Elections

LETTER: Resident Urges Voters to Learn About CPA Before Voting

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Dear Watertown Friends & Neighbors,

It is 43 days to Election Day, Nov. 8th. The local referendum, Question 5, regarding the Community Preservation Act is on the ballot again. Vote YES and your taxes will be raised through a 2 percent tax surcharge on your annual property tax assessment for at least five years and possibly beyond. The monies will go to support only three special interests: (1) open space/recreation, (2) historic preservation, and (3) affordable housing.

Elections

LETTER: Resident Urges Watertown to Vote for the Community Preservation Act

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Nov. 8 is fast approaching and it is time to make a commitment to vote yes on Question 5 – the Community Preservation Act. By not voting yes in 2005 we have lost $15 million that could have been used for historic preservation, parks and recreation facilities, and low income housing in Watertown. Our community has been contributing to the State Registry of Deeds which is the basis of CPA funding – but has received nothing in return. The surcharge on your tax bill is 2 percent of your real estate tax – $10 a month for the average household.

Elections

Warren Tolman Speaking at Fundraiser for Pro-Community Preservation Act Group

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Invest In Watertown invites you to a FUNdraiser! Help bring the Community Preservation Act to Watertown! Invest in Watertown announced it will host a Conversation, Food, and Drink with Warren Tolman. The former State Senator and FOX 25 Commentator will discuss the 2016 Presidential Election. The meeting is Sunday, Oct. 2 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the new Marriott Residence Inn, 570 Arsenal St.

Election 2016

Devaney, Koutoujian Win in Watertown, Clinch Nominations

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Marilyn Petitto Devaney won the Watertown vote for Governor’s Council with 60 percent of the vote, and was declared the winner. Also, Sheriff Peter Koutoujian won Watertown with nearly 90 percent of the vote. The primary election only brought out 1,845 voters, or close to 8 percent of the registered voters in town. Town Clerk John Flynn said that amount is slightly higher than anticipated. Devaney, a former Watertown Town Councilor, received 1,004 votes in her hometown, but the district includes 27 communities.

Community Preservation Act

Community Preservation Act Approved to go on Watertown Ballot

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The Community Preservation Act in Watertown will be on the ballot in town this November when residents will get to vote on whether create a fund for open space, affordable housing and historical preservation by adding a surcharge to tax bills. This will be the second time the CPA has been on the ballot in Watertown. In 2005 the measure made the ballot but was voted down. This time a group called Invest in Watertown has resurrected the effort, and on Tuesday announce they had the signatures needed to get on the ballot. Even before the CPA officially made the ballot, the Concerned Watertown Homeowners Association came out opposing adding to the town’s tax rates for the CPA (see the group’s letter here).

Elections

A Couple Candidates with Local Ties on Thursday’s State Primary Ballot

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There’s an election this week on an unusual day – Thursday – and there are some locals on the ballot. The State Primary was moved to Thursday by Secretary of State William Galvin to avoid a conflict with the day after the Labor Day holiday. Polls will be open on Sept. 8 from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Democrats have two contested races to vote in, and both races feature people with local ties. Longtime Governor’s Councilor Marilyn Petitto Devaney, a former Watertown Town Councilor will be running for reelection.

Elections

See What a Group of Voters Decided About Legalizing Marijuana in Mass.

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Following three days of presentations and testimony a group of voters from around the state have put together a statement to help voters navigate Question 4, the ballot measure that, if passed, would legalize the sale of marijuana in Massachusetts. The group of 20 voters, who are from a range of areas, backgrounds and ages, met in Watertown as part of the Massachusetts Citizens’ Initiative Review pilot program. State Rep. Jonathan Hecht was one of the people spearheading the effort, which also was lead by Tufts University’s Tisch School of Civic Life, as well as, Healthy Democracy, a group that started the CIR process in the state of Oregon. Last week, the voters heard from proponents and opponents of the ballot measure, along with five neutral experts in fields relevant to marijuana legalization, including health, finance, the law and people from states where marijuana has been legalized. The created a statement that, if the CIR process is adopted by the Massachusetts Legislature, would be included in the voter information pamphlet sent out by the Secretary of State’s office.