Good morning!

When an employer hires a kid straight out of high school, they should have confidence that their new hire has some basic skills, right?

That’s the case in Massachusetts where every student must pass math, English and science MCAS tests to receive a diploma.

It may even be among the reasons why Massachusetts is ranked No. 1 in public education, as well as SAT and ACT scores in the U.S.

But a proposed ballot question that would eliminate MCAS  without any replacement or alternative would result in a free-for-all with over 300 different school districts each having different graduation standards.

If MCAS is eliminated, the job and career readiness of our students will be compromised, leading to less qualified applicants and/or significant additional investments in educational remediation and job training.

Leaving educational standards up to the individual districts will also punish students in our least-resourced communities the most and do nothing to address the systemic issues affecting Black, Latinx, low-income, English Learner students and students with disabilities.

This week the Charles River Chamber joined a coalition of more than 20 other business associations opposing this misguided ballot referendum. The system may need reform, but fully eliminating the Commonwealth’s only standard is not the answer.

The  Protect Our Kids’ Future: No on Question 2 also has the support of Gov. Maura Healey, Secretary of Education Patrick Tutwiler, Speaker of the House Ron Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka, among others

Wellesley Square station gets an upgrade

The Wellesley Square commuter rail station is getting an accessibility upgrade thanks to the $500,000 grant secured by Congresswoman Katherine Clark

The funds are being used to install a mini-high platform at the Wellesley Square stop to ensure full access to the commuter rail for riders of all abilities in the coming weeks.

In addition to the mini-high platforms, ramps will be installed to make the platforms accessible, along with canopies, clear ADA-compliant signage that includes tactile/braille elements, emergency callboxes and message screens to make the station fit for all users.

The Swellesley Report has more.

Unoccupied Watertown lab building has new owner

A not-yet-completed lab building in East Watertown has just traded hands.

And the VC firm that bought it is planning to use part of the building as its U.S. headquarters.

The Triad Group sold Elm Street Labs at 23 Elm Street to Shannon Life Sciences for an undisclosed sum.

The 74,670-square-foot property, next to the Residence Inn, will become Shannon Life Sciences’ new U.S. headquarters, reports Greg Ryan at the BBJ.

Shannon is a neuroscience-focused, venture-backed fund with expertise in healthcare, finance and entrepreneurship. Not much more about Shannon is publicly available, Ryan writes.

The firm is expected to move in early 2025, serving as both an investor and landlord.

Triad received the green light to begin work on the project in 2021, according to Watertown News.  The building's core and shell construction has been completed.

Tuesday’s grab bag

• Wayne Mezitt, a third generation operator at Weston Nurseries, passed away earlier this month at the age of 81.  Mazitt played an important role at Massachusetts Horticultural Society in Wellesley as a board member and chair. Read Dave Epstein’s tribute in the Globe.
  
  
• Massachusetts annual sales tax holiday is just around the corner: Aug.10 and 11. These FAQs are designed to answer merchant questions.
  
  
• Henry Bear’s Park toy store is opening this fall at 572 Washington St in Wellesley. Henry Bear’s has nine existing locations, including in Newtonville and has been a partner with us on our annual Young Professionals Group Toy Drive in conjunction with The Village Bank. (Swellesley Report)
  
  
• Join us tomorrow (Weds.) at noon for a virtual debate between Amy Sangiolo and Alexander Jablon. The two candidates are competing in the Sept. 3 Democratic primary for the open state representative seat in Newton currently held by Rep. Khan.
  
  
• The MBTA B-Line between Boston College and Babcock Street will be replaced by buses between Aug. 2 and 11 for track repair sessions.
  
  
• Also: The T’s new fare system launches on the Green Line and elsewhere Thursday  (Aug. 1)
  
  
• Takara restaurant and bar at 151 Linden St., is now called Katara. (Swellesley Report)
  
  
• Watertown is partnering on a small business energy efficiency initiative with Mass Save. Starting this week, energy experts are meeting with businesses, non-profits, and houses of worship, scheduling no-cost energy assessments and answering questions about energy-efficient equipment upgrades and other improvements. Email lschwab@watertown-ma.gov for more.
  
  
• Last call for golfers – individuals, pairs or foursomes – for our chamber golf tournament next Monday at Woodland Golf Club.
  
  

A big week for Needham’s MBTA Communities plans

Needham should be hearing back from the state this week if both of its proposed MBTA Communities compliance scenarios abide by state regulations.

• The first scenario, Base Compliance, simply aims to meet the requirements of the state law and won't likely help create many new homes.

  
  

• The second, the Neighborhood Compliance Plan, adds more opportunities for homes for young families, downsizing seniors and workers and nurtures the town's economic vitality.

Ultimately both scenarios will go to the Needham Planning and Select Boards and finally to a special town meeting this fall where members will essentially be asked to endorse one.

The planning board met last Thursday to discuss both proposals and review some technical comments provided by the attorney general.

A public hearing is expected Sept. 5 so put that on your calendar.

In the meantime, you can see what these zoning changes might look like in two walking tours (this Thursday and next) of the proposed MBTA overlay district. Register for the Needham Housing Coalition-led tours here.

Do you have a business or live in Waltham?

The City of Waltham is in the process of creating its MBTA Communities Plan with an important city council meeting on Aug. 5 and, frankly, the somewhat obtuse effort needs support from businesses and housing advocates to advance.

Please join our friends at the Waltham Chamber for a lunchtime virtual briefing with CHAPA to learn about the urgent need for activism from the Waltham business community this Thursday (Aug. 1) at noon.

If you have a Waltham connection, you can make a difference. RSVP.

What are you wearing Brad? Why that would be…

Finally this morning, that actor wearing the logo for Needham-based vacuum and small appliance company SharkNinja is a fellow named Brad Pitt, who’s been in a few movies before.

Pitt stars in the new summer race car film “F1” and — as seen in the film’s new trailer — SharkNinja is among his driver character’s sponsors, although the company does not sponsor any race cars or drivers in real life, reports the Globe’s Jon Chesto.

That’s what you need to know for today, unless you need to know that even in Japan merchants are getting fed up with rude customers.

Go Pan-Mass Challenge riders!

Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688

P.S.  I was down for the count with COVID last week and missed it, so I’m especially appreciative to the Needham Channel for this recap of last week’s Needham Night.