Assisted Living

Town Council OKs Assisted Living Facilities in Parts of Watertown

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Assisted living facilities will now be allowed in certain areas of Watertown after the Town Council approved a change in the town’s zoning ordinance, but some were uncomfortable approving it for an entire zone rather than just for the spot where a developer hopes to put up a facility. The zoning change impacts the Industrial 3 Zone – the I-3 Zone. The proposal for the zoning change came forward from the Department of Community Development and Planning after a developer approached the town interested in putting up a facility for seniors to live and receive nursing care and other services on the site of the Super 8 Motel on North Beacon Street. The zoning change would allow assisted living facilities in the I-3 zone, but the applicant would have to get a special permit with site plan review from the Planning and Zoning Boards. The ground floor would need to have non-residential uses, such as retail.

Building for the Future

School Renovation Projects to be Discussed When School, Town Officials Meet

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All five Watertown public schools will be renovated over the next several years during the Building for the Future project but before the work can begin projects must be approved not only by the School Committee, but also the Town Council. Ultimately Watertown voters will have to approve funding. On Thursday, July 27, a joint meeting of the School Committee and Town Council will be held to start discussions of the school renovation projects. Consultants Ai3 will present their recommendations at the meeting, which will be at 6 p.m. in the Council Chamber in Town Hall, 149 Main St., Watertown. According to the timeline created by Ai3 (see the timeline here), the three elementary would be worked on first.

Government

Town Holding Community Discussion on Airplane Noise Over Watertown

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Watertown residents will have their chance to be heard about noise from airplanes heading to and from Logan Airport at a community meeting. 

The Town sent out the following announcement:

Join Senator Will Brownsberger, Representative Jon Hecht, and District A Councilor Angie Kounelis for a discussion about Airport noise in Watertown

Date:  July 25, 2017
Place:  Coolidge School Apartments, 319 Arlington Street, Watertown
Time:  7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Cost:  Free and Open to the Public

AGENDA
Greetings/Introductions – All

History/Review – Andrea Adams, Watertown Senior Planner, Town’s Representative to the MassPort Community Advisory Committee (10 minutes)

Recent Studies – Myron Kassaraba, Town of Belmont’s MassPort Community Advisory Committee Member (15 minutes)

Legislative Efforts
Watertown District A Councilor Angeline B. Kounelis (10 minutes)
Representative Jon Hecht (10 minutes)
Senator Will Brownsberger (10

minutes)

Community Discussion

Call to Action/Adjourn

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.