Government

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

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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

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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 Aylward was Diehl’s co-chairman in the ballot question that repealed the linkage of the gas tax to inflation.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

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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

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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.

Government

DCR Holding Walk Through of Proposed Re-striping of Charles River Road

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The following information was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger’s Office:

Senator Will Brownsberger and Representative Jon Hecht have arranged a walkthrough of Charles River Road with DCR to review the agency’s proposed plans for re-striping the newly paved road. DCR’s Deputy Chief Engineer, Jeff Parenti, will be on-site to answer questions and take input. The event is open to the public. WHEN: Wednesday, June 27 at 8:30 a.m.

WHERE: Meet at Charles River Road opposite of Irving Street (red star on map above)

Please don’t hesitate to follow-up directly, at 617-722-1280, with any questions or concerns you may have. Hope to see you there!

Government

OP-ED: State Senate’s Letter to President on Separating Children from Parents Seeking Asylum

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{The following letter was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger, and was sent on behalf of the Massachusetts State Senate}

June 20, 2018

President Donald J. Trump
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear President Trump,

We write to you as a united and bipartisan group of Massachusetts State Senators, to denounce the immoral policy of separating children from their parents when they seek asylum at the United States border with Mexico. We believe this policy is toxic to our reputation as a country and, most importantly, damaging to the families it impacts. This policy has already separated over 2,300 children from their families; the federal government has an affirmative duty to reunite every family that was separated by this policy. Further, rising public knowledge of this new un-American practice by your administration has created outrage and deep sorrow across our country. In a time when politics regarding immigration policy has become more divisive than ever, response to these actions has united Republicans, Democrats, independents, family advocates, and business groups – all calling for the common sense practice to keep families united.

Government

Watertown Shuttle Will Have to Wait Until More Businesses, Apartment Complexes Sign On

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Those hoping to ride a shuttle down Pleasant Street to Watertown Square, or anywhere else in town, will have to wait. 

The proposed shuttle would be largely funded by private businesses and residential developments, with the Town also contributing. The Council’s Economic Development and Planning subcommittee heard from Transportation Planner Laura Wiener Tuesday night, who said that not enough organizations have committed to funding a shuttle to launch a viable pilot program. The current plan is to run a shuttle along Pleasant Street, Wiener said, because the street does not really have any public transportation. The estimated cost for running a shuttle for a year is $150,000, Wiener said. The Watertown Transportation Management Association (TMA) has committed $25,000, and the Town has volunteered in-kind donations of a vehicle and fuel equivalent to about $50,000.

Environment

Solar Panel Requirement for New Buildings Supported by Council Subcommittee

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New developments in Watertown would have to put up a solar energy system if the zoning amendment heard by a Town Council subcommittee is adopted by the full Town Council. Watertown would become the first community in Massachusetts to require solar energy systems on new developments, Ed Lewis, the Town’s Energy Manager, told the Economic Development and Planning Committee Tuesday night. Other communities and the state has come up with proposed ordinances, but none has enacted them, Lewis said. Town Councilor Vincent Piccirilli said it is nice to be leading the way. “I’m excited to be the first in the state to require solar on buildings,” Piccirilli said.