Government

New Transportation Committee Looking at Improving Bus Service in Town

By |

Ways to improve MBTA service in Watertown was one of the top issued discussed during the inaugural meeting of the Town Council’s Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation last week. 

The Council has been focused on the issue for the past few years, and it became such a thorn for regular users that a citizen group – the Watertown Public Transit Task Force – formed to advocate for improvements. Some headway was made in 2014 when MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott came to visit town to see the problems facing Watertown’s T users. A change in governors and a historically bad winter that gridlocked the MBTA meant that Scott was out and Watertown lost its connections in the state’s transportation agency. “She’s gone. A lot of people have changed.

Government

LETTER: Steve Owens Receives Endorsement for Democratic State Committee

By |

I am happy to endorse Steve Owens as committeeman for the Democratic State Committee. Steve and his family have put down strong roots in Watertown and they have been deeply involved in our community; they have been homeowners in Watertown since 2003 and have two young sons attending the Hosmer School. Steve has done a fine job serving as chairman of the Wartertown Democratic Committee since 2008. He is a professional transportation consultant and serves on Watertown’s Public Transit Task Force. We are fortunate to have the benefit of his expertise with all the new development Watertown faces.

Government

Public Invited to Forum on Bicycle Safety

By |

The public is invited to a forum on bicycle safety being hosted by Massachusetts legislators on Feb. 23. The public forum on Massachusetts bicycle safety will focus specifically on large vehicle/cyclist crashes. Anecdotal evidence suggests that large vehicles (buses and trucks) are responsible for a disproportionate number of fatal crashes. The forum will bring together diverse stakeholder groups to build consensus around state legislative solutions to make cycling safer.

Elections

LETTER: Local GOP Committee Endorses Steve Aylward for State Committee

By |

The Watertown Republican Town Committee is pleased to announce that it has unanimously endorsed Steven Aylward for re-election as Republican State Committeeman in the 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex State Senate District. In his first term Steve recruited 2 candidates to run for State Representative and finding no candidate to run for State Senate he ran himself in 2012. That was the first time in decades that our Senate district had 3 legislative candidates on the ballot simultaneously. In addition he recruited candidates for School Committee in both Watertown and Belmont. Perhaps the most important accomplishment was saving the taxpayers of Massachusetts billions of dollars by leading the effort to repeal the Automatic Gas Tax increases.

Elections

LETTER: Watertown GOP Town Committee Chair Backs Debby Dugan

By |

The Watertown Republican Town Committee (RTC) proudly and unanimously endorses Deborah (Debby) Dugan of Watertown in her race to become the next Republican State Committeewoman representing the Second Suffolk and Middlesex District. Debby, currently serves as the Secretary of the Watertown RTC; as well she is one of two Republican representatives on Watertown’s Board of Election Commissioners. Having served as elected member of Stillwater Elementary and Kittatinny Regional HS Boards of Education in New Jersey School, Debby also has experience as a candidate, public official, and as an activist. Over the years Debby has worked on several Republican campaigns both inside and outside the District. These efforts ranged from local school committee races, to various State Rep and State Senate races, ballot initiatives, and of course for our Statewide Republican Candidates. Debby is a selfless activist who dedicated to the cause of bring limited efficient government of Massachusetts.

Government

Find Out When a Shuttle Will Come to Town for Businesses, Residents

By |

Town officials have been working on creating a shuttle system to serve the new developments in town, both business and residential, and Thursday night the consultant working on getting it off the ground said the small buses should be rolling in late 2016 or early 2017. Patrick Sullivan, of the 128 Business Council, gave an update on the creation of a Transportation Management Association (TMA) to the newly formed Town Council Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation. The goal of the TMA is to reduce the number of cars on the road in Watertown, as well as improve public transportation. Right now the it is focused on the main “spokes and hubs” in town and the town relies on the MBTA for service. Several new residential project have been built along Pleasant Street, and projects to build new apartment buildings and office developments have been approved for Arsenal Street.

Development

Town Council, Planning Board Will Have to Agree on RMUD Changes

By |

When the hearing on the RMUD zoning changes was postponed, it meant the proposal was not voted on within the 90 day period, so a new procedure will be needed when the hearing is held on March 2. After Tuesday’s Council Meeting, Town Council President Mark Sideris said the meeting will be a joint session between the Town Council and the Planning Board. They will convene at the Watertown High School Auditorium on March 2 at 6 p.m.

While the Town Council will vote on the proposed changes to the zoning of the east end of Arsenal Street (including the malls and parts of Arsenal Street, Elm Street and Coolidge Avenue), the Planning Board must weigh in, too, Sideris said. “They have to have a say because we didn’t take up the proposal within 90 days,” Sideris said. The new zoning would allow residential, commercial and office developments in an area now zoned for industrial.

Government

LETTER: Resident Urges Town Not to Sell Old Police Station, Branch Libraries

By |

Dear Councilors,

At a time when our town is being given over to development, it should have become very clear to you by now that citizens want you to maintain some of Watertown’s distinctive buildings and lifestyle. It has come to my attention that the town is considering selling off more of our property. I am writing to urge you: Do not sell the old police station or the branch libraries, or any other properties belonging to the people of Watertown. These properties were meant to be used for our benefit. I am hoping you will begin thinking outside the box about new uses for these buildings.