Around Town

Watertown Updating Plans to Deal With & Reduce Impact of Natural Disasters

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Flood waters went above the sidewalk at Arlington and Mt. Auburn streets during a heavy rain storm in 2014. The storm also cause flooding of homes in spots in Watertown. Watertown officials have been working on not just preparing to react to but also to reduce the impact of natural disasters that could befall the town. Watertown created a Hazard Mitigation Plan in 2012, and not is in the process of updating it.

Development

Zoning Board to Hear Appeal on Southside Property with Large Garage

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Neighbors on the back side of 73-75 Morse Street worry that having a two story garage right near their property line will hurt the value of their homes. The Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals will hear the appeal of neighbors about the two-story garage that is being built on Morse Street on the Southside of Watertown. The latest ZBA agenda includes the 73-75 Morse St. case. On Feb.

Bicycles

MassDOT Seeks Input on Mass. Bicycle Transportation Plan

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The following information was provided sent out by MassDOT:

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) urges members of the public to comment on the Draft Massachusetts Bicycle Transportation Plan through January 31. The draft plan can be found online here. MassDOT is focused on making the Commonwealth’s transportation system more sustainable – to make it safe for people to choose to walk, bike, and take transit for more of their daily trips. The Plan is important because residents, members of the business community and visitors choose to use a bicycle for daily trips, choosing bike to work, to school, to run errands, for recreation or to reach transit locations. The Draft Plan defines a vision for Massachusetts in which all people have a safe and comfortable cycling option for short trips. The goal is to have a plan which presents an action-oriented strategy which will lead to increased use of trails for short trips made by bicycling. Travel on designated bike and pedestrian thoroughfares will also lead to safer conditions, helping to prevent injuries and fatalities.

Environment

Town Council Seeks to Have Town Move to 100% Renewable Energy

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Watertown Town Hall

In a move to respond to climate change, the Town Council voted to create a Climate and Energy Master Plan, and get the town to 100 percent renewable energy in the coming decades. A proposal for the Climate and Energy Master Plan was presented to a joint subcommittee at meetings in October and December by the Watertown Environment & Energy Efficiency Committee (also called W3EC). It seeks to prepare Watertown for the changing weather conditions, and take steps to reduce the town’s impact on climate change. The proposal states, in part:

“It is clear from projections that Watertown as a community will be increasingly affected by climate change. Significant impacts to daily life in Watertown are to be expected.

Around Town

Construction of Two Story Southside Garage Stopped, Neighbors Want to Appeal

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The disputed garage of the 73-75 Morse Street property is two stories high and stretches the length of two rear abutting properties and just five feet from the property line. Several residents spoke out against the large residential garage being constructed on Morse Street on the Southside of Watertown at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, and Town Council President Mark Sideris told them that construction has been halted on the building. The garage going up at 73-75 Morse Street was allowed to be built by the Town’s Planning Department to replace a condemned garage. The new building has a second story with what appears to be living quarters, and it sits just five feet from the property line of the neighbors backing up against the property. Judy Antonucci lives right behind the property and said she and her neighbors were never notified about the proposed garage, nor were they giving a chance to oppose it.

Coolidge Square

Give Your Opinion About Parking in Watertown’s Business Districts

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Town officials seek input about what changes should be made to parking in the Watertown Square and Coolidge Square areas. Residents, workers and others can share their thoughts in an online survey, or attend two upcoming open houses about the two areas. The Town of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

Watertown has begun a Parking Management Plan for Watertown Square and Coolidge Square. The goal is to support Watertown’s retail centers and make them more user friendly and welcoming. The Plan will describe current parking needs, supply, and usage.

Government

Town Holding Meeting to Discuss Hazard Mitigation Plan

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Natural hazards can have serious impacts on the Town of Watertown and its residents and businesses, and town officials are preparing a Hazard Mitigation Plan to help the town reduce its vulnerability to natural hazard events such as flooding, hurricanes, and winter storms.

Please join the Town for a public presentation of the Draft Hazard Mitigation Plan at a meeting of the Town Council. Questions and comments from the public are welcome at the meeting or afterwards until January 18, 2019. Date: Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber, Watertown Administration Building, 149 Main Street, Watertown, MA

For more information, please contact Martin Pillsbury at mpillsbury@mapc.org