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Needham goes bold

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Needham goes bold

Good morning,


This is Max Woolf, the chamber’s public policy & government affairs manager, filling in for Greg with an abbreviated version of the chamber’s Need to Knows newsletter.


Needham goes bold


After over a year of drafting, planning, outreach, and advocacy, last night, Needham Town Meeting adopted the Neighborhood Housing Plan.


This result was never certain. With the voice vote too close to call, a hand count yielded a final decision of 118 to 90.


However, the night's highlight was Select Board member Heidi Frail's speech, in which she stated that "Leadership means meeting the urgency of the situation and acting."


And that’s precisely what Needham did, as they now join a select few towns that embraced the state's mandate as an opportunity to become a leader in delivering meaningful housing reform. Housing reform that will invigorate Needham's businesses and help boost the town's long-term competitiveness.


Despite tonight's success, The Neighborhood Housing Plan's journey is not over; it must endure a 20-day waiting period in which a referendum can be called.


But for now, thank you to all the advocates and town officials who were instrumental in last night's vote.


Thank you also to our business community for championing this effort. Your outreach, support, and signatures significantly contributed to this outcome.


Wellesley Town Meeting to continue tomorrow night

Wellesley Town Meeting kicked off last night.


However, they did not quite get to Articles 16 and 17, which could bring common-sense multi-family development to Wellesley Lower Falls. Read our letter in support of the articles here.


Tomorrow, Town Meeting will continue, where the future of these developments will be on the line; check back later this week for an update.


One down, one to go

Beacon Hill seems close to passing the climate bill, which they failed to push over the finish line this summer.


In a joint statement last week, Rep. Jeffrey Roy of Franklin and Sen. Michael Barrett of Lexington said they had an agreement in principle on a new version of the bill. In this latest version, most of the big permitting and contracting reforms remain, with provisions to expand the state’s bottle deposit law falling by the wayside.


That's one down; now, let's hope Beacon Hill reconciles a similar disagreement that stalled another critical piece of legislation, the multi-billion dollar economic development bill.


A reminder that two months ago, our chamber signed a letter urging lawmakers to return to Beacon Hill “as soon as possible” to pass the bill.


Tuesday grab bag

  • Join Miltons - The Store for Men for a whiskey-tasting event on Thurs (Oct. 24) from noon to 7 p.m. at its Chestnut Hill location and discover their new brand, Billy Reid.

  • The Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee (PACC) has selected three finalists to design a mural honoring Armenian-American artist Arshile Gorky. The mural will be located along the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway and is set to be unveiled in 2025

  • The Retailers Association of Massachusetts (RAM) is conducting a confidential survey with the UMass Donahue Institute to understand small business challenges. Massachusetts retailers are invited to complete the 10-minute survey by Nov. 1.

  • Treeline Biosciences, with offices at 500Arsenal Street in Watertown, just raised another $421.8 million for its oncology work. (BBJ)

  • Do you know someone who wants to stay in Newton but whose house isn’t working for the many more?  Newton for Everyone is hosting an event on housing options for older residents, at Congregation Dorshei Tzedek on October 28th at 7 p.m. Register for in-person or zoom. (edited)

  • The League of Women Voters of Needham has created an online election toolkit for the November election. The toolkit provides Needham voters with quick links to voting resources, candidate forums, ballot question information, and more.

  • Win gift cards from over 40 Wellesley restaurants through Wellesley Rotary Club’s “Dinner On Us” sweepstakes.

  • The Watertown City Council and Planning Board Joint Hearing will continue discussing the Watertown Square Area Plan zoning amendment on Thursday, (Oct. 24) 6 p.m., in the City Council Chamber at City Hall.

  • The Mass. Department of Revenue will administer a tax amnesty from Nov. 1, through Dec.30, 2024. DOR will waive most penalties for eligible taxpayers who submit an online request for amnesty, file outstanding returns, and pay tax and interest owed.  Details.

  • Watertown Community Sculpture Walk exhibits outdoor sculptures to enhance use of greenspace in Watertown and creates an annual exhibition opportunity for artists at all career stages working in a variety of mediums. The Watertown Public Arts and Culture Committee has issued a call for artists for the 2025-26 season. Apply by Nov. 10. Details

Look who’s just joined the chamber!


Please welcome the 29 new or returning members (after a lengthy absence) who have joined us as we kick off the fall season.

If you’re not yet a chamber member, what’s stopping you?


Here’s our application.  Or e-mail Tracey for more information. And if you join this week, we’ll give you a complimentary ticket to next Friday’s Fall Business Breakfast.


And that’s what you need to know for today unless you need to know that the Celtics’ will be raising their 18th banner tonight. 



Max Woolf

Public Policy & Government Affairs Manager

Charles River Regional Chamber

617-500-6464

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