Development

LETTER: 2 Residents Want to See Vision for Rezoning Malls Area

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Deborah Peterson and I have been working conscientiously on the RMUD issues, attending meetings, studying the Comprehensive Plan and Design Guidelines and talking with others. The following is what Deborah tried to present at the economic development sub-committee meeting of the Town Council on Dec. 15. She was roundly dismissed by the Chair Steven Corbett, telling her she was out of line in bringing up these issues. She had only begun to give her statement.

Development

Subcommittee Recommends Building Heights up to 130 Feet in RMUD

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There are only two buildings in Watertown 13o feet or taller, but there may be another if the Council subcommittee’s recommendation becomes part of the new zoning for the area around the town’s two malls. Maximum height was one of the amendments to the Regional Mixed Use District zoning discussed Tuesday night at the Community Development and Planning subcommittee meeting at the Watertown Free Public Library. Height has been a contentious issue for many residents who don’t want to see large buildings going up in Watertown, especially near the Charles River. “Are you people crazy? These buildings are too tall!”

Government

Watertown Cable’s New Contract Will Bring More Live Events to Viewers

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Watertown Cable Access announced its new contract with Comcast, which will bring improvements to local programming, including more live meeting and sports coverage. 

As part of the deal struck with the cable provider, Watertown Cable will increase its operating budget from $360,000 a year to $450,000, said attorney William Hewig of Kopelman and Paige, who represented the WCA-TV in the negotiations. This will be done with subscribers paying only about a $1 more a month, he said. He has seen other towns go up $3 to $5 a month. Watertown Cable will also receive $572,000 in equipment and other capital projects. This will improve the quality of existing connections and add more direct links, said Watertown Cable Executive Director Helen Chatel.

Government

Watertown State Rep. Hecht Reflects on His Work in 2015

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With the end of the first half of the 2015-16, State Rep. Jonathan Hecht, who represents 3/4 of Watertown, looked back on his work during the year in two updates he recently wrote up. 

Hecht was one of 11 Democrats who voted against eliminating the term limit for the House Speaker, and the only one to speak on the floor about it. “I believe that eliminating term limits will further concentrate power in the Speakership, reduce open debate and independent thinking in the House, and heighten the risk of corruption and other abuses,” Hecht wrote. He also wrote about his efforts to not let experienced state employees leave as a result of Gov. Baker’s retirement incentives, funding the MBTA, expanding Earned Income Tax Credits and much, much more. Hecht also looked back at help he provided people in his district. Some of the areas include helping people access government services, including joining with Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist Danielle DeMoss and the Watertown Housing Authority to find housing for two Watertown families at risk of becoming homeless.

Elections

LETTER: Outgoing School Committee Member Reflects on His Term

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Dear Watertown,

Four years ago, I was elected because residents wanted a change from what had come before and they wanted results in our schools. It is a humbling experience to be elected and entrusted with making positive changes to the lives and education of our students. I took that obligation very seriously then and I still do. After being sworn in, I mentioned to my wife and friends that they would not see a lot of me during the first half of 2012 due to the challenges facing the district. I focused all of my efforts on working with my Committee colleagues to resolve the immediate challenges facing us then:

Settling the teacher’s contract and rebuilding those relationships.

Government

Town Council Lays Out Budget Priorities for Fiscal Year 2017

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The Watertown Council has included dealing with storm water infiltrating the Charles River, funding the social services resources position and bolstering the town’s Planning Department to handle the development boom in town. Those areas, along with the long-standing areas of schools, public safety and streets and sidewalks, made the Fiscal 2017 budget priorities announced by Town Councilor Vincent Piccirilli at last week’s Town Council meeting. See the entire Budget and Fiscal Oversight subcommittee report by clicking here. The priorities were created by the subcommittee after holding meetings in November and early December. Councilor Tony Palomba said he would like to find out how to have more suggestions of Councilors not on the committee included in the budget priorities.

Gov. Baker

Legislature Still Working on Approving More Liquor Licenses for Watertown

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The Town Council sent a request to the State Legislature to add 15 more liquor licenses to Watertown, and work in the State House continues after a getting past a sticking point. The request was approved by the Town Council in March, and committees at the Legislature have been carefully looking at the proposal, State Rep. Jonathan Hecht told the Town Council on Tuesday. The town has 34 licenses for restaurants, but the council wants more to encourage more mixed-use development in town. “The committee knows how hard you worked on the new licensees to increase economic development,” Hecht said. “It looked early on like it would move along quickly.”

Development

Public Can Discuss RMUD at Informal Council Subcommittee Session

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After a hearing comments from dozens of Watertown residents about the proposed changes to the area of the malls in East Watertown last week, the Town Council voted to have another hearing in a more informal setting to hash out the proposal. The zoning changes in the proposed Regional Mixed Use District would allow larger buildings, and for master plans for projects on properties of 2 acres or more. It would also allow housing, commercial, retail and office buildings in the area. At the Town Council meeting about the RMUD on Dec. 1, many residents wanted more details about what the projects would, or could, look like.