Government

Watertown Officials Hoping Watertown Yard Can be More Rider Friendly

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The MTBA’s Watertown Yard is the starting point for several bus routes, including the express buses to Boston, and Watertown officials believe it can be improved to make it a nicer place to catch the bus, and perhaps someday the Watertown TMA Shuttle. In September, MBTA officials lead a tour of the facility located on Galen Street, just south of the Charles River from Watertown Square, for Town Councilors, State House representatives and Town officials. Some of those on the tour that day met Thursday evening for the Town Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation. The general feeling was that Watertown Yard is a large facility that is not being used to its greatest potential. “What struck me is the tremendous opportunity to improve transportation in Watertown,” said Town Council Vice President Vincent Piccirilli.

Government

Recreation Department Hosting Tour of Casey Park to See Potential Renovations

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As Recreation Department officials make plans to make improvements to the baseball field side of Casey Park they will host a tour of the park for those interested in the project. Earlier this week the Recreation Department held a meeting about the Casey Park project and Recreation Department Director Peter Centola said residents requested to see the possible changes in person. The park is located south of the river on Watertown Street. The possible improvements include lights, improvements to the baseball field and handicap access from a parking lot behind the baseball field with an entrance on Morse Street, Centola said. The tour of the Casey Park Renovation – Baseball Side, will be on Saturday, Nov.

Elections

Watch the Town Council, School Committee Candidate Forums On-Line

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If you missed the Candidate Forums featuring the people running for office in the 2017 Watertown Election, you can watch them online. 

Watertown Cable Access has the Town Council and School Committee forums available to watch on-demand on its website. Follow these links to watch the forums that were co-sponsored by Watertown News and Watertown Cable Access. Town Council Forum: http://watertown.vod.castus.tv/vod/?video=bb39e1d2-165f-4f19-bd5e-f631bc649714&nav=programs/Special%20Programming

School Committee Forum: http://watertown.vod.castus.tv/vod/?video=3fd82af1-1d30-470d-9148-cf5b3013b643&nav=recent

Elections

LETTER: Endorsement for Watertown Library Trustees from Retiring Trustee

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It’s late October, and local election season is in full swing with political signs sprouting on lawns all over town. Among them, people may notice the names of candidates for Library Trustee. The Trustee race tends to be sleepy affair with three candidates (usually incumbents) running for the three seats up for grabs in a given election cycle—no campaigning required. But this year, as in 2015, we have a competitive race. Four candidates submitted nomination papers in July, and all four names will appear on the November 7 ballot.

Development

Phase 3 of Arsenal Yards, with 7 Story Building, Approved by Planning Board

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The third phase of the Arsenal Yards project got the go ahead from members of the Planning Board on Thursday night. 

The latest portion of the former Arsenal Mall to be approved is Building F (see plans here), a seven story structure with ground floor retail, multiple levels of parking and topped by three stories of apartments. This is the building where a grocery store may be built, according to the design team, and will be located in the space where the bridge goes over the underpass in the Arsenal Mall parking lot. The size of the building was increased from what was proposed in the Master Plan, which required the Planning Board to approve an amendment to the Master Plan along with approving the site plan. The Board approved both unanimously. Originally the building was planned to have six stories, and be 83-feet, 6-inches tall, but the new height is 89 feet, 4 inches.

Election 2017

See What the Town Councilor At-Large Hopefuls Said at the Candidate Forum

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The six people seeking to be Town Councilor At-Large appeared together for the first time Thursday to answer questions at a Candidate Forum co-sponsored by Watertown News and Watertown Cable Access Television. A full room at the Watertown Library’s Watertown Savings Bank Room watched the forum, along with a live TV audience. The forum will be rebroadcast on Watertown Cable. Candidates answered questions from both the forum organizers and residents attending the event. Here are some of the issues they tackled:
Development
The candidates were asked about what can be done about huge amount of development in Watertown and how they can look out for neighbors of the projects

Michael Dattoli, who is seeking re-election, said he was not comfortable with the level of development going on and noted that he voted against the Regional Mixed Use District that allowed for bigger projects in the area of the two malls and beyond.

Government

Plans to Improve Watertown Square Intersection to be Discussed at Meeting

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The Town will be making improvements to Watertown Square which may include major changes to the intersection. A meeting will be held for members of the public to get more information and to give their input. The meeting of the Town Council’s Public Works subcommittee will be held on Monday, Oct. 30 at 6:30 p.m. in the Town Council Chambers in Town Hall. The Town sent out the following announcement:
The Town of Watertown is redesigning Watertown Square to improve traffic operations and safety.

Government

See Which Streets in Watertown Will be Repaved in 2018

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The list of streets that will be repaved in 2018 was revealed by the Public Works Department on Wednesday night, with several making the list, but others not making it this year. The town bonds $2.5 million a year to pay for street and sidewalk repair. Watertown also receives Chapter 90 money from the state and uses some funds from the water and sewer enterprise funds when the project has expenses related to water and sewer work. The condition of the road is an important component when making the decision for which roads to repave each year, said Town Engineer Matt Shuman, but that is not the only factor. DPW officials also go around town and observe conditions of the roads and sidewalks, and they listen to input from the public.