went into effect. Some exemptions exist. (Newton Beacon)
  
  
• In Needham, the sale or distribution of foam-based polystyrene (like Styrofoam) as well as plastic splash guards and plastic stirrers are now prohibited, also as of Jan. 1.
  
  
• Starting Feb, 1, Massachusetts employers with at least 100 state-based employees must file an annual report to the state that includes workforce demographic and pay data categorized by race, ethnicity, sex, and position.
  
  
• Effective Oct. 29, Massachusetts employers with 25 or more employees must disclose salary ranges and protect an employee’s right to ask for salary ranges.
  
  
• And for anyone thinking of starting a circus, a law banning using elephants, tigers, and other animals is now in effect.

Tuesday grab bag

• Learn what it takes to make 100% affordable housing from affordable housing developer Jason Korb at a Newton For Everyone forum Jan. 13, 7 p.m. at Congregation Dorshei Tzedek and on Zoom Details.
  
  
• The Waltham City Council is set to finalize new zoning to stay in compliance with the MBTA Communities Act, on Jan. 13.  (WalthamTimes)
  
  
• Watertown’s Neumora Therapeutics has reported its experimental depression drug didn't meet expectations. (BBJ)
  
  
• Tripadvisor is paying $435 million to simplify its ownership structure and get the company get back on track in 2025. (Boston Globe)
  
  
• Jim Rapoport, chair of Family ACCESS in West Newton,  will serve as interim executive director while the nonprofit undergoes a search to replace Maureen Lister who departed to become CFO at Perkins School for the Blind.
  
  
• The home furnishings and gift store Laurel Grove which opened in Wellesley Square in 2020 is closing. (SwellesleyReport)
  
  
• Massachusetts US Attorney and Newton resident Joshua S. Levy will resign from his post on Jan. 17, several days before President-elect Donald Trump takes office. (MassLive)
  
  
• Plugged In is hosting a free Pathways to Music monthly Open Mic on the third Thursday of every month from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Center at the Heights in Needham. All ages, all abilities and all musical skills are welcome. Details.
  
  
• Subscribe for free to the City of Watertown’s Economic Development newsletter for the latest on the business community and events, as well as information on state and local resources.
  
  
• It’s not unusual for someone to post photos of turkeys in our communities. This one is unusual.

Four-year battle over child care center nears end

Could abutters’ four-year effort to thwart the Needham Children’s Center from moving into its new home finally be over?

Just before Christmas, a Massachusetts Land Court judge ruled in favor of developer Needham Enterprises’ finishing the project at 1688 Central Ave, reports Peter O’Neil at the Needham Observer.

The abutters pulled every possible lever to stop infants and toddlers from, I’m not sure what they were afraid of, but failed each time, including before the  Zoning Board of Appeals and Land Court.

Caught in the middle are families who just want a safe, loving, place for their kids in the midst of a chronic childcare shortage.

The Childen’s Center plans to take occupancy this summer.

‘They get to applaud. We had to evacuate.’

Globe reporter Jim Puzzanghera spent time yesterday with Congressman Jake Auchincloss on Capital Hill yesterday.

He captured the Newton congressman’s take on the differences between the certification of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential victory yesterday and the event that took place four years ago when Auchincloss had been in office for just three days.

It’s worth a read.

That’s what you need to know for today, unless you need to know about seven of history’s strangest coincidences.

Be back Friday.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

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