Greetings, 

I fully appreciate all the work the MBTA has done under GM (and now acting Transportation Sect.) Phil Eng to deliver faster, better T service.

But if I were running a retail shop, restaurant or cultural venue in Boston right now, I’d be pulling my hair out.

The T just announced it will shut down most of the underground Green Line for 15 straight days in December (Dec. 8–22) to replace a piece of tunnel from the 1890s.

Necessary work? No doubt.

But shutting down Boston during the holidays — the most critical season of the year for retailers, restaurants and arts organizations — is untenable.

These businesses and nonprofits depend on visitors, including many from our Green Line–riding suburban communities.

Yes, there will be free shuttle buses, but that’s hardly what anyone wants to count on if, for example, they’re on their way with their kids to the Nutcracker or Holiday Pops.

As for anyone wondering why the “suburban chamber guy” is worried about Boston businesses: It’s simple. Our chamber has always recognized that our economic success is tied to Boston’s.

Sure, this disruption might nudge more residents to shop, dine, and enjoy the arts locally — and I certainly hope it does.  But we all do better when Boston’s economy thrives too.

A heartbeat away

Members of the 2026 Newton City Council will caucus on Dec. 4 to choose its next president.

This may be the most important decision the 17 returning and seven new councilors make in the next term.

That is partly because the council president assigns committees and shapes which items move forward and which don’t.

It’s also because the council president is first in line should the mayor be unable to serve.

(It’s happened before.)

We urge councilors to look beyond ideology or promised committee assignments.  Select a leader who can rise above divisiveness, make tough decisions and guide Newton forward responsibly.

Hanson returning to Newton City Hall

Meanwhile, Mayor-elect Marc Laredo has been assembling an impressive team as he prepares to take office on Jan. 1.

The biggest news: Dana Hanson, who’s been Congressman Jake Auchincloss’s district director since 2021 and previously served as Mayor Fuller’s director of community engagement and inclusion, returns to Newton City Hall as Laredo’s chief of staff.

Read Laredo’s other staff announcements here.

Stephanie Gray, who has worked in constituent services for Auchincloss for over three years, will become the congressman’s new district director.

Happy housing news!

The MBTA Communities Law is slowly leading to the construction of actual homes, as the law intended.

Here’s an example in Needham:

Developer Matt Borelli plans to build 14 places to live on a parcel he says would have allowed for only about seven units – likely all "luxury" units – if not for the changes mandated by state law.  

Instead, Borelli tells the Needham Observer: “Under this plan, I am seeking 14 units that will be much smaller and marketed to commuters, people in the workforce and people looking to downsize with an affordable component.”

In other developments:

Mark Development’s latest (and, let us pray, final) proposal for Riverside Station cleared the Newton City Council’s Land Use Committee this week in a unanimous 8-0 vote. The 750-home project now heads to the full council for a final vote on Dec. 1.

Greystar received approval from Needham’s Planning Board for its 189-home redevelopment of the former Carter building — the first project in town made possible under MBTA-C.

Friday grab bag

• Our thanks to the Newton City Council, which approved two measures that eliminate or streamline several outdated parking requirements that we believe will make the city more competitive.
• All the best to the marvelous Steve Magoon, Watertown’s assistant city manager for Community Development and Planning, who is retiring at the end of January. (Watertown News)
• The same for chamber friend Ashley Stolba, who served as interim economic development secretary this year after Yvonne Hao stepped down. Stolba’s leaving state government to work with her former boss. (BBJ)
• The Watertown City Council voted to reduce the Winter Parking Ban to two months in 2026 (Jan. 1 to March 1) and also approved a sharp increase in fines for vehicles left on the road during a snow emergency. (Watertown News)
• Artemis Yoga in Watertown is celebrating 10 years with a full morning of free in-studio and online classes, treats, giveaways, and live music on Sat. Dec. 6 (8 a.m.–2 p.m.).
• And Down Under School of Yoga is expanding into Wellesley. (Swellesley Report)
• The Newton Centre Plaza will remain in place for at least another year. The city’s Traffic Council voted last night to retain the parklet, approving the Fuller administration’s request to extend the pilot till next fall.
• Massachusetts retailers are predicting a lean holiday season. (Boston Globe)
• The annual Newton Thanksgiving Market will be held on Tuesday (Nov. 25) from noon to 4 p.m. at the Allen Center.
• Wally’s Wicked Good Ice Cream in Auburndale has reopened under new owners who live five minutes from the ice cream shop. (BC Heights)
• The alligator found recently in our favorite river reportedly has a cold but is resting comfortably. (Universal Hub)

Not one, but two, bookstores coming to Needham

Maybe residents will spend less time reading Needham’s Facebook page once two independent bookstores (there hasn’t been one in town since 2007) open within a few blocks of each other in Needham Center.

• The Book Shop of Needham plans to open in early February at 283 Chestnut St.
• Chapters on Chestnut anticipates opening next fall at 7 Chestnut St., at the corner of Great Plain Ave.

Both business owners tell Jeanne Hopkins at the Needham Observer that they welcome each other’s arrival.

Newton Centre gem noticed by Michelin Guide

Finally, congratulations to Trevor and Kate Smith of Thistle & Leek — one of only three restaurants outside of Boston and Cambridge (the others are Nightshade Noodle Bar in Lynn and Mahaniyom in Brookline) — for being included in the first Massachusetts Michelin Guide.

“This unpretentious spot in Newton is a true neighborhood gem,” the guide’s editors write. “Inspired by gastropubs in London, the relaxed, wood-paneled dining room is not at all a reflection of the effort that goes on behind the scenes. This is a kitchen that doesn’t cut corners.”

And that’s what you need to know for today — Björk turns 60 today — unless you need to know that you can now tell ChatGPT to knock it off with those em dashes.

Have a — great weekend — and please support local. Max Woolf will be here next week.

Greg Reibman (he, him)
President & CEO
Charles River Regional Chamber
617.244.1688

Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.