An earlier version of this email incorrectly stated the date to which the ability of public corporations and municipalities to conduct official matters virtually has been extended. The correct date is March 31st. 

In this issue....

• 2022 495/MetroWest Employer Survey Results Analysis

• DOER Releases Draft Stretch Energy Code Regulations; Public Hearing in Westborough this Friday 

• Legislative Summary: Bill Extending Pandemic Flexibility Measures, Including Allowance for Remote Meetings, Signed into Law

2022 495/MetroWest Employer Survey Results Analysis

Area Employers Optimistic Despite National Trends; Majority Plan to Hire Staff

The 495/MetroWest Partnership has released an analysis of results from its 2022 495/MetroWest Employer Survey. The survey is undertaken in conjunction with Framingham State University’s MetroWest Economic Research Center (MERC), and is an annual project gauging the outlook and intentions of business leaders across the region.

210 employers took part in the 2022 survey, representing an increase over the 184 participants who responded to the organization’s 2021 survey. Click here to access a graphical representation of the results. 

Highlights from the survey results include:

• 63% of businesses in the 495/MetroWest region expect their revenues to improve this year; 24% are uncertain, with 13% expecting decline.

• In spite of crumbling business confidence statewide, almost half (47%) of 495/MetroWest employers still expect the region’s economic condition to improve.

• 52% of 2022 survey respondents expect to hire additional staff in the 495/MetroWest region over the coming year, with 44% unsure. Only 4% anticipated reducing area staff.

• 51% of businesses that are looking to hire are planning to add permanent full-time staff. An additional 31% of businesses are looking to hire a mix of permanent part and full-time staff.

• 52% of respondents have sourced elements of their supply chain regionally or locally.

• Attributes of the region that continue to be seen as positives by employers include a talented workforce, high quality of life, and the growth of the region's life sciences sector. 

• Workforce and hiring concerns topped employer worries, including the skills gap of applicants and a declining population of 18-24 year olds in the local workforce. Increasing costs and inflationary pressures were also reflected in employer comments. 

The survey was conducted during April and May of 2022. Area chambers of commerce and business associations assisted promoting the survey to their members and partners, including the Corridor 9/495 Regional Chamber of Commerce, the MetroWest Chamber of Commerce, the Milford Area Chamber of Commerce, the Marlborough Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Hopkinton Chamber of Commerce, the Nashoba Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Assabet Valley Chamber of Commerce, and the MetroWest Life Sciences Network.

Innovation Economy

The 495/MetroWest Partnership also undertook an analysis of “Innovation Economy” respondents, including those employers representing the Health Care and Social Assistance; Information; Life Sciences; and Professional, Scientific and Technical Services sectors.

• These companies are more likely to cite public transportation gaps and housing costs as the single most important challenge in accessing or retaining talent in the 495/MetroWest region.

• These companies were more likely to indicate that they planned to grow their workforce by 10% or more.

• Health Care and Social Assistance entities were among the most likely to cite the need to replace an aging workforce as the most common workforce concern.

The survey results were incorporated into the 495/MetroWest Partnership’s annual economic and demographic report, Strength in Numbers, which is used to market the region to site selectors and relocating companies, as well as to advance regional needs to state policymakers. 

DOER Releases Draft Stretch Energy Code Regulations;

Public Hearing in Westborough this Friday

The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) has released draft code language for its Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code. DOER will hold three public hearings to take comments on the draft regulations, including one in Westborough this Friday; see below for details. 

• Click here to access a summary document explaining the Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language

• Click here to access the Residential Low-Rise Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language (red-line of applicable code sections)

• Click here to access the Commercial and Other Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Opt-in Code Language (red-line of applicable code sections)

DOER provided an overview of the draft code language for its Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code, along with responses to frequently asked questions, during a recorded webinar on July 7th; click here to access the slide presentation from that webinar. 

DOER’s Draft Regulations have been filed with the Secretary of State; these codes are now open for public comment. The public comment period will remain open until 5:00 PM EST on August 12th. Written comments are encouraged via email to [email protected] with the words "BUILDING CODE COMMENTS" in the subject line. Alternatively, comments can be submitted via USPS to the attention of Ian Finlayson, Department of Energy Resources, 100 Cambridge Street, Suite 1020, Boston, MA 02114.  

DOER will hold three public hearings to take comments on the draft regulations: 

• Friday, July 22nd, 9:30 to 11:30 AM at the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Road, Westborough MA 01581
• Tuesday, August 2nd, 5:30 to 8:30 PM at the Thomas Crane Public Library, 40 Washington Street, Quincy, MA 02169
• A virtual hearing will be held on August 8th, from 1 PM to 4 PM; click here to register for the virtual session

Please email [email protected] to sign up to provide public comment or to request interpretation services.

Click here to access additional information and resources from DOER regarding the Stretch Energy Code and Specialized Municipal Opt-in Code.

Legislative Summary: Bill Extending Pandemic Flexibility Measures, Including Allowance for Remote Meetings, Signed into Law

On Saturday, July 16th, Acting Governor Polito signed into law legislation extending certain emergency accommodations and flexibilities put into place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation allows for public corporations and municipalities to conduct official matters virtually, including annual shareholder meeting, town meetings, board of selectmen, and notarial acts, to March 31st, 2023.

Click here to access the complete text of the legislation (note the text of the bill as signed into law is reflected in the amendment adopted, to be found under the "Amendments" tab). The legislation included the following provisions: 

SECTION 1: Amends c.186 § 31 by requiring landlords to provide alongside a notice to quit for nonpayment of rent, documentation of any agreements between the tenant and landlord for the tenant to repay the landlord for nonpayment of rent, and information on rental assistance programs, applicable trial court rules, and any relevant federal or state legal restrictions on residential evictions. The law clarifies that a notice to quit for nonpayment of rent is not an eviction notice.

SECTION 2: Extends the Department of Public Health’s ability to impose a penalty of no more than $2,500 on health care providers for failure to comply with advance disclosure of “allowed amounts”, referring to the contractually agreed-upon maximum amount paid by a carrier to a health care provider for a health care service provided to an insured person, to January 1st, 2025.

SECTION 3: Extends provision that sets forth the qualifications for a nurse to perform duties at an assisted living residence, notwithstanding c. 19D § 11, from July 15th, 2022 to March 31st, 2023. 

SECTION 4: Extends provision that requires landlords to provide alongside a notice to quit for nonpayment of rent and information on rental programs, applicable trial court rules, any relevant federal or state legal restrictions on residential evictions, attestation as to whether the dwelling unit is covered under section 4024(a)(1) of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, P.L. 116-136, and attestation as to whether the tenant provided a declaration form pursuant to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order entitled “Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions to Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19”, from July 15th, 2022 to March 31st, 2023. 

SECTION 5: Extends provision that allows for public corporations and municipalities to conduct official matters virtually, including annual shareholder meetings, town meeting, board of selectman, and notarial acts, from July 15th, 2022 to March 31st, 2023. 

SECTION 6: Stipulates that SECTION 1 will take effect on April 1st, 2023.