CWRA

Watertown Road Chosen to be Part of Green Street Pilot Project

By |

Watertown’s Edenfield Avenue will be the site of a “Green Street” pilot project by the Charles River Watershed Association (CWRA) which will target pollution, stormwater runoff and erosion. 

The CWRA sent out the following announcement:

CRWA has received a grant of $194,648 from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to implement a “Green Street” pilot project in Watertown as part of roadway improvements in the town. This project is one of nine projects targeting water pollution from storm water runoff and erosion that the Baker Administration has recommended for more than $1.29 million in grants utilizing funds from the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency (EPA). Charles River Watershed Association, a research, design, and advocacy environmental non-profit, will manage the pilot project to design and install green infrastructure on a residential street in Watertown. Project partners include Watertown’s Department of Public Works which will manage engineering and construction, and Watertown’s Stormwater Advisory Committee (SAC), which will help with public outreach and education. Watertown’s Superintendent of Public Works, Gerald S Mee Jr. said “This grant provides an exciting opportunity for Watertown to install green infrastructure practices in coordination with a future roadway reconstruction project.

District A

District A Council Candidates Respond to East End Neighbors Issues

By |

The East End Neighbors group submitted the following responses from the candidates for District A Town Councilor. District A has two candidates running for District Councilor in Tuesday’s Nov 3 Election. Angie Kounelis, Current District A Councilor and Bob Erickson, former town Veteran’s Agent. We asked East Enders for questions they would like to pose to the candidates and consolidated these into 5 questions. Candidates answers are on the following pages.

Elections

LETTER: Parent Supports Two Candidates for School Committee

By |

(Watertown News will accept Town Election related letters until Oct. 31)

Editor,

I have two kids in elementary school. We have had great experiences with teachers, our own school and the Watertown school system in general. I support Watertown teachers and schools absolutely. However I see something like the not so great results received by Watertown schools in the MCAS science tests this year and I am concerned.

Development

Developer Taking Town to Court Over ZBA’s Denial of Hotel Project

By |

The developer of the hotel project rejected by the Watertown Zoning Board of Appeals has taken the town to state Land Court to appeal the decision. Cherag Patel, the head of Elm Hospitality LLC, filed the appeal in Land Court on Oct. 28, and named as defendants the members of the ZBA: Melissa SantucciRozzi, Christopher Heep, David Ferris, Neeraj Chander and Kelly Donato. Patel is being represented by attorney Curtis Dooling of Pierce & Mandell of Boston. The appeal claims the ZBA wrongfully denied the special permit for the 104 room hotel project at 80 Elm Street when it made its ruling on Sept.

Elections

LETTERS: Candidates Write In About Campaign and Non-Election Items

By |

(Watertown News will accept Town Election related letters until Oct. 31.)

Dear Watertown,

I ask for your vote for School Committee on November 3, 2015. I am a firm believer in public education—it is the mechanism societies use to prepare children to flourish in a modern world. Public schools are one of the best possible economic investments a community can make. Everyone benefits by investing in schools because communities with excellent schools are safer, better connected, attract more economic development, and have higher property values than communities with weak schools.

Elections

LETTERS: Residents Declare Their Support for a Council Candidate

By |

(Watertown News will accept Town Election related letters until Oct. 31)

To the Editor:

Lisa Feltner has earned my vote this Tuesday for District B Town Councilor. I worked on Arsenal St. development issues with Lisa in her role as President of the Concerned Citizens Group (CCG). I have watched her bring people together as she had many, many conversations with her CCG constituents and other residents, with developers, and with town officials.

Government

Residents Invited to Meet with State Sen. Will Brownsberger

By |

Watertown residents can meet with State Sen. Will Brownsberger to talk about state issues or how he might be able to help. Sen. Will Brownsberger will hold office hours in Watertown from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 7 in the Café at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main Street. All are welcome to during this time to discuss issues, ask for help in dealing with state agencies, or talk about any other topic of concern. At all other times Senator Brownsberger can be reached at his State House office at 617-722-1280 or his cell phone at 617-771-8274.

Arsenal Street Corridor

One End of a Watertown Street May be Closed to Traffic

By |

Residents of a small street between Arsenal and North Beacon streets want one entrance to their street closed to traffic. On Tuesday, the Town Council heard the first reading of the proposal to shut off traffic coming onto Beacon Park off of Arsenal Street. The street has two other entrances onto North Beacon Street. Residents of the street told the town they worry about Beacon Park becoming a cut through from the Arsenal Street, said Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon. The Arsenal Street entry to the street is directly across from the new apartment complex going up at 202-204 Arsenal Street.