Community Path

Town Will Purchase House Near Library, Use it to Expand Community Path

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The Town Council voted Tuesday night to purchase a home in the center of town to help expand the Community Path through the center of town, but not all councilors agreed with the move. 

The owners of  house, which sits on Winter Street just off Church Street, approached the town to see if officials would be interested in purchasing the property, said Town Manager Michael Driscoll. After a few months of negotiations, the town agreed to pay $796,000 for the house at 10 Winter Street. The money will come from the town’s Free Cash funds. The land will help the town link the multi-use path, that runs along Arsenal Street and comes into Watertown Square, but stops before starting up in Saltonstall Park, across the field from the back of Town Hall. Councilor Aaron Dushku said the purchase of the home will help the town build the path, while not impact parking in Watertown Square.

Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee

Members of Town Boards Accused of Violating Ethics Laws in Endorsements of CPA

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Opponents of the Community Preservation Act say the supporters of the ballot measure for the CPA violated the Massachusetts election ethics law by using their appointed office to advocate for the measure. Accusers spoke at Public Forum during Tuesday’s Town Council meeting and said that the entire Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee and a member of the Conservation Commission violated the ethics law. Resident John DiMascio said that Conservation Commissioner Patrick Fairbairn should not have included his role on the commission when he signed a letter to the editor sent to Watertown News this week (click here to see the letter). He also said the entire Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee was in breach of the law when letting their committee be named as a supporter of the CPA on a campaign mailing from Invest in Watertown, the Yes on Question 5 group. Fairbairn said he had no comment about the accusation.

Elections

LETTER: Resident Opposes Ballot Question to Raise Cap on Charter Schools

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The “yes” on charter Schools – Question 2 campaign has provided specious and untrue statements in their literature and TV and radio commercials. I am very concerned from what I hear first hand as I have been canvassing to vote NO on Question #2. People are confused and misled by the Yes Charter School misinformation. I had lobbied the legislators to take the vote to keep the cap on charter schools. I believe it should not be a ballot question.

Elections

LETTER: Conservation Commissioner Believes Town Can Support CPA and Schools

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As I observe and continue to participate in the debate between supporters and opponents of Question 5 (which proposes adoption of the Community Preservation Act by Watertown), I detect at least one salutary outcome. Look at all the publicity we have generated in helping define the public interest! I support voting YES on Question 5. I admire the heartfelt dedication of its opponents from Watertown Strong Schools (WSS), but wince under their “friendly fire.” I consider it needlessly alarmist for voices within WSS to advocate putting off Community Preservation Act adoption in 2016 – for what, another 11 years? Talk to anyone in the Conservation Commission and you will hear that such adoption is outrageously overdue.

Government

Council Subcommittee Discussing Potential Medical Marijuana Centers in Watertown

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This week, the siting of possible medical marijuana centers in Watertown will be discussed by the Town Council’s Economic Development and Planning subcommittee. 

After a statewide ballot question was approved in 2012 allowing the sale of medical marijuana in Massachusetts, the Town Council approved such facilities in certain areas. The law prevented the town from outright opposing all medical marijuana centers. The Council’s decision allows these centers in Watertown if they get a special permit, and the facility must be more than 500 feet from places where children congregate and can only be in the Industrial Zones. Most of these properties are along Arsenal and Pleasant streets. East End Councilor Angeline Kounelis said she has received calls from groups looking to open a medical marijuana facility in her district.

Elections

LETTER: Former School Committee Member Opposes the CPA

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When my children attended the Cunniff School, we as parents faced what a lot of parents are facing today — over crowded classrooms, band practice in the hallways while students are trying to learn in the classrooms. I remember when I asked the principal during a PTO meeting what could be done to create more space, he looked at me and said, “I know; I will assign you to be the chairman of the space finding committee.” He was as frustrated as we were. He was right; you cannot create space when all of the available space is being used. So, I began helping people get elected to the school committee. People like Meg Crawford, Kelley MacDonald, John Madden, Jack Bartley and others including my friend, Bob Shay. The new school superintendent at the time knew something had to be done to improve the facility problems. So she started the process of rebuilding our schools.