Government

Recreation Department Opens Victory Field for Public Use

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A sign of spring is the opening of Victory Field by the Recreation Department. 

Recreation Director Peter Centola announced that the athletic complex on Orchard Street is open for use. He reminds residents that parking is only for Victory Field users from 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Those parking at Victory Field overnight must remove their vehicles by 8 a.m. and can begin parking again at 10 p.m.

“Parking is restricted to marked spots only,” Centola said. “Please do not park anywhere else. Do not move cones!” If parking fills up at Victory Field, additional parking can be found at the Department of Public Works at 124 Orchard St., next to the football field.

Government

Nominations Sought for Watertown Historical Preservation Awards

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Each year Watertown honors those who have excelled in preserving the town’s historical buildings, and nominations are being sought for the 2015 awards. The Watertown Historical Commission Preservation Awards can be awarded to any individual, organization or project that has contributed to the preservation or recognition of Watertown’s Historic resources.There are seven award categories which a nominee may be considered. Applications for nominations for the Watertown Historic Commission 2015 Historical Preservation Awards are now available at http://www.watertown-ma.gov/DocumentCenter/View/16668

The completed form is due in the Historical Commission office by April 9, 2015. The 2015 Historical Preservation Awards Ceremony will be held Thursday May 28, 2015 at the Commander’s Mansion, 440 Talcott Ave. in Watertown.

Around Town

Get Your Pet Vaccinated for Rabies at Watertown Town Hall

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Head down to Town Hall to get your dog or cat vaccinated for rabies! The Watertown Health Department hosts the clinic on Saturday, April 11. Cats in carriers will be seen from 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Dogs on leashes will be up next from 2:30-3:30 p.m.

The vaccination clinic takes place on the lower level of Town Hall. There is a fee of $10 for each animal vaccinated.

Government

See When You Can Meet With Sen. Brownsberger at the Watertown Library

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Senator Will Brownsberger will hold office hours in Watertown from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 4 in the café at the Watertown Free Public Library, 123 Main Street. All are welcome to during this time to discuss issues, ask for help in dealing with state agencies, or talk about any other topic of concern. At all other times Senator Brownsberger can be reached at his State House office at 617-722-1280 or his cell phone at 617-771-8274. His email address is William.Brownsberger@masenate.gov. The senator’s website at willbrownsberger.com provides many details on his positions and is also a place for open dialogue and public feedback. Senator Brownsberger’s communications director, Jeanne Mooney, can be reached at the same office number.

Government

Council Asks for Transportation Improvements from Group Studying MTBA

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With changes at the MBTA, and this winter’s transportation woes, the Watertown Town Council will send a letter to the committee set up by Gov. Charlie Baker to examine the MBTA. Last year, Watertown invited MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott to town and showed her the town’s transportation challenges and areas of heavy development that will need transit. The town council followed up with a letter to make sure Watertown’s needs are still in the minds of MBTA officials. The MBTA has shared its ideas for improving the 70 bus route along Main and Arsenal streets, but improvements are also sought for the 71 and 73 routes to Harvard Square. Scott, however, resigned after the challenges the MBTA had during the heavy snows this winter.

Business

Penalties Could Stiffen for Businesses That Do Not Shovel Snow

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Businesses that do not shovel snow could pay a stiffer penalty if the Town Council subcommittee adopts the recommended changes to the town’s snow ordinance. In the current ordinance, commercial properties get a warning for the first violation, a $25 fine for the second violation and a $50 fine for the third. The Rules and Ordinances Committee recommended some changes, said chairman and Councilor Ken Woodland. “To encourage compliance with the town’s ordinance, (the committee) recommended the town should eliminate what is a mandatory warning for first time offenders,” Woodland said. “The committee also recommend increasing increasing the quantity of fines and increase for subsequent fines.”

Charity

Runners, Get Ready for the Second Annual Watertown Police 5K Run

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On the second anniversary of the events that lead to the capture of the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects the Watertown Police Supervisor’s Association will hold a 5K road race and walk. Last year, the first WPSA 5K drew thousands of runners and walkers to Watertown. The second annual race will be held at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 19. The event is being organized by Wicked Fun Running Events, and hopes to bring the community together and celebrate the accomplishments and sacrifices that were made during the Boston Marathon bombing and subsequent aftermath, which occurred in Watertown in 2013. Residents, families, friends, business and civic leaders are invited to take part in this growing Watertown tradition.

Development

Special Meeting Planned on Changes to Pleasant Street Zoning, Signage Rules

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Two major changes to the Watertown Zoning Ordinance will be discussed by the Town Council at a special meeting. The public hearing on changes to the Pleasant Street Corridor District zoning and the lighting and signage ordinance will be held on Tuesday, April 7 at 6:30 p.m. in Town Hall, 149 Main Street, Watertown. The changes were proposed by the Town Council, have been discussed by the Planning Board and now comes back to the Council. (See details about the changes here.)

Here is the notice on the Pleasant Street Corridor District Zoning:
The proposed amendments to Section 5.16 would incorporate sub-districts within the Pleasant Street Corridor District to define two new areas where a commercial component is required in new development and another where new development would not allow residential.  The language would also modify the build-to-line, clarify the maximum façade length, and require further step-backs for buildings.  The amendments would also update the Table of Uses and Notes to the Table of Uses to reflect the new zoning.  The amendment also includes a zoning map with the new districts (PSCD-1, PSCD-2, & PSCD-3), and the boundary with adjoining T zone. Signage and Lighting Changes
The Town Council will also consider changes for signs and illumination to create a new ordinance for hotel and motel signs.