Elections

Tons of Potential Candidates for Watertown’s Town Council, School Races

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This fall’s Watertown Town Election could feature contested race for almost every position on the Town Council and School Committee, and possibly a preliminary election in September. With several hot-button issues in town these days – development, the firefighters contract, and the schools (among others) – dozens of potential candidates have taken out papers to run for town office in the Nov. 3 election. Town Clerk John Flynn said this is the most people he has seen interested in running for office in Watertown for several years. “It’s been a while.

Government

Forum Will Explore Ways to Improve Transportation in Watertown

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Join fellow residents, business owners, developers and civic officials to hear and question a panel of experts on the operations of Transit Management Associations (TMAs)

and learn about the opportunities and challenges for creating Watertown shuttle bus services to supplement the MBTA, according to the announcement from the Watertown Belmont Chamber of Commerce. The meeting will be held on June 4 at 6:30 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library. Speakers include experienced TMA operators from Charles River TMA, the 128 Business Council TMA, MassCommutes, and the Metropolitan Area Planning Council. An initiative of the Watertown Public Transit Task Force, co-sponsored by the Watertown Belmont Chamber of Commerce. For more information go to facebook.com/WPTTF or contact Jon Bockian at jbockian@rcn.com or Megan O’Halloran at megan@wbcc.org.

Environment

Residents, Town Officials Outraged by Hacking of Trees in Watertown

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Trees along Greenough Boulevard in Watertown got a severe pruning or in some cases were cut down completely, a move that has upset residents and town officials alike. 

Last week, residents noticed that the trees on the street that runs along the Charles River had been cut by crews. The trees stand on land owned by the state and overseen by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Residents began contacting DCR officials, state representatives and Town Councilors to ask for the tree trimming to be halted. While they are state owned, the DCR was supposed to alert the Watertown Conservation Commission and the town Tree Warden, Chris Hayward, to let them know about the plan, said Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon. “They are supposed to do that.

Government

See Details of Plans to Redesign Mt. Auburn, Common Streets

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Watertown officials joined transportation engineers Thursday night to present concepts for two major roadway projects that aim to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. The public forum, held during a meeting of the Town Council’s Public Works Committee, provided an update on the Mt. Auburn Street reconstruction project as well as early designs for the Common Street improvement project. Residents were given the opportunity to weigh in on goals of the projects and provide feedback on design concepts. “We are very early in the process of these projects and this is the first of many community meetings we will have,” said Councilor Cecilia Lenk, who chairs the Public Works Committee.

Government

See What Makes a Responsible Dog Owner in Watertown

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Dog owners love their pets like another member of the family, but having a pooch means added responsibility. Watertown Animal Control and the Health Department have published an information pamphlet called “Responsible Dog Ownership in Watertown.” It features all sorts of information about having a dog in town. Requirements include:

Dogs must be licensed with the town
They must be vaccinated for rabies
They must be leashed when on a public way
You must pick up after your dog, and
pet waste may not be disposed of in storm drains

The pamphlet also includes information about Watertown’s dog parks. This includes the town-run one at How Park (Pleasant and Bacon streets) and one at Alta at the Estate, 100 Woodview Lane, which has been opened to the general public.

Government

Watertown’s New Veteran’s Officer Looking to Reach More Vets

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Mark Comeiro, Watertown’s new office of Veteran’s Services Officer and the long-time Navy man, hopes to find to veterans in town who might not even know they can get benefits. 

He arrived in February and has fallen in love with his new role. “For me it was a no brainer,” Comeiro said. “I have been here a few months, the community is top notch. They welcomed me.” He has been coordinating services for veterans of all ages, working with local veterans groups and planning for the Memorial Day Parade and other observances from May 20-25.

Government

Town Hall Summer Hours Include Late Hours and Early Closings

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Watertown Town Hall will adjust its hours over the summer, with later hours one day a week and early closing another. 

The Watertown Administration Building will start modified summer hours on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 and end on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. During this period, on Tuesdays, the Administration Building hours of operation shall be 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The hours of operation on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays shall remain 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Building Inspectors’ Office will be open for the transaction of business beginning at 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. or 7 p.m., when all offices in the Administration Building are open. Payments after business hours may be placed in the drop-off box located on Thaxter Street (between Library and Administration Building)
Summer Holidays
Memorial Day

In observance of Memorial Day, the Administration Building will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2015

Independence Day

In observance of Independence Day, the Administration Building will be closing on Thursday, July 2 at 2 p.m. and will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2015

Labor Day

In observance of Labor Day, the Administration Building will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015

Government

Council Seeks OK from Legislature to Give Greater Residential Tax Relief

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The Council voted this week to file a home rule petition with the State Legislature that would allow the Council to increase the residential tax exemption to a maximum of 30 percent in future years. The council voted to file the petition in order to give them flexibility to increase the residential exemption beyond the current ceiling of 20 percent. Francis J. Golden, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, said that 6,058 residential properties would benefit from raising the exemption, while residential properties valued at more than $750,000 would absorb a higher tax burden. Golden stressed that voting for the home rule petition did not mean the Council was required to increase it beyond its current ceiling. “I stress that it’s important that we just have the flexibility,” Golden said.