Government

Next Watertown Square Area Plan Hearing Set for July 16

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The City of Watertown provided the following information:

The Joint Hearing to discuss the Watertown Square Area Plan will continue on July 16, at 6 p.m. in the Watertown Middle School Auditorium at 68 Waverley Avenue in Watertown. This is a continuation of the Joint Hearing held on June 13 and June 27 in the same location. 

This Hearing will be a hybrid meeting, meaning you will have the opportunity to participate virtually on Zoom or in-person. You will also be able to watch the Hearing live online on WCA-TV. 

Access the Plan Document, Q+A Sheet, Hearing’s Recordings, and the June 13 Hearing’s Presentation

We encourage everyone to visit the project website to learn more and to access the plan document. Printed copies of the Plan Document can be found at the Watertown Library and Senior Center. The City of Watertown has also developed a packet of responses to questions about the Watertown Square Area Plan that have been collected from the previous Hearings. If you missed it, we encourage all to watch the recordings of the June 13 and June 27 Hearings, as well as access the slide presentation given by the Project Team about the Plan Document. For more information about the project, or to ask a question about the Joint Hearing, please visit the project website. 

You can also contact the City by dialing 311 in Watertown or by calling 617-715-8660. https://www.watertownmanews.com/2024/07/01/city-council-planning-board-weigh-in-on-watertown-square-area-plan

Government

See How Much Water & Sewer Rates Will Increase This Year

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The City Council approved the water and sewer rates on Tuesday, which will be rising, but they would have been higher if not for an earlier decision. Water and sewer bills will be rising by 3.5 percent for Watertown residents and other customers. A residential customer who uses 4,000 cubic feet of water will see an increase of $26.87 per quarter. The rate for 100 cubic feet of water for tier 1, which is most single family homes, is $5.68 for water, $11.46 for sewer, and $17.14 combined. Despite the increase, City Manager George Proakis said the rate hikes have been higher in recent years, and it is below what had been forecast.

Government

City Manager Seeks to Fill Seats on Human Rights Commission and Traffic Commission

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City Manager George J. Proakis announced he is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Human Rights Commission and the Traffic Commission. Human Rights Commission

All applicants who previously applied will be considered. New applicants should complete and submit a Universal Application no later than Tuesday, July 23, 2024. The Human Rights Commission works to ensure that all persons enjoy equal opportunity to participate in local affairs, including but not limited to housing, employment, education, public accommodation, access to City services regardless of race, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship, age, religion, disability, health status, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, socioeconomic status, ex-offender status, genetic and/or protected class status. The Commission promotes human rights in Watertown through outreach, dialogue, educational forums, the development of an Action Plan, serving as a resource to persons with concerns of discrimination within the City, recommending policies or resolutions for adoption by the City Council, City Manager or other City departments, boards, councils or commissions.

Government

City Hires Planners Who Will Focus on Economic Development & Open Space

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

We are thrilled to announce the hiring of two new Senior Planner positions in Watertown – Erin Rathe as the City’s Senior Planner for Economic Development and Michelle Moon as the City’s Senior Planner for Open Space. Erin joins Watertown from Middlesex 3 Coalition, where she served as the Communications Director, bringing with her extensive experience working on collaborative community projects. In Watertown, Erin will be a leader in implementing the City’s economic development strategies focused on small businesses, corridors, squares, and our emerging industry clusters. Michelle Moon will be joining the Watertown team in August after 6 years as the Principal and Founder of Civic Space Collaborative working on open space, greenways, placemaking, and public arts projects. As Watertown’s Senior Planner for Open Space, Michelle will be enhancing the character and quality of life in the city by ensuring we have high-quality streetscapes, parks, playgrounds, recreation, and open spaces.

Government

City Council & Planning Board Weigh In on Watertown Square Area Plan

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Traffic flows and affordable housing remained front and center issues for city officials who gathered on June 27th to discuss — for the second time this year — the comprehensive redevelopment plan for Watertown Square. The discussion among the City Councilors and Planning Board members circled around what the sticking points of the Watertown Square Area Plan were and how, exactly, they should move forward. “Watertown Square is a failed concept. It’s been failing for 30 years. We need housing.

Government

State Rep. Lawn Honored by Health Care for All Massachusetts

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State Rep. John Lawn received an award from Health Care For All Massachusetts. Pictured, from left, Chairwoman Cindy Friedman (D-Fourth Middlesex, Senate Co-Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing), Chairman John J. Lawn, Jr. (D-Watertown, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Health Care Financing), and Amy Rosenthal (Executive Director of Health Care For All Massachusetts)

The following announcement was provided by State Rep. John Lawn’s office:

State Representative John J. Lawn, Jr. (D-Watertown) received the Health Care for All (HCFA) Rob Restuccia Leadership Award at the HCFA’s annual For the People reception. The award, presented annually, highlight’s individuals and organizations whose leadership and dedication to and for their communities embody the spirit of Rob Restuccia, the former executive director of HCFA. The event serves as their biggest event of the year, gathering hundreds of key stakeholders including health care leaders, policy makers, and key advocates together in support of the HCFA mission: to advocate for health justice in Massachusetts to promote health equity and ensure coverage and access for all. “Chairman Lawn has consistently championed Health Care For All in the Legislature,” said Amy Rosenthal, Executive Director of non-profit organization Health Care For All Massachusetts.

Around Town

Latest Draft of Watertown Square Area Plan Has Some Changes, More Detail

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Public Weighed-in on Proposal at Thursday’s Meeting, No Vote Taken

City Manager George Proakis presents the Watertown Square Area Plan draft to the Planning Board and City Council on Thursday night at Watertown Middle School. (Photo by Charlie Breitrose)

City officials presented the latest draft of the Watertown Square Area Plan to the public on Thursday night, but the City Council and Planning Board did not take a vote on the proposal. They will reconvene in two weeks to continue discussing the report. At the meeting held at Watertown Middle School, City Manager George Proakis said even when the draft is approved, it will not be the end of the process. Rather, he paraphrased a Winston Churchill quote from World War II,

“I actually think we are at the end of the beginning of this process by handing you over a plan,” Proakis said.

Business

Housing Secretary Tells Chamber Crowd That MBTA Communities Act is Key to a Strong Economy

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Ed Augustus, Massachusetts Secretary of Housing & Livable Communities, spoke at the Charles River Regional Chamber’s Spring Business Breakfast. (Courtesy of Charles River Chamber)

NEEDHAM — Building more housing is key to maintaining the local economy and preventing people from leaving the state, the Massachusetts Secretary of Housing and Livable Communities told the audience at last week’s Charles River Regional Chamber’s Spring Business Breakfast. Secretary Ed Augustus urged people at the event held at the Needham Sheraton to support the MBTA Communities Law in their communities, as well as pushing the Legislature to support the Governor’s Affordable Homes Act. He cited the example of a 24-year-old woman who moved home with her parents to save money while getting her graduate degree, and still has not been able to move out — despite having a degree and a good job — because she can’t find a place that she can afford. “Now this woman’s story might be simply unfortunate, if it was unique, but it’s not.