Development

Rescheduled RMUD Hearing Coming Up on Wednesday

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The long awaited hearing on the proposed changes to Watertown’s zoning for the east side of Arsenal Street near the malls will finally occur on Wednesday. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Watertown High School Auditorium, and will include both the Town Council and the Planning Board. The proposal would majorly overhaul of the zoning rules for the area near the east end of Arsenal Street, including the town’s two malls, along with other properties on Arsenal Street, plus parts of Elm Street and Coolidge Avenue. Basically, it would change the zoning form industrial to mixed use, which allows for residential, commercial and office project. The proposal also calls for allowing building higher than the 55-f00t limit, and could go as high as 1o stories or 130 feet.

Elections

LWV Reminds Residents to Vote in the March 1 Presidential Primary

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Raya Sern, president of the League of Women Voters of Watertown reminds town residents to get out and vote on Tuesday. Stern sent out the following statement:

“The League of Women Voters of Watertown would like to remind everyone that it is Presidential Primary season again. Every four years we get a chance to tell our politicians our preferences for candidates for President of the United States. Make sure you take this opportunity to make your views known by going to the polls on March 1, 2016.” Voting Info
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Boston Marathon Bombing

Changes of Plans for Filming at Scene of Watertown Shootout

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Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced that plans recreate the Watertown Shootout on the same streets that the incident occurred have been scrapped. Driscoll sent out the announcement Friday afternoon:
“Upon further reflection, filming the recreation of the Watertown Shootout when police encountered the Boston Marathon Bombers at the intersection of Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street is not in the best interest of Watertown. Therefore, CBS Films will proceed with identifying another location to film the Shootout outside of the Town of Watertown.” The announcement came after a week of emotional responses by many residents about re-enacting the firefight between Watertown Police and the Tsarnaev brothers on April 19, 2013. CBS Films had met with residents of Laurel Street to discuss plans, but the meeting held on Feb.

Environment

Town Council Approves Measures to Make Charles River Cleaner

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After more than a decade of work, Watertown has a new set of storm water regulations that brings it into compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s requirements. The EPA issues a General Permit for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems for town’s which have storm water draining into rivers as part of the Federal Clean Waters Act. The permit was issued in 2003 and applies to water run-off from construction and post-construction activities. See the new stormwater ordinance by clicking here. The goal is to reduce erosion of soil in town and stop the sediment from going into the Charles River through the stormwater sewers.

Elections

LETTER: Tree Advocates Brace for Tree Prunings by Eversource

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Hi, Trees for Watertown members and friends:

Eversource (formerly NSTAR) is coming back to Watertown to utility-prune our street trees starting Monday, February 29.  Citizen attention can really help to protect our street trees from damaging and disfiguring pruning during this utility pruning cycle. The Problem

Eversource’s official utility pruning standard specifies removal of all tree branches within 10 to 15 feet of high voltage wires. Utility pruning to Eversource’s standard results in canopy removal far in excess of recommended aboricultural guidelines for preserving street tree health. Arboricultural guidelines recommend pruning no more than 25 percent of a young tree’s healthy canopy, less in older trees, and even less — if any — in mature trees stressed by poor soil or confined soil volume and limited moisture access. The majority of trees providing vital canopy over our urban streets fall in this category.

athenahealth

Athenahealth, Town Applying to State for $25 Million in Improvements

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The Town of Watertown is teaming with athenahealth to try to take advantage of a state program that would send tax dollars back to town to improve parks, roadways and other resources in town. 

The work would be done in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The town and athenahealth have taken the first steps toward applying for $25 million from the I-Cubed program (The Executive Office of Finance and Administration’s Infrastructure Investment Incentive Program). The money comes from the new payroll taxes that would be generated by athenahealth’s expansion of its campus located in the Arsenal on the Charles complex, said Michael Crowley, athenahealth’s vice president for Real Estate and Facilities at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. “It will provide funds that will transform areas of Watertown in ways that really improve the quality of life for those who work here everyday and for those who live here,” Crowley said. The funds must be spent on areas adjacent to the campus, and a number of projects have been proposed, including adding traffic signals, creating cycling paths and improving the path along the Charles River.

Around Town

Town Manager Releases Statement on Filming at Scene of Watertown Shootout

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Town Manager Michael Driscoll reacted to the proposal to shoot a film in Watertown recreating the events of the Boston Marathon Bombings, including at the site of the Watertown Shootout. Representatives from CBS Films met with residents of Laurel Street on Feb. 12, and shared the proposed schedule. The filming included night action where the sounds of gunshots would be used to recreate the firefight between Watertown Police and the Tsarnaev brothers. Word that the dramatic events would be replayed in the same area where they occurred was met with an outpouring of emotional responses from Watertown residents, a majority of whom opposed the idea.

Elections

LETTER: Resident, Teacher Supports David Kazis for Democratic State Committee

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I am happy and proud to support David Kazis for Democratic State Committee Man on Tuesday, March 1 during the Presidential Primary. He is young, energetic, and ready to serve. I have known David for many years now and watched his commitment to our community and his involvement in political affairs across the state. His experience with City Year and Americorps where he assisted victims from hurricanes Katrina and Rita is inspirational. As a teacher, I know firsthand the importance of putting our children first and I am certain that David will play a big role in helping Watertown and moving the Democratic agenda forward to ensure that the Party is listening and attracting new voters to get involved in the political process.