Elections

LETTER: Watertown Man Announces Candidacy for Library Trustee

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Sheppard Ferguson, former President of Booksellers of Harvard Square, is on the ballot to be elected a Trustee of the Watertown Free Public Library. He believes his career creating and managing successful bookselling companies and as a free lance photographer working internationally will add strength and breadth of experience to the Board as it advises and assists the ongoing work of the library and its Director. An avid user of the library (1,676 check-outs in five years), Ferguson joined the Long Range Planning Committee of the library last winter. Since he has spent many hours studying the Library and Town’s planning and budget documents and talked with dozens of people about the library. Not surprisingly Ferguson confirmed that the Library is well loved by its users from Watertown and many surrounding communities, and is supported by the Town Council and Administration.

District B

Council Candidates Speak About Neighborhoods, Helping the Less Fortunate

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During last week’s candidate forum, the District B hopefuls had a variety of takes on how – and whether – the town should protect Watertown’s neighborhoods. They also talked about helping the seniors and the less fortunate in town. District B Councilor Cecilia Lenk said she wants to protect the town’s residential neighborhoods from having smaller homes torn down and replaced with bigger multi-unit developments. This could be done with design guidelines for neighborhoods, like what was recently passed for commercial areas of Watertown. “I recently put forward a motion to the Council, and it was sent to the Economic Development Committee, to have a discussion of the needs of neighborhoods,” Lenk said.

Government

Watertown Fire Contract Takes Big Step Toward Being Settled

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The Watertown Fire Union leaders and town officials have come to an agreement on the disputed Watertown Firefighters Contract, but the contract is not a done deal, yet. The memorandum of agreement was reached on Thursday, said Rob Mannix, president of Local 1347 Firefighters Union. Before the contract can be officially adopted the union and Town Council must approve the deal. “The Watertown Firefighters are thrilled that we were able to settle our contract Thursday,” Mannix said. “This has been a long, hard, draining battle that we are more than happy to put in out rear view.” Mannix did not give details of the proposed contract.

Elections

Find Out What the District B Hopefuls Said at the Candidate Forum

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Candidates in for District B discussed the biggest issues they see for the district and the town and why they are running for the Town Council during Wednesday night’s Candidate Forum hosted by Watertown News. 

When asked by moderator Will Twombly about what they thought was the biggest issue was each had their own view. For challenger Kevin MacDonald, a Watertown Firefighter, traffic was his biggest concern. “Traffic is a mess, and I keep reading things from the Council and the Comprehensive Plan talking about reducing the amount of parking, and I they think that will alleviate traffic,” MacDonald said. “But it forces people out onto residential streets to park.” Traffic also weighs on challenger Patty van Dinter’s mind.

Government

See the Ballot Initiatives Certified by the Mass. Attorney General

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Among the initiatives approved to move forward by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is one to seek to legalize recreational use of marijuana, but one seeking to legalize fireworks did not make the grade. Healey ruled Wednesday that 22 initiatives and acts could move forward. Ultimately they may be on the November 2016 state ballot. Three versions of an initiative seeking to end the prohibition of use of marijuana by people 21 and over were certified by Healey, who said she does not approve of the legalization of the drug but said it should be decided on a legal basis. Another proposal was an act regarding the regulation and taxation of marijuana.

Elections

Only a Few Days Until the First Watertown Candidates Forum

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The candidates on the ballot for the Preliminary Election will be at the District B Candidates Forum hosted by Watertown News. The event will be at the Watertown Free Public Library on Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 7-8:30 p.m. Also look for it on Watertown Cable. The event is open to the public, and people can submit their questions to the candidates. The four candidates will be on the ballot for the Sept.

Government

Health Officials Tips to Avoid West Nile Virus After First Human Case

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The first human case of West Nile Virus has been diagnosed in Middlesex County, and health officials have advice for avoiding the mosquito-borne disease. The Watertown Health Department sent out the following information:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has identified that the recent hot, dry weather along with historical patterns of mosquito-borne disease poses an increased risk of mosquito-borne virus. As a result, MDPH has elevated the risk level for West Nile Virus from Low to Moderate. Public health surveillance is done for mosquito-borne viruses – viruses that are carried and spread by mosquitoes. These viruses include West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Mosquitoes get WNV and EEE by biting infected birds.

Government

Town Taking Steps to Control Rats After Residents Report Sightings

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The Watertown Health Department has put out boxes to try to control the rats in areas of town that have seen a spike in rodent activity this summer. A map of reported rodent sighting show most of the complaints coming in the Eastside of Watertown, with a cluster around Arlington Street, north of Mt. Auburn Street. Earlier this month, the town held a meeting for Eastside residents to talk about the rodent problems they have seen in their area. Some reported seeing them on their street, or even in their yards and lawns (read more here).