Charter Review Committee

6 Residents on Charter Review Committee Revealed, Consultant Will be Hired

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The 15 members of the Charter Review Committee met for the first time Tuesday night, including the six residents appointed to serve on the group that will make recommendations for how to change the document described as the Town’s constitution. An overview of charter reviews was presented during the virtual meeting by attorney Lauren Goldberg of KP Law, who said the amendments to the Watertown Home Rule Charter could be as minor as changing the wording and fixing grammar and as major as changing the form of government (such as having a mayor or going to a Town Meeting) or changing the way members of a board are selected from elected to appointed. Depending on the magnitude of the change, Goldberg said, the final approval may only need approval of the Town Council and approved by the State Legislature for a small change or having a ballot measure to be approved by Watertown voters for big alteration. The committee will get help during the review from the Edward J. Collins, Jr. Center for Public Management at UMass-Boston, which studies municipal governments in Massachusetts and across the country. Town Council President Mark Sideris said that he hopes to have someone from the Collins Center at the next meeting, on Oct.

Around Town

Video Available for First Meeting of Group Following the Town’s Charter Review

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Watertown Forward, a group that seeks to bring information to residents about the Watertown Town Charter, held its first meeting on Oct. 3. For those who missed it live, the video of the meeting is available to watch online. The Charter Review Committee will begin meeting Tuesday. The review happens every 10 years, and looks at the document that defines how the Town’s government works.

Development

Developers Discuss Project on Galen Street, Traffic & Transit Improvements

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A view looking south from Galen Street of the proposed life science building at 66 Galen Street. Developers of the parcel on Galen Street that includes for former Colonial GMC dealership, say their project will bring millions in property taxes with the new biotech space, and also improve traffic in and around the Galen Street area. Residents remain worried that the gridlock will continue, or move onto side streets. Boston Development Group hosted a virtual community meeting on Oct. 1 to present the planned building, and ways they want to improve the traffic and public transportation in the area.

Business

Second Round of Microenterprise Grants Available for Watertown Businesses

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A lot of money was raised and spent on the 2015 Watertown Election. Companies with five or fewer employees can still take advantage of the microenterprise grants that were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. A second round of grants has been announced by the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation (MGCC). Applications will be accepted from Oct. 2 to Oct.

Government

Watertown Charter Review Committee to Hold First Meeting

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The group that will be reviewing and likely proposing changes to the Watertown Charter will hold its first meeting on Oct. 6. The review of the Home Rule Charter, the document that determines how Watertown’s government works and its structure, takes place every 10 years in years ending in 0. The Charter Review Committee is made up of the nine Town Councilors and six residents appointed by the Town Council President. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct.

Around Town

DPW Recommends Seven Watertown Roads to be Repaved in 2021

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The roads in Watertown proposed to be repaired in 2021. The Department of Public Works recommended that seven roads around Watertown be reconstructed during the 2021 construction season. The list of roads to undergo full reconstruction, including sidewalks, was presented to the Town Council’s Public Works subcommittee on Sept. 24. The roads that made the list are:

Alden Road Sheldon RoadHazel Street (Quimby Street to Dexter Avenue) Gertrude StreetGoldie StreetElmwood AvenueGrandview Avenue (Chapman Street to Copeland Street)

Town Engineer Matt Shuman explained that the roads were chosen were in the greatest state of disrepair.

Government

Watertown Schools Respond to State Letter; Gov. Relaxing Restrictions

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Watertown School officials responded to the letter from state education officials asking them to reopen the schools to in-person learning, saying the Town’s school will remain on their schedule to have students return to elementary schools in late October and to secondary schools in November. Meanwhile, Gov. Charlie Baker announced the relaxing of some of the state’s COVID-19 rules. Last week, the Watertown Schools, and 15 other districts, received a letter from Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley strongly urging the schools to return to in-person learning because the communities have low rates of Coronavirus infections. Watertown remains a “green” community, meaning it is at lower risk of COVID-19 spread. The latest weekly statistics released by the State, as of Sept.

Around Town

Watertown Group Hosting Discussion on Charter Review Process

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The Charles River from Watertown Square

A newly formed group will host a discussion on the once-a-decade review of Watertown’s Town Charter — the document that lays out how the town’s government works. Watertown Forward will host a virtual discussion on Saturday, Oct. 3 from 3-4:15 p.m. The meeting kicks off the group’s effort, which is intended to inform and bring a voice to residents about the Charter Review process. Attendees can learn more about the group and how to get involved. Town officials review the Charter every 10 years, and the 2020 Charter Review process will begin this fall.