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That's no way to help solve a housing shortage

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That's no way to help solve a housing shortage

Here’s a riddle for you.

When is a transit-oriented district, not very transit oriented?

How about when you would need a swim suit -- or perhaps a canoe -- to get from your “transit oriented” apartment to the nearest train in less than a mile.

And yet, the state guidelines appear to say Wellesley can consider the 850-unit complex called The Nines along I-95 as a MBTA Communities Act-qualified transit oriented district.

That’s just one of two reasons why I’m disappointed Wellesley Town Meeting appears to headed towards counting The Nines for more than 60 percent of its proposed plan.

I explained why the whole thing bugs me in an op-ed for CommonWealth Beacon.

It may be kosher under the guidelines. But it’s not in the spirt of the 2021 law which seeks to get 177 cities and towns in eastern Massachusetts to collectively contribute to addressing our soul-and-economy-crushing housing shortage.

(Here’s the video  of my conversation with the four candidates running for two seats on Wellesley’s select board; one week from today (March 5). Here’s the segment where we talk about MBTA Communities and The Nines.)

You have an extra day, spend it in Watertown 

Watertown Square

Imagining that Watertown Square could ever be anything more than a very pedestrian-unfriendly pass through for thousands of vehicles takes a leap of faith. 

But as a great poet sang: It takes a leap of faith to get things going.

And I actually have faith Watertown is going in the right direction with its Watertown Square vision plan. (Not to mention faith that a big bold overhaul could actually one-day be funded and maybe a little less faith that our small businesses could survive the disruption.)
 
So what better time to take that leap than on leap day? Which happens to be this Thursday.

That’s when the project's next big community meeting is happening, 6:30 p.m., at 64 Pleasant Street. It will also be live-streamed.
 
Thursday’s meeting will continue the conversation with residents, businesses and others. Jeff Speck and the rest of the project team will share streetscape configurations based on the November Charrette: the "Four Corners" and "Mini-Main Street" plans.  (Video from prior presentation here.)

The team will also present updates to the proposed zoning map to show how Watertown can comply with the MBTA Communities Act.

I often recommend attending meetings because they’re important. This one is that. But it should also be interesting.

(Also, FYI, housing advocates are gathering for a social hour before Thursday's meeting, 5:30 p.m. at Not Your Average Joe's.)

Meanwhile in Needham

Here’s an update on where Needham is on drafting its two-pronged MBTA Communities compliance plan from the Needham Observer. 
 
On Thursday (Feb. 29), the Needham HONE committee is expected to finalize, or nearly finalize, its proposed zoning maps: One set for a plan that basically compliant and a second more expansive add-on.
 
Also Thursday: The Needham Housing Coalition hosts a presentation by Amy Dain, a leading regional housing expert and author of the must-read report Exclusionary by Design, 7 p.m. in the at the Needham Public Library.  RSVP

Kay Khan also not seeking reelection

Kay Khan

State Rep. Kay Khan just became the latest local lawmaker to announce that she won’t be running for reelection, Martina Jackson at Fig City News reported late last night.

The longest-serving member of Newton’s delegation, Khan has served the 11th Middlesex District since 1994.

A psychiatric nurse clinical specialist, Khan joins her long time Newton colleague Rep. Ruth Balser and Needham Rep. Denise Garlick who also just announced they will not seek another term.

Makes you wonder: What’s happening Beacon Hill? Or is it what’s not happening?

Today's grab bag 



  • Eastern Bank and Cambridge Trust disclosed last week that their merger won’t be completed in the first quarter of 2024, as originally announced last September. But it's still likely go through, with only a modest delay of a few months, reports Jon Chesto at the Globe.

  • Could your organization use a fresh perspective on an opportunity or challenge? Apply to be a partner in Babson’s Management Consulting Field Experience Program. Babson students will work with organizations to provide solutions for a wide range of business challenges. Apply by Friday (March 1).

  • Chamber members, Bianca and Thistle & Leek are participating at the Let's Talk Womxn's "More than March" in celebration of Women's History Month on Thurs. March 7th at 7 p.m. at Boston Harbor Distillery. Featuring tasting stations and live music. Details

  • GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley will be in Needham Saturday night for a rally at the Sheraton.

  • On Feb. 29, the League of Women Voters of Newton and its cosponsors will hold a Topic Meeting at the Newton Free Library, Thursday (Feb. 29) on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These man-made chemical compounds are known for their persistence in the environment.

  • Henry Grabar, Slate staff writer and author of “Paved Paradise: How Parking Explains the World” will be the keynote speaker at an MAPC’s Speaker Series event March 19 at 8:30 a.m. Register  

Newton honors city's first Black alderman 

Matthew Jefferson


There was a lovely moment at the Newton City Council’s meeting last week when Ward 2 At-Large Councilor Tarik Lucas invited two adult children of Matthew Jefferson, Newton’s first Black alderman, to the podium.

Richard and Laurie Jefferson’s dad recently celebrated his 100th birthday and Lucas read a proclamation setting aside Matthew’s birthday, Feb. 16, to remember his contributions to the city.

Jefferson (in photo) served nine consecutive terms as alderman including four years as board president. (The Board of Alderman became the City Council in 2015.)

Among his accomplishments was establishing a policy that included a special permit condition that provided that 10% of new residential units be available for subsidized low-income housing. He also provided leadership in the transfer of municipal land on California Street to create the American Legion Post 440.

Fig City News story here.

Are you getting a check from the Globe? 

Many Boston Globe customers are eligible for a settlement check from a Boston Globe class action suit.

I'm proud to be a seven-day paid subscriber to the Globe and support its journalism. But in this case, I will take my rebate and donate it to one of the nonprofit news sites in our chamber communities.

If you receive a settlement payment, I'd encourage you to do the same.

They put the romance into RTO 

Finally, this morning, there’s been plenty of debate about whether return to office (RTO) policies are good for collaboration and productivity. (There’s also different views about 8 a.m. meetings, however, I digress.)

But what about the impact on employees’ social lives?

A survey by ResumeBuilder.com found that 29% of workers have had romantic relationships since returning to the office. Another 25% said they developed a crush on a coworker, but it never led to a romantic interaction.

More than half (55%) of those who had a romantic office relationship said they had it with a superior; 46% say with a subordinate.

And yikes, 58% of employees currently in relationships with coworkers say they have not disclosed it to HR! (Not counting this couple.)

Finally, two-thirds of employees who’ve had relationships say it had a positive impact on their work, while 6% say it has, or had, a negative impact, and 28% say no impact.

That’s what you need to know for today, my thanks to Banker & Tradesman for publishing my op-ed this weekend about how Local Officials Need Help to Making Zoning Reforms (free link).

Make it great day!

Greg Reibman (he, him)
President & CEO
617.244.1688
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