Government

Town Councilor Kneels in Prayer During Pledge of Allegiance at Watertown’s Inauguration

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At the Watertown Inauguration on Tuesday, one of the newly elected Town Councilors stood out by kneeling during the Pledge of Allegiance. Caroline Bays, who was elected to her first term as Councilor-At-Large in November, said she knelt in prayer during the Pledge. She then stood for the National Anthem. Bays said she was kneeling in support of those who have had their freedoms curtailed. “The Pledge of Allegiance states that we are a nation which stands for liberty and justice for all,” Bays said in a statement.

Government

CPA Tax Appearing on Tax Bills for First Time, Some Can Get Exemption

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Watertown homeowners noticed a new line on their property tax bills, the one for “CPA Tax.” The new tax is on all bills, but some residents can qualify for an exemption on the new tax. The tax is the surcharge for the Community Preservation Act, which was passed by voters in 2016. The money raised by the tax will go into a fund earmarked for projects related to affordable housing, open space/recreation and historic preservation. The CPA adds a 2 percent tax surcharge.

Aaron Dushku

Two Councilors Honored by Colleagues as They Bid the Board Farewell

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As Watertown prepares to inaugurate the newly elected officials on Jan. 2, 2018, two familiar faces will not be among the Town Councilors sworn in – Susan Falkoff and Aaron Dushku. Their colleagues paid tribute to the two Councilors stepping down this year during the final Council meeting of 2017. Each received a proclamation from the Council along with a framed print of Town Hall. Falkoff served as a Councilor-At-Large for a dozen years.

Government

Rep. Hecht Provides Year End Review of Work in the State House, in Town

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Watertown State Rep. Jonathan Hecht wrote up a review of the accomplishments for his district and the state on his website, including increasing state dollars coming to Watertown, approval of the Greenway path in East Watertown and studies to improve major roadways in town. Hecht’s office sent out the following statement:

State Rep. Jon Hecht invites Watertown residents to read the 2017 year-end review he has posted on his website: http://www.jonhecht.com/2017-in-review/. Learn about legislation adopted this year in Massachusetts, get an update on district projects and priorities, and see what’s in store for the second half of the 2017-18 legislative session. Anyone wishing to receive Rep. Hecht’s updates and office hour announcements by email can sign up at http://www.jonhecht.com/sign-up/

Government

Watertown Residents Can Prepay 2018 Property Taxes Online or at Town Hall

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Who should prepay their taxes is not an easy question. Many of sought the advice of an accountant. The Boston Globe summarized the situation in this report, which said:

“… those who won’t itemize under the new plan, which boosts the standard deduction to $24,000 for a married couple, or whose property taxes and state income taxes, combined, will exceed the $10,000 cap for those deductions that will take effect in 2018. For them, paying next year’s property taxes now could save hundreds, or thousands of dollars.”

Bicycles

Town Wants to Know What Changes You’d Make to Streets in Your Neighborhood

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Many road projects planned by the Town of Watertown focus on major roads and intersections, but the Department of Public Works recently began an effort to find places to make small scale changes on neighborhood streets. The improvements are not just for motor vehicles, but also for walkers, bikers and riders of public transportation, said Phil Goff, senior planning associate with Alta Planning + Design, the firm hired by the town to create a list of projects. Accommodating all these forms of transportation is part of the Town’s Complete Streets Policy. In February Town officials signed a Commonwealth Compact with the state and creating the policy was the first step toward the Town being able to apply for up to $400,000 in state funding for the projects. The second step, or tier, is creating the Complete Streets Prioritization Plan.

Government

Watertown Elected Officials to be Sworn in at Inauguration on Jan. 2

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Recently elected Watertown officials will be sworn in during the Watertown Inauguration on Jan. 2, 1018. The inauguration ceremony will be held at the Mosesian Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., on Tuesday, Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. A reception will follow. The following elected officials will be sworn that night:

The President of the Town Council and Member of the School Committee – Elect
Mark S. Sideris
The Members – Elect of the Town Council
Caroline J. Bays
Michael F. Dattoli
Anthony J. Donato
Lisa J. Feltner
Angeline B. Kounelis
Anthony Palomba
Vincent J. Piccirilli, Jr.
Kenneth M. Woodland
The Members – Elect of the School Committee
Amy B. Donohue
Lindsay Jean Mosca
John H. Portz
Lily R. Rayman-Read
The Trustees – Elect of the Free Public Library
Leanne Hammonds
Michael J. Hanlon, Jr.
Daniel E. Pritchard