Arsernal Yards

Arsenal Yards Asking Town for Additional Liquor Licenses

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Arsenal Yards will transform the old Arsenal Mall into a retail, residential and office complex. It will include several restaurants and developers have requested additional liquor licenses from the Town of Watertown. The developers of the Arsenal Mall redevelopment have requested additional liquor licenses for tenants of the new Arsenal Yards. Town Council President Mark Sideris told the Town Council about the request at Tuesday’s meeting. “I am bringing this up because I think that Arsenal Yards is going to transform the community,” Sideris said.

Government

Neighbors Upset by Oakley Country Club Wall, Town to Look at Approval Process

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The wall that went up near Oakley and Arden roads. Neighbors are upset that it was built without informing them, and say it has caused flooding on some properties. A group of residents expressed their anger and frustration to the Town Council Tuesday night over a new wall constructed by Oakley Country Club near their homes, and that the Town allowed its construction. In December, a stand of about a dozen trees were removed from the edge of the Oakley Country Club property and a wall was erected near Oakley and Arden roads. The changes to the area have resulted in flooding of one neighbor’s property and increased water flow into others.

385 Pleasant Street

Developers of Pleasant Street Project Want to Change Plans

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A view of what Buildings F (left) and E would look like at 385 Pleasant St. after proposed changes to the plans. The developers of the mixed-use property at the corner of Pleasant Street and Rosedale Road, wants to reduce the height of one building, and move the residential units to another building. The project at 385 Pleasant Street includes four buildings along Pleasant Street heading toward Bridge Street, with three all-residential buildings and one with commercial on the bottom and housing units on top. A request has been submitted to the Planning Board to make changes to the plans that were approved in March 2018.

Government

New Treasurer/Collector Has Extensive Financial Management Background

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Jennifer G. Gonzalez has been appointed as Watertown’s next Treasurer/Collector by Town Manager Michael Driscoll. Gonzalez will officially take the position on April 22, 2019, according to Driscoll. She succeeds Nancy Heffernan, who passed away in February. “With Ms. Gonzalez’s extensive experience and educational background, she will be able to greatly assist the (Town) Administration by enhancing the Treasurer/Collector’s office delivery, serving on the municipal budget and capital budget teams, addressing overall Financial Management Recommendations and any Management Letter Recommendations, and developing additional finance initiatives related to the long-term goal of sound financial management and fiscal stability,” Driscoll said. Before coming to Watertown, Gonzalez served as the chief financial officer (CFO) at the University of Massachusetts Building Authority, where her responsibilities included management of the Commercial Paper Program, reconciliation of the Owner Controller Insurance Program, and support of the finance team’s day-to-day transaction activities.

Government

State Sen. Will Brownsberger Named to Senate Leadership Position

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

State Sen. Will Brownsberger has been named the Senate President Pro Tempore, one of the top leadership positions in the Massachusetts Senate. Brownsberger, who represents Watertown, Belmont and parts of Boston, was named to the post by Senate President Karen Spilka. He became a State Senator in January 2012 by winning a special election to replace Steven Tolman. He currently serves as chair of the Senate Committee on Redistricting and vice chair of the Joint Committee on Revenue. Previously he served as chair of the Joint Committee on the Judiciary.

Government

Job Opening in State Sen. Brownsberger’s Office

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

State Sen. William N. Brownsberger is seeking applicants for the position of District Director. The District Director will provide assistance to constituents, local officials and organizations with issues relating to state government. The position requires the ability and willingness to work a flexible schedule to attend frequent evening and weekend meetings in the district. The position is based at the State House but 25-50% of time will be spent in the district. The ability to travel throughout the district is required.

Government

School Projects, Parks Big Part of Watertown’s 5-Year Capital Improvement Plan

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Reconstructing Watertown’s public schools and renovating some of the parks in town made up a significant part of the conceptual recommendations for the Fiscal Year 2020-24 Capital Improvement Plan, which were approved by the Town Council on Tuesday. The Capital Improvement Plan covers five years, and includes more than $503 million in possible spending on construction, building repairs, vehicles, and equipment. The amount budgeted for Fiscal Year 2020 (which starts July 1, 2019) is $11,196,937 or about 7.6 percent of the total Town Budget. On Tuesday, the Council gave approval to a list of 29 conceptual recommendations on the FY20-24 Capital Improvement Plan. Much of the work will be paid for by money borrowed by the Town, but some will be paid through the money collected through property taxes, grants and other ways.

Around Town

Applications for Summer Recreation Employment Available

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The following announcement was provided by the Watertown Recreation Department:

The Watertown Recreation Department is now accepting applications for the following positions for the 2019 calendar year. This includes immediate employment as a part time member of the staff throughout the year or seasonal work during the summer months. Applicants must be entering the 9th grade (Fall 2019) or older to be considered. If you are looking for employment to begin before the summer season, please complete and send it the packet and an interview will be scheduled with the Director of Recreation. Positions Available: Program Directors, Program Supervisors, Program Staff, Program Counselors, Counselor in Training, Nurse, Specialists, Pequossette Staff, Park Instructors, Program Staff, Park Rangers, and Scorekeepers.