Good Morning,

Max Woolf here.

In today’s newsletter, Wellesley’s race to build less, Needham’s incoming talent, Watertown’s plastics stance and Newton’s road diet.

Let's start with that last one.

The skinny on Newton’s road diet is positive

Last fall, the Washington Street road diet pilot between Newtonville and West Newton went into full effect, officially reducing a stretch of the four-lane roadway to two travel lanes, adding a bike path, and installing in-lane bus stops. See here

To no one's surprise, this change raised concerns about increased traffic, sideroad diversion, parking and safety — all valid worries. 

Fortunately, the redesign was structured as a pilot, meaning it was not permanent and would be closely evaluated.

Unfortunately, even if everyone loved it (and everyone does not love it), there is not yet funding to make any of the changes permanent.

Still, the early results are out, and the data is striking: Washington Street became safer and less congested without harming side streets, according to Christian MilNeil of StreetsblogMass.

In the first two months after installation, crashes were cut in half, compared with the prior year. Traffic counts also dropped across the board: Washington Street carried 2,835 fewer vehicles per day, while neighboring Watertown Street showed no increase.

Consultants attributed these results to some drivers opting for the Mass Pike instead or shifting to walking and biking.

The data is hard to ignore, but so are those giant planters that always seemed out of place. If parking and business access concerns can be addressed, there is a strong case for making at least some of the concepts permanent or even expanding them.

Let me know what you think.

Wellesley’s race to build less

At a fiery Wellesley Select Board meeting this week, a year-long process to reform Wellesley’s RIO bylaw might have just fallen apart.

The history of Wellesley’s RIO bylaw is complex and lengthy, but in short, it is a mechanism for developers to request rezoning to permit higher-density residential projects.

After two thoughtful condo projects failed to pass town meeting under the RIO process two years ago, and an attempt to virtually repeal the bylaw narrowly failed last year, a 15-member task force was formed to chart a path forward.

This week, that path hit a wall. At a Tuesday meeting, the Select Planning Boards traded accusations and pointed fingers over the task force’s proposed reforms, leaving little clarity about whether any proposal will make it to Town Meeting this spring.

But the specifics of a proposal that may be rejected are not the issue. The real problem, beyond the inherent challenges of a 15-person working group reaching consensus, is that this entire exercise has felt like a race to determine how a town that already builds very little can build even less.

While the town is squabbling over the right approach to building fewer homes, its population is aging at a blistering rate.

Public school enrollment is plummeting. The town has lost 3,100 young professionals over the past decade and Wellesley’s own Strategic Housing Plan projects a 9% decline in residents under 20 by 2050.

Pitch competition brings national talent to Needham

Seven student teams from across the country are in Needham this winter to pitch their business ideas to technology and innovation executives, including SharkNinja CEO Mark Barrocas.

SharkNinja, a Needham-based Chamber member, is partnering with the startup accelerator MassChallenge to run this eight-week program culminating in a live pitch competition in March. 

According to BBJ reporter Eli Chavez, finalists receive training, mentorship, and support to refine their concepts ahead of the final presentations.

At the end of the program, teams will compete for cash prizes, including a $25,000 grand prize, and receive ongoing support from the SharkNinja team.

Other talent is also heading to Needham

State House News photo

Gov. Maura Healey’s education secretary, Patrick Tutwiler, is leaving Beacon Hill for Needham. 

He’s been tapped to be CEO of Walker Therapeutic & Educational Programs.

Located near the Dover line, the nonprofit provides comprehensive child welfare services, including special education, residential programs, and a full array of outpatient and home-based support for children and families. 

Tutwiler brings decades of experience in public education and leadership to the job, including serving as superintendent of Lynn Public Schools. 

“His experience across education, public service, and philanthropy uniquely positions him to support our community and lead Walker into its next chapter. We are honored to welcome him,” said Dan Relihan, chair of Walker’s Board of Directors.

Friday Grab Bag

• Governor Healey took a major step yesterday to boost housing production by commissioning a study on eliminating the two-staircase requirement in mid-rise apartment buildings. A recent analysis identified nearly 5,000 underutilized parcels in Greater Boston that could unlock more than 130,000 homes under such a reform. Boston Indicators (pages 30-31)
• Biotech Company NanoDx, based in Watertown, has been selected as a finalist for this year’s Team Massachusetts Economic Impact Awards. The 66 Galen Street tenant is an innovative diagnostics company advancing testing technologies that help detect disease faster and improve patient outcomes.
  
• We've invited the three candidates vying for two open seats on the Wellesley Select Board to participate in a virtual debate on Feb 27 at 10 a.m. Register
• After Attorney General Andrea Campbell was unable to reach an agreement to represent her, Auditor Diana DiZoglio is now suing the Legislature directly in an effort to force an audit that was approved by voters last year. Boston Globe
  
• All nine Watertown City Councilors have endorsed State Sen. William Brownsberger in his bid for reelection. Brownsberger is facing a challenge from Daniel Lander, a former aide to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. Watertown News
  
• For everything you could want to know about vacant storefronts in Newton and beyond, read this great op-ed in the Beacon from Newton’s Economic Development Commission Chair Chuck Tanowtiz. 
  
• The Newton City Council is expected to vote Monday on a proposal to rezone the property that currently houses Stop & Shop in Nonantum. The change would extend last fall’s elimination of parking minimums to the shopping center, making it easier to lease vacant space and attract new tenants. Read our letter of support.
  
• The Town of Needham is hosting a public input session for businesses and commercial property owners on proposed updates to townwide parking requirements. The session will take place Wed, Feb. 25, at 9 a.m. at the Public Services Administration Building and via Zoom. Details
  
• Wellesley Rep. Alice Peisch will co-chair a special committee tasked with determining whether the legislature should take up any of the 12 questions slated for the 2026 ballot…Not an easy task. MASSterList

Watertown advances skip-the-stuff, shelves Plastic ban

The Watertown City Council is unlikely to move forward with a ban on black plastic and Styrofoam take-out containers.

At this week’s Rules and Ordinances Committee meeting, we encouraged councilors to separate the proposed bans from the Skip the Stuff draft ordinance and evaluate the items independently.

We view Skip the Stuff as a clear win-win: it reduces unnecessary waste while helping businesses lower costs.  And we worried that loading the ordinance with bans would jeopardize Skip the Stuff, which has languished for months. (Newton, Needham and Wellesley have Skip the Stuff ordinances.)

Prohibiting the use of certain materials for take-out or other uses is not as straightforward. Some restauranters have said cost-competitive alternatives are not always readily available.

JD Donahue, owner of Donahue’s Bar & Grill, echoed those concerns to the committee who ultimately agreed to scrap the black plastic and Styrofoam bans at least for now.

The Skip-the-Stuff ordinance will now go to the full Council for a first reading.

That’s what you need to know for today—Friday the 13th—unless you need to know why this day is unlucky.

Max Woolf (he, him)

Public Policy and Government Affairs Manager

Charles River Regional Chamber

617-431-6101

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