Eileen Hsu-Balzer

School Committee Member Departs After 24 Years of Devotion to Watertown’s Children

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School Committee member Eileen Hsu-Balzer left the board after serving for nearly a quarter century. Few people have touched the lives of as many Watertown children as retiring School Committee member Hsu-Balzer. Last week, the School Committee honored her during her final meeting on the board on which she served six terms.

“Eileen is stepping down after 24 years — an amazing commitment to the Town’s Schools.,” said School Committee Chair John Portz. “You have to go back to 1896 to find anyone who served as along as Eileen has on the Watertown School Committee.” Former School Committee member Tony Paolillo served 12 years with Hsu-Balzer.

Adult Use Marijuana

Two Marijuana Dispensaries Invited to Begin Applying for Locations in Watertown

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A Town Council subcommittee narrowed down the applications for two marijuana dispensaries in town to operators seeking to open in locations in Watertown Square and on Pleasant Street. While the ballot question that legalized recreational marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts prevents communities from banning pot from being sold, communities can limit the number of facilities. The Town Council has limited the number to three in Watertown. One dispensary has been approved to open at 23 Elm Street in the East End, and Town officials accepted applications for the other two dispensaries in town. Thursday evening, the Council’s Economic Development and Planning Committee reviewed the four applications, ultimately asked two to start the approval process: one at 48 North Beacon St.

Government

Council OKs Pay Raise for Town Manager, Gives Performance Evaluation

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Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll. Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll will be getting a raise after the Town Council approved his pay hike following a recent job evaluation. Driscoll’s pay rises $9,500 to $205,000, and the increase is retroactive to the beginning of Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2018). The increase is the first for the Town Manager since 2017. Salary Comparison

When determining the new salary, a review of other Watertown public employees was conducted, as well as the salaries of other communities with Town Managers, Sideris said.

Government

State Rep. Hecht Hosting Two Office Hours to Meet With Residents

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State Rep. Jonathan Hecht

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

Thursday, Dec. 125:00-6:00 p.m.Watertown Free Public Library123 Main St, Raya Stern Trustees Room

Wednesday, Dec. 18

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

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

Government

Town Council Sets Budget Priorities for Fiscal 2021

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A lot of money was raised and spent on the 2015 Watertown Election. The Town Council’s list of priorities for next year’s budget includes funding the school building projects, funding streets and sidewalks. Also, two new ones were added: funding a climate & energy master plan and hiring a consultant to help with the review of the Town Charter. The list of 15 priorities was approved by the Town Council at the Nov. 26 Council meeting.

Government

Snow Closes Watertown Schools, Delays Opening of Town Buildings

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Snow started early Tuesday and will get much heavier during the day. Watertown School officials closed the Public Schools Tuesday due to the snowfall. Also, town facilities will open late due to the storm. A Watertown Public Schools Twitter post sent out Monday night reads:

“Due to the timing of the storm that is predicted for tonight and into the morning hours, all Watertown Public Schools, including the offices, will be closed tomorrow, December 3.” Watertown Town Hall, the Library and the Senior Center will open at 10 a.m. due to the snow storm, according to an alert sent out by the Town Administration.

Government

See the Property Tax Rates Recommended to be Adopted by Town Council

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Watertown Town Hall

Tuesday night, the Town Council will hear the annual Tax Classification hearing presentation from Town Assessor Earl Smith, which calls for increasing the break given to owner-occupied homes and condos in Watertown. According to the Assessor’s presentation the recommended tax rate for Fiscal Year 2020 will see bills go up between $169 and $281 for owner occupied properties which receive the residential exemption, and three-family homes would actually see their bills go down. Smith’s presentation includes a recommendation to increase the residential exemption, which is given to homes which are the primary residence of the owner. “The Board of Assessors recommends increasing the residential exemption to 24 percent for FY2020. The Board’s intention, at this time, is to further recommend an increase in FY2021 to 25 percent.

Government

OP-ED: Details of Hands Free Cell Phone Bill Being Considered at State House

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

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

On Nov. 18, House and Senate conferees filed their report on the hands-free cell phone safety bill. The bill is virtually certain to be approved by both branches and to become law shortly. The new hands-free rules will take effect in late February 2020, but violations will be handled with warnings through March 31, 2020. Under the new law, you can talk to your cell phone, but you cannot touch or even look at it while driving, except in true emergency.