Government

East End Councilor Calls for Changes to Help Filippello Park Neighbors

By |

Neighbors of streets near Filippello Park have complained of parking problems and other issues related to users of the East Watertown park, and their Town Councilor is seeking some solutions. 

At meetings held in May, July and September, residents aired their concerns, much of which involved parking. District A Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis wrote an open letter to the Town Administration suggesting some steps to help residents of streets just south of the park — Clarendon and Berkeley streets — and the area of Arlington Street near Filippello Park. “Lack of parking for Park Users has been the harrowing cry that can be heard at every meeting; from every resident,” Kounelis wrote in her letter. “The responses from the Team have been courteous, but without substance. Is anyone listening to the residents, or simply following a scripted agenda for the use of Filippello Park?”

Elections

Find Out How Watertown Voters Can Cast Ballots Early in November’s State Election

By |

Watertown voters will have the opportunity to cast their votes early in the November 2018 election beginning on Oct. 22, 2018. 

Registered voters can vote early in person at the Town Clerk’s Office or by mail. According to the Secretary of State’s website, when early voting in person at an early voting location for your municipality, the election officials will check you in, similar to the process used on Election Day. After voting, you will enclose your ballot into an envelope to be counted on Election Day. The Town Clerk’s Office provided the following information:

The Watertown Election Commissioners will be hosting Early Voting beginning on Monday, Oct.

Government

Planning Board Recommends Approval of Zoning Rules for Recreational Marijuana Facilities

By |

The Planning Board recommended that the Town Council approves the new zoning for recreational marijuana facilities that would require them to be at least 500 feet from schools, addiction treatment centers, and other facilities. The Town Council had put a moratorium on recreational marijuana facilities for a year after the state ballot measure passed in November 2017. The changes determine where the facilities can be located. Recreational marijuana facilities would be allowed in the following zoning districts: central business, limited business, industrial 1, industrial 2, industrial 3, PSCD and the RMUD. The Town cannot zone out recreational marijuana facilities, said Steve Magoon, the Assistant Town Manager and director of Community Development and Planning.

Government

Latest Designs for Mt. Auburn St. Project to be Discussed at Upcoming Meetings

By |

The following announcement came from the Department of Public Works:
The Town Council Public Works Committee has scheduled two meetings for a Mount Auburn Street project update. Tuesday, Oct. 16, 2018 and Tuesday, Oct. 30, 2018. Ask questions and review plans with the project team starting at 6:00 p.m. Each Committee meeting begins at 7:00 p.m. at Town Hall, Administration Building Richard E. Mastrangelo Council Chamber, 149 Main Street, Watertown.

Fiscal 2020 Budget

Watertown’s Preliminary FY20 Budget Pays off Retirement Deficits, Funds School Projects

By |

Watertown’s budget for the Fiscal Year beginning July 2019 will be $4 million more than the current fiscal year, and include a significant increase for the Watertown Public Schools and funding for the elementary school building projects. 

The budget figure for the Fiscal Year 2020 preliminary budget, presented by Town Manager Michael Driscoll Tuesday night, is $147 million. Currently, the revenues in the preliminary budget would fall about $820,000 short of the projected expenditures, but Driscoll said that he has used conservative estimates for revenues, including State Aid. “We have a challenge of $820,000,” Driscoll said. “By the time the budget is approved, either revenues will go up, expenditures will go down, or a combination of the two.” The budget includes a 5 percent increase for the Watertown Public Schools, up to $50.4 million, and a 2.5 percent increase for the Municipal departments, Driscoll said.

Development

LETTER: Resident Urges Others to Speak Out Against Increasing Height of Tower at Arsenal Yards

By |

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

Boylston Properties (BP) is seeking a zoning change at Arsenal Yards. What the published agenda IV. 485 Arsenal Street (click here) amendment fails to disclose is that while BP is again pushing for a height increase to 197 feet at Building G, they are also asking for 80 percent of that height for any additional buildings on their site on the south side of Arsenal Street. They want to create their own separate zone within the RMUD. If approved, those buildings could go to 157.6 feet.

Government

Affordable Housing in Watertown On the Agenda for Council Subcommittee

By |

The Town Council’s Committee on Human Services provided the following announcement:
The Town Council’s Committee on Human Services will continue its discussion of affordable housing at its meeting this Thursday, October 4, at 7:15 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers on the second floor of Town Hall. 
The theme for this meeting is “Affordable Housing Development” and will include presentations by Jennifer Van Campen, Executive Director of MetroWest Collaborative Development, State Representative Michael Connolly, and Steve Magoon, Watertown’s Assistant Town Manager and Director of the Department of Community Development and Planning. Town Councilor Tony Palomba chairs the Committee on Human Services. Councilor Caroline Bays is the Committee’s Vice –Chair, and Councilor Susan Falkoff is the Committee’s Secretary

Election 2018

Progressive Watertown Hosts Event to Prep for Mid-Term Election

By |

The following announcement was provided by Progressive Watertown:
As the Election Day, November 6 approaches Progressive Watertown and the Watertown Democratic Town Committee invites you to a special program. Come join us at, Preppin’ for the Mid-Terms – Building the #Blue Wave on Monday, October 1 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Coolidge Apartments, 319 Arlington Street. Come hear from the campaigns, learn about the three ballot questions and find out how you can help!  Our special guest is Lt. Governor Candidate Quentin Palfrey.  For more information, please contact Rita Colafella at colafella@gmail.com.