Government

Town Council Give the Town Manager a Big Raise, His First One in Years

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Watertown Town Manager Michael Driscoll got a big vote of confidence from the Town Council Tuesday night by getting a salary increase of nearly $25,ooo. Councilors and residents said they believed Driscoll deserved a raise because of his good management of the town – particularly financially – and his hard work. “You are not going to find a person who works harder for the citizens or the community,” said Council President Mark Sideris. “Come here [Town Hall] on a Sunday and the lights are on. He’s here working.”

Government

Come Talk With State Rep. Jonathan Hecht at 2 Upcoming Office Hours

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Watertown State Rep. Jonathan Hecht will be available to speak with residents at two office hours this week and next. Rep. Hecht will hold office hours on Thursday, Dec. 10 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the Raya Stern room in the Watertown Public Library and Tuesday, Dec. 15 in the third floor hallway of Watertown Town Hall. Constituents are invited to meet with Rep. Hecht to discuss pending legislation or any other issue of concern to them.

Environment

DCR Unveils First Draft of the Community Path in Watertown, Cambridge

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Residents wanted to see more access points to the bicycle and pedestrian path from Watertown to Cambridge and some worried about the safety of the path along the former railroad line at night. Dozens of interested residents from Watertown and Cambridge packed a room at the Atrium School Monday night to learn about what the Phase 2  of the Community Path (also called the Watertown-Cambridge Greenway) from Arlington Street to Fresh Pond will look like. Officials from the Department of Conservation and Recreation showed their preliminary plans for the new section of the path, which starts at Arlington Street near Nichols Avenue and Crawford Street, runs into Cambridge and ends at Fresh Pond. “People will be able to get around between Cambridge and Watertown a lot better,” said Dan Driscoll, director of Recreation Facilities Planning for the DCR. “There are still a few issues to work out but it is going to be a great project.”

Development

LETTER: Resident Pleased With Hearing on RMUD Zoning Changes

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Editor,

Congratulations to the Town Council and everyone from the community who testified at the RMUD hearing on Dec. 1. Mark Sideris ran an excellent hearing (as he always does) that gave full opportunity for all views to be heard, and many important points were brought up. Every Council member spoke thoughtfully about their reasons for favoring and/or questioning the proposed ordinance. The concerns about process I and others raised because of the timing of the hearing were allayed.

Arsenal Project

Residents Say RMUD Moving Too Fast, Want More Details from Mall Owner

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Around 100 people packed the Town Council Chambers and spilled into the hallway Tuesday night for the public hearing about proposed changes that would pave the way for a transformation of the former Arsenal Mall. More than a dozen residents spoke, many saying they believe more time and thought should be given before making such a major change that impacts a large swath of land on the eastern end of Arsenal Street. The proposed Regional Mixed Use District includes the Arsenal Project, the Watertown Mall and parts of Elm Street and Coolidge Avenue. The Council did not vote on the changes to the town’s zoning ordinance, but Town Council President Mark Siders reminded his fellow councilors that they must make their decision within 90 days of the of meeting where the Planning Board passed it to the Council ‘s, which would be Feb. 4, 2016.

Government

Town Losing an Old Friend in Watertown Square – a 90+ Year Old Tree

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A familiar sight in Watertown Square will be gone after nine decades when the town cuts down a large shade tree in the Watertown Delta on Tuesday. The Norway Maple has stood in that spot since at least 1927, and was one of three tree planted there at the time. It has grown as tall as the next door Watertown Savings Bank building and has been lit during the holidays. The tree, however, is splitting apart and is literally being held together by wires, said Watertown Tree Warden Chris Hayward. In July, a major limb came crashing down from the tree, and Hayward worried another limb could fall – and this time hurt someone.

Government

Council Approves Middle School Windows Despite Jump in Price

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An increase in the cost of replacing the windows at Watertown Middle School gave the Town Council some pause, but councilors ultimately unanimously approved the cost of designing the project, in part because the state will pay for nearly half the bill. Originally, the cost of the windows was estimated at slightly over $300,000, but when representatives from the Massachusetts School Building Authority came to look, they decided to increase the scope of the project can with it the price tag – which is now $2.7 million to $2.9 million. Last week the council was asked to approve $224,400 to cover the schematic design costs of the project. The windows cover the old portion of the middle school, and are a few decades old. Teachers said they are a distraction at best, and can be a real obstacle to learning at times.

Government

Remember, the Winter Parking Ban Begins Sunday Night!

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Watertown’s Winter Parking Ban begins Sunday, Nov. 29, so remember to move your car! The annual overnight parking ban runs from Nov. 29, 2015 to April 1, 2016. The town’s parking ordinance says: no vehicle may remain on any public way for more than one hour between the hours of 1 a.m and 6 a.m. all days of the week.