Government

Council Subcommittee Searches for Ways to Cut Down on Use of Cars

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A Town Council subcommittee searched for ways to cut down on the use of vehicles in Watertown, particularly driver only trips, to reduce the traffic in Watertown as town grows. For future development projects, and some recent ones, the town will require a Transportation Demand Management (TDM) plan, but councilors on the Transportation Committee struggled with ways to encourage businesses and large residential complexes to reduce their use of vehicles at their meeting last Tuesday. A TDM can have many features, including having an on-site manager to oversee the program, discounted transit passes, car and van pools, guaranteed rides home for those using transit or carpools, flexible work hours and contributions to a shuttle bus. The TDM numbers are based on the traffic studies done by developers before the project is approved. Director of Community Development and Planning Steve Magoon said the traffic created by a project rarely exceeds the numbers in the study.

Government

Seniors Can Sign Up for their MBTA CharlieCards in Watertown

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger is sponsoring a Senior CharlieCard Day on Wednesday, May 11, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Watertown Senior Center, 31 Marshall Street, Watertown, the senator’s office announced. Seniors age 65 or older can save a trip to the MBTA offices in Downtown Boston and apply for a Senior CharlieCard at the Senior Center on this one day. Staff from the office of Sen. Will Brownsberger will be on hand to take a photo and process applications which will be provided. Seniors will need to bring a valid, state-issued photo ID that includes date of birth. No advance sign-up is needed.

Government

Hear About Progress on the T’s Green Line at Meeting This Week

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MBTA Officials will present an update on Green Line service on Tuesday, April 26, 2016 in Brighton. State Sen. Will Brownsberger will host the meeting, which runs from 6-8 p.m. at the Brighton Elks Lodge, 326 Washington St., Brighton. MBTA General Manager Frank DePaola will present an update on Green Line service and the public will have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback. Also attending the meeting will be William McClellan, Assistant General Manager, Rail Operations; Trish Foley, Legislative Liaison, MBTA; Rep. Kevin Honan (D-Brighton); Rep. Michael Moran (D-Brighton); and Boston City Councilor Mark Ciommo (District 9).

Government

Watertown Board of Health OKs Keeping of Chickens and Bees With a Permit

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The Watertown Board of Health voted unanimously to approve a regulation creating Hen and Honey Bee permits Wednesday, as well as updating the regulation governing the keeping of animals. Boston, and Somerville have passed similar regulations for hens and honeybees and Cambridge is currently looking into it, town consultant Donna Moultrup said. The permit, which must be renewed annually, is designed to promote sustainability and local food production, a draft of the regulation read. Though residents can apply for the permits immediately, they won’t go into effect until May 1. The Board of Health spent the past 2 years consulting with experts, as well as the Watertown Bee Committee as they developed the regulations, Board Chairman John H. Straus said.

Development

Concerned Citizens Assoc. Hosting Forum on Watertown Property Rights

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The Concerned Watertown Citizens Association will be hosting its Third Open Forum Meeting at 7 p.m., on May 12 at the Library, announced President John Labadini. The group sent out the following information:

Please-Spread the word and help educate your fellow citizens on what’s being proposed in their town. watertownpropertyrights.org/upcoming-events We will be reviewing and discussing the following facts:

1. The Town is considering implementing “Residential Guidelines” that could become “Mandates” (ie. new ordinances) as well as extending the Demolition Delay Ordinance from 12 to 24 months.

Government

See the Trees Available From the Town to Plant in Front of Your Home

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Watertown Tree Warden Chris Hayward released the list of tree species available for residents for the Spring of 2016. There are 17 trees available, and the come in small (15-25 feet tall), medium (25-40 feet) and large (40-90 feet) sizes. See the list here. Hayward sent out the following information:

If you would like a tree to be planted, please email your top three choices to the Tree Warden at chayward@watertown-ma.gov. He will come out to your site to see if there is a suitable planting location and let you know whether a tree can or cannot be planted. Keep in mind, if you are interested, that trees can also be planted on private property within 20-feet of the public right of way.

Gay Rights

Council Votes Against Barring Travel to North Carolina to Protest Anti-LGBT Rights Law

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After a lively debate Tuesday night, the Watertown Town Council voted against a proposal to bar travel by town employees to North Carolina in response to that state’s adoption of the bill that revokes any protection of gays, lesbians, transexuals and bisexuals, and bars any laws from being made. 

The proposal was brought up by Councilor Susan Falkoff, who proposed the ban be studied by the Council’s Human Services and Rules and Organization subcommittees. She included exceptions if the travel was required to enforce the laws of Massachusetts or if the town is for something the town contractually required to do. Falkoff was not able to attend the meeting, and Councilor Tony Palomba read a letter she wrote. She noted that law has prompted response from other cities, such as Boston, New York, San Francisco and Seattle, have banned travel by their employees. Others have responded too, including Paypal, which said it would not expand to North Carolina, and entertainers such as Bruce Springsteen and Ringo Starr, who cancelled concerts in protest of the law.

Government

Town Council Considering Whether to Give Itself a Raise

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{This story was updated on April 15 at 4:10 p.m. to clarify the beginning of the new Council salary.}

The Town Council will consider giving itself a $1,500 raise, or boost of 50 percent – which would be the first increase in the new millennium. Currently, Town Council members receive $5,000 per year, and the Council President receives $6,500, including a stipend for serving on the School Committee. A proposal was made by the Personnel and Town Organization subcommittee to raise the salary to $7,500, according to the subcommittee’s report. Under the Town’s charter raise would not kick in until the beginning of the next Town Council term, which would be Jan. 1, 2018.