Government

Watertown Firefighters Getting Second Set of Gear to Improve Safety, Ladder Truck Approved

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Watertown firefighters will get a second set of turnout gear to wear on shifts when they respond to a fire. The Fire Department will also be getting a new ladder truck. The Town Council approved a purchase that Watertown Fire Chief Bob Quinn hopes will keep members of the Fire Department healthy and safe. Tuesday night, the Council approved $176,000 to be spent on a second set of turnout gear for the Watertown Fire Department. “Cancer is a significant concern for firefighters, and by adding a second set of turnout gear it helps create a healthier, safer environment for members of the Watertown Fire Department,” Quinn said.

Around Town

Partnership Between Town, Arsenal Yards to Renovate Town Park Over Before it Began

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An overhead view of Arsenal Park. The long red building is the Arsenal Mall, and to the left is the Commander’s Mansion and the Arsenal on the Charles complex. A public-private partnership between the Town of Watertown and the developers of Arsenal Yards, which was to speed up renovation of part of Arsenal Park, has ended, Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced Tuesday night. A disagreement over a construction management fee that Boylston wanted to charge the Town to oversee the construction was the main sticking point, according to Driscoll, who read from a letter from the Town’s attorney Mark Reich of KP Law. “Of particular concern, and the primary impetus for this letter, is the insistence of Mr. (William) McQuillan that the Town pay Boylston Properties a 5 percent construction management fee as part of the proposed public-private partnership,” the letter reads.

Development

Community Meeting Scheduled for Property Across from Town Hall

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A residential building with a commercial space on the ground floor has been proposed for 166 Main St. Developers have submitted a proposal to turn a former convenience store into a five-story residential building with a commercial space on the ground floor. The project has been proposed for the property at 166 Main St., in Watertown Square. The property is across the street from Town Hall and used to be a Tedeschi Food Shop. A community meeting will be held to provide more information and allow residents to ask questions.

Gas Lines

Gas Line Replacements Will Impact Streets in and Around Watertown

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National Grid will be replacing natural gas lines to service a new development just over the town line in Belmont, but the project will impact users of two main roads in Watertown. A representative from the utility appeared before the Town Council earlier this month to discuss the portion of the project in Watertown, which will go down Lexington Street. Then the project continues to Belmont Street. In Watertown, the work will replace 350 feet of 12 inch gas line from Lexington Street at Warren Street to the island at Lexington and Belmont streets. A representative for National Grid at the meeting said the new gas line is needed to allow capacity for a new development in Belmont.

Environment

Plan Calls for Planting Hundreds of Trees in Watertown

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Town officials seek to plant 250 trees a year in Watertown, some of which will be done by the Town, but others will be done by non-municipal groups. Those groups include Trees for Watertown. Pictured here, Watertown resident David Jay of Trees for Watertown plants a tree outside Hosmer Elementary School in honor of Arbor Day. Hundreds of trees will be planted in Watertown each year as part of an effort to increase the number of street trees and tree canopy in town. The Tree Planting Program calls for planting 2,500 trees over 10 years.

Government

Proposed Marijuana Dispensary Holding Community Meeting

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The group proposing to open a recreational marijuana dispensary in Watertown will be hosting a meeting to hear from the public. NS AJO Holdings, Inc., d/b/a Natural Selections will be hosting a required Community Outreach Meeting on the proposed Adult Use/Recreational Marijuana Facility at 23 Elm St. 

The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, in the third floor conference room in the Watertown Town Hall, 149 Main St., Watertown. The meeting will be held in accordance with the guidelines as set forth by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission. https://www.watertownmanews.com/2019/07/17/marijuana-facility-approved-for-medical-sales-wants-to-sell-for-recreational-use-too/

Natural Selections has already received approval to open a medical marijuana facility in the same location.

101-103 Morse Street

Planning Board Supports 37 Unit Residential Conversion on Southside

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A rendering of the proposed 37-unit residential property at 101-103 Morse St. The proposed conversion of a historic building into a 37-unit apartment complex took a step toward final approval Wednesday night by gaining the support of the Planning Board. The property at 101-103 Morse Street used to be the Cortiva Massage School, but has not been used in several years. A previous owner tried twice unsuccessfully to get approval for a residential conversion — first with 46 units and then with 36. Mouhab Rizkallah of Lacourt Affordable Trust LLC presented the new plan, which he said has some significant differences from the previous ones.

Government

Sen. Brownsberger Seeks Nominees for Citizen’s Legislative Seminar

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Massachusetts State House. The following information was provided by State Sen. Brownsberger’s Office:

Senator Will Brownsberger announced that he is seeking nominees to participate in the 83rd Citizens’ Legislative Seminar (CLS) on Tuesday, Oct. 22 and Wednesday, Oct. 23 at the Massachusetts State House in Boston. CLS is a semi-annual educational seminar geared towards adults of all ages interested in learning more about state government and the legislative process.