Government

Affordable Housing Efforts in Watertown to be Addressed at Two Meetings

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The Town Council’s Committee on Human Services announced two upcoming meetings on the subject of affordable housing. Meeting on Affordable Housing – Tenant Based Rental Assistance

The Committee on Human Services will hold a meeting on Thursday, April 18 at 7:15 p.m. in the Louis P. Andrews Conference Room on the Third Floor at Town Hall. We will continue our discussion of affordable housing . The Committee will hear a presentation on Waltham’s Tenant Based Rental Assistance program from John Shirley, Housing Specialist for the City of Waltham. Meeting on Affordable Housing – Accessory Dwelling Units

The Committee on Human Services will hold a meeting on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:15 p.m. in the Louis P. Andrews Conference Room on the Third Floor at Town Hall.

Government

Roadwork Project Will Impact Multiple East End Streets

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A road work project that will impact multiple streets in the East End begins this week, Department of Public Works officials announced. The project includes installation of the “final asphalt wearing surface” on Edgecliff Road, Woodleigh Road, Westland Road and Templeton Parkway. According to the DPW announcement, work will begin on Wednesday, April 17, weather permitting. “The area will be closed to motor vehicle traffic during the paving process,” the announcement states. “Please park your motor vehicles out of the construction area on the intersecting side streets if necessary.”

Government

OP-ED: Sen. Brownsberger’s Update on Proposed MBTA Bus Changes

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The following piece was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger, who represents Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston. The MBTA has been listening carefully to public feedback about the 47 cost-neutral bus route changes that service planners are proposing across the region. At their meeting on April 8, the MBTA’s board offered a “sense of the board” supporting 36 of the proposals. Board members deferred final approval to give themselves time to review in full detail the equity analysis for the whole package. When final approval is provided, as appears likely, the package will be the most significant set of route changes in memory.

Government

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

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State Rep. Jonathan Hecht

The following information was provided by the Rep. Hecht’s Office:

State Rep. Jonathan Hecht will hold office hours twice in Watertown in April. Constituents are invited to meet with Representative Hecht at the following time and location:

Tuesday, April 16, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Watertown Town Hall, 149 Main St., 3rd Floor hallway

Monday, April 29, 5:00-6:00 p.m., Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., Raya Stern Trustees Room

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

Arsenal Park

Town Looks to Team With Arsenal Yards Developers to Fast Track Arsenal Park Improvements

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An illustration made by developers of Arsenal Yards of what how the redeveloped Arsenal Mall could interact with next door Arsenal Park. The final buildings and park design, however, will not look like this drawing. A portion of the Arsenal Park renovations may be fast-tracked if the State Legislature allows the Town of Watertown to team with the developers of Arsenal Yards on the design and construction of the East End park. Town officials have been discussing how to renovate and upgrade Arsenal Park for a few years, but progress has not be fast enough to keep pace with the work at the next door property – Arsenal Yards. Developers of that project, Boylston Properties, approached the Town to see if they could speed up work on the east side of the park if they are able to provide funding and construction crews, said Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon.

Department of Public Works

LETTER: Kudos to Watertown’s Town Engineer for Winning Award

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Editor:

Matt Shuman, Watertown’s Town Engineer, was honored at the Charles River Watershed Association’s annual meeting last week. He received their Rita Barron Public Official Award for his efforts with the Edenfield Avenue Green Street project. This was a project to install innovative green infrastructure elements in a major road reconstruction project on Edenfield Ave. According to CRWA, “Matt was deeply involved with the design and engineering of the tree trenches and bioswales that were introduced into the public right of way. The project not only acts as a traffic calmer, it treats a substantial amount of polluted storm-water runoff, recharging it into the ground rather than sending it into the Charles River.” This project was featured in a U.S. EPA online workshop on Green Street approaches, and has provided useful lessons-learned for design of green infrastructure stormwater approaches in future Watertown road reconstruction projects.

Arsernal Yards

Arsenal Yards Asking Town for Additional Liquor Licenses

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Arsenal Yards will transform the old Arsenal Mall into a retail, residential and office complex. It will include several restaurants and developers have requested additional liquor licenses from the Town of Watertown. The developers of the Arsenal Mall redevelopment have requested additional liquor licenses for tenants of the new Arsenal Yards. Town Council President Mark Sideris told the Town Council about the request at Tuesday’s meeting. “I am bringing this up because I think that Arsenal Yards is going to transform the community,” Sideris said.

Government

Neighbors Upset by Oakley Country Club Wall, Town to Look at Approval Process

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The wall that went up near Oakley and Arden roads. Neighbors are upset that it was built without informing them, and say it has caused flooding on some properties. A group of residents expressed their anger and frustration to the Town Council Tuesday night over a new wall constructed by Oakley Country Club near their homes, and that the Town allowed its construction. In December, a stand of about a dozen trees were removed from the edge of the Oakley Country Club property and a wall was erected near Oakley and Arden roads. The changes to the area have resulted in flooding of one neighbor’s property and increased water flow into others.