Government

Early In-Person Voting Taking Place in Watertown This Week

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The City of Watertown sent out the following announcement:

In-Person Early Voting for the Watertown Municipal Election will be held at City Hall located at 149 Main Street, Watertown in the Philip Pane Lower Hearing Room on the ground floor on the following dates and hours:

Tuesday, October 31, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Wednesday, November 1, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Thursday, November 2, 2023 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

If you have any questions, visit the City Clerk’s office at City Hall during regular business hours, or call 617-972-6486. https://www.watertownmanews.com/2023/10/18/missed-the-school-committee-candidate-forum-see-it-here/

Watch Videos from This Week’s Council President Forums, Catch the School Committee Hopefuls Monday

Government

OP-ED: Truth or Consequences — The MBTA Communities Law

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By Clyde YoungerWatertown Resident & Candidate for City Council President

I prefix my comments by saying, without any hesitation, the Planning Department must be re organized. It is my firm belief the Department is misleading the citizens of Watertown. The change must begin at the top. I am not saying the Assistant City Manager/Director of Planning and Development should be fired; however, the Buck ends with this position. My recommendation is he should be laterally transferred into a different position within the administration.

Government

Main Street Residential & Retail Project Approved by Zoning Board

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The project planned for 104 Main St. was approve by the Zoning Board of Appeals. This is a view from Main Street. (Courtesy of O’Connor Capital Partners)

Developers of the project at 104 Main St. knocked a story off the project and widened the public walkway from Main Street to Pleasant Street, and received approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

Government

City Seeks Applicants for Residents’ Advisory Committee

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking Watertown residents interested in serving on the Residents’ Advisory Committee. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest accompanied by a resume or other information concerning background or experience by email to citymgr@watertown-ma.gov or City Manager’s Office, 149 Main Street, Watertown, Massachusetts 02472. Description: The Residents’ Advisory Committee, as required by Section 3-7 of the new city charter, is designed to “assist with recruitment, evaluation and selection of candidates for appointment to multi-member bodies.” As noted in the charter, the committee and the City Manager will work together to “actively encourage a diverse pool of applicants for (these) multiple-member bodies.”

Government

Residents to Get a Tax Break, ARPA Proposals to be Heard, Complaints Aired About Roads

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Photo by Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

Watertown homeowners should see a reduction in their property tax bills in the next Fiscal Year, City Manager George Proakis shared with the City Council Tuesday night. The Council also heard about the dates when they will hear the proposed uses of the City’s ARPA funds, and complaints about a pair of road projects. Property Taxes

The Fiscal Year 2024 tax rates will be presented by the Town Assessor on Nov. 14, but Proakis provided a preview on a key highlight of the presentation at the Oct. 24 City Council meeting: a reduction of about 10 percent for the average Watertown residential property tax payer.

Government

Watertown City Budget Looks Strong in Current Fiscal Year, Next Year Could be Tighter

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Watertown City Manager George Proakis gave his second Preliminary Budget Overview on Tuesday. City officials got some unexpected good news from taxes generated by new development in the current fiscal year, but City Manager George Proakis said he remains cautious about the good financial times continuing. Tuesday night, Proakis updated the City Council about the current year’s budget, Fiscal Year 2024, and presented the Fiscal 2025 Preliminary Budget Overview. The revenues in FY24 came in $5.3 million above the projection when the budget was made last spring. However, the current bottom line for next year’s Watertown budget (FY25) is a $2.4 million shortfall.

Government

State Rep. Owens Hosting Pair of Office Hours in October

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State Rep. Steve Owens

The following announcement was provide by State Rep. Steve Owens’ office:

State Rep. Steve Owens, a Democrat in the 29th Middlesex District made up of parts of Watertown and Cambridge, has upcoming office hours in Cambridge and Watertown. The Cambridge office hours will take place on October 10 from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. at Sarah’s Market & Cafe, 200 Concord Ave, Cambridge. Rep. Owens will be joined by Watertown City Councilor Nicole Gardner for office hours on October 20 from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. at Uncommon Grounds, 575 Mt Auburn St, Watertown. For information, call (617) 722-2460, send an email here or visit Room 446 at the Massachusetts State House.

Government

NEW TIME: Two Chances to Hear from Council President Candidates

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(Note: The time of the Chamber’s debate has changed. See the new time below)

The two candidates for City Council President will appear in a pair of candidate events this week. WCA-TV & Watertown News Hosting Live Forum

On Wednesday, Oct. 11, Watertown Cable News, Watertown Cable Access Corp and Watertown News will host an election forum featuring the two candidates running for City Council President. Incumbent Mark Sideris is being challenged by former Town Council President Clyde Younger.