Elections

Republican Senate Candidate Picks Up Endorsement of Head of Watertown Republicans

By |

The Geoff Diehl for Senate campaign sent out the following announcement:

Today Representative Geoff Diehl, the endorsed Republican candidate for U.S.
Senate, announced that he has received the endorsement Republican Town Committee Chairman John DiMascio.“I am proud to join the growing list of local Republican Committee Chairs endorsing Geoff Diehl for U.S. Senate. Washington needs more tenacious reform-minded leaders like Geoff. He sets a very high standard, holding himself and his colleagues to that standard. Transparency, lowering taxes, fiscal accountable, and servant leadership, have been his hallmark, since elected to the House, said
DiMascio. “We could use 100 Geoff Diehls in the US Senate.”

“I am honored to have received John DiMascio’s endorsement.

Government

Mt. Auburn St. Plans Approved by Council Subcommittee, Now on to Full Council

By |

Wednesday evening, the Council’s Public Works subcommittee recommended that the Town Council approve the plan for Mt. Auburn Street that would reduce the number of travel lanes in most sections and add buffered bike lanes along many stretches. 

The plan has been much discussed over the past several years, after the Town Council voted in 2013 to have the Department of Public Works and the town’s traffic engineering consultant, WorldTech Engineering, come up with plan for a “road diet” for the major artery between Watertown Square and the Cambridge line. The project is a Complete Streets project, which means it is designed for all modes of transportation: motor vehicle, bicycles, pedestrians and public transportation. If the Town can get TIP (Transportation Improvement Program) funding, the entire $14 million budget will be covered entirely by the state, said Bill Mertz, vice president of WorldTech. The plan would reduce the number of motor vehicle travel lanes from two lanes each way to one each way along most of the length of Mt.

Elections

LETTER: Watertown Republicans Endorse Jay McMahon for Attorney General

By |

The Watertown Republican Town Committee has proudly and unanimously voted to endorse Attorney James “Jay” McMahon III who running in the Republican Primary to be the next Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.McMahon, a Buzzards Bay resident, has practiced law in the Massachusetts for 30 years. During this period he has litigated cases in every court in the Commonwealth, in Federal Courts, as well as the U.S. Supreme Court. His experience includes Civil, Criminal, Domestic, and Bankruptcy. McMahon
further has an extensive background in business management and law enforcement. In addition he served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard as a 2nd Lieutenant (Military Police).

Government

Council Changes Direction on Community Preservation Committee, Town Manager will Make Appointments

By |

Tuesday night, after a long and contentious debate, a majority of the Town Council voted to approve a compromise that would give the Town Manager power to appoint member of the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) with those selected needing to be confirmed by the Council. The decision went away from the subcommittee recommendation to have members appointed by the Council. The approved ordinance, which was brought forward by Town Council President Mark Sideris, also provides specific direction to the Town Manager for what qualities to look for in the appointees. Since the Community Preservation Act (CPA) passed in 2016, the focus has been on how to appoint the four at-large members of the Committee, which is charged to come up with ideas and recommendations for how to use funds from the tax surcharge. The money can be spent on affordable housing, open space and recreation, and historic preservation.

Government

Watertown’s Noise Ordinance Needs More Work Before Subcommittees Will Approve

By |

Two Town Council subcommittees looked at proposed changes to the Town’s Noise Ordinance Monday night, but little progress was made, and the Councilors agreed more work needed to be done. The committees on Rules & Ordinances and Human Services had met at least three times, dating back to 2017, before Monday. They took up the issue after receiving a variety of complaints about noise in Town. Some came from residents upset by lawn and garden work being done early on weekends, others about amplified music at church services or from Town parks. Others worry about the noise from all the construction occurring around town.

Elections

Senate Candidate Geoff Diehl Visits Watertown Greek Festival

By |

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Geoff Diehl visited the Watertown Greek Festival on Saturday. Watertown resident and Republican State Committeeman Steve Aylward showed Diehl around the festival. Aylward was Diehl’s co-chairman in the ballot question that repealed the linkage of the gas tax to inflation. Diehl received the most votes at the Republican Convention by 30 points to be the candidate to face Democrat Elizabeth Warren. He also received the endorsement of the Watertown Town Republican Committee. The visit to the Greek Festival was not the first time that Diehl had visited Watertown.

Government

DPW to Present Proposed Plan to Redesign Watertown Square at Meeting

By |

A proposed plan to redesign Watertown Square and the roads around it will be presented during a meeting hosted by the Department of Public Works on July 10. 

When: Tuesday, July 10, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Where: Watertown Free Public Library, Watertown Savings Bank Meeting Room, 123 Main St., Watertown

The Town of Watertown is redesigning Watertown Square to improve mobility and safety for all users (including pedestrians, bicyclists, transit riders, and vehicles). At this interactive Open House, staff will present the Complete Streets concept plan for Watertown Square and its transportation and environmental benefits. We will also share the results of traffic data collection and analysis completed since the October 30, 2017 Public Works Subcommittee meeting, and the concept plans and alternatives for Charles River Road. Staff will be available to answer your questions and listen to your feedback. Please stop by anytime between 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. to learn more and provide comments.

Government

Council Subcommittee to Vote on Recommendation for Mt. Auburn Street Project

By |

A recommendation for how to renovate Mt. Auburn Street will be discussed and likely approved by the Town Council’s Public Works Committee on Wednesday, June 27, 2018. 

The Department of Public Works has been discussing proposals to repave and renovate the major artery through Watertown for several years, and has had a number of public meetings over the last year to share ideas for how the street will look. Proposals have included reducing the number of travel lanes from two to one in many places, putting right turn lanes at key intersections and adding bicycle lanes for most of the length of the roadway. The project will ultimately have to be approved by the full Town Council. See coverage of the Mt.