Returning to the office requires all kinds of adjustments.
Including expectations about the cost of lunch.
Lunchflation is causing sticker shock for workers and another challenge for restaurants.
With the cost of everything going up, our restaurants are struggling with rising expenses just as they look to lure back long-lost lunch hour business from workers who’d become accustomed to relying on their own refrigerators for more than two years, writes Rachel Wolfe at the Wall Street Journal.
The average price of wraps in major cities is up 18% since last March, sandwiches are up 14%, salads have gone up 11% and burgers are costing an average of 8% more, according to the payments company Square.
Meanwhile, the conflict in Ukraine, a major global wheat producer, is expected to further drive up U.S. food prices. And because Russia is a main producer of fertilizer, the war could affect what is grown on American soil, according to the Washington Post.
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Newton could mandate big buildings slash energy use
The Fuller administration outlined plans last night that would require the city's largest commercial buildings, nonprofit facilities, housing complexes, municipal buildings and college campuses to gradually reduce emissions to net zero.
Approximately 400 buildings across the city could be impacted by proposed rules, including an estimated 265 commercial properties that are responsible for 23% of Newton’s total carbon emissions, according to calculations from Newton's Citizen's Commission on Energy. (Presentation slides here).
The ordinance, which requires city council approval, would be modeled after the BERDO 2.0 program in Boston and phased-in over time. The idea appears to have the council's initial support.
Williams Ferguson, co-director of sustainability for the city, and City Councilor Deb Crossley outlined the process to the council last night. Both committed to working with stakeholders, including property owners, the Economic Development Commission and the chamber.
They estimated that it could take up to a year before an ordinance is ready for a vote.
Our other communities also eye energy reduction plans
And Needham’s Climate Action Plan Committee met for the first time last night as the group begins its work towards developing long-term climate goals. More here.
Biden administration lays down new rules too
Meanwhile, newly proposed rules before the Securities and Exchange Commission would require publicly traded companies to report information on greenhouse-gas emissions, the New York Times reports.
Under the rules, publicly traded companies would be required to report greenhouse-gas emissions from their own operations as well as from the energy they consume, and to obtain independent certification of their estimates.
Learn more about building sustainability
ļ»æ We'll be exploring the challenges, costs and opportunities relative to making buildings more sustainable at series of chamber programs this year, starting with a webinar on April 26. Scroll down to register.
Needham's other newspaper continues
When I wrote last week about Gannett’s plans to stop printing the Needham Times, Newton Tab, Watertown Tab & Press and 16 other printed papers across the region, I should have also mentioned that the printed edition of Hometown Weekly continues to serve Needham.
In fact, this month the Hometown Weekly group celebrated 25 years in business, including 17 in Needham.
Hometown Weekly provides a valued path for businesses to reach customers and a platform for nonprofits and others to promote events and publish announcements.
And even during the earliest, darkest days of the pandemic, the company "did not once miss a single week of delivering the news to the six towns it covers,” notes Adam Witham, GM, at Hometown Weekly.
Unfortunately, their Needham edition rarely, if ever, covers meetings, development, local elections, crime and other essential news. That’s a void that still needs to be filled by somebody.
Other need to knows
It’s now possible to ride the Green Line from Riverside all the way to Union Square in Somerville. But note that you’ll need to use a new fare system on your return trip. (TheMedford portion of the Green Line extension project is scheduled to open later this summer.)
Looking to guidance on donating to charities supporting the victims of the Ukraine invasion? The Attorney General's Office has recommendations on how to determine whether acharitable organization is legitimate.
Rotary Clubs from across the region will host a DEI summit on Saturday (March 26). Learn about available resources, actions you can take, and programs you can plan to change lives in your community. This event is open to all, including other community members, businesses and educators working on DEI issues. Details
The Wellesley Celebrations Committee is looking for Wellesley businesses that are celebrating a milestone anniversary this year. They will be recognized and presented with a plaque during Wellesley’s Wonderful Weekend in May. Email me and I’ll pass it along.
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Wellesley extinguishes smoke shop proposal
Wellesley’s board of health has rejected a variance application for proposed smoking and vape products shop in Wellesley lower falls, according to the Swellesley Report.
Blue Moon Smoke Shop was looking to open at the site for the former Village Market at 9 Washington Street. The company, which has 10 other locations, was not planning on selling flavored tobacco, rolling papers, or liquid nicotine products of more than 35mg and had sought to operate in in the name of “freedom of commerce."
Public art program should sit well in village centers
Newton Community Pride will be paying artists to refurbish and decorate 19 church pews donated by Newtonville’s Boston Chinese Evangelical Church, which is in the process of renovating its sanctuary. Go here for details and to learn how to submit your design.
Our retailers, restaurants and other businesses are so grateful to NCP and our local artists for this effort and all the support they’ve provided to enliven our village centers.
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