Government

Challenges for Town Council Term: School Projects, Charter Review, Development

By |

Local Girl Scouts lead the Pledge of Allegiance during the 2019 Watertown Inauguration at the Mosesian Center for the Arts on Thursday night. The newly inaugurated Town Council has several challenges coming down the road over the next two years, including school building projects, the Town Charter review and the development in town that just keeps going. Town Council President Mark Sideris discussed the issues that will face Watertown in the upcoming Town Council term at Thursday night’s Inauguration Ceremony at the Mosesian Center for the Arts. Town Clerk John Flynn administered the oath of office to Town Council President Mark Sideris; Town Councilors Anthony Donato, Tony Palomba, Caroline Bays, John Gannon, Angeline Kounelis, Lisa Feltner, Vincent Piccirilli and Kenneth Woodland; School Committee members Kendra Foley, Lindsay Mosca and David Stokes; and Library Trustees Sheppard Ferguson and Teddy Kokoros. Coming Challanges

Town Council President Mark Sideris spoke about the priorities for the upcoming Town Council term at Thursday’s inauguration.

Elections

Town Officials Must Decide How to Fill Open Library Trustee Seat

By |

Thursday night, the winners of the 2019 Watertown Election will be sworn in, but there will be one fewer elected official taking the oath following the resignation of one of the Library Trustee winners. Mara Dolan, one of three people elected as a Trustee to the Watertown Free Public Library, informed Watertown Town Clerk John Flynn in December that she will not be serving on the board. “Basically, she took another job in another community and moved outside Watertown,” Flynn said. Dolan could not be reached for comment, but she sent a letter to Flynn, which he received on Dec. 17, 2019.

Around Town

Community Preservation Committee Invites Public to Interactive Forum

By |

The Community Preservation Committee invites the public to find out more about the Community Preservation Act during an interactive public forum. Attendees can share their ideas to help the CPC plan to spend the CPA funds on affordable housing, open space/recreation, and historic preservation. The event will be held Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2020 from 7-9 p.m. at Tufts Health Plan, in the Mt. Auburn Rooms North & South, 705 Mt.

Around Town

Find Out What’s Open & Closed on Christmas in Watertown

By |

Most government offices, retail stores and restaurants will be closed on Christmas Day. A few will remain open, at least part of the day. Government

State and Federal offices: Closed

Town Hall: Closed

Library: Closed

Senior Center: Closed

Post Office: Closed

Mass. RMV: Closed

Retailers

Most will be closed, but can be open at owner’s discretion. Liquor Stores: Closed

CVS will be open on Christmas: Watertown Square location will be open 24 hours, the Watertown Street and Mt.

Government

OP-ED: Details of Au Pair Ruling, Constituent Meeting

By |

State Sen. Will Brownsberger

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

For my constituents with concern or interest in the new Au Pair Ruling, I’m holding a discussion meeting: Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 12:30PM – 2 p.m., Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room, Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St, Watertown, MA 02472 (See below for more details on the ruling)

A federal appellate court ruling has created a difficult situation for some families who rely on “au pair” arrangements for their child care. The ruling upheld the application of the Massachusetts Domestic Workers Bill of Rights to au pair arrangements. In an “au pair” arrangement, a young person comes from another country to live with a U.S. family. In return for room and board, they provide child care. In many cases, they are treated very well, often as a family members.

164-166 Main St.

Five Story Apartment Building Approved on Main Street in Watertown

By |

A view of 164-166 Main Street, a five story apartment building with a commercial space on the ground floor. A new building will be added to Watertown’s skyline near Watertown Square after the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a five story apartment building on Main Street. The approval of the project at 164-166 Main Street was made Wednesday night. The site used to be occupied by a convenience store (Store 24 then Tedeschi’s and briefly 7-Eleven) and sits across from Town Hall. The building will have four stories with 34 apartments, on top of a garage and commercial or office space.

Government

Town Councilor Finished Encore, Served for More Than a Dozen Years

By |

The Town Council recently honored Susan Falkoff after her last Council meeting. She served nearly 14 years. The Town Council bid farewell to a long-serving member, last week. Susan Falkoff leaves the Council after nearly 14 years of service, and the last stretch was a bonus. It was not that long ago that the Town Council was honoring Falkoff with a proclamation.