Arsenal Project

Impact on River by Arsenal Mall Rebuild, Height of Buildings Worry Residents

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The Planning Board gave their OK to changes to zoning in the area of the Arsenal Project and Watertown Mall which could lead to a major project with commercial, residential and/or office elements including taller buildings. The issue is now in the hands of the Town Council. Residents at last week’s Planning Board meeting about the Regional Mixed Use District (RMUD) brought up several concerns about how a new complex at the Arsenal Mall site could impact the town and the nearby Charles River, and said the taller buildings would be too big for Watertown. The RMUD impacts a much larger area than just the Arsenal Project. It also includes the area on the other side of Arsenal Street where the Watertown Mall and Target are located, most of Elm Street and about half of Coolidge Avenue.

Government

Town Council Votes to Close One Entrance to Road Near Arsenal Street

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Residents of Beacon Park will not have to worry about their street becoming a cut through for traffic from the new apartment complexes on Arsenal Street. 

Tuesday night, the Town Council voted to close off the entrance to the Beacon Park off Arsenal Street. The small street has two other entrances on North Beacon Street. Residents worked with the town and with District B Councilor Cecilia Lenk to close off access, said Beacon Park resident Dan Clark. “It is an example of local government working great,” Clark said. Another resident of the street, Bob Menton, said the traffic from the current light and another one being installed for the new apartment complex at 202-204 Arsenal Street would back up past the entrance to Beacon Park, making it difficult to get out.

Elections

LETTER: District C Councilor Says Thanks, Looks Forward to Continuing Work

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To the editor:

I want to thank the District C voters for re-electing me to serve for another term as their Town Councilor. Over the past eight years I have worked hard to represent both my constituents in District C as well as all of Watertown residents, and I look forward to continuing that effort with renewed vigor. I am grateful to the many volunteers, friends, and my family for the effort they put into the campaign. My success would not have been possible without their help. I remain committed to finding the best solutions through analysis, teamwork and building consensus, and to our shared vision for Watertown as a vibrant, diverse, safe community with pretty tree-lined streets and great schools.

Development

LETTER: Resident Supports Residential Design Standards

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To the Editor:

Mr DiMascio’s letter that posits Residential Design Standards as a property rights issue and a function of big, bad government is a Red Herring. What is a Red Herring? It is a distraction, a false lead. I’d guess that the rest of us are happy that drivers, doctors, and restaurants are licensed; that zoning won’t allow a drive-through eatery on a row of two family houses; that dogs have to get rabies shots; that day care centers are inspected. It’s a trade-off when we choose to live in community, on streets with neighbors, and share civic space with others.

Election 2015

LETTER: District B Councilor-Elect Thanks Supporters, Looks Forward to Serving

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To all District B Watertown voters and supporters:

I wanted to make sure you know how grateful I am for all the support I received in both the preliminary and general election campaigns for District B Town Councillor. To everyone I had the privilege to talk with while campaigning, thank you for sharing your thoughts, your energy, and your steady encouragement to run for office. Over the past several months, I encountered a great deal of hope for the future and an ongoing pride in Watertown, both for what it has been, is, and for what it can become. As I reflect on the campaign efforts, and as I look forward to the honor of serving as your town councilor, I remain filled with gratitude and humility, as I continue to prepare to represent you. I value your efforts to make our town the best it can be, and I look forward to staying in touch.

Government

Town Councilor Holding Office Hours to Meet With Residents

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Town Councilor At-Large Susan Falkoff will meet with Watertown residents during office hours on Nov. 21. Falkoff wrote the following announcement:

I’ll be at the Library from 1-2:30 on Saturday, November 21 to listen to any concerns or questions you have about Town Council issues. I expect to be in the café, but if it’s still weirdly 70 degrees outside, I will be out front and we can talk about global warming. If it’s predictable November weather, maybe we could talk in the café about the pros and cons of the Winter Parking Ban and any suggestions for improving pedestrian accessibility this winter (I have a few).

Development

Town Holding Meeting to Discuss Ways to Preserve Neighborhoods

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Watertown residents are invited to attend “Preserving Our Neighborhoods: A Community Forum Tools Available to Preserve Neighborhood Character” on Thursday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. at Watertown Middle School, 68 Waverley Ave. 

The forum will include a panel discussion, a slide presentation, Q&A time and next steps. The event is sponsored by the Town of Watertown and the Neighborhood Advocacy Group. The town sent out the following announcement:

Our Comprehensive Plan identified preservation of the architectural heritage, character and fabric our residential neighborhoods as an important focus for Watertown’s longterm vision. In this Forum we will talk about key issues facing our neighborhoods, elements that contribute to neighborhood character, and tools available to manage residential growth and change, including: residential design guidelines, architectural preservation districts, ordinances, and zoning.

Government

Council Grudgingly Supports School Project After Price Tag Soars

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The Town Council will consider adding millions to the price of the window replacement project at Watertown Middle School after the scope of the project was changed. 

The proposed project calls for replacing 207 plexiglass windows in the old section of the middle school. The estimate for the cost of replacing plexiglass windows at the middle school was $302,642 but after the owner’s project manager appointed by the state studied the project the cost of the project jumped to between $2.6 million and $2.9 million. The change in price was due to a change in the scope of the project, said Councilor Vincent Piccirilli, chair of the Budget and Fiscal Oversight subcommittee – the committee which voted to recommend the council endorse the project with the new budget. The project has been submitted to and accepted by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA). This means the state will reimburse Watertown for 48.47 percent of the cost of the project, and that the town must follow the MSBA’s rules and even what will be included in the project. Council Vice President Steve Corbett said he was shocked to see such a miscalculation.