Good morning friends,

Our chamber is joining 70 local, regional, and state chambers of commerce and business associations in red, blue and purple states to highlight the critical role research funding plays in our nation’s economic competitiveness, job growth and innovation.

Federal research funds benefit rural and urban businesses alike in every state and locality.

The National Institutes of Health, Department of Energy, National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense and Homeland Security are the only way for the U.S. to remain a global leader in scientific research and to support rapid innovation in fields such as artificial intelligence, defense capabilities, quantum computing, and agriculture advances.

Learn more about the Business for Federal Research Funding Coalition and read the joint letter the coalition has sent to Congress.

I value your feedback.

Veteran Boston politician eyes Newton City Hall

A few weeks ago, I (sort of) joked in this newsletter that if Josh Kraft really wanted to be mayor, he should have stayed and ran in Newton (where he lived for most of his adult life) rather than running in Boston, where he’s only lived since 2023.

On the other hand, long time Boston politician Brian Golden could soon be headed to Newton City Hall.

Allston-born and bred, Golden represented Boston as a state representative from 1999 to 2004 before running the Boston Planning & Development Agency (formerly the BRA) under Mayors Menino and Walsh.

But now Golden is running for Newton City Council.

He hopes to fill the Ward 7 At Large seat being vacated by Marc Laredo, who is running for mayor with no serious competition.  

Golden has owned a home in Newton since 2006, something that caused a bit of a kerfuffle a few years ago. His old campaign account reportedly has $27.6K in cash on hand, which should be more than enough given that, so far, he’s unopposed.

Golden does not have a campaign website yet, so we don’t know much about his platform.

But the fact that Golden brings considerable expertise with economic development and working with employers and developers should make him great addition to a council that’s sadly lacking that knowledge now.

Also running for city council in Newton

Other candidates who’ve recently entered the contest for Newton City Council include Sean Roche, running for an at-large seat in Ward 6, and Jacob Silber, organizer of the growth-adverse nonprofit Newton Impact, running at-large in Ward 8.

Needham water rates were better with Coke

For decades, Needham had among the lowest water and sewer bills in the MWRA system.

That’s because the Coca-Cola bottling plant on Kendrick Street (seen above in 1979) was contributing upwards of 25% of the town’s annual water revenues and subsidizing all other users.

But in 2018 Coke announced it would stop manufacturing at the site, although it still maintains a distribution center there.

Ever since the town has been gradually shifting the lost revenue onto residents and especially onto the backs of Needham businesses using a tiered system that charges its heaviest water consumers at the highest rates.

"After Coca Cola stopped bottling, the entire water operation was running at a loss and that’s not sustainable,” Town Finance Director Dave Davison told the select board this week.

Under Needham’s tier system, 78% of users — overwhelmingly residents — are subsidized by 22% of rate payers — mostly businesses.

Last year, the select board raised those rates by nearly 6%.  This week, the board approved another 5.5% hike.

“Particular businesses are hard hit by these rate increases," Davidson said.

More increases lie ahead as the town prepares for a $13 million sewer line project, reports Peter O’Neil at the Needham Observer.

Needham businesses pay a higher property tax rate than residents too. We urge the town to consider the impact both policies have on our businesses’ ability to be successful and for the town to be competitive.

Friday grab bag

• The Wellesley Select Board has extended Executive Director Meghan Jop’s contract for three years. Jop began as executive director in 2019 after 16 years in other positions for the town and a brief stint in North Andover. (Swellesley Report)
• Gov. Maura Healey has once again turned to the private sector for her economic development secretary. Venture capitalist Eric Paley was recommended by Healey’s former Sect. Yvonne Hao, who you may recall delivered a rousing exit speech last month at our Spring Business Breakfast.
• This happened much sooner than we expected:  Our 110th Anniversary Celebration at the historic Allen House in West Newton on July 16 is sold out! Wait list is here.
• Watertown biotech Kymera Therapeutics has inked a new deal with Gilead Sciences worth up to $750 million for the development and commercialization of a product with potential cancer-treating applications, including in breast cancer and other solid tumors.  (BBJ)
• Jetset Pilates opens this weekend in Wellesley Square. The studio is owned by Needham resident John Onat, who hopes to open additional franchise studios in the Boston area.  (Swellesley Report)
• The Charles River Watershed Association and Indigenous Peoples Day Newton will host the 3rd Annual Quinobequin Intertribal Paddle, Saturday (June 28) at 10 a.m., featuring a midday paddle from Newton’s Historic Boathouse to Auburndale Park.
• The MBTA is slated to start construction on the Green Line C Branch as early as September to elevate and widen platforms. (Brookline News).
• Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville has been connecting people getting rid of no longer used air conditioners with those who need one. It would be great to see a local organization replicate this idea in our communities. (GBH)
• A reminder: If you are not directly affiliated with a business or nonprofit organization but appreciate our mission, advocacy and this twice-weekly newsletter, I hope you will consider becoming a Citizen Member for $95 annualy.

BBJ to Healey: Businesses need UI relief and reform

A BBJ editorial is calling on the Healey administration to take action on behalf of businesses by covering $2.1 billion unemployment insurance debt owed to the feds, similar to steps New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has agreed to do.

The same editorial also calls on state officials to rein in the Bay State’s out-of-control UI system, which offers the third-most generous benefits in the nation.

We agree!

They like what’s happening in Watertown too!

This week’s BBJ also features a cover story on plans to revitalize Watertown Square.

A very Kate sign-off

It was a who’s who of Needham — and beyond — at a packed Needham Golf Club last night as the town honored Kate Fitzpatrick, as she retires following nearly two decades as Needham’s first town manager and 35 years overall as a town employee.

Guests included Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll (that’s Driscoll’s selfie with Fitzpatrick),who said, “the mark you’ve left on Needham will be felt for generations — in the public buildings you helped bring to life, the services you strengthened and the talented staff you mentored and inspired. Your legacy is not just in what you’ve built, but in how you led — with integrity, consistency and care.”

Both Needham Local and Needham Observer published fitting tributes to Fitzpatrick this week and here’s a video of the select board honoring her this week.

Fitzpatrick will be the grand marshal at the town’s annual 4th of July Parade, her last day on the job.  

And I recommend subscribing to Fitzpatrick’s delightful blog Very Kate to see what she’s does – or is thinking about  — next.

And that’s what you need to know for today, unless you need to know why our best ideas come to us in the shower.

RIP Blue screen of death.

Be back Tuesday!

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

Max Woolf contributed to today’s newsletter.

P.S. If you run a local business but are not a chamber member could you email me and tell me why? There are no wrong answers.