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.

Commonwealth Compact

Lt. Governor Signs Agreement Which Will Help Watertown Build ‘Complete Streets’

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Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito came to town last week to welcome the Town of Watertown as the latest community to sign a Commonwealth Compact with the Baker-Polito Administration. 

Watertown is the 261st community to sign a Commonwealth Compact and the compact focuses on Complete Streets, which seeks to make streets accessible not only to motor vehicles but mass transit, bicycles and pedestrians. By signing the compact, Watertown promises to use “best-practices” when implementing complete streets, and in return they have have a leg up on getting access to state assistance, including grants for design and construction of street projects. “It is the second year of funding, and this year we have $2 million in the Commonwealth Compact Best Practices Fund,” Polito said. The town can hire a consultant to figure out the best practices, and if the town cannot find one the state will hire a third party to work with the town. “Once the town achieves best practices, it will be eligible to apply for Complete Street construction funds,” Polito added.

Government

Watertown Democrats to Elect Delegates for State Convention

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Registered Democrats in Watertown will be holding a caucus at the Watertown Savings Bank Room of the Watertown Free Public Library on Sunday, March 5 at 1:30 p.m to elect 24 delegates and four alternates to the 2017 Massachusetts Democratic Convention, where Democrats from across Massachusetts will gather to adopt a new Party Platform. The Convention will be held on Saturday, June 3rd at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell. 

“People are excited about politics and want to make a difference. Our caucuses are a great opportunity for those who are interested to get involved,” said Massachusetts Democratic Party Chair Gus Bickford. “Delegates will be voting on our Party Platform in Lowell, and we want to make sure that every Democrat has a voice. This is a time to come together and speak to our shared Democratic values.”