Affordable Housing

LETTER: Why Question 5 Offers Hope for Those Who Need It Most

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To the Editor:

On Nov. 8, Watertown voters will have a chance to approve the Community Preservation Act, which would provide funding for three kinds of projects in town: historic preservation, expanding and improving open space and recreational facilities, and providing affordable housing. These projects would benefit ALL residents of the community, and could be proposed by anyone. We strongly support approval of the CPA, both because we believe that it will enhance the quality of life in our town in many substantive ways, and also for a more personal reason: we have close friends who are homeless. They are a family of seven.

Elections

LETTER: Town Councilor Explains His Position on the CPA Ballot Question

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Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I’m writing you today to share why I have chosen to vote YES on Watertown’s Question 5 -the Community Preservation Act (CPA). I have changed my mind a couple of times on this one because people that I respect have expressed a lot of good concerns on the contrary. I thought about those concerns a lot but I always come back to the same place when I do and it really dawned on me when I recently attended the 2nd annual candlelight vigil for those lost to the substance use disorder epidemic in Watertown. A great young leader in Watertown rose to speak at the end of the event and made some gracious remarks to the attendees that ended with him professing his love for our town and referring to it as “4 square miles of pure heaven.” Naturally, the event provoked feelings about a lot of things but this comment really inspired me to remember why it is that I do the work I do for Watertown. In weeks since, I’ve looked across the school-yards, playing-fields and the Council chambers and realized that even though we don’t always all agree on every issue, we all really do love this town.

Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee

Members of Town Boards Accused of Violating Ethics Laws in Endorsements of CPA

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Opponents of the Community Preservation Act say the supporters of the ballot measure for the CPA violated the Massachusetts election ethics law by using their appointed office to advocate for the measure. Accusers spoke at Public Forum during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting and said that the entire Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee and a member of the Conservation Commission violated the ethics law. Resident John DiMascio said that Conservation Commissioner Patrick Fairbairn should not have included his role on the commission when he signed a letter to the editor sent to Watertown News this week (click here to see the letter). He also said the entire Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee was in breach of the law when letting their committee be named as a supporter of the CPA on a campaign mailing from Invest in Watertown, the Yes on Question 5 group. Fairbairn said he had no comment about the accusation.

Elections

LETTER: Resident Opposes Ballot Question to Raise Cap on Charter Schools

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The “yes” on charter Schools – Question 2 campaign has provided specious and untrue statements in their literature and TV and radio commercials. I am very concerned from what I hear first hand as I have been canvassing to vote NO on Question #2. People are confused and misled by the Yes Charter School misinformation. I had lobbied the legislators to take the vote to keep the cap on charter schools. I believe it should not be a ballot question.

Elections

LETTER: Conservation Commissioner Believes Town Can Support CPA and Schools

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As I observe and continue to participate in the debate between supporters and opponents of Question 5 (which proposes adoption of the Community Preservation Act by Watertown), I detect at least one salutary outcome. Look at all the publicity we have generated in helping define the public interest! I support voting YES on Question 5. I admire the heartfelt dedication of its opponents from Watertown Strong Schools (WSS), but wince under their “friendly fire.” I consider it needlessly alarmist for voices within WSS to advocate putting off Community Preservation Act adoption in 2016 – for what, another 11 years? Talk to anyone in the Conservation Commission and you will hear that such adoption is outrageously overdue.

Elections

LETTER: Former School Committee Member Opposes the CPA

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When my children attended the Cunniff School, we as parents faced what a lot of parents are facing today — over crowded classrooms, band practice in the hallways while students are trying to learn in the classrooms. I remember when I asked the principal during a PTO meeting what could be done to create more space, he looked at me and said, “I know; I will assign you to be the chairman of the space finding committee.” He was as frustrated as we were. He was right; you cannot create space when all of the available space is being used. So, I began helping people get elected to the school committee. People like Meg Crawford, Kelley MacDonald, John Madden, Jack Bartley and others including my friend, Bob Shay. The new school superintendent at the time knew something had to be done to improve the facility problems. So she started the process of rebuilding our schools.