Government

Gov. Baker Names Head of Watertown Addiction Recovery Center to State Board

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Watertown’s efforts to end addiction and fight the opioid crisis have been noticed at the state level, and one of the local leaders has been appointed by Gov. Charlie Baker to serve on a state board. 

What had been scheduled to be a regular meeting of the Watertown Access to Treatment, Education and Resources Task Force (WATERtown) turned into a celebration of member Woody Giessmann’s new position. Gov. Baker came to the Watertown Free Public Library to swear in Giessmann to his seat on the Massachusetts Board of Registration and Medicine. Giessmann was a member of the Del Fuegos, and is in long term recovery. He is founder and CEO of Right Turn, an outpatient treatment center for those seeking to recover from addiction located in Watertown. “I judge myself not by what I have, but what I am willing to give,” Giessmann said.

Development

Concerned Homeowners Host Meeting on Proposed Changes to Residential Property

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Concerned Watertown Homeowners Association invites the public to a meeting about proposed changes to the town’s zoning that would impact one and two family homes. 

The group sent out the following announcement:

All are welcome to attend our public meeting on Thursday March 3rd and learn more about The potential Watertown Residential Design Guidelines and how they can effect YOU the Watertown home owner! March 3 at 7 p.m. – Public Meeting of Watertown Concerned Homeowner’s Association at the Watertown Public Libary, Savings Bank Room – 123 Main Street

For more information about our association and the Watertown Residential Design Guidelines check out our website watertownpropertyrights.org.

Government

LETTER: East End Councilor Reacts to Decision on Film on Watertown Shootout

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First and foremost, no resident of Watertown should ever be made to feel that an issue or event is allowed to “fly under the radar;” a statement that has been echoed on numerous occasions these past couple of weeks specific to this matter. In my opinion, four residents of one street does not constitute neighborhood involvement without broader notification. Especially, when we speak of an event of a very sensitive nature that impacted the entire East End of Watertown, community-at-large and surrounding cities and towns. For the record, a designee of Town Manager Michael Driscoll, Steve Magoon, Assistant Town Manager and Director of Community Development and Planning was present at the Feb. 12, 2016 meeting.

Elections

See When Watertown Democrats Will Elect Delegates to State Convention

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Democrats in Watertown will be holding a caucus in the Watertown Savings Bank Room of the Watertown Free Public Library on Sunday, March 13 at 2 p.m. to elect 23 delegates and four alternates to the 2016 Massachusetts Democratic Convention, where Democrats from across the commonwealth will gather to meet fellow activists and hear from elected officials. The convention will be held on Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. “This year’s caucuses are an opportunity to renew our commitment to the grassroots and elect Democrats up and down the ballot in 2016,” said Massachusetts Democratic Party Chairman, Senator Tom McGee. “Together we will be ready to take on the challenges that lay ahead.” The caucus is open to all registered Democrats in Watertown and the Democratic Party warmly welcomes first-time participants.

Government

Town Looking for Routes for Community Path Through Watertown Square

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Bicyclists and runners already enjoy using parts of the Community Path, but they do not link up in one key area – Watertown Square. The Town Council’s Public Works subcommittee is exploring ways to create a link between the path that runs along Arsenal Street (and links to the path behind Target) and the one that goes through Saltonstall Park and extends to Waverley Avenue. East of Mt. Auburn Street
On the eastern end, from Irving Street to Mt. Auburn Street, there are a couple of options, said Councilor Aaron Dushku at last week’s Town Council Meeting.

Development

Rescheduled RMUD Hearing Coming Up on Wednesday

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The long awaited hearing on the proposed changes to Watertown’s zoning for the east side of Arsenal Street near the malls will finally occur on Wednesday. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the Watertown High School Auditorium, and will include both the Town Council and the Planning Board. The proposal would majorly overhaul of the zoning rules for the area near the east end of Arsenal Street, including the town’s two malls, along with other properties on Arsenal Street, plus parts of Elm Street and Coolidge Avenue. Basically, it would change the zoning form industrial to mixed use, which allows for residential, commercial and office project. The proposal also calls for allowing building higher than the 55-f00t limit, and could go as high as 1o stories or 130 feet.

Elections

LWV Reminds Residents to Vote in the March 1 Presidential Primary

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Raya Sern, president of the League of Women Voters of Watertown reminds town residents to get out and vote on Tuesday. Stern sent out the following statement:

“The League of Women Voters of Watertown would like to remind everyone that it is Presidential Primary season again. Every four years we get a chance to tell our politicians our preferences for candidates for President of the United States. Make sure you take this opportunity to make your views known by going to the polls on March 1, 2016.” Voting Info
The polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Boston Marathon Bombing

Changes of Plans for Filming at Scene of Watertown Shootout

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Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced that plans recreate the Watertown Shootout on the same streets that the incident occurred have been scrapped. Driscoll sent out the announcement Friday afternoon:
“Upon further reflection, filming the recreation of the Watertown Shootout when police encountered the Boston Marathon Bombers at the intersection of Dexter Avenue and Laurel Street is not in the best interest of Watertown. Therefore, CBS Films will proceed with identifying another location to film the Shootout outside of the Town of Watertown.” The announcement came after a week of emotional responses by many residents about re-enacting the firefight between Watertown Police and the Tsarnaev brothers on April 19, 2013. CBS Films had met with residents of Laurel Street to discuss plans, but the meeting held on Feb.