Government

Watertown First Community in State to Adopt Solar Requirements for Projects

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Watertown became the first community in Massachusetts to require developments to have solar panels on their roofs. 

Last week, the Town Council approved changes to the town’s Zoning Ordinance that requires developments of 10,000 sq. ft and more, or 10 or more housing units, to devote at least half the roof to solar energy system. The new regulation applies to new developments and renovations requiring a site plan review. The Town Council unanimously approved the zoning amendment on Tuesday night. The amendment started as a proposal from resident Jocelyn Tager in 2016. Councilor Susan Falkoff said that Tager was persistent.

Government

Meet With State Rep. Jonathan Hecht During his December Office Hours

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Representative Jonathan Hecht’s office announced that Hecht will hold office hours once in Watertown this December. Constituents are invited to meet with Representative Hecht at the following time and location:
Monday, December 10, 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Lucia Mastrangelo Meeting Room, Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., Watertown
Anyone unable to attend these office hours can call Representative Hecht at 617-722-2140 to schedule an appointment at another time.

Government

Town Council Adopts Regulations for Retail Marijuana with Buffers Zones, Cap on Number

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At the same time as Massachusetts began allowing the retail sale of marijuana for recreational use, the Watertown Town Council adopted regulations for selling, creating and testing recreational cannabis products. The discussion of the new regulations took more than two hours during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, with councilors concerned about the where the retail establishments can be located, the number of establishments, and how to regulate labs that test marijuana. Towns can vote to ban all recreational marijuana establishments, said Town Attorney Mark Reich. However, because Watertown voters supported Question 4 in 2016, the town would have to put an ordinance to ban retail marijuana on the ballot and have it approved by the voters. Sixty percent of voters voted Yes on the question to legalize the sale of marijuana for recreational use.

Cell Antenna

Residents Fired Up Over Proposed Cell Phone Antennae in Watertown

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Residents came out to express their concerns to the Town Council about proposed cell phone antennae in two locations in Watertown. The concern is not just about possible health concerns from having a cell antenna near homes, but also about the new regulations that make it more difficult for communities to deny new cell phone antenna locations. Keenan Brinn, representing ExteNet — which is petitioning for the antennae — said the company seeks to put up one antenna on a utility pole at 141 Palfrey Street and one on a pole at 550 Arsenal Street. The company also seeks to put one near the main intersection of Watertown Square, in the vicinity of Charles River Road, but that falls under the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s jurisdiction. “ExteNet is interested in building out the fifth generation cellular network, otherwise know as 5G,” Brinn said.

Government

Town Council Approves Design Concepts for Mt. Auburn St. Reconstruction

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After many meetings looking at the proposals to reconstruct Mt. Auburn Street, including the controversial road diet, the Town Council voted to approve the preliminary designs Tuesday. The project now moves to the state transportation officials for their input, but there are still many steps before it becomes a reality. 

The Town Council’s Public Works subcommittee recently held two meetings to take a closer look at the plans for the major corridor through town, particularly focusing on Coolidge Square and the business district near the intersection with Common  Street. Residents and business owners had a lot of concerns, ranging from reducing the lanes from two to one each way, loss of parking and loading areas for businesses, and bicycle and pedestrian safety. On Tuesday, Councilors weighed whether to approve the plans recommended by the Public Works Committee, and send them to the state’s Department of Transportation (MassDOT) for the 25 percent design review.

Coolidge Square

LETTER: Councilor Concerned About Impact of Mt. Auburn St. Project on Coolidge Square

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(The following is an open letter sent by Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis to the team designing the Mt. Auburn Street Renovation)

Dear Mt. Auburn St. Team, et al,

Many thanks for your response that has been 3.5 months in the making. I echo the sentiments of local residents, who at my suggestion, have written to the Team, only to receive a response focused solely on the scripted design plan. 

Please do not insult me in a condescending manner by stating: “we would encourage you to view this video about implementing Road Diets in New Jersey.”

Government

See How Much Property Tax Bills Will Increase for Watertown Residents Next Year

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The average Watertown residential tax bill will be going up between $160 and $285 next year, depending on the type of property. 

Tuesday night, the Town Council approved the tax rates for Fiscal Year 2019, which includes as 23 percent residential exemption for qualifying properties. They also approved a 175 percent shift from residential to CIP (commercial, industrial and personal) properties. The exemption and shift were approved at the same rate as last year. The average tax bill for homeowners who live in their homes will rise: $160 for single-family homes, $285 for condominiums and two-family homes, and $367 for three-family homes. The rate will be $12.92 per $1,000 of assessed value of properties.

Election 2018

See Watertown’s Vote by Precinct in 2018 for Governor, Senate, Congress & the Ballot Questions

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Watertown supported the Democrats by a wide margin in two major races, but the GOP got more votes in another key Massachusetts race. See how the vote broke down for these races, and in the three ballot questions. Elizabeth Warren received strong support in Watertown. The incumbent Democratic Senator got 73.7 percent of the vote, and received more than 1,000 votes in six of the town’s 12 precincts (3, 4, 5, 7, 8 and 10), with the most in Precinct 4 (1,211 votes). Republican Geoff Diehl had his strongest showing in Precinct 10, where he got 460 votes.