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).

Government

Sen. Brownsberger Hosting Town Halls on Transportation, the Census

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

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

Senator Brownsberger is hosting a series of Town Halls for each community in January – February 2020. These town halls will focus on Transportation, as well as the 2020 Census. Logistics about the upcoming town hall taking place in your community can be found below:

Watertown

Date: Tuesday, January 28thTime: 6:00PMLocation: Watertown Free Public Library (123 Main St, Watertown, MA 02472), Savings Bank Meeting Room

Fenway & Back Bay

More information about the January 22nd Town Hall can be found here: https://willbrownsberger.com/january-22-back-bay-transportation-2020-census-town-hall/

Brighton & Allston

Date: Tuesday, February 4thTime: 6:00PMLocation: Presentation School Foundation Community Center (640 Washington St, Brighton, MA 02135)

Belmont

Date: Tuesday, February 11thTime: 6:00PMLocation: Belmont Public Library (336 Concord Ave, Belmont, MA 02478, USA), Assembly Room

Government

Six Residents Sought to Join Watertown Charter Review Commission

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A committee will be formed to look at the Watertown Town Charter and recommend changes to the document that establishes how the town’s government operates. The Charter Review occurs ever 10 years, and Town Council President Mark Sideris said he will be appointing six members of the public to join the Charter Review Commission. “They will be sitting with the Town Councilors and going through a very in depth review of the Town Charter and recommending any potential changes to the document,” Sideris said. The commission will meet regularly to go over the charter. Sideris said every section of the charter will be examined.

Election 2019

Watertown Library Seeking Candidates to Fill Vacancy on Board of Trustees

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The historic facade of the Watertown Free Public Library. The Watertown Free Public Library will accept applications from residents interested in serving on the Library Board of Trustees. On Tuesday, the Town Council voted to appoint someone to fill the vacancy on the Library Board of Trustees. The opening occurred when one of the winners of the most recent election, Mara Dolan, resigned before being sworn in because she moved out of town. The Council could have voted to hold a special election to fill the spot, but they decided to seek another option.

Government

Residents Can Apply to Serve on Town Boards and Committees

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The following information was provided by the Town Manager’s Office:

Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll is seeking Watertown citizens interested in serving on the following Town Boards, Commissions and Committees with appointment dates in February 2020 in accordance with Ordinance # 2007-46, an Ordinance on the Timing and Process of Appointments to Town Boards, Commissions and Committees. 

Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by email to townmgr@watertown-ma.gov or Town Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472

The following boards and commissions have openings:

Community Preservation Committee

Vacancy/Term: Two Members, Three Year Term. Description: The Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is responsible for making recommendations for how Community Preservation Act funds are spent in the four Community Preservation Act program areas: Community Housing, Historic Preservation, Open Space and Recreation. Candidates should have knowledge of M.G.L. Chapter 44B. Committee meets once a month. Two current members holding the position wishes to serve another term.

Board of Assessors

Perkins, Town at Odds Over $1.4 Million Tax Bill After School Missed Deadline

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The Howe Building at Perkins School for the Blind. A piece of paperwork that was filed late has put Perkins School for the Blind and the Town of Watertown at odds over whether the school should pay nearly $1.5 million in taxes on its property or if the school be exempt from taxes, as it has operating as a non-profit in town for more than a century. A third option has been proposed, which would cost less than the full tax bill, but over the years would add up to far more than the $1.4 million. Perkins President and CEO Dave Power said the payment would take money away from the school’s mission of providing services to blind and visually impaired children and adults. The missed filing occurred in March 2019, but the issue became public Tuesday night at the Town Council meeting.