Roberta Schaefer, a founder and president of The Research Bureau — it produces public policy research for the public and public servants — announced her retirement on September 11, about 28 years after she helped get it off the ground. In a September 19 interview, I learned the reasons why The Research Bureau was established, who backed it, what it does, and what accomplishments make Ms. Schaefer most proud.

As a source of high-quality, independent research and analysis of public policy issues, The Research Bureau has been a key resource, as well as formidable influence on public life, in the greater Worcester region. Because its name is synonymous with that of Roberta R. Schaefer, the bureau's founder and longtime leader, her retirement at the end of the year is cause for concern.

You’re having a quiet, leisurely Saturday evening dinner with friends, when one of them passes out. You call 911. Within minutes, a UMass Memorial ambulance arrives. Great. Then, a Worcester Fire Department fire truck shows up. What’s that all about? After all, you didn’t report a fire.

Few organizations are defined by one person, And Those That are Often run the risk of straying from Their mission. In Roberta R. Schaefer and The Research Bureau, Worcester has been blessed with a wonderful exception to that rule.

Roberta Schaefer, who helped found the Worcester Regional Research Bureau nearly 30 years ago, and its president and CEO, will retire around the end of the year, the organization announced today.

Roberta Schaefer, president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, is retiring at the end of the year after spending 28 years with organization. Schaeffer made the announcement at a monthly Executive Committee Wednesday, Sept. 11 with Board of Directors Chair Karen Duffy. Schaefer says she plans to spend more time with her family and pursue other interests, but says she will remained active in civic affairs.

WORCESTER — Roberta R. Schaefer, who has provided independent public policy research to city officials since 1985 as head of the group The Research Bureau, plans to retire at the end of 2013 or as soon after that as the organization can replace her.

Are non-profits adversely impacting the tax base in Worcester? According to a report released today by the Worcester Regional Research Bureau, the hospitals and colleges are becoming huge landowners and the impact is significant and growing.

The latest report from The Research Bureau, "Worcester by the Numbers: Housing and Land Use," is being issued today, and shows a city that, while subject to the same economic forces that have challenged communities throughout New England, retains a distinct personality, better-than-average affordability, and a hard-to-quantify but definite liveability.

The city is on an unsustainable course financially, the Research Bureau states in its latest report.