Oct. 30, 2026

Good Morning,

Max Woolf here.

In 2024, Massachusetts made community college free.

Two years later, the initiative, funded by the Millionaires Tax, is delivering impressive results.

Enrollment at the state's 15 community colleges has increased by more than 43% since 2022, adding approximately 27,000 students.

And we're seeing that growth right here in our communities. MassBay Community College has seen enrollment jump by 59%, reaching a record 5,555 students this fall.

"That's thousands more people training to become nurses, health care workers and other professionals that our communities and employers need," said Gov. Maura Healey during a visit to MassBay this week.

MassBay President David Podell, who joined Healey for the announcement, spoke about community colleges’ expanded role in preparing more students to enter the workforce and meeting Massachusetts employers' needs.

We're thrilled to have Podell joining our higher education panel at the Chamber's Fall Business Breakfast,  Nov. 13, alongside leaders from Brandeis, Lasell and UMass Amherst.

With more than 400 attendees expected from across our region's businesses, nonprofits and institutions, the breakfast is also one of our best networking opportunities of the year.

We'll kick things off with a full hour to make connections before the program begins.

The event is just two weeks from today. Don't miss your chance to be in the room.

Get your tickets today!

Newton wants Watertown’s demolition rules. But does Watertown?

The Newton City Council’s seemingly endless quest to curb residential teardowns has settled on a new target: the city’s demolition delay ordinance.

The current ordinance allows the Historical Commission to delay demolition of historically significant buildings for 12 months.

Last Week, Zoning and Planning Committee Chair Lisle Baker and much of his committee backed doubling that delay to 24 months, explicitly citing neighboring Watertown's two-year ordinance as a model.

But there's a crucial detail Baker and some his collegues appear to have overlooked: Watertown is now considering easing the very rules Newton wants to adopt.

Recognizing that historic preservation can conflict with housing production and economic development, Watertown councilors are proposing exempting projects within Watertown Square's MBTA Communities zoning district, along with developments containing at least 50% affordable housing.

In other words, while Newton looks to tighten restrictions, Watertown is exploring ways to make its ordinance more flexible. We’d urge Newton to do the same.

…And here’s why those exemptions matter 

Consider 1314 Washington Street in West Newton, where Beacon Communities hopes to transform a historic former bank into 72 fully affordable apartments under the city's MBTA communities zoning.

Beacon is currently seeking a waiver of the city’s demolition delay to stay on a time-sensitive affordable housing funding track. However, approval of the waiver has become increasingly uncertain as the project's affordability and lack of parking seem to attract new opponents every week.

Adding another year to an already potential year-long delay could sink the project — precisely the situation Watertown's proposed exemptions seek to accommodate.

Friday grab bag

• With Election Day approaching, the race for governor made its way to Newton this week, as Gov. Maura Healey and her Republican challenger, Mike Minogue, made dueling stops at local restaurants. (Fig City News)
• The MBTA is hosting two virtual public meetings on Nov. 4 and Nov. 17, both from 6 to 7:30 p.m., to gather input on its long-term plan to transform commuter rail into a modern regional rail system.
  
• The former Mattress Superstore on Beacon St. in Cleveland Circle is in line to become a combo Dunkin'/Jimmy John's. (U-Hub).
  
• Applications are open for nine affordable apartments at One Wingate East, a new 55-plus independent living community at 589 Highland Avenue in Needham. Eligible households have until Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. to apply for the lottery.
  
• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) beneficiaries from Sudan and Ukraine continue to retain TPS protections and employment authorization despite the expiration of their previously designated TPS periods.
  
• Newton Neighbors’ annual gift card drive hopes to match last year’s $27,000 in grocery gift cards for more than 400 local families. Donate through Dec. 1.
  
• Sam Mintz of Brookline.News has the latest roundup from the Select Board, including its decisions to reaffirm plans for new bike lanes on Chestnut Hill Avenue and boost funding for BIG, Brookline’s community media organization.
  
• Chamber member Boston Children’s Hospital, which recently opened its new Needham campus, received a record-breaking $200 million gift from the Celtics new ownership group. It’s the largest in the hospital’s history. (Boston Globe)
• Watertown’s Commission on Disability, World in Watertown and Watertown Free Public Library are hosting a panel discussion on barriers to health care for people with disabilities on Wednesday, Nov. 4, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the library. Panelists will share professional and personal experiences, with ASL interpretation and live captioning provided.
  
• Wellesley businesses can register through Nov. 6 to participate in the Wellesley Merchants Association’s Holiday Stroll on Dec. 6, including the option to serve as a scavenger hunt stop in Wellesley Square. Registration is open to members and nonmembers of the association.
• Brookline businesses can register to be part of First Light, the annual holiday season kickoff on Dec. 3 from 4–6 p.m.  Also open to members and non chamber members.

North Hill’s expansion comes into view 

Needham’s largest senior housing provider is getting even bigger.

North Hill has unveiled plans for a new wing of its Needham campus, featuring 39 independent living units, along with 12 additional units through renovations to its existing buildings.

In a recent presentation to the town’s Design Review Board, North Hill outlined plans for the four-story building, which will connect to the existing campus via an elevated walkway and feature elevators, accessible outdoor paths and a parking garage with approximately one space per unit.

The expansion was approved in a Town Meeting vote this spring that gave North Hill greater flexibility to build under its existing zoning, helping the senior living community meet growing demand.

Four down, one to go

Starting this Sunday, Nov. 1, Watertown will begin enforcing its Skip-the-Stuff ordinance. Once Brookline follows suit next July, restaurants across all five of our chamber communities will be expected to follow the rules.

Under the policy, restaurants can only provide single-use takeout items, including utensils, straws and condiment packets, upon request or at self-service stations.

The chamber supports Skip-the-Stuff because it reduces waste while saving restaurants money. We hope enforcement will prioritize education over penalties as businesses adjust.

Learn more and access resources for restaurants.

That's all you need to know today, unless you know that Newton’s traffic is so bad that a baby was born on the Pike.

P.S. The chamber recommends that you vote Yes on Question 7, No on Question 8 and, for Needham voters, Yes on Question 10.

P.P.S. Happy Halloween. And remember daylight saving time ends Saturday night.

Max Woolf (he, him)

Public Policy and Government Affairs Manager

Charles River Regional Chamber

617-431-6101

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