Development

Councilor Explains Her Decision to Delay Vote on Galen Street Zoning; Info Meeting Planned

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The proposal for properties on Galen Street if requested zoning changes go through. Last week, Town Councilor Lisa Feltner decided to invoke a rule that delays the vote of the Town Council until the next meeting. The issue being considered was the rezoning of some parcels along Galen Street requested by a developer. Below you can read her letter explaining her decision. Feltner also announced that she has booked space at the Watertown Library on Wednesday night to meet with residents, and hear their concerns about the proposal.

Government

Middlesex DA, Police Chief to Speak at Forum on Immigration in Watertown

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A panel discussion to support immigrant communities in Watertown and Middlesex County will be held at the Library on Feb. 20. Middlesex DA Marian Ryan, State Rep. Jonathan Hecht and Watertown Police Chief Michael Lawn will host a the conversation. According to Rep. Hecht’s office, the event is a panel discussion and Q&A on immigration in Middlesex County cities, towns, and courthouses, and aims to foster a supportive environment for our local immigrant residents.. The organizers sent out the following information:

Please join us for a Conversation about immigration in our cities, towns and court across Middlesex County.

Boston Development Group

Zoning Changes Wanted to Create Galen St. Project, Councilor Wants More Community Input

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The proposal for properties on Galen Street if requested zoning changes go through. Owners of properties along Galen Street and Water Street seek zoning changes so they can build a biotech complex with a park, but the District Councilor said she wants the public to be able to weigh in before the change goes through. Tuesday night, Boston Development Group came forward requesting the zoning change. The developers have purchased a number of properties east of Galen Street, and while more than 80 percent of the land is in the Industrial 2 (I-2) zone, about 17 percent is zoned as Limited business. They have requested that all the parcels be zoned I-2.

Government

Residents Have 2 Chances to Meet with State Rep. Jonathan Hecht

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State Rep. Jonathan Hecht

The following announcement was provided by State Rep. Jonathan Hecht’s office:

Representative Jonathan Hecht will hold office hours twice in Watertown in February. Constituents are invited to meet with Representative Hecht at the following times and locations:

Tuesday, February 11th

8:30-9:30 a.m.Watertown Town Hall149 Main St, 3rd Floor hallway

Thursday, February 20th5:00-6:00 p.m.Watertown Free Public Library123 Main St, Lucia Mastrangelo Meeting Room

Anyone unable to attend these office hours can call Representative Hecht at 617-722-2140 to schedule an appointment at another time.

Business

Watertown’s First Marijuana Dispensary Gets Approval from ZBA

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Watertown’s first recreational marijuana dispensary received approval from the Zoning Board, but Town officials will be keeping an eye on lines and traffic at the facility in East Watertown. 

On Jan. 22, the Zoning Board of Appeals approved the special permit requested by Natural Selections to make changes to prepare for adult-use marijuana sales. 

When sales will begin at the dispensary in a building at the rear of the 23 Elm St. is not certain. Chief Operating Officer Aidan O’Donovan said medical marijuana sales will begin when the state’s Cannabis Control Commission gives approval. The group hopes to be on the CCC’s agenda in February.

Elections

Early Voting Available to Watertown Voters for Presidential Primary

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The following announcement was provided by the Town Clerk’s Office:

The Massachusetts State Legislature with the concurrence of Governor Charles D. Baker has authorized a five day early voting period prior to the March 3, 2020 Massachusetts Presidential Primary. Early voting will be held Monday, February 24, 2020 through Friday, February 28, 2020. The dates and times are as follows:

Monday, February 24 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Tuesday, February 25 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.Wednesday, February 26 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Thursday, February 27 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.Friday, February 28 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Early voting will be conducted at the Administration Building (Town Hall), 149 Main St., Watertown, in the Town Clerk’s Office (B-1)

Early voting at this location is open to all Watertown registered voters. The last day to register to vote, in person, or make changes to voter registration (changes to name, address, party) for the March 3, 2020 Presidential Primary is Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020.

Beacon Hill

OP-ED: Details of Mass. Senate’s Climate Change Bills

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

The following piece was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger, who represents Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston:

The Senate Ways and Means Committee just released a bold, thoughtful and comprehensive package of bills designed to accelerate our move away from fossil fuels. The package is being well-received by many environmental leaders and I look forward to voting for it very soon. Back in 2008, I had a hand in passing the Global Warming Solutions Act which set the state on a course to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 25% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. The present package recognizes the latest science and amends the GWSA to set a stronger long-term target – net zero emissions in 2050. 

The package makes the planning process stronger by making the emission reduction targets more detailed: It requires definition of stringent short and medium term targets for each sector of the economy.  It also requires more timely reporting on progress. The package mandates that the Secretary of Environmental Affairs implement “market based compliance mechanisms” to achieve emission reduction goals. “Market based compliance mechanisms” include carbon fees and cap-and-trade systems that put a price on carbon emissions. Most economists believe that this is the most effective kind of approach to transforming our economy – letting people and businesses make their own price-informed choices in the market as to how to reduce emissions.

Affordable Housing

Watertown Given Protection from 40B Projects by Using Little Used Method

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The Town of Watertown has some protection from having dense residential projects allowed under the Chapter 40B law after being certified by the state that the Town meets a rarely used qualification. Under Chapter 40B, communities in Massachusetts have to meet certain level of affordable housing or else they must allow the construction of housing projects with 25 percent affordable housing. Watertown currently requires 15 percent of units to be affordable new apartment complexes. To qualify to avoid a Chapter 40B project, communities can get “Safe Harbor” by having 10 percent or more of its housing units sold or rented at affordable rates. Some communities have met that criteria, but Watertown does not (it has just over 7 percent).