Government

See the Ballot Initiatives Certified by the Mass. Attorney General

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Among the initiatives approved to move forward by Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey is one to seek to legalize recreational use of marijuana, but one seeking to legalize fireworks did not make the grade. Healey ruled Wednesday that 22 initiatives and acts could move forward. Ultimately they may be on the November 2016 state ballot. Three versions of an initiative seeking to end the prohibition of use of marijuana by people 21 and over were certified by Healey, who said she does not approve of the legalization of the drug but said it should be decided on a legal basis. Another proposal was an act regarding the regulation and taxation of marijuana.

Elections

Only a Few Days Until the First Watertown Candidates Forum

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The candidates on the ballot for the Preliminary Election will be at the District B Candidates Forum hosted by Watertown News. The event will be at the Watertown Free Public Library on Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 7-8:30 p.m. Also look for it on Watertown Cable. The event is open to the public, and people can submit their questions to the candidates. The four candidates will be on the ballot for the Sept.

Government

Health Officials Tips to Avoid West Nile Virus After First Human Case

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The first human case of West Nile Virus has been diagnosed in Middlesex County, and health officials have advice for avoiding the mosquito-borne disease. The Watertown Health Department sent out the following information:

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has identified that the recent hot, dry weather along with historical patterns of mosquito-borne disease poses an increased risk of mosquito-borne virus. As a result, MDPH has elevated the risk level for West Nile Virus from Low to Moderate. Public health surveillance is done for mosquito-borne viruses – viruses that are carried and spread by mosquitoes. These viruses include West Nile Virus (WNV) and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). Mosquitoes get WNV and EEE by biting infected birds.

Government

Town Taking Steps to Control Rats After Residents Report Sightings

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The Watertown Health Department has put out boxes to try to control the rats in areas of town that have seen a spike in rodent activity this summer. A map of reported rodent sighting show most of the complaints coming in the Eastside of Watertown, with a cluster around Arlington Street, north of Mt. Auburn Street. Earlier this month, the town held a meeting for Eastside residents to talk about the rodent problems they have seen in their area. Some reported seeing them on their street, or even in their yards and lawns (read more here).

Entertainment

Come Hear the District B Candidates at the Watertown News Forum

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Come hear from the Candidates for District B Town Council at the Candidate Forum hosted by Watertown News, and bring your questions! The forum will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 2 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Watertown Free Public Library’s Watertown Savings Bank Room. Attendees will have the chance to submit their questions to the candidates, so come with some ideas. Four people are running for the Council seat for District B, which means there will be a Preliminary Election on Thursday, Sept.

Development

Officials Want to Discuss Ways of Protecting Watertown’s Neighborhoods

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With single family homes being torn down in Watertown and being replaced by two-family or larger developments, residents have pleaded with town officials to do something to preserve their neighborhoods. Wednesday night, the Economic Development and Planning Subcommittee discussed creating a set of design guidelines for residential neighborhoods and other steps that can be taken to stop what many residents see as unsightly and oversized projects replacing homes in town. Susan Steele, a member of the Watertown Historical Commission, said that several times residents have come to the commission’s hearings trying to save a home due to be demolished and replaced with a bigger project. “They were saying, ‘Can’t you help us?'” Steele said. “We are very limited in what we can do.”

Development

Design Firm Wins Architectural Award for Watertown Design Guidelines

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The firm that put together the Watertown Design Guidelines was honored for its work by being named a finalist for an award from the Boston Society of Architects. This month, the BSA announced the Watertown Design Guidelines has been chosen as one of the finalists for the Campus and Urban Planning Awards category. The awards will be announced at the BSA’s Design Awards Gala on Jan. 28. David Gamble, principal of Gamble Associates, put together the design guidelines after holding a series of community forums, as well as working with town officials and the developer of a major project on Arsenal Street.

Development

Changes to Pleasant Street Zoning Approved, Some Still Have Concerns

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Tuesday night, the Town Council approved some major changes in what kinds of developments will be allowed in the Pleasant Street Corridor. The changes to the Pleasant Street Corridor District Come just seven years after the area first got special zoning. Town Council President Mark Sideris said the original intent to provide a variety of new developments on unused or underused property did not turn out the way the Council had intended. Instead of a mix of properties, the town got several large residential projects. “Several members were on the Council when we put in the Pleasant Street Corridor District zoning,” Sideris said.