News about local news
News about local news
We've all seen floods, fires and storms crush other parts of the U.S. this year.
And we all know it's not a matter of if, only a matter of when, our region gets hit with a devastating weather event or other disaster.
That’s why we’ve invited the SBA to join us Weds. (Oct. 27) at noon for a lunch and learn about disaster preparedness for small business. We urge you to attend.
News about local news
The loss of local news is a threat to our democracy and economic vitality.
A new study by Harvard Business School Professor Jonas Heese found that in towns where the local newspaper permanently closes, violations at publicly listed companies in that paper’s circulation area increased.
A BBJ editorial last week, titled “Business depends on strong journalism” points to other studies showing that good journalism decreases corruption, both in government and in business, and a Brookings Institute study that found that municipal borrowing rates are higher in communities where no strong community news source exists.
We still have local papers and Patch in our four communities (plus the Swellesley Report and Watertown News) but they’re all severely under resourced, which has put following our local elections, town meetings, zoning and other civic matters in the untrustworthy hands of Facebook posters and listservs.
That’s why it was welcome news to learn that the Needham Times has a hired new reporter, Taylor Driscoll, after that job had been vacant since the summer.
And while it’s no substitute for full time, professional, journalists providing consistent coverage, let's give a shout out to the BC Heights student newspaper.
The Heights student journalists recently provided the only coverage I’ve been able to find about last week’s meeting about rebuilding Newton’s three commuter stations, as well as our debate with Newton’s candidates for mayor.
Sign up for to updates from the Heights here.
And a reminder: The free press isn't free. It's essential that we all subscribe to support our local, regional and national newsrooms.
Mask mandates vary between our communities
The CDC continues to suggest that everyone in Middlesex County wear a mask in public indoor settings.
Of course, Middlesex County is huge, which explains why Watertown’s Board of Health felt it's now safe, effective yesterday, to rescind the indoor mask mandate that's been in place since Aug. 25.
“Watertown is now at moderate risk in Middlesex County. However, if positive cases begin to rise this will be reevaluated by the Board of Health,” the town said in a statement.
Newton is also in Middlesex County. As of last night, Newton's indoor mask rules remain.
CDC ranks the risk in Middlesex County as “high.” It pegs risk in Norfolk County one tier lower, “substantial,” which also carries an indoor mask recommendation.
Needham and Wellesley (both in Norfolk County) health officials do not currently feel a general indoor mask mandates are warranted due to low rates of community transmission.
Taxes on soda, liquor back up for discussion
Newton Rep. Kay Khan is bringing back proposals to tax soda and other sugary beverages and double excise taxes on beer, wine and liquor, reports Matt Murphy at State House News.
Khan's bill would double the excise tax rates assessed on beer, wine and liquor, which she said would generate $67 million in revenue for public health, nutrition and substance use treatment.
But the Mass. Package Stores Association said the increase could threaten locally-owned alcohol retailers, noting that online delivery services can skirt excise taxes by purchasing alcohol from other states, and then delivering within Massachusetts.
Khan's sugary drink tax proposal would add up to 3 cents per ounce to drinks, depending on the sugar content. She estimates the tax could be worth as much as $368 million, which she would also peg to public health programs.
Gov. Deval Patrick repeatedly filed, but was never able to pass, sugar tax proposals when he was in office.
Outdoor dining on two Town Meeting menus
Needham and Wellesley Town Meetings will both consider needed zoning changes next week that will determine what the outdoor dining season looks like next spring when state emergency orders allowing outdoor dining expire.
Among the items before Wellesley’s Special Town Meeting is Article 9 which removes the current special permit requirement for outdoor dining. Needham’s Article 4 also sets the zoning parameters for outdoor dining.
Separately, Needham’s Select Board is considering cutting alcohol license fees for a second year as a way to assist restaurants as they struggle to recover.
Newton also cut liquor fees last year over objections from Mayor Ruthanne Fuller.
Other need to knows
New affordable housing project begins
Construction has begun on Haywood House, 55 new units of affordable housing for the Newton Housing Authority. The new building will include amenities for residents such as a community center, laundry facilities, fitness center, multiple decks and lounge areas.
It’s named in honor of housing advocate and all around amazing human, the late Rev. Howard Haywood, who played a crucial role in getting the project to construction. (Boston RE Times)
Taking the rubber bands off this rumor
No COVID-19 did not come from Maine lobsters.
How I’ll be spending my lunch hours next week
Business book authors, innovators and top business minds will be participating in the virtual Authors & Innovators Business Ideas Festival from noon to 1 p.m. every day next week.
It’s curated by attorney (and chamber member) Larry Gennari, of Gennari Aronson LLP in partnership with Babson College. Schedule here.
Too bad they can’t charge them an overdue fee
You know how all those backed up cargo deliveries have been causing all sorts of supply chain havoc?
Add the Wellesley Free Library to the list of those feeling the impact.
The main branch has been closed since April for a $2.8 million dollar renovation and was scheduled to reopen this weekend.
But it won’t be. Some of the larger furniture pieces haven’t arrived yet and will need to be moved in and installed once they arrive, according to one town official.
The expected opening is now tentatively set for early November.
That’s today’s need to knows unless you need to know where you can find some of the products you used to buy at Russo’s (and some of their employees too).
Let's hope the home run hamper gets a ton of use this weekend. See you Tuesday.
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
Find a chamber member Join the chamber
And we all know it's not a matter of if, only a matter of when, our region gets hit with a devastating weather event or other disaster.
That’s why we’ve invited the SBA to join us Weds. (Oct. 27) at noon for a lunch and learn about disaster preparedness for small business. We urge you to attend.
News about local news
The loss of local news is a threat to our democracy and economic vitality.
A new study by Harvard Business School Professor Jonas Heese found that in towns where the local newspaper permanently closes, violations at publicly listed companies in that paper’s circulation area increased.
A BBJ editorial last week, titled “Business depends on strong journalism” points to other studies showing that good journalism decreases corruption, both in government and in business, and a Brookings Institute study that found that municipal borrowing rates are higher in communities where no strong community news source exists.
We still have local papers and Patch in our four communities (plus the Swellesley Report and Watertown News) but they’re all severely under resourced, which has put following our local elections, town meetings, zoning and other civic matters in the untrustworthy hands of Facebook posters and listservs.
That’s why it was welcome news to learn that the Needham Times has a hired new reporter, Taylor Driscoll, after that job had been vacant since the summer.
And while it’s no substitute for full time, professional, journalists providing consistent coverage, let's give a shout out to the BC Heights student newspaper.
The Heights student journalists recently provided the only coverage I’ve been able to find about last week’s meeting about rebuilding Newton’s three commuter stations, as well as our debate with Newton’s candidates for mayor.
Sign up for to updates from the Heights here.
And a reminder: The free press isn't free. It's essential that we all subscribe to support our local, regional and national newsrooms.
Mask mandates vary between our communities
The CDC continues to suggest that everyone in Middlesex County wear a mask in public indoor settings.
Of course, Middlesex County is huge, which explains why Watertown’s Board of Health felt it's now safe, effective yesterday, to rescind the indoor mask mandate that's been in place since Aug. 25.
“Watertown is now at moderate risk in Middlesex County. However, if positive cases begin to rise this will be reevaluated by the Board of Health,” the town said in a statement.
Newton is also in Middlesex County. As of last night, Newton's indoor mask rules remain.
CDC ranks the risk in Middlesex County as “high.” It pegs risk in Norfolk County one tier lower, “substantial,” which also carries an indoor mask recommendation.
Needham and Wellesley (both in Norfolk County) health officials do not currently feel a general indoor mask mandates are warranted due to low rates of community transmission.
Taxes on soda, liquor back up for discussion
Newton Rep. Kay Khan is bringing back proposals to tax soda and other sugary beverages and double excise taxes on beer, wine and liquor, reports Matt Murphy at State House News.
Khan's bill would double the excise tax rates assessed on beer, wine and liquor, which she said would generate $67 million in revenue for public health, nutrition and substance use treatment.
But the Mass. Package Stores Association said the increase could threaten locally-owned alcohol retailers, noting that online delivery services can skirt excise taxes by purchasing alcohol from other states, and then delivering within Massachusetts.
Khan's sugary drink tax proposal would add up to 3 cents per ounce to drinks, depending on the sugar content. She estimates the tax could be worth as much as $368 million, which she would also peg to public health programs.
Gov. Deval Patrick repeatedly filed, but was never able to pass, sugar tax proposals when he was in office.
Outdoor dining on two Town Meeting menus
Needham and Wellesley Town Meetings will both consider needed zoning changes next week that will determine what the outdoor dining season looks like next spring when state emergency orders allowing outdoor dining expire.
Among the items before Wellesley’s Special Town Meeting is Article 9 which removes the current special permit requirement for outdoor dining. Needham’s Article 4 also sets the zoning parameters for outdoor dining.
Separately, Needham’s Select Board is considering cutting alcohol license fees for a second year as a way to assist restaurants as they struggle to recover.
Newton also cut liquor fees last year over objections from Mayor Ruthanne Fuller.
Other need to knows
- The field is set for the special Dec. 7 Special Town Election for Needham Select Board. Karen Calton and Kevin Keane have been certified to appear on the ballot. They're vying to fill the seat held by Lakshmi Balachandra who stepped down after six months in office.
- Needham will launch a community-wide Food Waste Recycling Program in November. Details.
- Once again, the chamber will be creating a directory of local restaurants offering a Thanksgiving menu. If you own or operate a restaurant, please complete this form.
New affordable housing project begins
Construction has begun on Haywood House, 55 new units of affordable housing for the Newton Housing Authority. The new building will include amenities for residents such as a community center, laundry facilities, fitness center, multiple decks and lounge areas.
It’s named in honor of housing advocate and all around amazing human, the late Rev. Howard Haywood, who played a crucial role in getting the project to construction. (Boston RE Times)
Taking the rubber bands off this rumor
No COVID-19 did not come from Maine lobsters.
How I’ll be spending my lunch hours next week
Business book authors, innovators and top business minds will be participating in the virtual Authors & Innovators Business Ideas Festival from noon to 1 p.m. every day next week.
It’s curated by attorney (and chamber member) Larry Gennari, of Gennari Aronson LLP in partnership with Babson College. Schedule here.
Too bad they can’t charge them an overdue fee
You know how all those backed up cargo deliveries have been causing all sorts of supply chain havoc?
Add the Wellesley Free Library to the list of those feeling the impact.
The main branch has been closed since April for a $2.8 million dollar renovation and was scheduled to reopen this weekend.
But it won’t be. Some of the larger furniture pieces haven’t arrived yet and will need to be moved in and installed once they arrive, according to one town official.
The expected opening is now tentatively set for early November.
That’s today’s need to knows unless you need to know where you can find some of the products you used to buy at Russo’s (and some of their employees too).
Let's hope the home run hamper gets a ton of use this weekend. See you Tuesday.
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688
Find a chamber member Join the chamber
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