Government

Developers Will Pay More for Shuttle, TMA When They Move Forward

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The $30,000 pledged by developers toward Watertown’s Transportation Management Association is just the start of the funding, said Assistant Town Manger Steve Magoon. A report of the Town Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation in February said that the owners of large commercial and residential projects had committed $30,000 towards the TMA. Magoon said this money will help establish the TMA, and once it gets going the members will pay more. “A big part of the work establishing a TMA is front loaded,” Magoon said. “It’s hard to get payments when there is not an organization yet.”

Environment

Removal of Trees in Watertown by Cambridge Has Been Halted

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The removal of trees in Watertown by the City of Cambridge has been stopped, and more assessment will be done before any others are removed. Cutting of trees along the Linear Path behind Town Hall and between Whites and Waverley avenues has drawn strong condemnation from many Watertown residents. The trees sit on top of land owned by the City of Cambridge, and which is above a pipe that supplies water to Cambridge. Town Council President Mark Sideris announced the halt of tree removals at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. “Believe me, the Town, Town Administration and Town Council are very disappointed with the (City of Cambridge’s) actions and the method of communication with the Town,” Sideris said.

Government

Opponents to Watertown Becoming Sanctuary City Pack Council Meeting

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The Council Chamber was standing room only Tuesday night as residents opposed to Watertown becoming a Sanctuary City for undocumented immigrants came out to have their voices heard. The Town Council meeting came two days after hundreds rallied to support all immigrants and to discuss how Watertown could become a Sanctuary City. Around 50 people filled the room, the vast majority of whom applauded for statements opposing the town taking steps toward becoming a Sanctuary Community. Resident Dennis Holland said he did not want to see the town become a Sanctuary Community. “Sanctuary City seems big (in Watertown), but isn’t big to all of us,” Holland said.

Government

Opponents, Supporters of a Medical Marijuana Dispensary Have Their Say

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The group proposing opening a medical marijuana dispensary in East Watertown heard from detractors and supporters during a community meeting held at Town Hall Monday night. 

Natural Selections has proposed opening a facility serving people with medical marijuana prescriptions in a building behind the A-Affordable Auto Insurance Building, across Elm Street from the Watertown Mall parking lot. Aidan O’Donovan, Chief Operating Officer for Natural Selections, said he expects to have around 200 customers a day, and – if approved – hopes to be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The group has secured 22 parking spaces. The most vocal opposition for the dispensary came from residents living near the proposed site who said that East Watertown, in particular their area near Elm and Arlington streets, has endured too much already. “East Watertown has rights,” said Eric Boyd, who would live less than 500 feet from the dispensary. “East Watertown has been a dumping ground for everything because it is in an industrial zone.”

Government

Hundreds Rally to Support Immigrants, Want to Make Watertown a Sanctuary City

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Hundreds of supporters of undocumented immigrants and refugees rallied on the Watertown Square Delta Sunday before packing the Grace Vision Church to find out how the town can protect these groups. Elected officials told a crowd of about 300 at the event –  known as “Watertown Welcomes Immigrants” – that they would do all they can to create protections for all immigrants at the local and state level, including passing an ordinance to make Watertown a Sanctuary City. Town Council President Mark Sideris said he wants everyone to feel welcome in Watertown. “I am proud to live in Watertown. I am proud to serve Watertown on the Council,” Sideris said.

Government

Community Meeting Planned for Proposed Medical Marijuana Dispensary

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The applicants seeking to open a medical marijuana dispensary in East Watertown will host a community meeting to discuss their proposal. The following information was distributed by town officials:

Natural Selections invites you to a community meeting to review and discuss its proposed Medical Marijuana Treatment Center project at 23 Elm Street, Building 2.  The project will occupy approximately 2,755 square feet of existing space within Building 2, and will not include any exterior or structural work. The community meeting will be held at Watertown Town Hall from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, February 27, 2017, in the Town Council Chamber on the 2nd floor. If you have questions, please contact Stephanie L. Haughey, Esq., Prince Lobel Tye, LLP at shaughey@princelobel.com or 617-456-8053.

Around Town

Town Council Disappointed to Hear About Delay of Watertown Shuttle

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After years of pushing for a shuttle as an addition to the public transportation options in Watertown, Town Councilors were disappointed to hear that for the second time the roll out of the shuttle buses would be delayed, and that there was a suggestion to do away with the shuttle. On Tuesday, the Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation report from its Jan. 12 meeting was presented to the Town Council, including word that the shuttles would not start in the spring, as hoped, but in the fall of 2017 – at the earliest. This comes after it was announced in September that the start of the shuttle would be delayed from the Fall of 2016 to the spring of 2017. The effort to create a Watertown Transportation Management Association (TMA) is being spearheaded by the 128 Business Council, which has been hired as a consultant.

Government

LETTER: Resident Disappointed by How Decision to Remove Trees Was Made

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Dear Mr. Driscoll,

As a resident of Watertown, I am writing to voice my strong displeasure, disappointment, and shock by the recent news that the City of Cambridge has decided to remove several decades-old trees along Linear Park in Watertown, as recently reported in the Watertown Tab {and Watertown News}. These trees, as you no doubt know, provide immense economic, social, and emotional benefits to the residents of our town as well as valuable green space for wildlife. I am not only saddened by the loss of these trees, but am deeply concerned about the way the decision-making process to remove these trees has unfolded over the past several years as Cambridge approached Watertown to inform us of their intent. Local stakeholders were not adequately informed and a clear and community-engaged process was not laid out. My understanding is that the 100 year old water pipe is dug quite deep and is not in danger of tree root infiltration.