Elections

More Potential Candidates for Watertown Election, Few Officially In

By |

The list of potential candidates for Watertown Town Council, School Committee and even Library Board of Trustees is growing, but only a handful have officially made the ballot as of Friday morning. The Library Board of Trustees could have three more candidates, which would set up a contested race with a potential of five people – so far – running for three seats. Sheppard Ferguson, Penelope Peoples and Karen Roubicek have all taken out papers. The only candidate to get enough signatures and have them certified by the Town Clerk’s office is incumbent Michael Hanlon. District A Councilor Angeline Kounelis could have an opponent for the first time in several years after former Veterans Agent Bob Erickson took out papers to run. Kounelis is the only candidate in that race who has been certified.

Government

LETTER: ProgressiveWatertown Hosts Teach-In on Saving the Economy

By |

You’ve probably heard it from Senator Elizabeth Warren already; “the System is Rigged.” Since the 1980s, all the economic growth in the US has gone to the top 10 percent, leaving nothing for the rest of us. The Tenpercenters don’t need to worry about their future; they have hired an army of lobbyists to advance their agendas, reduce their tax burdens, lighten their risk while underwriting their greed, and increase their wealth for generations. But who are the lobbyists for the rest of us? Unions used to be one of those protections, but the Republican war on unions for the past 35 years has reduced their influence.

Government

Enforcing Watertown’s Snow Rules the Goal of 2 Council Subcommittees

By |

Avoiding a repeat of large amounts of snow piling up on Watertown’s sidewalks as it did this winter is the goal of two Town Council subcommittees, but how do to so was the big question. The town has snow and ice removal ordinances that prohibits residents or businesses from putting snow onto public streets and sidewalks, and another that requires owners of commercial properties to shovel snow off sidewalks by 2 hours after the end of a storm. The Councilors on the Public Works and Budget and Fiscal Oversight subcommittees and residents at the meeting Tuesday night agreed that these ordinances are not being enforced. Some say they want to take the snow ordinance a step further and require residential properties to shovel their sidewalks, but others say strict enforcement will burden some residents. Whatever is done, Councilor Cecilia Lenk said she would like to see it made a priority.

Government

Help the MBTA Set its Service Priorities by Taking an Online Survey

By |

The MBTA is looking for input from residents to set priorities for its service, and you can participate by filling out the online survey. MBTA service for Watertown residents, primarily the buses, have been much criticized – particularly this past winter. Services include the bus routes along the town’s main corridors – the 70, 71 and 73 buses – and buses to Boston from the Watertown Yard (including the 57 and the express buses). Efforts have been started by citizens groups, such as the Watertown Public Transit Task Force, to push for better bus service in town. Then-MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott came to Watertown to listen to resident’s concerns, but she left the T after the service issues over the winter.

Government

Town Councilor Welcomes Residents at Office Hours

By |

Town Councilor At Large Susan Falkoff will hold office hours where Watertown residents can come ask questions and make comments about the town’s government. The office hours will be held on Thursday, July 16 at 7:30 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., Watertown. If it is a wonderful summer evening, Susan will sit with you at a table out front of the library. Otherwise, she’ll be in the café. You can also check out the bluegrass band Southern Rail from Saltonstall Park with a concert that goes from 6:30 to 8 p.m. as part of the free Summer Concert Series.

Government

LETTER: Former Council President Reacts to Firefighter Contract Dispute

By |

Editor,

I am writing regarding the Bullet Points [see below for full text] presented by the Town Manager, on June 9, 2015, that was clearly crafted by Kopelman and Paige and accepted by eight of nine of the Watertown’s Town Council regarding the role of the Council. Clearly the Town Council is the duly elected appropriating body of the “City, Known as the Town of Watertown.” Interestingly, either by omission or deliberate, the Town Attorney, or should I bluntly state, The Manager’s Attorney fails to include in the Manager’s discourse that the Town Council is also the elected Policy Making Body for the Town. It is my impression that the Councilors may not be as knowledgeable of the Charter as one would expect and/or are shielding themselves behind a permeable shield that is easily penetrated. In the many years I served on the Council/School Committee, we provided policy guidance and direction to the Town Manager and School Superintendent on matters of collective bargaining with our valued public servants.

Government

Town Manager Appoints a Provisional Police Chief to Replace Deveau

By |

With Watertown Police Chief Edward Deveau retiring, the Police Department will be led by an provisional Police Chief. Town Manager Michael Driscoll announced last week that he has appointed Capt. Raymond DuPuis to serve as provisional chief until a new one is appointed. DuPuis will start his new role on July 8. DuPuis has been in the department since 1983 and was in the same Police Academy class as Deveau. Currently, DuPuis is one of two captains on the Watertown Police Department and leads the bureau of field operations.He oversees the Patrol and Traffic Divisions as well as the Public Safety Dispatchers.

Food

Subcommittees to Ask Council to Adopt BYOB in Watertown

By |

The Town Council will consider whether to allow restaurants to offer a “bring your own bottle” option to diners after joint subcommittees voted to recommend a set of rules for BYOB licenses. 

The licenses would be available to restaurants that do not have a liquor license. Also, the Joint Rules & Ordinances, Economic Development, and Public Safety committees recommended that the restaurants must be full service, which means they have a “full wait staff, sit down and eat-in dining services for the vast majority of patrons,” according to the recommended ordinance. A BYOB license could cost $1,000 a year, and would be issued by the town’s Licensing Board. They would to be available to a restaurant which has had a suspended or revoked liquor license. The restaurants must also carry alcohol liability insurance.