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Will Watertown hit a second home run?

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Will Watertown hit a second home run?

Watertown’s emergence as a life sciences hub has been a home run.

Some 70 biotechs have a Watertown address, amidst 2.2 million SF of built or under development lab space.
 
The lab sector has generated millions in local tax revenues, allowing for a significant public investment in infrastructure (three elementary and a new high school -- without an override!), a fully funded pension plan and other improvements.

Doesn’t hurt that these companies are doing work aimed at making our lives better and keep us healthier.

Now Watertown hopes to hit the ball out of the park again in another sector aimed at making our world better by becoming a destination for employers and workers in climate tech.

Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll, Economic Development Sect. of Economic Development Yvonne Hao and other state leaders were in Watertown Square yesterday touting that very possibility.

They came to tour Via Separations, a clean tech startup that just moved into a 50,000 SF space at Berkley Investment’s recently renovated former mill building at 64 Pleasant Street.

Via Separations emerged from MIT in 2017 and has developed a technology that reduces the amount of energy required in the manufacturing process, resulting in lower carbon creation, lower energy usage and lower costs. 

The company now has 500 local employees and expects to keep growing.

The governor pointed to Via Separations as an example of the kind of start-up that could thrive under the Mass Leads Act, the centerpiece of her economic development bill that looks to emulate the state’s life science success by also making Massachusetts a global climate tech leader.

Healey’s vision was bolstered by a new analysis finding that her 10-year, $1.3 billion climate tech investment could generate $16.4 billion in economic activity – representing a total 12-to-1 return on investment while creating 6,670 new jobs.

That could be great for Watertown and other parts of the state. And – of course – great for the planet.

“Since Governor Patrick implemented the Life Sciences Initiative in 2008, Watertown has become home to a thriving cluster of biotechnology companies,” City Manager George Proakis said yesterday. “With the launch of the ClimateTech Initiative, we look forward to working with Governor Healey to grow the climate innovation industry in Watertown and help the Commonwealth become a global leader in this emerging industry."

So much for this long standing NIMBY argument 

If the City of Newton had a dollar for every time someone stood up at a meeting to oppose multi-family housing because it would lead to overcrowded schools, the city might not now be considering opening its schools to kids from neighboring towns.

But that’s exactly what the school committee will consider Monday, as part of an effort to address shrinking enrollment and raise revenue, writes the Globe James Vaznis.

Newton Public Schools enrollment has declined yearly since 2018, a net loss of more than 1,100 students -- or nearly 10 percent -- over that time.
 
Much of that decline is attributable to the scarcity of new housing for young families, made worse because many empty nesters are staying in homes larger than they need because of a lack of downsizing options.
 
The first year of the program now under consideration in Newton could bring in up to 70 students from neighboring communities. That could result in a net gain of $1.3 million over five years, assuming all of the 70 students stay for five years, adds Bryan McGonigle at the Newton Beacon.

Real estate taxes from multi-family housing could raise a heck of a lot more.

We need to do more events like this 

Our thanks to the Davis Museum at Wellesley College for hosting one of our more interesting networking events of the year in their galleries on Wednesday.

Attendees included a mix of arts professionals and chamber regulars from more traditional business sectors who don’t spend a lot of time inside art museums. (I'm trying to nicely say there were a bunch of bankers there.)

It made for some engaging conversations, particularly related to the fascinating and challenging “Lorraine O’Grady: Both/And” exhibit.

We look forward to hosting more such events, coordinated by our new Arts & Culture Committee. 

And if you haven’t seen it, you should check out the O’Grady exhibit before it closes on June 2. Admission is always free.

Friday grab bag

  • The Newton Vegan Chef Challenge has begun. Throughout May, participating restaurants are serving newly-created vegan dishes to help get more plant-based meals on the table. Both take out and in person diners can vote for favorites.


  • The five candidates for Newton’s two state representative seats discussed their views on housing policy this week. (Newton Beacon)

  • The Asian Community Fund (ACF) at the Boston Foundation is the first and only philanthropic fund in Massachusetts dedicated to activating, convening, and supporting the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. Learn more.


  • The Watertown Planning Board will discuss the proposed project at 10-30 Manley Way to repurpose an existing structure into lab R&D use. May 8, 7 p.m.

  • Whoops: I listed the wrong day in Tuesday’s newsletter for One Can Help’s benefit supporting underserved children. It’s Monday (May 6) at Brewer's Tap & Table, Waltham.

  • Early bird discount tickets to our annual Spring Business Breakfast, June 7, at the Needham Sheraton, are now on sale for a limited time. 

Plastic bottle ban off the table in Needham 

Needham Local has an update on the decision by Green Needham to remove a proposed ban on the sale and distribution of plastic water bottles from the Town Meeting citizens' petition warrant article.

The decision came after hearing from local restaurants owners about the supply chain challenges of finding reasonable alternatives. The petition still proposes bans on polystyrene, plastic stirrers and plastic splash guards and restricts plastic straws to by request only.

We’re grateful to Green Needham for listening to the concerns of our independent small businesses and support the rest of the article.

The Needham Observer has a thorough overview of what else is on next week’s Town Meeting docket.

Remembering Cathy Brauner

Cathy Brauner

Finally today, for three decades no one knew more about Wellesley than Cathy Brauner, the long-time editor of the Wellesley Townsman newspaper.

Brauner was tenacious. I’m sure there were more than a few town leaders who were quite fearful anytime she called, or when the print edition of the Townsman arrived each Thursday.

That’s because she loved Wellesley passionately and believed in holding her hometown leaders and Wellesley neighbors to the highest standards.

I had the privilege of being the Townsman’s publisher during some of those years. Technically, that means I was her boss. But no one was Cathy Brauner’s boss. To be honest, those of us privileged to work with her, and learn from her, were a little intimidated by her intensity too.

But we came to learn that she had a heart of gold and was basically a softy -- dedicated to her two children (and later, two grandchildren), her rescue dogs, to journalism, to her work, and to her community.

I understand from her daughter Hyacinth that her mom passed away this week. I know the Swellesley Report is planning a tribute.

She will be deeply missed. 

That’s what you need to know for today (say it loud, it’s James Brown’s birthday!) unless you need to know what Fred Flinstone and Barney Rubble really ate for dinner.

Enjoy the weekend, including Cinco de Mayo on Sunday.

Greg Reibman (he, him)
President & CEO
617.244.1688

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