Government

Solution Sought for Parking, Other Problems Facing Neighbors of Filippello Park

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Many Berkeley Street residents rely on the parking lot at the end of the street because their homes do not have driveways. Often people going to Filippello Park are parked in the spots, too. Residents of a small neighborhood tucked off Arlington Street near Filippello Park seek relief from scarcity of parking and other problems associated with a gate leading to Filippello Park. Tuesday night the a joint meeting of the Town Council’s Public Works and Human Services Committee met to start the process of finding a solution for the problems of residents of Berkeley and Clarendon streets. The problems date back to 1999 when a gate was opened giving the public access to Filippello Park near the area where the two streets come together at a parking area, known as Glen Circle.

Development

Developer Redesigning Controversial Garage

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The developer of a home on the Southside of Watertown which had upset neighbors has changed directions and torn down a controversial garage. Neighbors appealed to Town Officials in January after a two-story garage went up about five feet from the rear property line. Construction stopped and recently the developer met with residents to come up with a new plan. Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon said the owner of the property, Brian Connaughton, agreed to pull down the parts of the garage that had gone up and replace it with a shorter structure. “It will still be a garage, but it won’t go nearly as high,” Magoon said.

Government

New Watertown Veterans Agent Has Experience Working with Vets, Public Policy

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Watertown has a new Veterans Services Officer who served in the Marines, worked on veterans issues in the State House and has an educational background in government and public policy. Patrick J. George was appointed the Veterans Services Officer starting on March 18, 2019, Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced Friday. George has five years experience in the U.S. Marine Corps as a computer systems administrator. He supervised 10 Marines in day-to-day operations of the information technology (IT) support, managed the integrity of 4,000 computer assets, and implemented technology upgrades for Marine Aircraft Group 24 in Hawaii. He received the Joint Service Commendation Medal for accomplishments related to instruction and development of Afghanistan National Army Soldiers in vehicle maintenance and convoy operations.

Government

Town Hires New Director of Administration and Finance for Public Works

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Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced the appointment of a Director of Administration and Finance for the Watertown Department of Public Works. Jesse L. Myott has been named the new Director of Administration and Finance. The position had previously been held by Dennis Sheehan, who left Watertown to become Town Administrator for the Town of Stoneham. Myott had been the Assistant Treasurer, Finance & Performance Analyst, and Recreation Department Manager for the Town of Brookline. In Brookline, some of his duties included town-wide cashflow management and reconciliation, operating and capital improvement budget development, customer valuation and cost of revenue analysis for town programs and services.

Government

See the Openings Available on Watertown’s Boards and Commissions

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

Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll is seeking Watertown citizens interested in serving on the following Town Boards, Commissions and Committees 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. Board/Commission: Zoning Board of Appeals

Description: Board of Appeals grants all special permits and variances needed for certain construction and development projects. Candidates should have knowledge of M.G.L. Chapter 40A, the Zoning Act, as well as architecture, engineering, landscape design, construction, planning, law, or related field. Board meets once a month, usually the last Wednesday of each month; special meetings, as required.

Government

Council Subcommittee Discussing Noise from Planes from Logan Airport

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The Town Council’s Committee on State, Federal and Regional Government  will convene on Monday, Feb. 25, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. at the Watertown Administration Building in the Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber. The purpose of the meeting is for the further review and consideration of the MassPort Community Advisory Committee (CAC) work to address airplane noise. Informational updates will be provided by Andrea Adams, Senior Planner, Department of Community Development and Planning, who serves as Watertown’s representative on the MassPort CAC. The meeting notice is as follows:

Background information about Logan Airplane noise to ongoing discussions can be found within the following links.

Community Preservation Act

Community Preservation Committee Scheduled to Meet for the First Time

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Watertown Town Hall

The first meeting of the Community Preservation Committee will take place on Feb. 21, 2019. The committee was formed after Watertown voters passed the Community Preservation Act in November 2016. The CPA raises money through a 2 percent surcharge on local property tax bills, and the funds can be used in three areas: recreation/open space, affordable housing and historic preservation. The Community Preservation Committee will look at potential places to use the Community Preservation funds and will propose a list of projects.