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.

Government

Council Rejects Developer’s Request for Relief on Liquor License Fees

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The Town Council rejected a request from the developers of Arsenal Yards to give discounted liquor licenses for establishments that have a liquor license, but will not open until the next year. The proposal called for reducing the annual fee for the liquor licenses from $8,100 to $2,700 for businesses that need to get a license but are not ready to open because their space is still under construction. The Council received the request at the same time that Boylston Properties sought to have the town add more liquor licenses to accommodate the new tenants at the former Arsenal Mall. The Council has requested 15 more special licenses from the Legislature. The rule would only apply to special liquor licenses approved by the State Legislature to encourage economic development in Watertown.

Around Town

See the Recommendations of the Watertown Parking Plan

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A parking consultant recommends replacing Watertown’s current parking meters with “smart” meters that offer a range of payment options. This is one of many recommendations in the Watertown Parking Management Plan. Town officials recently released the final version of the Watertown Parking Management Plan, which included 10 recommendations, including adding high tech meters, adding meters in some places, removing them in others, and having different priced depending on the demand. The recommendations were developed by Stantec, the consultant hired by the town to look at parking in Watertown’s major commercial districts: Watertown Square and Coolidge Square. They also held public meetings to hear from residents and workers.

Government

See the Detours Coming Up for the Common St. Project

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Detours will be set up around the repaving project on Common Street. The work area (in yellow) also includes Katherine Road. The close roads are in red. The detours are shown in purple and the streets open only to local traffic are in lime green. Detours will be set up for a week in Watertown around the repaving area on Common Street.

Around Town

Deadline for Choosing Electricity Plan Approaching for Watertown Residents

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Town residents have received information about Watertown Electricity Choice in the mail, online and other modes, but many people have questions about the new electricity program. Monday, Aug. 12 is the deadline for Watertown residents to choose one of the new electricity plans being offered by the town as part of the Electricity Choice program. However, Watertown Energy Manager Ed Lewis stressed that residents can change their plans anytime, with no fee for changing. Lewis has been fielding calls, and doing informational sessions to answer resident’s questions about the Watertown’s electricity plan.

Elections

Crowded Field of Candidates for Town Council At-Large Seats

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Watertown voters will have one big race to follow in this fall’s Town Election, Meanwhile, the other elected posts have uncontested races, but there will be some new faces. Seven candidates are running for the four Councilor at-large seats on the Town Council. There will not be need for a preliminary election in September. Three incumbents will be running in the Councilor at-large race: Tony Palomba, Caroline Bays and Anthony Donato. The fourth seat was vacated by Michael Dattoli when he moved out of town, and his term was filled by former-Councilor Susan Falkoff.

Around Town

Community Preservation Committee Looks to Get Process Rolling

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The committee chosen to oversee the money raised by the Community Preservation Act in Watertown will be hiring a consultant and a part-time coordinator to educate the public and help figure out how the money will be distributed. Watertown voters approved the CPA in November 2016, and the property tax surcharge brings in about $2 million a year, plus the state will chip in matching funds (19 percent in Fiscal Year 2019). The money can be used on a variety projects, but they must relate to at least one of three areas: affordable housing, open space/recreation or historic preservation. At least 10 percent of the funds must be spent on, or saved in a fund for, each of the three areas. Elodia Thomas, chair of the Community Preservation Committee, said that she hopes that residents will become excited about the possibilities for the Community Preservation Act funds.

Government

Marijuana Facility Approved for Medical Sales Wants to Sell for Recreational Use, Too

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The group approved to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Watertown now seeks to also sell cannabis for adult use, also known as recreational marijuana. Tuesday night, Natural Selections (NS AJO Holdings Inc.) appeared before the Town Council’s Economic Development and Planning Committee to discuss the application. No decision was made but the subcommittee did not stand in the way of the application. The request is to run the dispensary in the same location as their medical marijuana facility, at 23 Elm Street, near the Residence Inn by Marriott and the Watertown Mall. The Zoning Board of Appeals approved the special permit needed by Natural Selections to open in Watertown in May 2017, and a few months later the Town Council approved the letter of non-opposition.