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No matter what the judge says, it wasn't the Planning Board's finest moment

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No matter what the judge says, it wasn't the Planning Board's finest moment

We just had our best month for attracting new members since the early days of the pandemic.
 
Thirty-one new members – an average of one per day – joined your chamber in March.
 
Our growth is directly attributable to referrals from you, our existing members. So thanks for helping grow your network of business and nonprofit professionals.
 
If there’s anyone you know who could benefit from belonging, please invite them to join you at an upcoming event or sign up for this newsletter. 
 
Better yet, fill out this form. When they join, we'll thank you with a $25 gift card to the restaurant member of your choice for each new member you send us.
 
Thanks!
 
All eyes on the Needham Planning Board
 
Needham voters go to the polls one week from today (April 11) to fill two seats on the Select Board and one seat on the Planning Board.
 
It's fair to say that the Planning Board contest, between incumbent Adam Block and challenger Rob Dangel, is the most contentious and consequential of the contests.
 
In fact, the fate of future commercial and residential developments could possibly swing depending on the winner.
 
But that's not the only reason to keep an eye on the Planning Board next week.
 
The board also has a date in Land Court Tuesday over its decision to impose about 40 restrictions and requirements on a proposed new home for the Needham Children’s Center at 1688 Central Ave., following lots of NIMBY pushback and two years of deliberations. 
 
Why don't neighbors like it? Usual reasons: Traffic. Parking. Lighting. Worries about "the children." Yada yada.
 
But proponents argue that developer Needham Enterprises should have been allowed to build a new facility by right under the state’s Dover Amendment which exempts daycare facilities from certain zoning restrictions. 
 
Plus, there's the fact that the project fell under the size of a special project review. And the use is allowed in the town’s zoning anyway.
 
Caught in the middle are all those families caught in the middle of a chronic childcare shortage who, pretty please, just want the government to function.
 
And no matter what happens in court next Tuesday, this was not the Planning Board's finest moment. 
 
Two of its five members disclosed conflicts of interest. But only one member was recused because the law requires four votes and his departure would have left only three board members to deliberate.
 
Adding to the intrigue Needham Enterprises is the business belonging to Needham Select Board member Matt Borrelli.
 
So basically we have a Select Board member suing the Planning Board members (including one who should have been recused but wasn't) over a project a judge may rule they didn't have jurisdiction over.
 
Oh, and a cherished, family-owned, Needham business caught in the middle.
 
Meanwhile, you won't find Borrelli's name on next Tuesday’s select board ballot.
 
After 12 years of service, he decided not to seek reelection. And after what the Planning Board put him through, can you blame him? 
 
Next Tuesday's a big night in Watertown too
 
Also next Tuesday, the Watertown City Council will discuss charging developers of commercial properties a linkage fee to help fund affordable housing.
 
Our chamber -- and the many developers we’ve met with -- share Watertown’s commitment to creating and preserving affordable housing. Addressing our housing crisis is an economic and moral imperative. It’s also critical to providing the workforce for our employers.
 
But given the many economic headwinds currently impacting development (including rising interest rates, material and labor shortages, weakening demand for life science and office space, layoffs, and, most recently, instability in banking) the chamber is urging the city to make three adjustments to the proposed linkage zoning amendment.
 
Read the letter we sent to city leaders and our recommendations here. 
 
....and in Wellesley and Newton
 
The Charles River Watershed hosts a virtual meeting on that same Tuesday (April 11) to learn about preventing flooding from the Charles River in Wellesley and Natick and provide input on creative solutions.
 
This meeting will focus on flood storage options at Natick High School and Longfellow Pond in Wellesley. Register
 
And Congressman Jake Auchincloss will host a Newton Virtual Roundtable on the same day at 4 pm. This is an opportunity for Newton’s leaders, businesses, and residents to talk about issues important to you, and learn more about what he’s working on. RSVP.
 
Employers shouldn't be asked to shoulder UI costs
 
In his recent newsletter, the Globe’s Larry Edelman explains why he believes businesses have a “legitimate gripe about being required to bear the costs of overpayment waivers and the bond sale” for unemployment costs incurred during the pandemic.
 
“The state mandated these businesses close their doors and restrict their operations, which resulted in layoffs,” said Chris Carlozzi, Massachusetts director of the National Federation of Independent Business tells Edelman.
 
“It is unfair that employers are left to shoulder the financial burden of the post-pandemic UI crisis.”
 
Sign up for Edelman’s newsletter here.
 
40B project just over the Newton line hits another milestone
 
Chestnut Hill Realty just opened a 127-unit apartment building in Hancock Village in Brookline.
 
The John Adams Building is part of a plan to add 461 new apartments created under Chapter 40B. A total of 85 units in the development will be designated as affordable – 35 in the Adams Building – as the project expands the total number of apartment homes in Hancock Village to more than 1300.
 
Other Need to Knows
 
  • The City of Watertown is looking for community input on a structure to be installed at Saltonstall Park that can serve as a hub for the community, cultural events, and performances. Renderings and details.
 
  • Needham’s Hungry Coyote will be opening a second location at the old Chef Mike's location, just a short drive down Highland Ave. from its current spot.
 
  • For the third consecutive year, Newton Neighbors is raising funds to help students attend summer camp. The nonprofit (and new chamber member) hopes to send 35 - 40 students to camp this summer. For as little as $80 - $100, you can ensure that a student will be able to attend camp for a week. Donate
 
  • Wicked Bagel is opening in Watertown, moving into the former Porcini's space on School Street. The new shop will have a liquor license and take advantage of that great patio. (Boston Restaurant Talk)
 
 
  • The Needham History Center hosts its annual Pansy Day, on April 8, 10 am - 3 pm, at 1147 Central Ave. Pansies of all sizes will be available for purchase.
 
Wellesley Town Hall 18-month closure starts tomorrow
 
Wellesley’s historic town hall building closes tomorrow (April 5) to begin a needed 18-month interior renovation. 
 
Town hall staff and offices are temporarily relocating to 888 Worcester Street (Route 9 East), the same building that houses the Land Use and Facilities Management departments.
 
Phone service for Town Hall departments may be temporarily disrupted while equipment is moved. All relocated offices will be open to the public on Monday, April 10.
 
Are you consumed by Zoom FOMO?
 
Finally this morning, executives spend an average of 25 hours a week in meetings, yet nearly half of those Zoom calls and project updates could disappear without any negative impact, according to a survey of more than 10,000 desk workers by Future Forum.
 
Why do so many of us log on to unproductive Zoom meetings?
 
“They attend because they’re afraid to miss something important, and to show their own manager they’re working, the survey found," according to Bloomberg.
 
A separate survey found that workers only decline 14% of invites even though they’d prefer to back out of 31% of them. Non-executives spend an average of 10.6 hours a week in meetings and said that 43% of them could be done away with. 
?
 
That’s your need to knows for today – National Hug A Newsperson Day -- unless you're curious to know if prisoners in New York State still make license plates.
 
 
Be back Friday.
 
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
617.244.1688
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