Capital Improvement Plan

Town Council Approves Nearly $10 Million in Building Projects, Equipment

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Watertown will spend nearly $10 million on projects to improve parks, streets, schools and vehicles in the Capital Improvement Plan approved by the Town Council last week. The council approved $9.9 million in capital projects and purchases for Fiscal year 2017 (which begins July 1, 2016) which will be paid for using a variety of sources including $4.7 million in borrowing. The capital improvement plan will make up about 7.9 percent of the total town budget, which fits within the Town Council’s goal of spending 7.5 to 8 percent each year on capital projects. Before the recommendations came to the Council on March 22, the Budget and Fiscal Oversight subcommittee met four times for about nine hours to go over the proposals, said Councilor Vincent Piccirilli, chair of that subcommittee. The approved projects include 33 recommendations (see the full report here).

Development

Man Who Was a Watchdog on Arsenal Mall Project is Up for Spot on Planning Board

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A man who gazed a critical eye on the proposed renovation of the Arsenal Mall has been nominated to fill an opening on the Watertown Planning Board – the group that will make decisions on that and other projects in the new Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD). Gary Shaw has been recommended as the new member of the Planning Board by Town Manager Michael Driscoll. Shaw is an architect who has worked on some major projects around New England who lives in Watertown, and he would replace Neal Corbett who stepped down from the board. Shaw, along with the other four members of the Planning Board – John Hawes, Jeffrey Brown, Linda Tuttle-Barletta and Fergal Brennock – will be interviewed by the Town Council’s Committee on Economic Development and Planning. A recommendation will then the sent to the full Council on whether to approve these appointments.

Charity

High Ranking State Official to Speak at Forum to End Homelessness

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The Tri Community Coalition to End Homelessness will feature Chrystal Kornegay, Undersecretary, Department of Housing & Community Development, at their event, “Housing the Homeless: From Crisis to Shelter to Home.” The Tri Community Coalition sent out the following information:

With over 20 years’ experience in community development, Chrystal became the Baker Polito Administration’s Undersecretary for Housing and Community Development in January 2015. In her role as Undersecretary, Chrystal leads State government in promoting safe, decent affordable housing opportunities, economic vitality of communities and sound municipal management. Chrystal is a keystone in Massachusetts’ efforts to prevent homelessness, shelter those for whom homelessness is unavoidable, and rapidly re-house the homeless in stable, permanent housing. The Forum also includes:

Panelists from agencies and coalitions in Belmont, Watertown and Waltham that focus on homelessness and affordable housing
Testimonials from the formerly homeless
State legislators from all three communities
Exhibits and representatives from homelessness prevention and service programs and housing organizations

The event will be held on Sunday, April 24, from 1:30-3:30 p.m. at St.

Government

Watertown High School Students “Kick Butts” at State House

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A group of students from Watertown High School students went to Boston last week to join a march to express their concern about the marketing and availability of tobacco products. On March 16, 2016 five Watertown Youth Coalition Peer Leaders joined the 84 Movement in a Kick Butts Day march to the State House in Boston, to speak with their legislators and “spread awareness about the Big Tobacco and their sneaky tactics of targeting youth,” said WHS student Shanesha Christmas. The Peer Leaders spoke with, State Sen. William Brownsberger, State Rep. Jon Hecht, and State Rep. John Lawn’s aide about their concerns of tobacco products being Cheap, Sweet and Easy to get, Christmas said. The Peer Leaders were excited that they had a chance to have their voices heard about their concerns in their community. Find out more about the 84 Movement on its website, http://the84.org/

Government

Latest Plans for Filippello Park Has More Space for a Dog Park

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The latest conceptual drawing of the renovated entrance to Filippello Park with an extended dog park area. The area for a dog park is much larger in the latest version of the plans to renovate the entrance to Filippello Park, and the plan would keep the athletic courts in the area near the driveway. 

Recreation Department Director Peter Centola and the town’s consultant, Glenn Howard of CDM Smith, presented the latest version of the park plan last week during a meeting at Town Hall. The new plan shows a long stretch of land on the south side of the driveway dedicated to dogs. Part of the area would be for large dogs, another section for small dogs, and a “time out” area. Centola said the changes were made after residents commented on the previous version.

Development

Community Meeting Announced for Athenahealth Campus Renovation

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A community meeting will be held to discuss the proposed renovation of the athenahealth campus at the Arsenal on the Charles. 

The meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Coolidge School Apartments, 319 Arlington St. Several new buildings have been planned, as well as a large new parking garage on the west side of the complex. This has been a sore point for nearby neighbors who said the last version included a garage that is too tall and too close to North Beacon Street. Full set of the athenahealth plans can be seen online or view in person at the Planning Office on the third floor of Town Hall from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

Government

UPDATED: High School Club Dives into Political Issues, Running Forum on ESL and Immigration

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{Please note, the date of the Forum on Language Learning and Immigration has been changed to March 28 due to snow on the 21st}

A group of students interested in politics and issues facing Watertown and the country has formed the Youth Political Action Committee or YPAC. Along with trying to get Watertown High School students more aware of politics, the group has taken on issues and next week will host a forum on one of them. On Monday, March 28 YPAC will help run the Forum on Language Learning and Immigration at the Watertown High School Lecture Hall from 7-9 p.m.

YPAC started last spring when one of the founders, junior Isaac Gibbons, was looking at a recent election. “It was after the 2012 elections. I was looking hard at the abysmal young voter turn out and it concerned me,” Gibbons said.

Government

Nominations Wanted for Watertown Historical Preservation Awards

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The Watertown Historical Commission seeks nominations for its annual Community Preservation Awards. 

The 2016 Watertown Historical Commission’s Preservation Awards Night will be held on Thursday, May 19 at the Commander’s Mansion on Talcott Avenue, starting at 7 p.m.

The Historical Commission invites you both to attend the event as well as to nominate a project which you feel fits the criteria of the appropriate listed awards. Here are the award categories:

The Richard E. Mastrangelo Award – given to any individual elected or employed by the Town of Watertown who has actively been a champion in supporting the preservation of a Historical Resource

The Citizenship Award – given to any individual who has taken a leadership role in the effort to educate the community-at-large about historical preservation issues or concerns. The Community Spirit Award –  given to any individual who has taken a leadership role in the advancement of appreciation for Watertown’ unique cultural make up. The Service to Youth Award – given to any individual, group or project directed at the children of Watertown which fosters the study of subjects of local historical interest or encourages the participation of children in subjects of historical preservation. The Architectural Preservation Award – given to any individual, group or project associated with the betterment of any building within Watertown that exhibits the use of architectural restoration standards or methods.