Environment

Town Council Approves Measures to Make Charles River Cleaner

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After more than a decade of work, Watertown has a new set of storm water regulations that brings it into compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s requirements. The EPA issues a General Permit for Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems for town’s which have storm water draining into rivers as part of the Federal Clean Waters Act. The permit was issued in 2003 and applies to water run-off from construction and post-construction activities. See the new stormwater ordinance by clicking here. The goal is to reduce erosion of soil in town and stop the sediment from going into the Charles River through the stormwater sewers.

Elections

LETTER: Tree Advocates Brace for Tree Prunings by Eversource

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Hi, Trees for Watertown members and friends:

Eversource (formerly NSTAR) is coming back to Watertown to utility-prune our street trees starting Monday, February 29.  Citizen attention can really help to protect our street trees from damaging and disfiguring pruning during this utility pruning cycle. The Problem

Eversource’s official utility pruning standard specifies removal of all tree branches within 10 to 15 feet of high voltage wires. Utility pruning to Eversource’s standard results in canopy removal far in excess of recommended aboricultural guidelines for preserving street tree health. Arboricultural guidelines recommend pruning no more than 25 percent of a young tree’s healthy canopy, less in older trees, and even less — if any — in mature trees stressed by poor soil or confined soil volume and limited moisture access. The majority of trees providing vital canopy over our urban streets fall in this category.

athenahealth

Athenahealth, Town Applying to State for $25 Million in Improvements

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The Town of Watertown is teaming with athenahealth to try to take advantage of a state program that would send tax dollars back to town to improve parks, roadways and other resources in town. 

The work would be done in conjunction with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The town and athenahealth have taken the first steps toward applying for $25 million from the I-Cubed program (The Executive Office of Finance and Administration’s Infrastructure Investment Incentive Program). The money comes from the new payroll taxes that would be generated by athenahealth’s expansion of its campus located in the Arsenal on the Charles complex, said Michael Crowley, athenahealth’s vice president for Real Estate and Facilities at Tuesday’s Town Council meeting. “It will provide funds that will transform areas of Watertown in ways that really improve the quality of life for those who work here everyday and for those who live here,” Crowley said. The funds must be spent on areas adjacent to the campus, and a number of projects have been proposed, including adding traffic signals, creating cycling paths and improving the path along the Charles River.

Around Town

Town Manager Releases Statement on Filming at Scene of Watertown Shootout

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Town Manager Michael Driscoll reacted to the proposal to shoot a film in Watertown recreating the events of the Boston Marathon Bombings, including at the site of the Watertown Shootout. Representatives from CBS Films met with residents of Laurel Street on Feb. 12, and shared the proposed schedule. The filming included night action where the sounds of gunshots would be used to recreate the firefight between Watertown Police and the Tsarnaev brothers. Word that the dramatic events would be replayed in the same area where they occurred was met with an outpouring of emotional responses from Watertown residents, a majority of whom opposed the idea.

Elections

LETTER: Resident, Teacher Supports David Kazis for Democratic State Committee

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I am happy and proud to support David Kazis for Democratic State Committee Man on Tuesday, March 1 during the Presidential Primary. He is young, energetic, and ready to serve. I have known David for many years now and watched his commitment to our community and his involvement in political affairs across the state. His experience with City Year and Americorps where he assisted victims from hurricanes Katrina and Rita is inspirational. As a teacher, I know firsthand the importance of putting our children first and I am certain that David will play a big role in helping Watertown and moving the Democratic agenda forward to ensure that the Party is listening and attracting new voters to get involved in the political process.

Elections

LETTER: Town Councilor Backs Steve Owens for State Committeeman

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To the editor:

I am very pleased to endorse Steve Owens for State Committee in the March 1 Democratic Party Primary election. For the past 8 years, Steve has ably served as Chair of the Watertown Democratic Town Committee and has greatly increased both the number of activities and citizen participation. Steve is the candidate for State Committee that has a proven track record of organizational leadership, supporting candidates, and engaging the voters. As chair of a Town Committee, Steve ran successful Election Day operations with over a hundred volunteers in Watertown. We need Steve on the State Committee because he has the experience to spread those lessons across Massachusetts.

Elections

LETTER: State Rep. Hecht Endorses Democratic State Committee Candidate

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On March 1, Democrats in Watertown will elect a new representative to the Democratic State Committee. I’m enthusiastically supporting Steve Owens. Steve is one of the savviest and hardest working people in Democratic politics in Massachusetts today and will make a huge contribution to the State Committee. Steve has led our Democratic Town Committee since 2008. One of his earliest challenges as chair was navigating the aftermath of former Representative Rachel Kaprielian’s sudden resignation from her State Rep. seat.

Elections

LETTER: Watertown GOP Candidates Get Endorsement from State Group

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The Massachusetts Republican Assembly (MARA) and Sharron Angle, former candidate for United States Senate and President of the National Federation of Republican Assemblies (NFRA) proudly endorse Deborah Dugan and Steve Aylward for Republican State Committee woman and man respectively in the 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex Massachusetts State Senate District (include Watertown, Belmont, Back Bay, and Brighton). Both MARA and the NFRA are dedicated to reforming the Republican Party and giving the grassroots a greater voice in the policy and direction of the Republican Party. Deborah Dugan and Steve Aylward are dedicated to this same mission. In that spirit they have both signed “The Real Republican Reform Pledge.” (See below). We Confident that as your State Committee representatives Deborah and Steve will represent the interest of the Republicans in of the District.