Development

Planning Board Approves Hotel and Garage at Arsenal Yards

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After hearing complaints about the design of the proposed Hampton Inn & Suites hotel at Arsenal Yards, designers simplified the look and reduced the number of colors to be used. The Planning Board approved of the changes and voted to approve Phase 2 of the renovation of the former Arsenal Mall on Wednesday night. Phase 2 includes Building B which has retail space on the ground floor and above it a hotel on Arsenal Street with a garage as you go back from the street. When the drawings were first presented at a community meeting in May, people complained materials used were not the red brick of the historic Watertown Arsenal, and that too many colors and materials were used on the outside. Planning Board member Janet Buck said that she did not like the first rendering of the hotel.

Fallen Firefighter

Town Exploring Creating Memorial to Fallen Watertown Firefighter

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The corner of the street where the fire that took the life of Watertown Firefighter Joe Toscano occurred could be named in his honor, as Watertown firefighters seek to create a memorial for their fallen comrade. Tuesday night, the proposal was brought forward officially by East End Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis, who was supported by members of the Watertown Fire Department. “This past March 17 a tragedy occurred in our community, something I hope we never go through again,” Kounelis said. “It is a morning that many of us will never forget.” She proposed that the Town honor Toscano for making the “ultimate sacrifice” of giving his life in the line of duty by creating a permanent memorial.

Government

Netting at Victory Field Track Scrapped, Walkers to be Prohibited at Certain Times

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The Victory Field Committee made compromises when addressing safety of Victory Field by voting against having netting on the ends of the field, but the compromise also means that the track will be closed to walkers during certain times while high school teams use the field. When deciding whether to put up the safety netting, the Ad Hoc Committee on Victory Field Phase 2 tried to balance the needs of athletic teams using the track and turf area inside with the needs of people using field as a public park. For years the oval area has served as home to the Watertown track and field team, and the field inside the track is used by both high school and youth sports groups. The facility is also part of the Watertown park system, and the track is a popular place for residents to walk and run. A proposal by designers at CDM Smith made two years ago, when the project was first discussed, includes netting at the ends of the field to protect users of the track from flying balls – particularly lacrosse and soccer balls.

DPW

Multi-Year Sewer Repair Projects to Start in Three Areas of Town

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The Department of Public Works will begin a multi-year sewer project in two areas of town with the help of money provided by the MWRA. 

The work begins with investigation of the sewer pipes under the streets using a camera that travels through the system searching for areas where pipes has been damaged, said Dennis Sheehan, the DPW’s Director of Administration and Finance. The pipes will also be cleaned. Cracks and damage can allow sewage out but also allows water into the pipes, which ultimately costs the town more money, Sheehan said. “The goal of the program is to reduce the amount of clean water being diverted to Deer Island and prevent the town paying (the treatment of) ground water infiltrating into the system,” Sheehan said. Next year, the DPW will repair the damages areas found by the cameras this year.

Government

Town Councilor Michael Dattoli Holding Office Hours Twice in July

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Town Councilor At-Large Michael Dattoli announced he will be holding office hours twice this month to meet with residents and discuss issues that are of concern to them. On Tuesday, July 11 Councilor Dattoli will be at the cafe tables outside of the Watertown Free Public Library (Main Street side) from 5:00-6:15 p.m., Councilor Dattoli has also scheduled office hours on Sunday, July 16 from 1:00-2:30 p.m. at the Dunkin Donuts in Coolidge Square (635 Mount Auburn Street). Councilor Dattoli can be contacted by phone at 617-999-5333 or email at michaeldattoli@gmail.com.

Development

New Hotel Proposed for Arsenal Mall to be Discussed by Planning Board

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The Planning Board will discuss the second phase of the Arsenal Yards project, which includes a hotel to be added in a new building planned for what is now the parking lot of the Arsenal Mall. 

Phase 2 focuses on Building B, which is on the west sided of the site, next to the Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates offices. Along with the retail space on the ground floor there will be a hotel and a parking structure (see architectural drawings here). Developers Boyslton Properties announced they plan to build a Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton with 150 rooms. The six-story hotel replaces the 79-unit residential building originally planned for Building B. It will have a garage with six levels, including an underground level. The plans got mixed reviews from the public during a community meeting held in May. See the documents submitted to the Town can be seen here (click on Phase Two Building B in the left column).

Government

Hearing to be Held About Two Trees Proposed to be Cut Down

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Watertown Tree Warden Chris Hayward will hold a hearing to discuss two trees that are proposed to be taken down. The Tree Hearing will be held on Thursday July 13, 2017, at 11:30 a.m. in Town Hall in the 3rd Floor Meeting Room. Location
DBH
Type of Tree

137 School Street
8”
Kwanzan cherry

1 Howe St (on Boylston St)
17”
Norway maple

Please note that you do not need to attend the Tree Hearing to be heard, Hayward said in the announcement. If you cannot attend but are for or against the removal of any of the trees listed and want your thoughts to become public record, please email the Tree Warden at chayward@watertown-ma.gov. Your concerns will be read into the public record at the hearing. Your email must be received by me by 10:30am on July 13, 2017.

Government

LETTER: Use of Victory Field Reaching Capacity, Adult Rec Needed Too

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The following is an open letter that Watertown Resident Patrick Fairbairn submitted to the Ad Hoc Committee on Victory Field Renovations Phase 2. The committee will meet on Monday, July 10 at 7 p.m. in the Lower Hearing Room of Town Hall. Fairbairn is a member of the Conservation Commission but submitted the letter as a resident. The letter reads as follows:

Having sat in on the first two meetings of the Victory Field Renovations Ad Hoc Committee and participated in the intervening site inspection, I’d like to contribute to the discussion as follows. 1.