Business

Town Council Votes Down Prohibiting Self Storage in Watertown

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The Town Council split on whether to prohibit self storage facilities from operating in Watertown on Tuesday, ultimately noting not to ban the use. 

The proposed amendment to the town’s Zoning Ordinance came about after the Town Council approved a change to the parking requirements for self storage facilities in January. Some Councilors and residents opposed the parking change — which reduced the parking requirement to one spot for every three storage units to two spots per every 10,000 sq. ft. of gross floor area — in part because the amendment came from the owners of the property at 80 Elm St., a potential spot for self storage. The question of banning self-storage as a use in Watertown went to the Planning Board in April.

Government

See How Much Watertown’s Water, Sewer Rates Will be Going Up

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Watertown residents will see a slight rise in water rates in the next Fiscal Year, and sewer rates will rise even more. The average of the combined water/sewer rate increase is 2.5 percent. Tuesday night, the Town Council heard the proposed rates for water and sewer service in Watertown from Dave Fox, a consultant from Raftelis. The water and sewer accounts are self funding, and the most of the basis for the rates comes from the forecast use of water and sewer in Fiscal 2019 (which begins July 1, 2018). “It is based on the number of accounts and consumption,” Fox said.

Elections

Republican Announces Bid for Mass. 5th Congressional Seat

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The following announcement was sent out by Congressional candidate John Hugo:

Woburn Republican John Hugo officially announces his candidacy for Congress in the MA 5th Congressional district. “I’ve submitted well over the required amount of certified signatures with the Elections’ Division of the Massachusetts Secretary of State and I’ve been certified as a candidate,” said Hugo. 
For nearly a year, John Hugo has been actively reaching out to various Republican and Independent voters throughout the District. “I’ve met with many if not most Republican Ward and Town Committees, along with other grassroots activists. Everywhere I go, I hear the same things: ‘We need someone willing to challenge Katherine Clark. Clarke is out of touch with the District and needs to be held accountable for her extreme views and actions,'” said Hugo … adding “The residents of the 5th Congressional District need a Congressman or woman that will represent the needs of the District and will uphold the Constitution.

Government

Town Hosting Open House on Planned Changes to Arsenal Park

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The Town of Watertown announced it will host a meeting where residents can comment on the conceptual designs for renovating Arsenal Park. The Town sent out the following information:

Please come to an Open House to see the final Conceptual Design Plan for Arsenal Park. The Conservation Commission, who has care, custody and control of the Park, has reviewed the design and recommended to move forward with the plan and with this open house presentation. WHEN: June 13, any time from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Town Council Chamber
WHAT: Concept Plan (Click here to see the plans)

DPW

See the Latest Designs for Mt. Auburn Street at Meeting Hosted by DPW

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The latest plans for how Mt. Auburn Street will be renovated will be on display at a Department of Public Works meeting on May 14, 2018. The Town of Watertown is redesigning Mt. Auburn Street with a “Complete Streets” approach, which seeks to to improve safety and better accommodate all users: vehicles, transit, bicycles, and pedestrians. The meeting will be similar to the one held in February, but while that meeting focused on Coolidge Square, this one will encompass the entire length of the Mt.

Arsenal Yards

Council Roundup: Councilor Opposes Planning Board Appointee, Tower at Mall, Trees & Green Schools

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The Town Council approved a new member of the Planning Board at Tuesday’s Council meeting, but the candidate did not receive unanimous support. 

Jason Cohen, who has been an alternate member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, was appointed to the Planning Board to replace John Hawes, who recently stepped down after more than two decades on the board. Cohen, is an architect, has served on the ZBA since 2015, has lived in town since 2001 and has two children attending Hosmer Elementary School. Professionally, he works primarily on large multi-unit housing projects, but during his interview with the Economic Development & Planning subcommittee he said he is interested in larger urban planning issues that come before the Planning Board, including approving projects on Arsenal Street and Pleasant Street. Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis said she could not support Cohen because she believed he did not consider all input from residents when considering a case. She pointed to the proposal for the medical marijuana facility at 23 Elm St., and the ZBA meeting in May 2017.

Government

Two Chances to Meet With State Rep. Jonathan Hecht in May

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The following information was provided by Rep. Jonathan Hecht’s office:

Representative Jonathan Hecht will hold office hours twice in Watertown this May. Constituents are invited to meet with Representative Hecht at the following times and locations:

Monday, May 14, 8:30-9:30 a.m., Watertown Town Hall, 149 Main St, Watertown, 3rd Floor hallway

Monday, May 21, 5:00-6:00 p.m., Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St, Watertown, Raya Stern Trustees Room

Anyone unable to attend these office hours can call Representative Hecht at 617-722-2140 to schedule an appointment at another time.

Fiscal Year 2019 Budget

Town Adding Several New Positions in Proposed Fiscal Year 2019 Budget

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Next year’s proposed Watertown Town Budget includes funding for a few new positions, including an environmental planner, a forestry supervisor, positions at the Senior Center, and an additional police officer. A new department, shared by the Town and Schools, will be formed, and money has been set aside to start the reconstruction of four Watertown Schools. Town Manager Michael Driscoll presented the budget, his 26th in Watertown, to the Town Council on Tuesday night. The Fiscal Year 2019 budget will be $139.55 million, a $6.997 million increase over the current Fiscal year, or 5.28 percent. It includes a 5 percent increase in the education budget, 2.5 percent more for Municipal Departments, and adds more than $1 million to the budget for Public Safety — Police and Fire.