If there was any doubt as to why we need Massachusetts’ newest housing law, all you needed to do was read the Globe on Sunday.
I’m not just referring to the special “Top Spots to Live 2022,” magazine section which pointed out just how far one needs to travel beyond Route 128 to find anything close to affordable.
Rather, I’m talking about the page one story by Catherine Carlock and Jon Chesto which noted that more than “five dozen communities are balking” at the new MBTA Communities Law.
Their objections?
“Community character will be severely compromised and likely degraded by poorly designed, cheaply-built projects that are incongruous with the community,” complained one municipality.
“Roads and schools could be overwhelmed,” worried another.
We’ll need to hire more police officers, another added.
In other words, they're using EXACT SAME arguments we’ve been hearing over and over for decades.
And it’s those tired old NIMBY arguments that created our epic housing crisis to begin with.
Restrictive zoning practices have undermined our region’s competitiveness. They’ve made it harder to find workers. They’ve forced younger generations to move away. They’ve made communities less diverse. And they’ve contributed to traffic, sprawl and carbon emissions.
The fact that many municipalities are just regurgitating the same old talking points only strengthens the argument for why we need our current governor -- and the one who succeeds him -- to fully enforce this law.
On paper, lifting zoning restrictions could lead to the creation of tens of thousands of new, smaller, housing units in Eastern Massachusetts.
However, it would be years -- or decades -- before anything close to the number of allowable units were built, if ever.
That’s because the new law doesn’t mandate the building of new housing. It only requires changing the zoning. It only removes one of the biggest obstacles that has stood in the way for years if -- and when -- a property owner chooses to do so.
Also important: We’re not talking about massive apartment towers either. The law is designed to make it easier to build townhouses, duplexes, triple-deckers, carriage houses, etc. next to T-stops, instead of McMansions.
Here’s something we can feel good about
While Carlock and Chesto reported that more than “five dozen communities are balking” at the MBTA Communities Law, the four municipalities served by the Charles River Chamber weren’t among them.
Yes, a few Newton City Councilors, one in particular, have raised objections. But the Fuller administration has submitted technical questions and suggestions but no objections to the draft ordinance.
And in Watertown, officials are asking only for the state to change the location of their designated housing zone but fully support the concept too.
Needham and Wellesley have also signaled their intent to comply as well.
Life science groups step up to aid STEM development
MassBioEd and Life Sciences Cares Boston are stepping up their efforts to promote STEM education and life sciences career development through a new volunteer program for life science industry professionals.
Compass Collaborative aims to recruit, manage, train and place volunteers to engage with students, educators, and nonprofit organizations via mentorship, networking, skills-based volunteering, and more.
Volunteers fill out an intake form gauging their specific interests, professional backgrounds and lived experiences, and are then matched with volunteer opportunities aligned with their interests.
“We know that by building meaningful connections to mentors and other professionals, we can cultivate student interest in life science careers and more broadly, end systemic inequalities in the education workforce ecosystem.” said Sarah MacDonald, President of Life Science Cares Boston.
Other need to knows
Needham will honor Dan Matthews, who retired this month from the Select Board after 27 years of service, this Friday (April 29) from 4 to 6 p.m. at Town Hall in Powers Hall.
The Watertown Business Coalition and the Watertown Free Public Library are hosting a Life Sciences panel tomorrow (Weds) at 6 p.m. at Hosmer School with reps from: Arranta Bio, Forma Therapeutics and C4 Therapeutics. Details.
Friday (April 29) is last day for employers to file claims under the Employee Sick Leave program. Any new or amended claims can’t be submitted after that date. Log on to MassTaxConnect to submit or amend your claims.
A reminder that we’ll be honoring Steve Kaufer, founder and outgoing CEO at TripAdvisor, and several other businesses and civic leaders, at our annual Needham Night celebration, a virtual event tomorrow (Weds.) at 7 p.m. It’s free. Register here.
Commercial landscapers who use leaf blowers in Newton are required to register with Inspectional Services before working in the city. To register, landscapers need to provide contact information and attest that they understand Newton’s ordinance which prohibits the use of all leaf blowers at or above 65 decibels. Landscapers will also need to post registration information on their company vehicles. The fee is $50. Companies can be fined for violations. Multiple fines could result in a suspension of operating privileges in Newton. Details
Workers comp costs to decline in July
Massachusetts businesses will collectively save about $80 million on workers' compensation costs under an average 3.5 percent insurance rate rollback.
The new rates take effect July 1 as part of a settlement reached between the attorney general's office, the State Rating Bureau, and the Workers' Compensation Rating and Inspection Bureau of Massachusetts (State House News).
Health sciences center suggested for Mt. Ida campus
On the first day of deliberations on a budget bill, House lawmakers inserted an amendment directing UMass Amherst to study "the feasibility of establishing a Massachusetts school of health sciences education and center for health care workforce innovation" at the UMass Mount Ida Campus in Newton, according to State House News
Representatives also rejected a string of Republican proposals to pause gas tax collection and to incorporate some of Gov. Charlie Baker's tax cut priorities.
Commuter rail service curtailed
The Worcester line on the MBTA Commuter Rail -- which includes service through Newton and Wellesley -- will operate on a temporarily modified weekday schedule starting May 2 and continuing until October.
The adjusted schedule will allow for construction at some platforms, including in Natick and Back Bay, and installation of new rail ties.
Construction will not affect weekday peak service in the morning and the evening.
Those empty beer cans didn't have a chance once we showed up
Yes, that’s the chamber’s Member Services Manager Maxime Isaac fishing beer cans and other disgusting, random, trash out of the Charles River in Needham Friday.
Our chamber team -- along with John Rufo from Form + Place and Kathleen Ward Brown from Needham's Board of Health – spent the afternoon at Village Falls Park as part of the Charles River Watershed Association’s annual Earth Day Cleanup.
Even CRWA’s Emily Norton stopped by to say hello.
The Charles River is the heart of our cities and towns and we were happy to be part of keeping it clean. And the sandwiches from Volante Farms were pretty awesome too. More photos here.
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