Government

Company Seeking to Store Prefab Homes on Pleasant Street Lot

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The Watertown Planning Board heard a proposal to allow prefabricated homes to be stored on Pleasant Street, across from Russo’s market, for about four months. The proposal, presented by Scott Oran of Austin Street Partners last week, would be for 527 Pleasant St., an unused lot that had been part of the parking area for Raytheon. Up to 25 modular homes built in Canada would be stored on the site until they are installed. Each home is 12 feet x 63 feet x 11 feet. The proposed timeline for the storage would be from September to December 2018.

Athletics

Final Recommendations for Victory Field Track Area Presented to Town Council

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The Committee looking at the Renovation of the track and courts area of Victory Field heard from a variety of residents and users of the facility and came up with a plan they hope balances the needs of the school sports programs, people who use the area recreationally and neighbors. After more than a year and a dozen meetings, the Ad Hoc Committee on Victory Field Phase 2 presented a list of more than 50 recommendations. At Tuesday’s Town Council meeting, Town Council President Mark Sideris commended the members of the committee for recommendations they came up with. “I applaud all of them for listening to the community and coming up with a plan that in my opinion is a very good report,” Sideris said. The committee members included Town Councilors, neighbors of the field, Youth Sports, and representatives from the Town and the Watertown Public Schools.

Government

OP-ED: State Senator’s Long Effort to Pass Non-Compete Agreement Reform Comes to Fruition

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The following piece was provided by State. Sen. Will Brownsberger, D — Belmont, who represents Watertown:

Ten years ago, a friend in Belmont told me how her career had been derailed by an unfair contract.  She asked for a legislative remedy — not for herself, but to protect others. I agreed to work with her. The project became a central focus for me across five sessions of the legislature. Finally, last week, the Governor signed legislation limiting the use of “non-competition agreements.” The legislation is not the complete remedy she sought 10 years ago, but it is a big step forward.

30 Elm Street

Proposed Self Storage, R&D Building on Elm St. Pleases Planning Board

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The latest proposal for the property at 30 Elm Street — which would create a self-storage facility with space for biotech and a community space —  pleased members of the Planning Board, who recommended that the Zoning Board give it final approval. Developers seek to put up the four-story, 49-foot tall building on the property behind Target which used to be the Atlantic Battery Co. Previously there was a proposal to build a five-story hotel, but it was rejected by the Zoning Board in 2015. While the majority of the building would be devoted to self storage, the front of the building would feature space for a research and development company and space for a community use, such as the Hatch maker space, said attorney Bill York, who represented 30 Elm Street Partners LLC. Architect Hans Strauch from HDS Architecture said designers wanted to make the building attractive.

Elections

Deadline to Register to Vote in State Primary Approaching Fast

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Massachusetts voters will cast their ballots in the 2018 State Primary on Sept. 4, but to be able to vote you must be registered by Wednesday, Aug. 15. You can register on the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s website (click here) or in person at Town Clerk’s office in Watertown Town Hall, 149 Main St., Watertown. The Clerk’s office will be  open on Wednesday, Aug.

Development

Arsenal Yards Developers Seek Biotech Tenants, Planning Board Wants More Details

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The latest plans by developers of Arsenal Yards to add biotech research and development space to the multi-use development have been put on hold by the Planning Board. Until now, the focus of the development has been creating new retail and residential space on the former Arsenal Mall property. Developers also have plans to renovate the historic brick buildings on the site, including Building A (where Marshall’s is located). Wednesday night Boylston Properties presented a request to change the approved plans for Building A to allow biotech tenants on the second floor. Mark Deschenes of Boylston Properties said that plans changed since Phase 1 was approved by the Planning Board in May 2017.

Elections

LETTER: Resident Supporting Diehl in Massachusetts Senate Race

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To the Editor,

Last March the Watertown Republican Town Committee endorsed Geoff Diehl for United States Senate. So I was thrilled to read that our Republican State Committeeman Steve Aylward, is personally endorsing Geoff Diehl. Steve is a longtime respected Watertown resident, who has served community for decades in many capacities. His opinion on these matters should weigh heavy on us as we select our nominee to run against Elizabeth Warren. Geoff has done more for Massachusetts than Senator Warren has done in her time in the Senate.

Government

State Legislature Passes Regulations, Taxes on Airbnb, Other Short Term Rentals

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The following piece was provided by Andrew Bettinelli, Chief of Staff for State Sen. Will Brownsberger (D – Belmont) who represents Watertown:

The House and Senate have reached an agreement to regulate and tax short term rentals, like Airbnb. Perhaps most importantly, the bill preserves local control, giving cities and towns wide latitude to regulate short term rentals. Preserving local control is critical because cities and towns across the Commonwealth have different concerns, and even within Boston, the impacts are different from neighborhood to neighborhood. By requiring registration of short term rental units, municipalities will be able to collect the data needed to better understand the impacts on different neighborhoods. https://www.watertownmanews.com/2018/02/22/town-mulling-over-how-to-handle-airbnb-other-short-term-rentals-in-watertown/

This bill would:

Tax short-term rentals and accommodations rented through hosting platforms like Airbnb at the same uniform tax rate imposed on stays at traditional brick-and-mortar lodging accommodations like hotels/motels/bed & breakfast establishments.