The Planning Board will hold a public hearing on whether to allow short-term rentals in Watertown. A City Council committee will look at increasing the exemption allowed on personal property, which would reduce the burden on businesses. The full Council will meet Tuesday and discuss establishing a committee to examine Councilor salaries.
Monday night at 6 p.m., the City Council’s Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight will discuss increasing the personal property tax exemption from $5,000 to $10,000. The Watertown Business Coalition supports the idea, saying it would give some tax relief to small businesses. The Committee will also discuss creating a real estate transfer tax. The meeting will be held in the Third Floor Conference Room in City Hall. Remote participation will also be allowed. See the agenda here.
On Tuesday, the City Council will vote on whether to create a Blue Ribbon Committee to study City Councilor salaries, including what the duties would be, how many members it would have, and what are the desirable qualities for members. The Council will also vote on the 54 recommended projects from the Capital Improvement Plan. The meeting will be held March 12 at 7 p.m. in City Hall with remote participation available. See the whole agenda here.
The Planning Board will have a public hearing on an ordinance to add short term rentals, such as AirBNB and VRBO, as an allowed use in the Watertown Zoning Ordinance. If approved by the Planning Board, the ordinance would then go to the City Council for a public hearing and vote. The meeting will take place on Wednesday, March 13, at 7 p.m. in City Hall and remote participation is available. See the agenda here.