Elections

LETTER: Watertown Schools Parent Group Says Fund Schools, Not CPA

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Fund Schools First, Vote No On The CPA

Watertown Strong Schools (WSS) is urging Watertown voters to vote no on ballot question #5 regarding the Community Preservation Act (CPA). Here’s why:

The funding needs of our schools should be Watertown’s highest priority at this time. • All 5 of our schools are in urgent need of renovations and physical upgrades so that our buildings can support the overcrowding issues facing our Elementary schools and the high-quality 21 st Century education that all our children deserve. • The Watertown Public Schools (WPS) Facilities Master Plan study is almost complete, and initial cost estimates are that we will need at least $200 million to upgrade our school buildings. • We believe that the passage of the CPA in November could jeopardize the willingness of Watertown residents to vote in favor of a debt exclusion override that will be necessary in the next 1-2 years to fund these essential school renovations.

Government

Watertown Shuttle Won’t Roll Out Until Spring, Could Include Newton

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Watertown’s new shuttle will not be starting this fall, as officials hoped, but the shuttles could serve more than just Watertown, and may extend to Newton. 

Thursday night the Town Council’s Ad Hoc Transportation Committee discussed the transportation management association, which will include a shuttle. Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon said the effort to bring a shuttle to town will not happen as quickly as originally planned. “It will not be rolling out until the spring,” Magoon said. “Quite frankly we are not there yet.” The budgeting for the shuttle and figuring out how much member businesses, residential developments and the town will have to pay has not been completed, Magoon said.

Department of Public Works

Two Spots Chosen for Demonstration Stormwater Retention Projects

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The Department of Public Works building and Hosmer Elementary School will have new installations that drain rainwater into the ground, rather than the town’s storm drains, and will serve as demonstration projects for what can be done around town. The search started with 22 potential sites for the demonstration projects, but that was cut down to 18 viable sites on property owned or controlled by the town. The Watertown Stormwater Advisory Committee met in September to pick two locations for the project. The group wanted to spots that would drain a significant area, be visible to the public and be located in different parts of town. The last criterium was the one that led to the Hosmer School location being chosen. The top two choices were in the parking lot of the DPW facility, and a spot at the bottom of the hill beneath Lowell Elementary School.

Elections

Environmental League Endorses Watertown State Representative

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The Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund today endorsed Representative Jonathan Hecht of Watertown for reelection in the 29th Middlesex District, a credit to his work on behalf of the environment in the Legislature the last two years, the group announced. With critical issues of energy policy and environmental protection to be addressed in the next legislative session, the leadership of the ELM Action Fund believes it is important to return proven environmental champions like Hecht to the House Chamber. “Representative Hecht has been a tireless advocate to increase the amount of Massachusetts’ energy that comes from renewable sources,” said ELM Action Fund Political Director, Joe O’Brien. “Representative Hecht is a thoughtful and passionate lawmaker who appreciates the complexities of issues, and he was an outspoken champion during the legislature’s debate on solar policy. We appreciate his consistent supporter on a wide range of environmental issues.”

“I greatly appreciate and value the endorsement of ELM’s Action Fund,” said Representative Hecht. “ELM is highly respected in my district and I look forward to continuing our work together on climate change, energy, and other crucial environmental issues.”

First elected to the State House of Representatives in 2008, Hecht is up for reelection this year and is unopposed.

Government

Town Councilors Will Be Able to Participate in Meetings by Video Conferencing

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The Town Council voted to allow members to take part in meetings remotely by linking in using video conferencing technology, but only under certain circumstances. Under the new policy, a Councilor may participate in a meeting if he or she has an acceptable reason and is able to hook into the meeting and see, hear and be heard by the other board members. Only one or a few members may participate remotely, said Councilor Ken Woodland, who presented the proposal Tuesday night. The board must have a quorum of members physically present at the meeting to hold the meeting, he said. In the case of the Council that is five of the nine members.

Elections

LETTER: Community Preservation Act is Not A Good Fit for Watertown

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The CPA tax is the proverbial round peg in a square hole when it comes to Watertown’s already cash-strapped homeowners and renters. CPA funds can only be spent on projects involving: affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space/recreation. Please consider these facts:

• Watertown property taxes will rise by 2 percent if the CPA passes. This increase will be passed on to many renters. • The Watertown Housing Production Plan of 2014 said that 40 percent of Watertown households was “housing cost burdened,”meaning that housing costs consume more than 30 percent of their gross household income, according to federal estimates.

Department of Public Works

Council Changes Rules for Sidewalk Grass Strips, But Still Preferred

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The Department of Public Works will no longer be required to install planting strips when sidewalks are repaired or replaced. For years, the town’s sidewalk replacement ordinance had called for grassy area to be put in when sidewalks are replaced or repaired, but sometimes the strips became barren and would turn to mud, especially when the sidewalks are low enough for cars to park on. Councilor Angeline Kounelis said many people in her district town have complained about planting strips not working. “Residents in the East End have seen a tremendous impact with this policy,” Kounelis said. “Every time a panel (of sidewalk) is removed and replaced asphalt is removed and grass strips created.

Elections

LETTER: Resident Urges Voters to Learn About CPA Before Voting

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Dear Watertown Friends & Neighbors,

It is 43 days to Election Day, Nov. 8th. The local referendum, Question 5, regarding the Community Preservation Act is on the ballot again. Vote YES and your taxes will be raised through a 2 percent tax surcharge on your annual property tax assessment for at least five years and possibly beyond. The monies will go to support only three special interests: (1) open space/recreation, (2) historic preservation, and (3) affordable housing.