Government

Are Your Property Taxes Higher Than Expected – You Can Appeal Them

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Some Watertown residents, especially those in two-family homes, have had some unpleasant surprises when they opened their property tax bills, but you have a chance to appeal them. Because of changes in the residential property market in town, prices of two family homes are outpacing others, resulting in a sharp increase in tax bills for some (click here for more details). East End Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis said she has received many calls from alarmed residents who have had increases of $800, $900 or even over $1,000. Meanwhile, the bills for single family homes and condominiums have actually gone down. In one case, Kounelis heard that a two-family home had an increase of $800 while a three-story single family home across the street had a decrease.

Government

Town Manager Announces Watertown’s New Police Chief

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Police Lt. Michael Lawn has has been appointed Watertown’s new Police Chief by Town Manager Michael Driscoll. 

The process to replace Edward Deveau started in the fall, and six candidates – two captains and four lieutenants – went through a day-long Assessment Center where they were judged on how they would deal with real-world situations. The six candidates were ranked based on their scores on the assessment center. Lawn, who has been on the force for 26 years, Lt. Daniel Unsworth and Lt. Justin Hanrahan (both with 18 years of experience) were the finalists. The three then went through two rounds of interviews. The Council’s Committee on Public Safety had several areas they wanted the assessment center to cover, and on which to judge the candidates. The points were:

A demonstrated commitment to Community Policing
A history of connecting to minority and other marginalized communities
Ability to work well with schools and social service agencies and to provide leadership in inter-departmental initiatives such as the current opiate crisis, healthy aging, criminal justice reform, gun safety, and mental health issues
Ability and commitment to implement non-violent and non-militarized intervention
Has a vision for Watertown’s future and the ability and flexibility to communicate it
Is responsive to residential concerns (large and small), including being cognizant of the department’s role in traffic and ordinance enforcement

The candidates were also judged on how they met the best police practices laid out in the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing, published in May 2015.

Development

Elm Street Hotel Developers Drop Appeal of Zoning Board’s Decision

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The appeal of the Zoning Board’s rejection of a proposed hotel on Elm Street was dropped by the developers. 

The appeal, filed in state Land Court in October, claimed the ZBA wrongfully denied the special permit for the 104 room hotel at 80 Elm Street when it voted it down on Sept. 30. The suit sought to annul the ZBA’s decision and claimed the ZBA exceeded its authority. ZBA members pointed to the to building being too close to neighboring properties when voting against the proposal. Earlier this month, Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon received word that the appeal had been withdrawn.

Government

LETTER: Town Councilor Says Tax Increase Are Hurting Watertown Residents

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{Note: Angeline Kounelis originally sent this letter to Town Manager Michael Driscoll.}

Dear Editor;

On Nov. 24, 2015, the majority of the Town Council voted to accept the 20 percent Residential Exemption as presented in material prepared by the Town Assessor, Board of Assessors and Town Auditor for the allocation of property taxes between property classes for Fiscal Year 2016. During the presentation, it was clearly stated that single family and condominium owners could realize a savings of approximately $200. Multi-family dwellings would most be impacted with a possible five to $800 increase. These figures are now reality, and then some. Of the options that have been presented to the Town Council for consideration, for many years I have advocated for a more fair and equitable increase of the owner occupied exemption to 25 percent that would shift more of the burden to absentee landlords.

Arsenal Project

One Tall Building in Plan for Arsenal Mall; Some Worry About Park Next Door

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A redeveloped Arsenal Mall could have one building of up to 10 stories, but not more than that, and mall owners may improve Arsenal Park, the owners of the mall revealed Saturday at a meeting about the new zoning proposed for the east end of Arsenal Street. Owners of the Arsenal Project revealed more details of their vision for redeveloping the mall if the Regional Mixed Use District gets approved by the Town Council. The vote on the RMUD zoning must be taken by Feb. 9, and would change the area from a heavy industrial zone (I-1) to one where projects can include retail, office and residential. Developers can apply to have heights taller than the current limit it town – 55 feet.

Development

Athenahealth Presents Latest Vision for Arsenal, Neighbors Unhappy with Garage

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Athenahealth hosted the public for the latest presentation of their vision for the Arsenal on the Charles complex, including details of traffic and parking, but neighbors remain dissatisfied with the proposal for a new garage on the west end of the campus. The company wants to transform the campus and make it more welcoming to the public, said Bob Corning, landscape architect from Stantec. “(athenahealth CEO) Jonathan Bush’s vision is to make the campus much more permeable and open to the public,” Corning said. “We want to make a more pedestrian oriented campus and improve stormwater management.” Thursday night’s meeting was the second community meeting following the one on Nov.

Government

Council Notebook: New Council Clerk, Resident Petition & Committee Assignments

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The Town Council approved a hiring a new Council Clerk, but they also decided to change the way the person is hired next time around. 

Town Council President Mark Sideris announced his pick for the position of Council Clerk – Marilyn Pronovost. She comes to the job with experience working in local government as well as working for a technology company. She has a bachelor’s degree from Westfield State and a law degree from Suffolk University. Some councilors wondered if she was, essentially, overqualified for the position. Pronovost was asked about that by town Personnel Director Gayle Shattuck and Town Auditor Tom Tracy when they interviewed her, Sideris said, and they were satisfied with her answer.

Development

Citizens Group Trying to Make Sense of RMUD, Propose Recommendations

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If you don’t know what the RMUD is and what it means for Watertown, yet, you should find out. That is exactly the task members of the citizen-run Sustainable Watertown has undertaken. The group has organized four meetings to wade through the complexities of the proposed Regional Mixed Use District that encompasses the two malls in town and other nearby properties on Arsenal Street, Elm Street and Coolidge Avenue. The zoning would change the area from an industrial one to one where a mix of things would be allowed, including retail, office and residential. As proposed now it would allow taller buildings, and could get close to natural resources such as the Charles River and Arsenal Park.