The Charles River Chamber of Commerce honored Susan Paley, the Village Bank’s retiring Senior Vice President of Community Relations, at its annual Spring Business Breakfast, on Friday, June 7, which was also her last day on the job. Chamber President Greg Reibman spoke of her thoughtfulness, kindness, and support for the broad array of nonprofits across Newton. Gloria Gavris, board member of Newton Community Pride, paid tribute to Ms. Paley’s support for nonprofits, calling her “a catalyst for good.” Nonprofits are stronger because of Susan Paley, she said, and observed that she was also a past president of the Chamber. Ms. Gavris explained that nonprofits fill the void beyond government and survive because of the work of people like Susan Paley.
Ms. Paley told the audience of nearly 300 that the day marked the end of her forty-four years in banking. She credited Village Bank President Joe DeVito – and the entire bank – with strong support for volunteerism and termed her seventeen years as her “dream job.” Newton now is very different from the city it was when her parents moved here in the ‘50s and when she was growing up in the ‘60s, she said. Community engagement is part of the person she is, and she underscored the need for businesses and banks to be engaged in city life.
Before introducing Secretary Ed Augustus, CEO of Eastern Bank Bob Rivers emphasized the importance of running for local boards and commissions as an entry to promoting housing. He urged his audience to get involved locally to understand how to promote more housing at the local level. Echoing a word often used to promote revised zoning laws, Mr. Rivers said, “Vibrancy is critical” and depends on growth. Without more housing development, there is stagnation, he said.
Mr. Rivers credited Secretary Augustus with reviving Worcester when he was its City Manager. In addition, Secretary Augustus has served as a State Senator and was chief of staff for Rep. Jim McGovern. Since his appointment as Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities, he has been traveling the Commonwealth promoting the MBTA Communities Law and the Healey Administration’s Affordable Homes Act.
The Secretary praised the Massachusetts House for voting to add nearly $2 billion to the Governor’s Affordable Homes Act and explained that younger working people in their 20s and 30s are being driven out of the Commonwealth for lack of housing. “By right” housing would allow families to add accessory units for young and older family members. He expressed belief that the Senate and the House would come together to pass the Affordable Homes Act.
Regarding the somewhat controversial MBTA Communities Law, the Secretary said that 71 communities have already adopted zoning changes that will increase multi-family housing stock. He believes the new law will lead to more workforce housing, allowing people who work in the community — teachers, fire fighters, police, and other workforce employees — to live there. Restaurants and other businesses are often forced to cut back hours because the people who work in them live far away.
In defending the MBTA Communities Law, Secretary Augustus noted that it does not eliminate single-family housing; it creates more multi-family zones. It was result of a bi-partisan effort signed by a Republican governor, and it does not mean that all the multi-family housing will be built immediately. Countering the argument that large multi-family housing will overburden schools, the Secretary observed that the school-age population is declining and people are having fewer children later in life. Moreover, repurposing older office buildings or abandoned factories provides communities with multi-family housing that adds character or blends in with the existing architecture. Emphasizing Massachusetts’ record of innovation, he urged that the state needs housing for these innovators. He emphasized the importance of bringing “facts,” not scare tactics, to the local discussion. As Bob Rivers advised, the Secretary recommended that people run for local office to advocate for multi-family housing.
The Breakfast concluded with a four-person panel representing arts and culture, travel and tourism, climate and business technology — each emphasizing their economic interdependence and the way each promoted economic growth and sustainability.
See NewTV’s video of the event.
