Government

State Rep. Jonathan Hecht Meeting with Residents Twice in October

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Watertown residents can meet with State Rep. Jonathan Hecht to discuss matters concerning them, or upcoming state legislation. Rep, Jonathan Hecht will hold office hours on Friday, Oct. 16 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. on the Third Floor hallway of Watertown Town Hall, and on Monday, Oct. 26 from 5-6 p.m. in the Raya Stern Trustees Room in the Watertown Public Library. Constituents are invited to meet with Rep. Hecht to discuss pending legislation or any other issue of concern to them.

Elections

LETTER: Teachers Union President Endorses School Committee Candidates

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Editor,

I am writing to express my support for the incumbents in the School Committee race; Eileen Hsu-Balzer, Michael Shepard and Julie McMahon. Thanks to their hard work, together with the rest of the School Committee members, the Watertown school district is in a much better place than it was four short years ago. In 2011, contract negotiations between the Watertown Educators Association (WEA), the School Committee and School Administration were at an impasse and teachers had been working without a contract for two years. Teachers were working to rule, and frustration on all sides was high. After the election, two new voices joined the discussion – Ms. McMahon and Mr. Shepard – and both sides resumed negotiations.

Government

State Transportation Officials Start Study of Arsenal Street Corridor

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The Mass. Department of Transportation (MassDOT) began looking at ways to improve the Arsenal Street Corridor with a stakeholder meeting last week. Working with Watertown-based engineering firm, VHB, MassDOT will evaluate existing and future multimodal transportation conditions along the Arsenal Street corridor in Watertown and also regionally, according to Town Councilor Cecilia Lenk, who attended the first meeting. The study will develop alternatives to improve transportation conditions with a primary focus on the bus service along Arsenal Street. Transportation alternatives will also be examined and evaluated, Lenk added.

Election 2015

Watertown Group Hosting Two Town Council Candidate Forums

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Sustainable Watertown announced that it will be sponsoring its first series of candidate forums for Town Council Candidates on Oct. 18 and 19. The forums will focus on issues that fall within Sustainable Watertown’s mission, such as development, environmental sustainability, public space, urban design and transportation. The organization’s Steering Committee decided that one of the most important tasks that it could undertake was to give the voting public an opportunity to hear the candidates’ positions about sustainability and quality of life issues. “Many Watertown residents care deeply about the issues for which we advocate, but often they are given less attention than some of the more obvious municipal topics.

Election 2015

What Question Would You Ask the School Committee Candidates?

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There’s a hot race for School Committee on the Watertown Town Election ballot, with five people running for three seats. What issue would you like to hear their opinions on? The candidates will take part in two School Committee Candidate Forums hosted by the Watertown Education Foundation and Watertown News. The organizers are gathering questions from Watertown parents and residents. What is the biggest issue facing the Watertown Schools?

Elections

LETTER: Council Candidate Invites Public to Campaign Event

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Editor,

The Committee to Elect Michael Dattoli is hosting an event on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at Conley’s Pub and Grille. All residents are welcome to attend and learn more about Michael’s campaign for Town Councilor At-Large. The event begins at 7  p.m.  Conley’s is located at 164 Belmont Street in Watertown.  

Michael Dattoli
Candidate for Councilor At-Large

Elections

LETTER: Resident Responds to Endorsement of 7 of 8 Town Councilors

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To the Editor:

I have been told that John Airasian has done many good deeds for the town of Watertown. For those things I thank him. But his recent letter, with an endorsement of seven of the eight incumbent candidates for Town Council, was not one of them. Based on a single issue, and tacitly snubbing one of Watertown’s finest citizens in the process, it was a irresponsible and misguided statement. At a time when so many profoundly critical issues face our town, no political endorsement should be based on a single issue.

Development

Watertown Zoning Board Rejects Hotel Proposed for Elm Street

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The Zoning Board of Appeals rejected a five-story hotel proposed to go on a small street off of Arsenal Street in the East End of Watertown. 

The proposal had met strong opposition from residents of Elm Street, and had already failed to get the recommendation from the Planning Board. However, other projects with similar opposition had received the OK from the ZBA. On Wednesday night, ZBA members said they liked the look of the hotel, which had changed since originally being proposed. However, they said project barely fit on the parcel of land, and towered over nearby businesses and homes. Steve Winnick, attorney for the developers – Elm Hospitality LLC – said that he believes the project is in line with the redevelopment of former industrial sites in Watertown as seen in other areas of town.