Government

Split Town Council Won’t Stand in Way of Medical Marijuana Dispensary

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A proposed medical marijuana dispensary in East Watertown cleared a major hurdle Tuesday night when the Town Council voted 6-3 to approve a “Letter of Non-Opposition” for the application. The applicants, Natural Selections (or NS AJO), still must get approval of a special permit from the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals before they can open the dispensary at 23 Elm Street. The decision came after about two-and-a-half hours of debate, discussion and public input. Members of the public were split for and against the proposed dispensary. Those in favor said that people with illnesses and diseases such as cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma and multiple sclerosis (MS) benefit from using medical marijuana, and they must get an ID issued by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

Around Town

Historical Preservation Awards Nomination Deadline Approaching

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Applications for nominations for the Watertown Historic Commission 2017 Historical Preservation Awards are being accepted and must be received by April 6, 2017, Town officials announced. The Watertown Historical Commission Preservation Awards can be awarded to any individual, organization or project that has contributed to the preservation or recognition of Watertown’s Historic resources. There are seven award categories which a nominee may be considered. The completed form is due in the Historical Commission office by April 6, 2017. The Richard E. Mastrangelo Memorial Award is given to any individual elected or employed by the Town of Watertown who has actively been a champion in supporting the preservation of a Historical Resource.

Government

Town Council to Consider First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Application Tuesday

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The first applicant seeking to open a medical marijuana dispensary in Watertown will appear before the Town Council Tuesday night, and the public will have a chance to weigh in. 

The public hearing is on the Council’s agenda for the Tuesday, March 28 meeting, to be held in the Council Chambers on the second floor of Town Hall, 149 Main St., Watertown. Meeting begins at 7:15 p.m.

The applicants, Natural Selections, seeks to open the facility at 23 Elm Street, in a building behind the one occupied by A-Affordable Auto Insurance. The proponents appeared before the Council’s Economic Development and Planning Committee, which voted to allow the proposal be heard by the full Council in February. In order to move forward and be considered for a special permit by the Planning Board and Zoning Board, applicants first need to get a Letter of Support or Non-Opposition from the Town Council. That is what will be considered Tuesday.

Government

Duct Work on North Beacon Street Will Narrow Road This Week

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North Beacon Street in Watertown will be narrowed during installation of power ducts beginning Monday, State officials announced. The Department of Conservation and Recreation released the following information:

Beginning Monday, March 27, 2017, and continuing through Friday, March 31, 2017, the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will implement a single lane closure on North Beacon Street (eastbound) between Charles River Road and Nonantum Road in the Cities of Watertown and Boston from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to accommodate power duct installation work. Two-way traffic will be maintained. Additionally, the adjacent sidewalk will be closed, and pedestrians are encouraged to use a detour across North Beacon Street at existing crosswalks. Traffic routes will be clearly marked and a police detail will be on site.

Government

Two Chances to Meet with State Rep. Jonathan Hecht in April

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

Monday, April 3, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Watertown Free Public Library
123 Main St, Raya Stern Trustees Room

Tuesday, April 11, 8:30-9:30 a.m.
Watertown Town Hall
149 Main St, 3rd Floor hallway

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

Community Preservation Act

Subcommittee Debating Who Should be on the CPA Committee

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With the passage of the Community Preservation Act in November, the town must now create a committee to review proposals and recommend to the Town Council which ones Watertown should pursue. Monday night, the Council’s Rules & Ordinances subcommittee discussed a draft ordinance for the formation of the CPA Committee. The recommendation is to have a nine member committee, some of which are required by the state’s CPA law and others to be recommended for appointment by the Town Manager and approved by the Town Council. The CPA adds a 2 percent surcharge to Watertown property taxes which will create a fund that can be used on affordable housing, historic preservation and open space. The four required positions are:

a member of the Planning Board chosen by the board
a member of the Conservation Commission chosen by the commission
a member of the Historical Commission chosen by the commission
a member of the Housing Authority Board chose by the Board of Directors 

State law requires another position to be included on a CPA committee – a member of the Parks Commission – but Watertown does not have this board.

Fire Contract

Watertown Firefighters Sign 3 Year Contract with Raises Each Year

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Watertown’s firefighters have a new contract, an agreement that was made with the town without the animosity that was seen before the last contract was settled. The deal came the night before the tragic loss of Firefighter Joseph Toscano. Thursday night, Watertown Firefighters Local 1347 and town officials signed the 3-year contract which gives firefighters a raise of 2.25 percent in Fiscal Year 2017 (which started July 1, 2016), 2 percent in FY 2018 and 2 percent in FY 2019. The last Watertown Firefighters contract took more than six years to settle. It went to arbitration when the two sides could not come to an agreement, then town officials and the Council rejected the arbitration agreement in December 2014.

Government

Sen. Brownsberger, Rep. Hecht Hosting Meeting on Criminal Justice Reform

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Later this month, Senator Will Brownsberger will cohost two discussions on the push for criminal justice reform in Massachusetts. The events will feature an overview of the broad agenda for criminal justice reform in the 2017-2018 legislative session, followed by a general discussion, as Senator Brownsberger and his colleagues in the Legislature seek community feedback on the agenda and other criminal justice reform priorities. Allston/Brighton | Cohosted by State Representatives Kevin Hogan & Mike Moran
WHEN: Monday, March 27 from 6:30-8 p.m.
WHERE: Jackson Mann Community Center | 500 Cambridge St., Allston

Watertown | Cohosted by State Representative Jon Hecht
WHEN: Tuesday, March 28 from 6:30-8 p.m.
WHERE: Watertown Free Public Library | 123 Main St., Watertown

These events are free and open to the public. If you are unable to join Senator Brownsberger in Allston/Brighton or Watertown, please feel free to submit your thoughts directly by emailing William.Brownsberger@masenate.gov, or contribute to the conversation online at willbrownsberger.com! And stay tuned for more information as we finalize the details surrounding our community discussion on criminal justice reform in Boston, which will take place later this Spring!