Elections

LETTER: Local GOP Committee Endorses Steve Aylward for State Committee

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The Watertown Republican Town Committee is pleased to announce that it has unanimously endorsed Steven Aylward for re-election as Republican State Committeeman in the 2nd Suffolk and Middlesex State Senate District. In his first term Steve recruited 2 candidates to run for State Representative and finding no candidate to run for State Senate he ran himself in 2012. That was the first time in decades that our Senate district had 3 legislative candidates on the ballot simultaneously. In addition he recruited candidates for School Committee in both Watertown and Belmont. Perhaps the most important accomplishment was saving the taxpayers of Massachusetts billions of dollars by leading the effort to repeal the Automatic Gas Tax increases.

Elections

LETTER: Watertown GOP Town Committee Chair Backs Debby Dugan

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The Watertown Republican Town Committee (RTC) proudly and unanimously endorses Deborah (Debby) Dugan of Watertown in her race to become the next Republican State Committeewoman representing the Second Suffolk and Middlesex District. Debby, currently serves as the Secretary of the Watertown RTC; as well she is one of two Republican representatives on Watertown’s Board of Election Commissioners. Having served as elected member of Stillwater Elementary and Kittatinny Regional HS Boards of Education in New Jersey School, Debby also has experience as a candidate, public official, and as an activist. Over the years Debby has worked on several Republican campaigns both inside and outside the District. These efforts ranged from local school committee races, to various State Rep and State Senate races, ballot initiatives, and of course for our Statewide Republican Candidates. Debby is a selfless activist who dedicated to the cause of bring limited efficient government of Massachusetts.

Government

Find Out When a Shuttle Will Come to Town for Businesses, Residents

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Town officials have been working on creating a shuttle system to serve the new developments in town, both business and residential, and Thursday night the consultant working on getting it off the ground said the small buses should be rolling in late 2016 or early 2017. Patrick Sullivan, of the 128 Business Council, gave an update on the creation of a Transportation Management Association (TMA) to the newly formed Town Council Ad Hoc Committee on Transportation. The goal of the TMA is to reduce the number of cars on the road in Watertown, as well as improve public transportation. Right now the it is focused on the main “spokes and hubs” in town and the town relies on the MBTA for service. Several new residential project have been built along Pleasant Street, and projects to build new apartment buildings and office developments have been approved for Arsenal Street.

Development

Town Council, Planning Board Will Have to Agree on RMUD Changes

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When the hearing on the RMUD zoning changes was postponed, it meant the proposal was not voted on within the 90 day period, so a new procedure will be needed when the hearing is held on March 2. After Tuesday’s Council Meeting, Town Council President Mark Sideris said the meeting will be a joint session between the Town Council and the Planning Board. They will convene at the Watertown High School Auditorium on March 2 at 6 p.m.

While the Town Council will vote on the proposed changes to the zoning of the east end of Arsenal Street (including the malls and parts of Arsenal Street, Elm Street and Coolidge Avenue), the Planning Board must weigh in, too, Sideris said. “They have to have a say because we didn’t take up the proposal within 90 days,” Sideris said. The new zoning would allow residential, commercial and office developments in an area now zoned for industrial.

Government

LETTER: Resident Urges Town Not to Sell Old Police Station, Branch Libraries

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Dear Councilors,

At a time when our town is being given over to development, it should have become very clear to you by now that citizens want you to maintain some of Watertown’s distinctive buildings and lifestyle. It has come to my attention that the town is considering selling off more of our property. I am writing to urge you: Do not sell the old police station or the branch libraries, or any other properties belonging to the people of Watertown. These properties were meant to be used for our benefit. I am hoping you will begin thinking outside the box about new uses for these buildings.

Arsenal Street Corridor

UPDATED: Department of Transportation Hosting Meeting on Arsenal St. Corridor Study

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Please join the Massachusetts Department of Transportation for a Public Information Meeting on the Arsenal Street Corridor Study. The meeting will be held Wednesday, February 24, 2016, from 6-8 p.m., at the Watertown Middle School Auditorium, 68 Waverley Ave., Watertown. The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) is studying the Arsenal Street Corridor in Watertown. This study will develop and analyze alternatives that are intended to improve transportation conditions on Arsenal Street between Watertown Square and Birmingham Parkway. The study will focus on bus service along Arsenal Street and locations where the bus service ties into other crossing bus routes.

Elections

LETTER: Town Councilor Backs Candidate for Democratic State Committee

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To the Editor:

When I vote in the Democratic Primary on March 1, I will be happy to vote for the presidential candidate of my choice and also to support our own Steve Owens’ bid for election to the Democratic State Committee. Steve cares about Democrats and he cares about the democratic process and he has brought new life to Democratic politics in Watertown. As chair of the Democratic Town Committee, Steve has energized old members and welcomed newcomers. He has earned the respect of Democrats statewide and this has allowed him to draw on a wide range of contacts to arrange speakers for the well-attended monthly meetings: office-holders, office-seekers, and experts on subjects of interest. Steve brought 21st technology to local campaigns and the local campaigns of state-wide candidates.

Development

Date and Location of RMUD Meeting Has Been Changed, Again

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Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced Tuesday that the meeting to discuss the Regional Mixed Use District zoning amendments has been changed. The original meeting date was cancelled due to snow. A joint public hearing on the Regional Mixed Use District Text and Map Amendment will be held with the Planning Board and Town Council on Wednesday, March 2, 2016 starting at 6 p.m. in the Watertown High School Auditorium, 50 Columbia Street, Watertown. The official meeting notice reads, in part:

BP Watertown Retail LLC submitted a petition request for a Zoning Ordinance Amendment and Map Amendment to create a new Zoning District, Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD), and further to amend the Watertown Zoning Ordinance (WZO). The amendments are intended to be in keeping with and implement the recently adopted 2015 Comprehensive Plan and the Future Land Use Map, which identifies an area for Regional Mixed Use. This request was reviewed by DCDP Staff and by the Planning Board and now includes amendments of, but may not be limited to:

Modified Definitions (open space),
Use Tables (mixed-use, cemeteries, assisted living, new/used vehicles for sale, light industry, heavy industry, and accessory uses) and Use Notes,
Dimensional Table (change of setbacks, coverage, impervious surface, minimum opens space, height)
Dimensional Notes (overall length and faced lengths),
new RMUD Section (intent, purpose, district delineation, dimensional criteria, authority, and procedure) – Creates a new Master Plan process and identifies the Planning Board as the permit granting authority
Site Plan Review (LEED and Energy Assessments requirements) and Parking, and updates to other sections as appropriate.