Turns out, we are going back

By Greg Reibman

11/8/2024

Good morning friends,

Turns out, we are going back.

Now we wait, wonder and worry about how a new administration in Washington might alter our economy, our climate, our healthcare, our schools, our workforce, our courts, our free speech.

Oh, and whether or not all those federal grants — infrastructure , transportation, research, technology, higher ed, etc. — that had been coming to Massachusetts will dry up as some form of retribution.

We need to be the adults now

America is a federal republic. States have certain rights. Here in Massachusetts, we must double down on that.

This week Gov. Maura Healey and Attorney General Andrea Campbell affirmed commitments to protect against restricting reproductive health and mass deportations and enforcing “rule of law.” Healey also vowed to continue fighting to lower housing costs, nurture our innovation economy, bolster off shore wind and public education.

The one thing we should be able to control that needs to end right now is the lack of urgency and disrespect our own state Legislature has shown its constituents.

We shouldn’t tolerate good ideas dying in committee. Bills being passed before there’s time to read them. Reforms that should be done through legislation rather than referendums. Procrastinating and then adjourning before bills both houses agree we need are passed.

Here’s what we all should be doing now

Now more than ever we need to dig into our pockets and support those who provide the guardrails every democracy needs.

Support the legal funds and nonprofits that represent your values.

Support the journalism that is certain to be under siege. A free press isn’t free. Subscribe to national and local news sites. Pay for podcasts and public broadcasting.

It’s intimidating. It’s overwhelming. But we don’t have a choice.

I always value your input.

It’s Beacon Hill’s version of smoke emerging from the Vatican

House and Senate leaders signaled yesterday that they finally have an agreement on the stalled economic development bill that’s been in limbo ever since lawmakers adjourned from formal sessions three months ago.

No details about the compromise package were released. But both chambers could be called in to vote on the economic development bill and the also-delayed clean energy bill next week, reports Chris Lisinski at State House News.

Gov. Maura Healey’s original economic development proposals, released last February, combined billions of dollars of borrowing authorization for the life sciences, climate tech and AI, along with other investments.

Newton Highlands to Needham Crossing service expands

Starting next week, the 128 Business Council is adding a second GRID shuttle bus between Newton Highlands and Needham Crossing.

The added set of wheels will double the number of trips between the Highlands T stop to Tripadvisor, SharkNinja, NBC10, Homewood Suites and along Kendrick Street and First Ave. (route details and new schedule.)

The expanded service aims to reduce crowding and single-occupancy vehicle trips, thanks to a Healey-Driscoll Administration grant. The $3 million state program also funded programs in Watertown and 10 other Transportation Management Associations.

Friday grab bag

While we were electing our own president, more than 600 Moldovan citizens went to the Moldova Restaurant in Nonantum, The Watertown Street restaurant served as a polling place to vote in their homeland’s election. In their country’s contest, the pro-EU president was reelected, despite alleged Russian meddling
Congratulations to Newton’s Amy Sangiolo and Needham’s Josh Tarsky on your elections to state House of Representatives. Please read what I wrote above.
The Watertown Planning Board unanimously voted to recommend a package of zoning amendments that would put the city in compliance with the MBTA Communities Law. The next step is for the city council to review and continue to deliberate, starting next week.
Waltham received word Monday that its proposed MBTA Communities Law compliance plan does not meet state requirements. That’s something housing advocates there have been warning about since July, leaving the city with very little time to pass new zoning before a Dec 31 deadline.
Congratulations to Sandra Robinson, executive director of the Needham Community Council, who received the Paul Harris Fellow award from the Rotary Club of Needham. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their community.
The City of Newton's Housing and Community Development Division seeks community input for its Draft Consolidated Plan. This plan will guide Newton in using its Community Development Block Grant for the next four years. Here’s the survey .
Babson is seeking partners/organizations for its Sustainable Operations and Innovation course this semester. In this course students will work with partners to develop a business model for improving the sustainability of their organization.
Go here for Mount Auburn Street construction updates.
Needham wants to send astronaut and hometown hero Sunita Williams a massive group photo wishing her well during her unexpected extended stay on the International Space Station. If you’d like to be in the “Needham Loves Sunita” photo be at Memorial Park Football Field, 92 Rosemary Street next Saturday (Nov. 16) at 11:30a.m.
If you know someone who could benefit from chamber membership, please invite them to join you at an upcoming event, or sign up for this newsletter. Better yet, fill out this form and when they join, we'll thank you with a $25 gift card to the restaurant member of your choice for each new member you've sent us.

Speak up for housing in Wellesley

After multiple efforts to stop, squelch, skirt or stall multi-family housing projects in Wellesley, the town is hoping to build community consensus through the creation of a updated Strategic Housing Plan.

The next phase in the effort includes two upcoming community meetings:

In-person on Thursday, Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m., at Wellesley High School
Virtually on Sunday, Nov. 17, 4 p.m., on Zoom

The content and format will be the same for both forums and includes small group discussions led by volunteer facilitators from the Wellesley Civil Discourse Initiative.

Register by today (Nov. 8) at noon. There’s also a community survey for the Strategic Housing Plan here. That deadline is Nov. 25.

I asked, you shared, thoughts about Newton Corner lane changes

Finally today, I received many emails this week responding to Mass DOT’s recent lane changes at Newton Corner.

Much like those who vented to CBS Boston earlier, most drivers are not happy.

“Simply the worst engineering decision in the modern era,” wrote one emailer.

“I am so glad other people find this change just as horrible!!!,” another wrote.

“I use that roundabout area at least twice a day and although it might have slightly helped the backup traffic on the highway, it has caused massive amounts of backups on the backroads. So now we have traffic on both the highway & the backroads.”

One lone writer took a more Zen approach:

“I think we can all agree that the beloved cluster-f@#$' needed some improvement. [But] everyone needs to settle down and see how things pan out and realize that the ultimate goal isn't to allow cars to move faster. It's safety.”

That last emailer also reminded me of the eye-opening video we’ve shared before. It’s about a road redesign change in a small English town that begins with everyone saying it’s an awful idea, before later admitting they were wrong.