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They have good reasons for running

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They have good reasons for running

Good morning friends,


Remember Ballot Question No. 5 from last November, which sought to raise the tipped wage for, among others, restaurant workers?


Massachusetts voters rejected the idea.  


However, a similar law was passed by voters in Washington, DC.  It’s now being cited for pushing restaurants “to the brink,” contributing to a rash of restaurant closures there, reports the Washington Post.


Needham businesses unhappy with proposed road diet

 

On Thursday, a group of Needham Center merchants met with Select Board Chair Kevin Keene to air opposition to a proposed redesign of Great Plain Ave. that would narrow the roadway to allow for wider sidewalks, pedestrian improvements, expanded outdoor dining, bike lanes and added greenery.


The federally funded project, known as Envision Needham, is the result of an idea first introduced in 2009 with the goal of revitalizing Needham Center. (The rendering above is one possible scenario for the redesign adjacent to the Needham Town Common.)


Although the project has been the subject of multiple meetings and presentations over the past year, many owners said they were caught off guard by the proposed changes and voiced anger over a perceived lack of communication from the town.


Replacing parking with other amenities is rarely welcomed by business owners.  Some also worried that reducing travel lanes would limit access for deliveries and deter customers who primarily drive to their shops and restaurants.


Others questioned whether prioritizing the convenience of pedestrians and bikes over the vehicle experience was a good idea at all.


Why Needham wants to do this


The idea of putting Great Plain Ave. on what’s known as a road diet (essentially reducing road space to improve safety, calm traffic and create opportunities for other public uses) has been successfully employed to revitalize commercial districts across North America.


In fact, our chamber has hosted several presentations on the topic by renowned urban planner Jeff Speck at our 2022 Fall Business Breakfast and before that in 2017. (I’d also recommend Speck’s 13-minute video from 2017 illustrating one vision for Washington Street in Newton.)


Numerous studies have shown that successful road diets can increase foot traffic and boost businesses without impacting traffic and travel times, a fact the public often treats with skepticism during the planning process.


By all measures, Great Plain Ave., with two wide travel lanes in each direction dividing Needham Center, is an ideal candidate for this kind of reinvigoration.


Indeed, the road diet the town is considering testing during a pilot starting in July could very well enhance the viability and vitality of Needham Center for decades to come.


However, if you’re a small business owner struggling to survive week by week, month by month, quarter by quarter (and many businesses are struggling these days), changes that could disrupt your operation and customer shopping patterns for several years feel insurmountable.


For that reason, it's easy to understand why so many of our current merchants are alarmed.


Last week’s meeting ended with businesses asking the town to slow down or pause the project's implementation to allow more time for their input to be meaningfully considered.


Town officials assure me they’re taking the merchants’ concerns seriously.


Healey aims to help manufacturers navigate tariffs


Gov. Maura Healey has launched a new initiative designed to give Massachusetts manufacturers a place to turn when looking to navigate ever-changing federal tariffs.


“In Massachusetts, we will not abandon our manufacturers the way that President Trump has by waging a trade war against our allies that is increasing costs for everyone and hurting American businesses,” Healey said in a statement.


The Healey administration is also changing the state’s primary corporate tax-break program to better target early-stage companies that have yet to turn a profit, the BBJ reports.


Tuesday grab bag

  • Do you have a business-related concern, or question, you want to share or ask Congressman Jake Auchincloss?  Attend tomorrow’s (Weds) at 2 p.m. at our virtual Business Community Town Hall.
  • The state Department of Environmental Protection is delaying enforcement of minimum electric truck sales requirements, rules many businesses, municipalities and dealers said were too hard to meet. (State House News)
  • Wellesley College has announced a hiring freeze.
  • Across town, Babson College has unveiled plans to build a new Executive Lodge and Conference Center for its professional and executive learning programs.
  • Watertown is now officially compliant with the MBTA Communities Law. Among our four chamber communities, only Needham has yet to pass a plan. That should be rectified next month when Town Meeting is expected to pass a scaled-back version of the plan rejected by voters in January.
  • More than two dozen Jewish groups, including Congregation Dorshei Tzedek in Newton, have filed a legal brief denouncing the Trump administration's arrest of Tufts international student Rümeysa Öztürk in the name of antisemitism. (Axios)
  • Luna’s Cakes & Coffee is moving into the former Starbucks in Newton Centre. (Contrarian Boston).
  • LaColaborativa’s Spring Into Success Job Fair takes place next Thurs. (April 24), offering businesses a chance to connect with a diverse talent pool and network with other local employers.
  • The ICE Detainee Locator System can be used to locate a detainee who is currently in ICE custody or who has been in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s custody for more than 48 hours.
  • 75% of US scientists who answered a poll by the journal Nature said they consider leaving the U.S, with many saying they were looking for jobs in Europe and Canada.

Join the chamber’s volunteer corps


We're looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support a variety of chamber activities, from helping with events and office projects to joining our Small Shops outreach team.


Whether you have a few hours a week, or just want to help occasionally, it would be great to have you involved. Use this form to let us know you're interested.


They’re running for good reasons


Finally, this morning, about 32,000 runners will be passing through Wellesley and Newton next Monday as part of the 129th Boston Marathon.


Among them will be about 50 runners scaling Heartbreak Hill on behalf of one of our chamber member nonprofits.  


Below is a list of our nonprofits with one or more marathoners running on their behalf, with links so you can donate in support of their commitment.  

(Did we miss your organization?  If your nonprofit is a chamber member, email Tracey Antaya and let her know about your 2025 Boston Marathon charitable runners.  We will update our list here and share it in Friday’s newsletter too.)


Together, let’s celebrate community, compassion and the power of running for a cause.



And that’s what you need to know for today — One Boston Day — unless you need to know that breathing dirty air is worse for your health than we thought.


Greg Reibman (he, him)

President & CEO

Charles River Regional Chamber

617.244.1688


Max Woolf and Tracey Antaya contributed to today’s newsletter.


P.S. Enjoy one last look at last week’s Spring Seasonings, from the team at NewTV’s Newton News


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