Development

Second Meeting Planned for 85 Walnut St. Project, Discussion Will Include Traffic Report

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An overhead illustration of the proposed redevelopment of the Doble Engineering site at 85 Walnut St. in Watertown. The second Community Meeting will be held for a project proposed on Walnut Street, which would create space for a life science building, a garage and a public park. The project would redevelop the former Doble Engineering site, 85 Walnut St., and put up a four story, 213,500 sq. ft.

Around Town

Hear What the Council Heard from Residents About Community Engagement

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The following announcement came from the Committee on Media and Public Outreach Committee:

The public is invited to the Community Engagement Project Meeting with the Town Council’s Committee on Media and Public Outreach Committee. How do residents engage with town government? What tools do they use? What tools would they like to see expanded or developed? What do they see as major opportunities and challenges to increase community engagement?

Government

Watertown Seeks Grant to Bring in New Bike Share Option

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Watertown could see a shift in bike share options, with the current provider leaving and Town officials seeking help to bring in another well-known brand. Last week, Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon told the Town Council that the Town will be joining other communities to apply for a grant to bring in bike share docks for Bluebikes, which used to be known as Hubway. “The Lime Bikes option in town is no longer an option,” Magoon said. “We are looking to bring Bluebikes.” Lime Bike has reduced the number of bikes in town, so it no longer provides a reliable option for Watertown residents.

Candidate Forum

Hear from the Candidates at the Watertown Election Forum

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Candidates in the Watertown Town Election will be appearing at an election forum co-hosted by Watertown News and Watertown Cable Access Television. The Candidate Forum will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24 from 6:30-9 p.m. It will be held in the Lecture Hall at Watertown High School, 50 Columbia St. This year’s Watertown voters will vote for Town Council President, Town Councilors At-Large, District Councilors, School Committee and Board of Library Trustees. The evening begins with statements from un-opposed candidates at 6:30 p.m. At 7 p.m., the seven candidates for Town Councilor At-Large will be answering questions.

Government

Reconstruction of Belmont Street to be Discussed at Meeting

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A meeting will be held to discuss the plans to reconstruct Belmont Street and the sidewalks in the area on Tuesday, Oct. 15 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The meeting will he held at the Buckingham Browne & Nichols Administration Building at 46 Belmont St. (rear of the Sacred Heart Parish, 770 Mt. Auburn St.)

This is the second in a series of meetings to view and discuss conceptual plans for the reconstruction of Belmont Street, and abutting sidewalks, by the City of Cambridge. The sidewalks on the south side, from the area of Watertown’s Brimmer and Francis Streets, to the intersection with Mt. Auburn St., are located in Watertown and will be reconstructed as part of the project. 

Information on the project is available on the Town of Watertown and City of Cambridge websites as follows:

https://www.watertown-ma.gov/Calendar.aspx?EID=21694

https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/PublicWorks/CityProjects/2019/belmontstreetreconstructionproject

Government

Watertown Starts Budget Planning with Rare Surplus for Fiscal 2021

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Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll. The new growth in Watertown, due largely to the development in town, along with an increase in permit fees being paid to the town are two main factors for the Town starting with a surplus as planning begins for the Fiscal 2021 budget. Tuesday night, Town Manager Michael Driscoll presented the Preliminary Fiscal 2021 Budget Overview to the Town Council. The forecasted expenditures for FY21, which begins July 1, 2020, is $155.77 million. The projected revenues are $156.33 million, leaving a surplus of $556,829, Driscoll said.