Development

Arsenal St. Office Project Approved Despite Concerns About New Entrance

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The Linx office complex which has an Arsenal Street address but backs onto the streets of Coolidge Square received approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals. As part of the project, which will turn the underused Verizon building into a 185,000-square foot office building, a new entrance will be added on the north side of the site onto Nichols Avenue. This feature was a plus for some and a minus for others. Architect John Sullivan said the new entrance will help the office be part of the area. “It will reunite the site back into Watertown and tie it into Coolidge Square and Arsenal Street,” Sullivan said.

Elections

Watertown Election Ballot Starting to Come into Focus

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More candidates have been officially certified to appear on the Nov. 3 Watertown Town Election ballot, and there will be a preliminary election this fall. Here is what the ballot would look like if the election was Wednesday, as of noon. (I = incumbent). Town Council President

Mark Sideris (I)

Town Councilor At Large (Four Seats)

Patryce Gergopoulos
Michael Dattoli
Aaron Dushku (I)
Susan Falkoff (I)
Tony Palomba (I)

District A Councilor

Angeline Kounelis (I)
Bob Erickson

District B Councilor

Kevin McDonald
Lisa Feltner
Patricia Van Dinter

District C Councilor

Vincent Piccirilli (I)

District D Councilor

Kenneth Woodland (I)
Bob McCarthy

School Committee (Three Seats)

Eileen Hsu-Balzer (I)
Candace Miller
Kendra Foley

Library Trustee (Three Seats)

Michael Hanlon (I)
Sheppard Ferguson

A number of incumbents have taken out papers to run, but have yet to get their signatures certified.

Elections

LETTER: Retired Firefighter Announces Candidacy for West End Councilor

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Robert B. McCarthy, a lifelong Watertown resident who resides at 71 Bromfield St., announced that he is a candidate for Town Councilor representing District D.

“I believe it is time for a change. I pledge to vigorously campaign and will listen to the people of Watertown,” McCarthy said. Town Clerk John Flynn notified Mr. McCarthy Friday that his nomination papers have been certified. McCarthy, a Viet Nam Era U.S. Navy Veteran, previously served as an elected Town Meeting Member before the Town voted to change the Town Government and Charter to a Town Manager/Council form of government in 1981. He served for thirty four years in the Watertown Fire Department retiring as a Captain in 2001. He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts from 1987 to 2011.

Elections

See Who Took Out Papers to Run for Town Council President

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A familiar face in Watertown politics may challenge incumbent Mark Sideris for the position of Town Council President. Clyde Younger, who had two stints as Town Council President, has pulled papers to run for the top position on the Watertown Town Council. Sideris is running for reelection and former firefighter Bob McCarthy has also pulled papers to run. Younger said he has not been satisfied with the way the town’s government has been operated. “After watching a few meetings and seeing the direction of the town, I felt that I needed to get involved in a formal way in order to be heard,” Younger said in an email.

Environment

Grant for ‘Green’ Lights, Fire Negotiations Update & Heroin Crisis Discussion

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Watertown will replace several hundred street lights with energy efficient LED lights thanks to a grant awarded to the town by the state. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the awarding of a $207,505 Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources grant to Watertown as part of the Green Community Competitive Grant program, Town Manager Michael Driscoll told the Town Council Tuesday. The money, along with $92,495 in incentives from Eversource, will pay for the $300,000 project to replace 800 high-pressure sodium and mercury vapor street lights with LED lights, Driscoll said. The new lights will provide the equivalent amount of light while consuming 62 percent less energy,” Driscoll said. The town is expected to save $50,000 in energy costs annually.

Food

Watertown BYOB Program Hits Bump on Road to Approval

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Tuesday night, the full Town Council got its first taste of the bring your own bottle – BYOB – proposal for Watertown, but it will still be some time before the ordinance allowing the program. The proposal was hashed out over three joint meetings of the Rules and Ordinances, Economic Development and Public Safety subcommittees. The BYOB licenses could go to restaurants that do not already have a liquor license, and only establishments featuring full wait service would be eligible. One restaurant in particular, Royal, is anxious to get a license. The recently opened eatery on Main and Lexington streets does not have a liquor license and the owners say that is hurting them.

Government

Subcommittee Wants to Make Sure Sidewalk Green Areas Don’t Turn to Mud

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As the Department of Public Works officials upgrade streets and sidewalks around Watertown, they look to add a little green with a planting strip along the edge of the sidewalk, but many of these have become mud pits and bare earth. 

The Town Council’s Public Works Subcommittee seeks to prevent this from happening. Along with adding some green to Watertown’s streets, they also soak up water during rain storms which avoids sending it into storm sewers, said Public Works Superintendent Gerald Mee. Subcommittee Chairwoman Cecilia Lenk said she takes care of the planting strip in front of her home and has kept it green, but she acknowledged it is not easy. “I am an avid gardener but it is really a lot of work,” Lenk said. She also acknowledged that the planting strips are not popular with some residents and property owners.

Development

Planning Board Approves Office Complex, Worries About New Entrance

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The renovation of the Verizon facility on Arsenal Street received approval from the Planning Board, but not without concerns for how the project would impact the nearby neighborhood of Coolidge Square. The proposed project, called Linx Watertown, would have 185,000 square feet of office space, featuring a two-story atrium lobby with a cafe. It would have a significant amount of green space and would be located along the Watertown Community Path so developers hope it some employees will ride their bicycles to work. Developer Boylston Properties also believes the location close to Coolidge Square will help attract companies, which they believe will relocate from areas such as Kendall Square in Cambridge and Rte. 128.