Government

Town Council Approves Zoning Change for St. Patrick’s Property

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The Town Council approved a zoning change for St. Patrick’s Church so it would have a better chance of leasing its former parish school. The proposal to create a Religious/School Overlay District was approved on Tuesday night. The new zoning will allow more uses for the property, while the same time preserve the current buildings, said Assistant Town Manager Steve Magoon. “The Parish is having difficulty leasing the school building,” Magoon said.

Election 2015

See the Town Council Candidates’ Stances on Major Issues in Town

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At this past summer’s Annual Meeting of Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment, members were asked to identify their key areas of concern. Based on the results of that meeting, the following two questions were sent to all candidates running on Nov. 3 for election to the Watertown Town Council:

1. Three major environmental areas in which Watertown Citizens for Peace, Justice and the Environment would like to see the town take an active role are listed below. Please pick one and explain what you would do about it.

Elections

LETTER: Town Council Hopeful Says She Is Not a Single Issue Candidate

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Editor,

As a dedicated 20 year Watertown volunteer and citizen advocate, I am not a single-issue candidate for District B Town Councilor. The fact that I garnered the most votes, over 43 percent of the votes in the September 17 Preliminary Election, in a race with four candidates including an established incumbent, is not trivial. Watertown is undergoing unprecedented change and District B needs proactive leaders to embrace new ideas, enact best practices, and engage all residents. I will also bring new energy and a personal approach to Town Council. My life’s work has been about bringing people together to produce better outcomes, whether in the workplace, the schools, the neighborhood or community at large.

Around Town

Watertown Honors its War Killed & Wounded, Named a Purple Heart Town

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Watertown has a long history of military service stretches back to George Washington’s time, and the town has more than 40 Purple Heart recipients – the medal honoring those injured or killed in combat. Several of them were on hand Tuesday evening, along with family members of many others, for the ceremony recognizing the town as a Purple Heart Community. 

“We are here to honor all of those who sacrificed for their country and were killed or wounded in combat,” said Watertown Veterans Services Officer Mark Comeiro, during the ceremony next to Town Hall in Saltonstall Park. One of those honored was 89-year-old Henry Mosca, who was hit by shrapnel while serving in the Army during the Battle of the Bulge. He wore his medal to the ceremony. “I don’t show (the Purple Heart) it off.

Government

Sen. Brownsberger, Rep. Lawn Hosting Forum on GMO Foods

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Legislators in the Second Suffolk and Middlesex district will hold a free public forum on the labeling of genetically modified food on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 7-9 p.m. at the Watertown Middle School Auditorium, 68 Waverley Ave., Watertown, State Sen. Will Brownsberger’s office announced. The forum features four academic panelists with various perspectives on GMOs. Attendees will hear substantive information on the science, economics, legal and regulatory frameworks, and health and environmental impacts of GMOs. Following presentations by each of the panelists, there will be time for audience questions and comments.

Elections

School Committee, Town Council Candidate Forums Coming Up Soon

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Voters can learn about the candidates running for office in the Watertown Election at a series of upcoming candidate forums.

Pair of School Committee Forums
The Watertown Education Foundation and Watertown News will host a pair of forums for the School Committee candidates. The first will be Thursday, Oct. 15 from 7:30-9 p.m. at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main St., in the Watertown Savings Bank Room. The second forum will be on Thursday, Oct. 22 from 7-9 p.m. in the Watertown Middle School Auditorium, 68 Waverley Ave.

Government

Town Seeks Input on Rules for Building in Watertown’s Residential Areas

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The building boom in Watertown is not limited to the main arteries through town. Homes are being torn down and replaced with new residential projects, so town officials want to look at making rules and guidelines for new construction in neighborhoods. One of the goals that came from the recently adopted Comprehensive Plan is to protect Watertown’s residential neighborhoods. Some residents have complained that redeveloped properties have changed their street or neighborhood for the worse. As a way to control the redevelopment of neighborhoods, the Town Council has proposed creating Residential Design Guidelines.

Election 2015

Last Chance to Register to Vote in Town Election is Wednesday!

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Watertown  has a hotly contested election with contested races for almost every seat. If you want to take part in the decision you must be registered to vote. 

Wednesday, Oct. 14 is the last day to register so you can vote in the Nov. 3 Town Election. Residents can register at the Town Clerk’s Office on the ground floor of Town Hall, 149 Main St.