Around Town

Construction of Two Story Southside Garage Stopped, Neighbors Want to Appeal

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The disputed garage of the 73-75 Morse Street property is two stories high and stretches the length of two rear abutting properties and just five feet from the property line. Several residents spoke out against the large residential garage being constructed on Morse Street on the Southside of Watertown at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, and Town Council President Mark Sideris told them that construction has been halted on the building. The garage going up at 73-75 Morse Street was allowed to be built by the Town’s Planning Department to replace a condemned garage. The new building has a second story with what appears to be living quarters, and it sits just five feet from the property line of the neighbors backing up against the property. Judy Antonucci lives right behind the property and said she and her neighbors were never notified about the proposed garage, nor were they giving a chance to oppose it.

Coolidge Square

Give Your Opinion About Parking in Watertown’s Business Districts

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Town officials seek input about what changes should be made to parking in the Watertown Square and Coolidge Square areas. Residents, workers and others can share their thoughts in an online survey, or attend two upcoming open houses about the two areas. The Town of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Watertown has begun a Parking Management Plan for Watertown Square and Coolidge Square. The goal is to support Watertown’s retail centers and make them more user friendly and welcoming. The Plan will describe current parking needs, supply, and usage.

Government

Town Holding Meeting to Discuss Hazard Mitigation Plan

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Natural hazards can have serious impacts on the Town of Watertown and its residents and businesses, and town officials are preparing a Hazard Mitigation Plan to help the town reduce its vulnerability to natural hazard events such as flooding, hurricanes, and winter storms.

Please join the Town for a public presentation of the Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan at a meeting of the Town Council. Questions and comments from the public are welcome at the meeting or afterwards until January 18, 2019. Date: Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber, Watertown Administration Building, 149 Main Street, Watertown, MA

For more information, please contact Martin Pillsbury at mpillsbury@mapc.org

Arsenal Yards

Arsenal Yards Developer Pulls Request for Taller Building

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A rendering of what a 197-foot-tall residential tower could look like at Arsenal Yards. Developers would have needed a zoning change to allow it to be more than 130 feet tall. The requested zoning amendment, however, has been withdrawn. Boylston Properties, the developer of Arsenal Yards, has withdrawn its request to build a tower taller than is currently allowed by Watertown’s zoning rules. Developers had submitted a request to the Town to increase allowable height in the Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD) — where the mall is located — from 130 feet to 197 feet.

Government

Council Subcommittee Wants Funds to Fix Longer Roads, Unsure About Prioritizing Streets Near Schools

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A road after being milled and prepared for overlay of new asphalt.

Last week, the Town Council’s Public Works subcommittee approved a set of roads to be reconstructed in 2019, but the list was limited to smaller, neighborhood streets. During the meetings, Councilors discussed ways to find money to do the longer roads leading from neighborhoods to the main arteries. One of the limitations for reconstructing secondary arteries is money. Council Vice President Vincent Piccirilli said it may be time for the Council to designate funds for rebuilding these roads, also known as collector roads. For the past several years, the Town’s budget has included $2.5 million for road and sidewalk construction.

Around Town

See What is Opened and Closed on Christmas Day, Including Stores, Restaurants

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Most government offices, retail stores and restaurants will be closed on Christmas Day. A few will remain open, at least part of the day. Government

State and Federal offices: Closed

Town Hall: Closed

Library: Closed

Senior Center: Closed

Post Office: Closed

Mass. RMV: Closed

Retailers

Most will be closed, but can be open at owner’s discretion. Liquor Stores: Closed

CVS will be open on Christmas: Watertown Square location will be open 24 hours, the Watertown Street and Mt.

Citizen's Legislative Seminar

Watertown Residents Can Apply to be in Citizens’ Legislative Seminar

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The following information was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger’s office:

Senator Will Brownsberger announced that he is seeking nominees to participate in the 82nd Citizens’ Legislative Seminar (CLS) to be held Tuesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 20 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. Established in 1976 through a collaborative effort of the Massachusetts Senate and the University of Massachusetts, Boston, the two-day seminar features engaging presentations by Senators and staff on aspects of the day-to-day experience of legislators in the Commonwealth. Topics will include the history and process of the Legislature, the State Budget, the parliamentary role of the Clerk of the Senate and the future of the Legislature. The Seminar will walk participants through the legislative process including how bills are introduced, debated, and passed.