Laredo shows his hand
Laredo shows his hand
Good morning,
Today marks another start of yet another Amazon Prime Days.
I have one request: Resist.
Before you browse there, browse here. Review (and share) the Hierarchy of Shopping with family and friends. Thank you.
Laredo shows his hand
He has no credible competition. And yet, Marc Laredo has been campaigning non-stop to become Newton’s next mayor.
The guy’s everywhere. He’s talking to anyone and everyone, which is highly commendable.
Still, absent any pressure from an opponent, the city council president has been short on specifics. He’s made few campaign promises. He’s avoided the scrutiny you’d expect from reporters or multiple debates.
In other words, he’s been running a controversy-free, nice-guy campaign.
It’s a smart campaign strategy.
More importantly, it may also be just what we need in a politically divided city during politically divisive times.
And that makes Laredo’s recent decision — the Newton Beacon called it “unprecedented” — to endorse a slate of city council and school committee candidates all the more surprising.
For starters, once elected, Laredo will have to work with whoever voters elect. Why antagonize those he may need down the line?
Also: The council candidates he’s endorsed tell us more about Laredo’s position on the single issue that’s divided Newton than any other in recent years — housing and development — than any statements he’s made, including in his chamber interview.
The chamber doesn’t endorse candidates. Suffice to say, Laredo’s council picks were more or less the opposite of those endorsed by pro-growth group Voters for a Vibrant Newton, and more aligned with those who’ve been growth-resistant.
Newton’s incoming mayor had a chance to enter office in January as a “consensus builder” and uniter. He chose a different path.
I value your input.
Speaking of municipal elections…
We’ve created a 2025 election landing page featuring videos from our recent Newton and Watertown City Council debates, plus my conversations with Laredo and his challenger, Al Cecchinelli.
You’ll also find voter information and other media coverage there, plus the schedule for our final debates happening this week, including:
- Today (Oct. 7) at 10 a.m. Ward 4 At-large Newton council debate
- Tomorrow (Oct 8) at 1 p.m. Ward 6 At-large Newton council debate
- Friday (Oct. 10) at 9 a.m. At-large Watertown council debate
- Oct 23 Coffee Connect at 8:30 a.m. (with Newton's candidates)
Report paints worrisome picture for Needham restaurants
Rebounding from the pandemic has been a years-long challenge for restaurants everywhere.
However, recently published data continues to show that Needham restaurants in particular are among those across the state that are especially struggling.
Second-quarter revenue at Needham restaurants was up 9% over a similar period prior to the pandemic, reports Grant Welker at the BBJ.
That might sound reasonable until you consider that the consumer price index over that time has risen 23%, while restaurant wages are up 35%.
Needham restaurants are doing better than in Concord and Lexington, where revenue increased by only 3% in both towns, significantly less than the rate of inflation. But it’s still alarming.
Newton restaurants are up 25% since the pre-pandemic period—just shy of the 26% inflation rate. Watertown remains a top performer, with revenues up 52% over pre-pandemic levels, while Wellesley reported 42% gains.
Steve Clark, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, cautioned that even with rising revenues, most restaurants are still not seeing higher profits.
The other expenses for running a restaurant — the building, supplies, credit card processing fees, insurance — are also going up quickly, he told Welker.
Newtonville station rebuild is on track
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The long-awaited rebuild of the Newtonville commuter rail station does not appear to be one of the projects threatened by punishing federal transportation cuts.
The fully accessible $50 million project will restore the station’s second platform, allowing commuters to travel in either direction — a feature that’s not currently available from any of Newton’s three commuter rail stations.
It’s funded by $7 million earmark secured by U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss and $43 million from the state.
The MTBA will present 30% design plans before the end of the year, with construction set to start in 2026, Mayor Ruthanne Fuller wrote in her newsletter last week.
Tuesday grab bag
- Last day to save: Our members-only early bird discount offer for our Nov. 7 Fall Business Breakfast with AG Andrea Campbell and honoring Amy Schectman
- ends today (Oct. 7)
- Linear Retail’s parking lot, located behind Shake Shack, Wellesley Books and other businesses in Wellesley Square, will continue to be free for customers visiting the businesses at 74-102 Central Street. However, others parking there will soon be required to pay. (Swellesley Report)
- The Mosesian Center for the Arts is relaunching its long-running jazz series as Chords and Cocktails, featuring diverse live music. (Watertown News)
- Could your organization use a fresh perspective? Let a team of Babson College student consultants help your business or nonprofit. Details.
- Explore what regional businesses offer, pick up swag and enjoy samples from area restaurants on Thursday between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the 2025 Multi Chamber Expo at the Westin Waltham-Boston Hotel. Free.
- Jumbo Seafood, which closed in Newton Centre in 2022 and has since been operating in Chinatown, is planning to open in Brookline. (Boston Restaurant Talk)
- A federal appeals court has upheld a voter-enacted law against cruel treatment of pigs, which means that even pork from out-of-state animals cannot be sold in Massachusetts if the pigs were raised in crates so small they can't turn around or lie down. (Universal Hub)
- Visit the Watertown Cultural District website for a full calendar of events.
Select board chair urges cooperation with state, MassBay
Wellesley Select Board Chair Marjorie Freiman is trying to curtail some of the angst that has consumed many in town over the state's plan to sell MassBay Community College's underused five-acre parking lot to create much-needed housing.
“The state has the absolute right to sell the property, and there is no question that something is going to go there,” Freiman said at a select board meeting last week.
“If the town continues to repeat only what we don’t want,” Freiman added, “we risk the state coming back and presenting a proposal that is not what we do want.”
Instead, Freiman urged the public and her colleagues not to miss a chance to negotiate for the preservation of a portion of the MassBay-owned adjacent forest or other opportunities.
Freiman also pushed back against false narratives — including claims that past school enrollment projections for The Nines development had been underestimated (there are currently 39 students enrolled, down from the initial projection of 77) — or that any housing at MassBay would overwhelm nearby Fiske Elementary School.
While her colleagues said they agreed with her assessment, members Kenny Largess and Tom Ulfelder expressed interest in exploring options to halt the development.
Read statements from Gov. Maura Healey and others in her administration here.
And that’s what you need to know for today — happy 70th birthday Yo-Yo Ma — unless you need to know who's more charitable, dog or cat owners?
Make it a good one!
President & CEO
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.