Happy Friday friends,

Wellesley did it again!

This week the Select Board voted to continue its level tax rate on residential and commercial properties.

Our other chamber communities (like many municipalities across the state)  levy commercial properties at a higher rate than residential properties.

Only Wellesley employs an equitable tax rate. This unique policy has helped sustain Wellesley businesses through economic hardship and keeps the town economically competitive.

“There would be a real burden on the commercial residents, and I can’t think of any reason why any board member — either the assessors recommending it, or the select board — ever would choose that,” said Select Board Chair Colette Aufranc.

Makes sense to us. Thanks Wellesley.

Read our letter to the board here and the Swellesely Report’s coverage.

Losing a landmark in Nonantum

Artur and Sandra Andronic, the gregarious owners of Moldova Restaurant in Nonantum, announced yesterday they’re closing their nine-year-old-business on Dec 29, citing tough business conditions.

“This restaurant was our first baby, and our two actual babies grew up with Moldova Restaurant, but we gave it all we had, and it’s time to focus on family and a healthy work/life balance,” they wrote in a statement.

In addition to providing a unique opportunity to experience a unique cuisine, curated wine list and live music, the multiple Best of Boston winner was a gathering place for locals, foodies and Eastern European expatriates, especially after Russia’s invasion of the Andronic’s native country’s next-door neighbor Ukraine.

Artur and Sandra once hosted the president of their country there. Their restaurant served as a polling place this year for more than 600 Moldovan citizens to vote in their homeland’s election.

The Watertown residents are also well-known to chamber members  (Artur is a founding member of our Dining Collaborative. Sandra, a broker at William Raveis Realty, is engaged with pretty much everything we do) and were always sought-after participants at our Spring Seasonings tasting event.

The Andronics are staying local. We look forward to their next chapters and value their friendship.

Small business reporting law put on hold

Procrastination pays off sometimes.

Business owners with 20 or fewer employees who’ve been putting off meeting a year-end federal filing deadline can cross the task off their to-do list.

On Wednesday a Texas-based federal court suggested the “beneficial ownership”

disclosure rule was likely unconstitutional and blocked the federal government from enforcing the law, reports Andy Medici for the Business Journals.

Under the law, small businesses that failed to register under the Corporate Transparency Act by Jan. 1 could have faced fines exceeding $500 per day and up to two years of jail time. It was intended to combat money laundering and tax evasion by identifying the true owners behind companies. 

That’s all on hold.  At least for now.  

However, Medici notes, the Texas decision was only a preliminary injunction. It could theoretically reconsider it at some point in the future.   More likely, the government will appeal the decision.

We had scheduled a how-to webinar on the subject next week. We’re cancelling it and will let you know through this newsletter if circumstances change.

It’s official: Needham will soon be out of MBTA-C compliance

State officials confirmed that Needham will be out of compliance with the MBTA Communities law as of Jan. 1 because the housing plan adopted by Town Meeting in October is being contested through a referendum.   

“This places Needham and possibly the Needham Housing Authority in jeopardy of losing out on several state funding opportunities, some worth many millions of dollars, should the town remain out of compliance for an extended period of time,” reports Peter O’Neil at the Needham Observer.

This week the Needham Select Board voted 4-1 (with Josh Levy opposing) to renew its endorsement of the approved Neighborhood Housing Plan.

We agree and also urge Needham voters to vote “Yes” on Jan. 14.

If you own, or work for, a Needham based business and would like to help support the creation of new multi-family homes in town, send me an email.

Friday grab bag

• Nominations are now open for our inaugural Watertown Business Awards, honoring excellence in leadership, innovation, service, and customer care. Submit nominations by Wed. Dec 18, to celebrate those who make Watertown exceptional. Watch for details about an event in January.
  
  
• Trader Joes will open its second Newton store at Newton Nexus on Needham Street in the former Stop & Shop location.
  
  
• MassHire’s next Virtual Multi-Industry Job Fair is Weds (Dec. 11) from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. This online event provides employers with job openings a chance to connect with job seekers, showcase their companies, and engage directly through messaging or video. Registration closes today (Fri.)
  
  
• Congressman Jake Auchincloss is hosting a Town Hall in Needham on Sunday (Dec. 8) 1 p.m. and a Town Hall in Newton the same day at 3 p.m.  
  
  
• Circle of Hope’s Holiday Open House is Weds (Dec 11) from 3 to 6 p.m. in Needham. Attendees can enjoy holiday treats, tour the space, and make clothingand hygiene donations to help those in need.
  
  
• Gorse Mill Studios in Needham holds its Holiday Open Studios Sunday (Dec. 8) from 12-4 p.m. with a reception at 4 pm.
  
  
• Newton attorney Nicholas Brandt has been nominated by Gov. Maura Healey for a seat on the Boston Municipal Court.  He currently serves as a Deputy Legal Counsel in the Administrative Office of the District Court was Gov. Charlie Baker's deputy legal counsel.
  
  
• A bill to prevent commercial drivers from losing their licenses due to offenses that are more than two decades old is on the move on Beacon Hill. (State House News)
  
  
• Yes that was Janelle Monáe at Wellesley College.

I hate when I do this

Whoops. I provided an inexact link in Tuesday’s newsletter showing the chaotic end of this week’s Newton City Council meeting. That’s when City Councilor Bill Humphrey unsuccessfully tried to stop City Councilor Lenny’s Gentile from using a parliamentary move to delay a vote on Newton’s BERDO ordinance. (Read the Newton Beacon’s recap for a full explanation.)

Nearly 250 readers of this newsletter clicked the link. So let’s try this again.

One DPW guy out, another DPW guy in

All the best to Newton DPW Commissioner Jim McGonagle who is leaving the city after nearly a decade of service to become GM of of the Holyhood Cemetery Association

And welcome Thomas Brady, Watertown’s new DPW director. Brady returns to Watertown after 23 years with the Town of Brookline as a key member that town’s DPW team.

Our Santa is head and shoulders above the rest

No Santa is not standing on a stool. Nor is he posing with his elves.

Those are members the chamber’s Young Professionals Group which organizes our yearly Networking After Hours & Holiday Gift Drive at Showcase SuperLux at The Street.

We collected sacks full of toys – and about $850 in cash -- Wednesday and would appreciate your help getting to at least $1,000, or adding a few more toys to that tall guy’s sleigh.

Donate online through Dec. 9. Drop off toy donations at any The Village Bank location until Dec. 11 or at Henry Bear's Park in Newtonville.  

We use all cash contributions to buy toys locally, so you’re not just helping a kid, you’re helping a local merchant too.

And thanks!

And that’s what you need to know for today — Bartender Appreciation Day — unless you’ve yet to meet the world’s oldest newlyweds.

Oh, one reminder: Before you click on that Amazon cart, please ask yourself if there’s some place you can buy it locally.

See you next week.

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688