Watertown News (https://www.watertownmanews.com/author/guest-writer/page/698/)
To the editor:
As a Watertown citizen of many years, I enthusiastically support the CPA for the following reasons:
1. It would make Watertown a better place to live. Parks, playgrounds, trails and gardens would be developed and improved. Water quality would be protected and climate change impacts would be reduced. Thousands of new, affordable homes for seniors, families, and veterans would be created.
To the editor:
“Say Yes to the CPA”
We are longtime Watertown residents with young children destined for our fine schools, and we are excited to be voting Yes on Question 5. As people who are deeply devoted to our town, we believe that the Community Preservation Act will bring innumerable benefits to us all. When we decided to raise our families here, we did so for two reasons: First, we were inspired by the commitment of Watertown Strong Schools and other advocates to making our schools great. Second – and just as important – we love the community here. Raising four young children between our two families, we enjoy using Watertown’s parks, attending concerts in Saltonstall Park, strolling along the River, and watching the construction vehicles building up our town.
To the Editor,
As a parent who has been deeply involved over the past few years in efforts to improve the quality of the schools in Watertown, I am writing to express my opposition at this time to Ballot Question #5 on the Community Preservation Act (CPA). While I believe that affordable housing, historic preservation, and open spaces and recreation are all positive things for our community, our priority in the next year or two needs to be focused on the decisions we will make as a community on how to finance the renovation, expansion and updating of all the school buildings in Watertown. We are facing what I would call a “generational investment” in our public schools to ensure that our children have facilities to support high-quality 21 st Century education over the next 20-30 years. Previous generations of Watertown residents have demonstrated their commitment to high quality public education by paying for the construction and renovation of our educational facilities, and we have reached the moment when it is our turn to show our commitment – both in sustaining the investments that have been made in the past and in ensuring that current and future residents of Watertown will have excellent public education for their children for the next several decades. Those who are advocating in favor of the CPA are making the case that CPA funding in its mandated areas will enable the town to shift budget lines from those areas s into other areas, including the schools.
The “good folks of Watertown” were recently advised to expect the sound of “strangers knocking on their door.” Please don’t be alarmed. They’re all “good folks of Watertown” too – like me. This is my first and probably last time knocking on doors, because it’s not my favorite thing. However, it’s for a cause I believe in – adoption of the Community Preservation Act, which appears as Question 5 on the November 8 ballot. Along with my fellow members of the Watertown Conservation Commission, I have watched helplessly for years as opportunities for redeveloping property for public recreation are lost because the Town lacks a ready source of funds dedicated to such a purpose.
To the editor,
I’m an elderly woman living on a very fixed income. I make just above the limit to qualify for any subsidy. My rent went up $60 per month this past year. It’s been announced that property taxes will go up between 6 and 10 percent. The building I live in is not owner occupied, so I expect my landlord’s tax increase will be on the higher end.
The Watertown Free Public Library announced it will offer a three hour introductory computer class specifically for seniors who wish to learn the basics of using a computer. There will be plenty of time for questions. The class will be held Saturday, Nov. 12 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Space is limited, so please visit the Adult Reference Desk at the library or call 617-972-6436 to register.
Watertown residents are invited to take part in a support group for family and caregivers of people with mental illness. NAMI Family Support Group is a free, structured, confidential peer-led support group for family members, caregivers and loved ones of individuals living with mental illness. The next one will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 7:30-9 p.m. at Newton Wellesley Hospital, second floor, Bowles Conference Center, Board Room 2, organized by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI).
Editor,
Since the beginning of this year, I have been contacted by numerous supporters of the Community Preservation Act (CPA) seeking my endorsement for the CPA, Ballot Question #5. I have stated to all, I would be hard-pressed to ask more of my constituents, in light of the overwhelming real estate tax increase this past fiscal year. I truly appreciate everyone’s willingness to listen to my viewpoint. On Jan. 17, 2016, I sent communication to Town Manager Michael Driscoll, stressing the fiscal plight of many East Enders relative to their substantial real estate tax increases.