Government

OP-ED: Details of Au Pair Ruling, Constituent Meeting

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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:

For my constituents with concern or interest in the new Au Pair Ruling, I’m holding a discussion meeting: Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 12:30PM – 2 p.m., Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room, Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St, Watertown, MA 02472 (See below for more details on the ruling)

A federal appellate court ruling has created a difficult situation for some families who rely on “au pair” arrangements for their child care. The ruling upheld the application of the Massachusetts Domestic Workers Bill of Rights to au pair arrangements. In an “au pair” arrangement, a young person comes from another country to live with a U.S. family. In return for room and board, they provide child care. In many cases, they are treated very well, often as a family members.

164-166 Main St.

Five Story Apartment Building Approved on Main Street in Watertown

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A view of 164-166 Main Street, a five story apartment building with a commercial space on the ground floor. A new building will be added to Watertown’s skyline near Watertown Square after the Zoning Board of Appeals approved a five story apartment building on Main Street. The approval of the project at 164-166 Main Street was made Wednesday night. The site used to be occupied by a convenience store (Store 24 then Tedeschi’s and briefly 7-Eleven) and sits across from Town Hall. The building will have four stories with 34 apartments, on top of a garage and commercial or office space.

Government

Town Councilor Finished Encore, Served for More Than a Dozen Years

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The Town Council recently honored Susan Falkoff after her last Council meeting. She served nearly 14 years. The Town Council bid farewell to a long-serving member, last week. Susan Falkoff leaves the Council after nearly 14 years of service, and the last stretch was a bonus. It was not that long ago that the Town Council was honoring Falkoff with a proclamation.

Eileen Hsu-Balzer

School Committee Member Departs After 24 Years of Devotion to Watertown’s Children

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School Committee member Eileen Hsu-Balzer left the board after serving for nearly a quarter century. Few people have touched the lives of as many Watertown children as retiring School Committee member Hsu-Balzer. Last week, the School Committee honored her during her final meeting on the board on which she served six terms.

“Eileen is stepping down after 24 years — an amazing commitment to the Town’s Schools.,” said School Committee Chair John Portz. “You have to go back to 1896 to find anyone who served as along as Eileen has on the Watertown School Committee.” Former School Committee member Tony Paolillo served 12 years with Hsu-Balzer.

Adult Use Marijuana

Two Marijuana Dispensaries Invited to Begin Applying for Locations in Watertown

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A Town Council subcommittee narrowed down the applications for two marijuana dispensaries in town to operators seeking to open in locations in Watertown Square and on Pleasant Street. While the ballot question that legalized recreational marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts prevents communities from banning pot from being sold, communities can limit the number of facilities. The Town Council has limited the number to three in Watertown. One dispensary has been approved to open at 23 Elm Street in the East End, and Town officials accepted applications for the other two dispensaries in town. Thursday evening, the Council’s Economic Development and Planning Committee reviewed the four applications, ultimately asked two to start the approval process: one at 48 North Beacon St.

Government

Council OKs Pay Raise for Town Manager, Gives Performance Evaluation

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Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll. Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll will be getting a raise after the Town Council approved his pay hike following a recent job evaluation. Driscoll’s pay rises $9,500 to $205,000, and the increase is retroactive to the beginning of Fiscal Year 2019 (July 1, 2018). The increase is the first for the Town Manager since 2017. Salary Comparison

When determining the new salary, a review of other Watertown public employees was conducted, as well as the salaries of other communities with Town Managers, Sideris said.

Government

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

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State Rep. Jonathan Hecht

Representative Jonathan Hecht announced he will hold office hours twice in Watertown in December. Constituents are invited to meet with Representative Hecht at the following times and locations:

Thursday, Dec. 125:00-6:00 p.m.Watertown Free Public Library123 Main St, Raya Stern Trustees Room

Wednesday, Dec. 18

8:30-9:30 a.m.Watertown Town Hall149 Main St, 3rd Floor hallway

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