Government

Watertown Library Hosts Discussion on What Trump Presidency Will Mean

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The Watertown Free Public Library announced it will host a special discussion about what impact Donald Trump could have on the Presidency and the nation. The library sent out the following announcement:

Democracy Talks: Donald Trump and the Republic

Thursday, January 19 at 7 p.m.

On the eve of the presidential inauguration, UMass Boston professor Erin O’Brien will apply the lens of political science to the transition in our executive branch. How might President-elect Trump’s plans and promises conform to or challenge our nation’s core principles? What should we watch for during the inauguration, and in the weeks and months to follow? Following her talk, Professor O’Brien will facilitate a discussion.

Government

Dozens of Opportunities for Residents to Serve on Town Boards, Commissions

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Town Manager Michael J. Driscoll is seeking Watertown citizens interested in serving on the following Town Boards, Commissions and Committees in accordance with Ordinance #2007-46, an Ordinance on the Timing and Process of Appointments to Town Boards, Commissions and Committees. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by email to townmgr@watertown-ma.gov or Town Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. Board/Commission: Board of Health

Description: Provide for fulfillment of its duties under M.G.L. 111:5, 26-33 and other sections including enforcement of the state Sanitary and Environmental Codes, reporting diseases dangerous to the public health, and enforcement of other applicable state and local laws and regulations. The Board of Health determines the health needs of the community (and the health services available to the community) in terms of the size and characteristics of the population, specific health problems, and environmental conditions. Candidates should have background in public health, medical or related field.

Government

Get Rid of Your Styrofoam, Shred Your Paper at the Public Works Recycling Event

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If you have styrofoam piling up after all your gifts have been opened, the Public Works Department will offer a chance to recycle it – and also shred paper and dispose of old tires. The Recycling event will be held Saturday, Jan. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Watertown Recycling Center (on Green River Way off  Waltham). Bring your styrofoam cups, peanuts and takeout containers to the event. You can also have your sensitive documents shredded while you watch.

Development

Approval of Arsenal Mall Renovation Delayed, Planning Board Wants More Info on Traffic

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The redesign of the Arsenal Mall will have to wait until next month for approval after the Planning Board told developers they wanted results of the traffic study to be approved by the town’s consultants. Representatives for Boylston Properties and The Wilder Cos. appeared before the Planning Board for the second time Wednesday night, focusing on the traffic impact of the project. The proposal includes removing some portions of the current mall, leaving the historic buildings and adding new buildings. The project calls for 503 units of housing, some of which would be in a 12-story residential building.

Development

Town Council Increases Requirement for Affordable Housing in New Projects

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Developers will be required to provide more affordable housing in most residential projects built in Watertown after the Town Council’s vote on Tuesday night. The Council approved changes to the Town’s Inclusionary Zoning Requirements, but there were questions about who would qualify to live in the affordable units. Previously the requirement was 12.5 percent of the units for most areas of town, but that amount was increased for projects of 20 units or more. The requirement for projects with 6-19 unit projects will remain at 12.5 percent. Also, the income requirements change for the projects that would have to provide 15 percent affordable units. For projects of 20 or more units, 10 percent of units in a rental project (or 2/3 of the affordable units) will be for people who meet the 80 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI) standard, and 5 percent of the units are for those meeting the 65 percent of the AMI threshold, which would be $63,800 for a family of four, according to the Boston Redevelopment Authority.

Government

Recreation Department Announces Schedule for Open Forums

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The Recreation Department will host a series of monthly open forums in 2017. This is an opportunity for residents, youth organizations, civic groups and businesses and other interested parties to ask questions, make recommendations, express concerns and hear plans for the future. These meetings will be held in the Lower Hearing Room of the Town Hall on the first Tuesday of each month in most cases. Tuesday, July 4 was moved to Wednesday, July 5 due to the holiday. All meetings will begin at 7 p.m. and end by 8 p.m. unless additional time is needed.

Arsenal Street

Town Working With Developers to Fix Issues on Arsenal Street

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Travelers of Arsenal Street will have noticed the sticking point as you head west toward Watertown Square near the Lexus dealer. Town officials are working with the developers of a nearby apartment complex to fix the situation. The problem has been caused by the new raised bicycle path that runs in front of the block of businesses on that area of Arsenal Street and stretches a bit too far. The extra section causes a choke point when drivers try to turn left onto Louise Street because cars have no room to go around, said Town Engineer Matt Shuman. “The bump out was supposed to end west of Louise,” Shuman said.

Government

Planned ‘Road Diet’ for Mt. Auburn Street Gets Mixed Reviews

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The town’s plans to renovate Mt. Auburn Street include a “Road Diet” where the roadway will be reduced to one lane each way for most of its length, and bike lanes will be added, along with some new traffic lights. Plans were presented at the Watertown Library on Thursday night at a meeting where the Department of Public Works sought input from the public. The residents at the meeting had a mixed reaction to the ideas for changing the stretch of Mt. Auburn Street between Watertown Square and School Street.