We're dropping two new videos today
We're dropping two new videos today
Last Friday, we took a Trip up the Charles to Watertown.
Think of it as episode two in a four-part mini-series designed to support our local economy by highlighting the scenic, historic, cultural, recreational, lodging, dining, and retail destinations that make our Charles River communities unique.
As with last week’s Watertown episode, today's Wellesley video is part of a fall campaign linked to our Trip Up the Charles initiative, funded by Meet Boston! and the Mass. Office of Travel and Tourism
The penultimate episode -- “Get to Know Needham” -- drops next Friday.
And in the season finale (two weeks from today) we’ll “Get to Know Newton.”
But today, we're visiting Wellesley Square, which has undergone a renaissance and become an enjoyable destination for a day trip.
Please share this video in your e-newsletters, embed it on your website, post it on your social media feeds and anywhere else you can think of.
No aid for Needham flood victims
More than 200 Needham residences and businesses (and in the work-from-home era, many residences are businesses) were damaged from flash flooding on August 8 when some areas of town received as much as 6.5 inches of rain in 90 minutes.
But none of those affected will be receiving federal relief funds because Needham and Norfolk County did not meet the threshold for disaster programs, town officials tell the Needham Observer.
“The thresholds are really quite high,” said Assistant Town Manager Katie King.
"It’s tough because there were individual homes and businesses that were deeply impacted. We all completely understand the sadness and frustration.”
Get ready for this weekend's storm, or the next one
Here are some emergency preparedness resources that may be helpful to your business this weekend as Hurricane Lee heads towards New England or, inevitably, when a storm hits us down the road.
- Hurricane Preparedness Tips from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
- Additional tips, including in different languages from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
- Business Preparedness Checklist from the US Chamber and UPS.
- 20 Tips for Business Preparedness for the US Chamber and UPS
- Small Business Resilience Hub
ADUs, transfer tax, and senior housing could be on Healey's agenda
Housing Secretary Ed Augustus provided a few hints this week about several new housing policies the Healey-Driscoll administration may propose in conjunction with a housing bond bill in the near future.
That includes creating seasonal designations for communities affected by summer tourism, establishing a commission on the future of senior housing, and upgrading existing housing stock to make it more accessible for people with disabilities, according to State House News’ Sam Drysdale
Housing activists also hope the bill will allow communities to assess fees on real estate transactions to raise money for affordable housing.
Others are urging Augustus to reform the zoning policy around accessory dwelling units.
"ADUs are very much on our radar and I would stay tuned," Augustus said.
Friday grab bag
- Arpit Patel proprietor of the awesome Baramor in Newton Centre and his brother Ankur have opened Oak n’Barrel, focused on top-line spirits, including whiskey and scotch, tequila and mezcal, vodka, gin, rum, brandy, cordials, liqueurs, and beers. Check their new shop out at 1255 Centre Street, the former Eastern Bank location. (Fig City News)
- The Needham Planning Board wisely voted this week not to appeal a court ruling that rejected its actions regarding a planned daycare center. But was that perhaps because the select board refused to pay for it? (Needham Observer)
- The Massachusetts State Treasury’s Small Business Initiative is hosting free small business webinars. Dates and registration.
- Grassi's Nonprofit Advisors annual Nonprofit Virtual Symposium is on Sept 26 at 9 a.m. Tackle some of the biggest decisions facing organizations today, such as outsourcing, technology, benchmarking, and more. RSVP
- The Newton City Council is expected to vote Monday to finally allow commercial brewers, winemaking, and distilling, a step somewhat similar to that done in Needham last year.
- Massachusetts residents can apply for an entry-level, eight-week robotics training course starting Oct. 23 on the Bedford campus of Middlesex Community College. Training includes robotics, mechatronics, lean manufacturing, and other in-demand skills for a fulfilling career in Medtech advanced manufacturing.
- Did you know that your chamber membership covers all of your employees? If any of your colleagues are interested in learning more about our programs or receiving this newsletter they can subscribe here.
Company that killed local news is hiring, but not for the jobs they ended
Gannett, the nation’s largest newspaper chain, has shrunk its workforce by 47% and killed dozens, if not hundreds, of local papers nationwide.
That includes pulling the plug last year on The Watertown Tab & Press (whose roots go back to at least 1870); The Needham Times (at least 1874); and the Newton Tab (1882); while also making the once feared Wellesley Townsman (1906) irrelevant.
This week, we learned that Ganett is hiring again.
Just don’t expect to see their newest hires at the next zoning board or water rate-setting meeting.
Before we go, here's the video from this week's housing forum
Before we go, here's the video from this week's housing forum
It's from Tuesday's Fall Real Estate Forum focused on the housing crisis.
Our event began with Lee Pelton, president & CEO of the Boston Foundation sharing his perspective and the latest demographic trends, including through an equity lens.
After that, Chris Kluchman with the state's Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities provided a super helpful overview of the MBTA Communities Law, with some interesting data about our four chamber communities.
We ended with a wide-ranging discussion with Andrew Copelotti (Boylston Properties), Melony Swasey (Unlimited Sotheby's International Realty), Darryl Settles (Catalyst Ventures), and Kluchman.
Spoiler alert: It's long (two hours!). But important. And it's not like you're going to the beach tomorrow.
After you’ve watched it – or even part of it – let me know what you think. And thanks to NewTV for the recording.
That's what you need to know for today, unless you need a pair of front-row tickets to a performance at the Ford Theater that already happened that I can't imagine why anyone would buy.
That's what you need to know for today, unless you need a pair of front-row tickets to a performance at the Ford Theater that already happened that I can't imagine why anyone would buy.
Shanah tovah!
Greg Reibman (he, him)
President
617.244.1688
P.S. So can we go back in time and get back Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts now?
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