Development

Watertown Zoning Board Rejects Hotel Proposed for Elm Street

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The Zoning Board of Appeals rejected a five-story hotel proposed to go on a small street off of Arsenal Street in the East End of Watertown. 

The proposal had met strong opposition from residents of Elm Street, and had already failed to get the recommendation from the Planning Board. However, other projects with similar opposition had received the OK from the ZBA. On Wednesday night, ZBA members said they liked the look of the hotel, which had changed since originally being proposed. However, they said project barely fit on the parcel of land, and towered over nearby businesses and homes. Steve Winnick, attorney for the developers – Elm Hospitality LLC – said that he believes the project is in line with the redevelopment of former industrial sites in Watertown as seen in other areas of town.

Elections

LETTER: Fire Union President Responds to Letter on Arbitration, Contract

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Mr. Airasian,

While we at Local 1347 appreciate your many contributions to bettering our community and applaud your stance in supporting your choice of candidates for Town Council we take great exception to the fact that you chose to attack our members in the process. 

(See John Airasian’s letter by clicking here)

Your complete lack of knowledge or understanding of the events that led to the 6.5 year impasse between the Town and the Local is evident in your commentary. That you have chosen to insult us in defense of those councilors who chose to thumb their noses at a state mandated resolution process is the ultimate sign of desperation by you on their behalf. In your letter you state the local enjoyed “some support” in town. If you consider the several hundred lawn signs proudly displayed throughout town “some support” your candidates should hope for the same “some support.” To say that we were pleased with the “some support” you referenced is an understatement and it was that very support that emboldened us to continue our fight for fairness.

Government

Meeting Planned to Discuss Privatization of MBTA Bus Routes

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If you are concerned about the privatization of some MBTA services, and possibly losing your bus route, a meeting is planned to discuss the issue. Governor’s Councillor Marilyn Petitto Devaney invites you to an informative meeting regarding privatization, where she plans to have MBTA officials available to answer your questions. Over the summer, the MBTA announced a proposal to privatize 32 bus routes, including the following routes serving Watertown: 52, 70A, 502, 504 and night service on the 57. The meeting will be held on Thursday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Nonantum Post #440 ,295 California St.

Government

Town Wants to Hear from Residents about Winter Hill Park

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The Town of Watertown wants to hear from residents about what they want to see from the town’s newest park. 

Conservation Agent Christopher Hayward sent out the following announcement:

On October 7, 2015, the Watertown Conservation Commission will be having an informational discussion on Whitney Hill Park, (the wooded area in back of Victory Field and the Department of Public Works Facility on Orchard Street. The meeting will be held in the Lower Hearing Room of the Town Administration). Building at 7:30 p.m.

In 2013 the Town Council voted to make Whitney Hill an official town park. As part of that vote the Council requires the Conservation Commission to prepare and submit to the Town Manager, each year prior to Dec. 31, a recommended plan for maintenance and educational activities for Whitney Hill Park.

Election 2015

LETTER: John Airasian on the Election, The Council and the Fire Issue

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Dear Editor,

I cannot emphasize enough how important I believe it is to re-elect the following seven incumbents:

Mark Sideris, Council President; Councilors at Large Susan Falkoff and Aaron Dushku; District Councilors Angeline Kounelis – District A, Cecilia Lenk – District B, Vincent Piccirilli – District C and Ken Woodland – District D.

Like everyone I am happy that the fire issue is now behind us with he adoption of a revised, more equitable agreement for the town and the residents. However, I think there are a few more things to say and also a lesson for all of us to learn. Everyone knows and appreciates what a fine job the Watertown Fire Department does. And everyone has a friend or neighbor on the department. So it is not surprising they had some support in the community.

Elections

Two Forums Coming Up for Watertown School Committee Candidates

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Come learn about the five candidates for Watertown School Committee at two upcoming candidate forums. 

The five candidates are incumbents Eileen Hsu-Balzer, Julie McMahon and Michael Shepard, and challengers Candace Miller and Kendra Foley. They are running for three seats in the Nov. 3 Town Election. The first will be held on Thursday, Oct. 15 from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library in the Watertown Savings Bank Room.

Elections

See Who Won the Democratic Presidential Straw Poll at the Faire on the Square

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Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders was the choice of Faire-goers for the Democratic nomination for President in the Watertown Democratic Town Committee’s annual straw poll at Saturday’s Faire on the Square. Sanders won 42 percent of the nearly 200 votes cast, while former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton came in second with 34 percent. The poll was held at the Democratic Town Committee’s booth at Watertown’s annual Faire on the Square, Saturday, September 26, 2015. Participants were asked to choose between the likely candidates in the 2016 Democratic Presidential Primary. Coming in third place with 18% of the vote was Vice President Joe Biden, who has yet to declare his candidacy. Other candidates receiving votes were former Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley with 2 percent, and former Virginia Senator Jim Webb and former Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee with 0.5 percent each.

Dog Park

Dog Park Group Worried by Preliminary Drawing of Park Redesign

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The town recently released a drawing of plans to renovate the entrance to Filippello Park, but proponents of a dog park did not like one feature – the size of the dog park. The entrance off Grove Street will be renovated after the Watertown Recycling Center moved from there to the westside of town. In December, the Public Works subcommittee voted to place the second town-run dog park at Filippello Park. The first one was built at How Park on Pleasant Street. At Tuesday’s Town Council meeting Deb Whitman, a member of the Watertown Dog Park Task Force expressed her discontent with the proposal.