Government

Get Rid of Your Styrofoam, Shred Paper and Dispose of Your Tires

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The Watertown Department of Public Works will hold a special recycling event to get rid of some of your hard to dispose of waste, plus shred your paper documents. The event will be held on Saturday, Jan. 9 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Watertown Recycling Center on Green River Way. To get there from Watertown Square, take Pleasant Street west, turn right on Bridge Street, left on Waltham Street and left on Green River Way. Recycle your styrofoam products – trays, cups, peanuts and packaging.

Government

Watertown Group Pushing for Smart Gun Lock Law in Massachusetts

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The Progressive Watertown group has started an online petition to urge Attorney General Maura Healey to create a law mandating that all new guns sold in Massachusetts have smart tech lock technology on them so only the owner can use them. The group’s founder, Richard Marcus, said the effort grew out of a campaign issue of Warren Tolman’s when he was running for Attorney General. The desire to do something to make guns safer goes even farther back for Marcus. “I’ve been working on this issue since the Newtown tragedy,” Marcus said. “I am tired of going to vigils and memorials for gun tragedies.”

Elections

LETTER: Former Fire Union President Endorses Dem. Committee Candidate

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Dear Editor,

On March 1, 2016, “Super Tuesday,” Watertown voters of the Democratic Party will go to the polls to nominate a candidate for the U.S. Presidency and elect two State Committee members (one male and one female). I am respectfully requesting that the Democratic voters of Watertown consider David Kazis to the open seat to serve as the Democratic State Committeeman for the Second Suffolk and Middlesex Senate District. David Kazis is a proven hard working progressive Democrat and he is familiar with the needs of Watertown, including constituent’s economic discrimination concerns over the proposal to create a new Regional Mixed Use District and DCR’s plan to create a Greenway community path between Watertown and Cambridge. David worked at the Democratic National Committee in Washington, DC, under the leadership of Howard Dean in 2005, and also volunteered on several campaigns, including helping to elect Elizabeth Warren to the United States Senate in 2012. David is a strong proponent of transparency and would serve on the Party’s Statewide Board of Directors.

Development

LETTER: Former Town Councilor Worried About RMUD Proposal

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Letter to the Editor

I attended the council subcommittee meeting last week and came out upset. This is the most important issue this Council will face and three council members voted on amendments to present to the full nine member council for their vote at their regular council meeting. A recommendation for crucial amendments including zoning for this major development should not have been sent to a subcommittee as well-meaning the members are. First, I want to address the manner in which the Chair Councillor Steve Corbett so rudely ruled Deborah Peterson out of order as soon as she was beginning to present her statement. This is unacceptable and never should be condoned.

Development

LETTER: 2 Residents Want to See Vision for Rezoning Malls Area

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Deborah Peterson and I have been working conscientiously on the RMUD issues, attending meetings, studying the Comprehensive Plan and Design Guidelines and talking with others. The following is what Deborah tried to present at the economic development sub-committee meeting of the Town Council on Dec. 15. She was roundly dismissed by the Chair Steven Corbett, telling her she was out of line in bringing up these issues. She had only begun to give her statement.

Development

Subcommittee Recommends Building Heights up to 130 Feet in RMUD

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There are only two buildings in Watertown 13o feet or taller, but there may be another if the Council subcommittee’s recommendation becomes part of the new zoning for the area around the town’s two malls. Maximum height was one of the amendments to the Regional Mixed Use District zoning discussed Tuesday night at the Community Development and Planning subcommittee meeting at the Watertown Free Public Library. Height has been a contentious issue for many residents who don’t want to see large buildings going up in Watertown, especially near the Charles River. “Are you people crazy? These buildings are too tall!”

Government

Watertown Cable’s New Contract Will Bring More Live Events to Viewers

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Watertown Cable Access announced its new contract with Comcast, which will bring improvements to local programming, including more live meeting and sports coverage. 

As part of the deal struck with the cable provider, Watertown Cable will increase its operating budget from $360,000 a year to $450,000, said attorney William Hewig of Kopelman and Paige, who represented the WCA-TV in the negotiations. This will be done with subscribers paying only about a $1 more a month, he said. He has seen other towns go up $3 to $5 a month. Watertown Cable will also receive $572,000 in equipment and other capital projects. This will improve the quality of existing connections and add more direct links, said Watertown Cable Executive Director Helen Chatel.

Government

Watertown State Rep. Hecht Reflects on His Work in 2015

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With the end of the first half of the 2015-16, State Rep. Jonathan Hecht, who represents 3/4 of Watertown, looked back on his work during the year in two updates he recently wrote up. 

Hecht was one of 11 Democrats who voted against eliminating the term limit for the House Speaker, and the only one to speak on the floor about it. “I believe that eliminating term limits will further concentrate power in the Speakership, reduce open debate and independent thinking in the House, and heighten the risk of corruption and other abuses,” Hecht wrote. He also wrote about his efforts to not let experienced state employees leave as a result of Gov. Baker’s retirement incentives, funding the MBTA, expanding Earned Income Tax Credits and much, much more. Hecht also looked back at help he provided people in his district. Some of the areas include helping people access government services, including joining with Watertown Social Services Resource Specialist Danielle DeMoss and the Watertown Housing Authority to find housing for two Watertown families at risk of becoming homeless.