Government

See Details of Plans to Redesign Mt. Auburn, Common Streets

By |

Watertown officials joined transportation engineers Thursday night to present concepts for two major roadway projects that aim to improve safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. The public forum, held during a meeting of the Town Council’s Public Works Committee, provided an update on the Mt. Auburn Street reconstruction project as well as early designs for the Common Street improvement project. Residents were given the opportunity to weigh in on goals of the projects and provide feedback on design concepts. “We are very early in the process of these projects and this is the first of many community meetings we will have,” said Councilor Cecilia Lenk, who chairs the Public Works Committee.

Government

See What Makes a Responsible Dog Owner in Watertown

By |

Dog owners love their pets like another member of the family, but having a pooch means added responsibility. Watertown Animal Control and the Health Department have published an information pamphlet called “Responsible Dog Ownership in Watertown.” It features all sorts of information about having a dog in town. Requirements include:

Dogs must be licensed with the town
They must be vaccinated for rabies
They must be leashed when on a public way
You must pick up after your dog, and
pet waste may not be disposed of in storm drains

The pamphlet also includes information about Watertown’s dog parks. This includes the town-run one at How Park (Pleasant and Bacon streets) and one at Alta at the Estate, 100 Woodview Lane, which has been opened to the general public.

Government

Watertown’s New Veteran’s Officer Looking to Reach More Vets

By |

Mark Comeiro, Watertown’s new office of Veteran’s Services Officer and the long-time Navy man, hopes to find to veterans in town who might not even know they can get benefits. 

He arrived in February and has fallen in love with his new role. “For me it was a no brainer,” Comeiro said. “I have been here a few months, the community is top notch. They welcomed me.” He has been coordinating services for veterans of all ages, working with local veterans groups and planning for the Memorial Day Parade and other observances from May 20-25.

Government

Town Hall Summer Hours Include Late Hours and Early Closings

By |

Watertown Town Hall will adjust its hours over the summer, with later hours one day a week and early closing another. 

The Watertown Administration Building will start modified summer hours on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 and end on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. During this period, on Tuesdays, the Administration Building hours of operation shall be 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. The hours of operation on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays shall remain 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Building Inspectors’ Office will be open for the transaction of business beginning at 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. or 7 p.m., when all offices in the Administration Building are open. Payments after business hours may be placed in the drop-off box located on Thaxter Street (between Library and Administration Building)
Summer Holidays
Memorial Day

In observance of Memorial Day, the Administration Building will be closed on Monday, May 25, 2015

Independence Day

In observance of Independence Day, the Administration Building will be closing on Thursday, July 2 at 2 p.m. and will be closed on Friday, July 3, 2015

Labor Day

In observance of Labor Day, the Administration Building will be closed on Monday, Sept. 7, 2015

Government

Council Seeks OK from Legislature to Give Greater Residential Tax Relief

By |

The Council voted this week to file a home rule petition with the State Legislature that would allow the Council to increase the residential tax exemption to a maximum of 30 percent in future years. The council voted to file the petition in order to give them flexibility to increase the residential exemption beyond the current ceiling of 20 percent. Francis J. Golden, Chairman of the Board of Assessors, said that 6,058 residential properties would benefit from raising the exemption, while residential properties valued at more than $750,000 would absorb a higher tax burden. Golden stressed that voting for the home rule petition did not mean the Council was required to increase it beyond its current ceiling. “I stress that it’s important that we just have the flexibility,” Golden said.

Development

Changes Made to Hotel Proposal Do Not Satisfy Concerned Residents

By |

Despite a local developer’s efforts to redesign plans for a proposed hotel at 80 Elm Street, Town Councilor Angeline Kounelis and a group of East end residents said they still don’t want it in their neighborhood last week. “It does not belong on Elm Street,” Kounelis said. The residents and several Town Councilors gathered at he Apartments at Coolidge School’s Function Room on Arlington Street, May 7 for an option neighborhood meeting about the proposed five-story, 104-room hotel. Despite already meeting the required number of neighborhood meetings, developer Cherag Patel held the meeting to address concerns residents had previously expressed. The project is scheduled to by heard at a special planning board meeting on May 21.

Government

Watertown Will Have A Voice on Issue of Airplane Noise

By |

Watertown will get a say on a board that advises Boston’s Logan Airport about the noise and air quality related to the airport. Along with Belmont and Arlington, Watertown will have a new regional committee that advises the MassPort Community Advisory Committee – which also overseas airports in Bedford and Worcester. They got the seats thanks to State Sen. Will Brownsberger, who passed an amendment to the supplemental budget adding representatives from the three town with the support of several colleagues, including Watertown State Rep. Jonathan Hecht. Although the Federal Aviation Authority has control over air traffic, MassPort controls airport operations and “the inclusion of Arlington, Belmont and Watertown on the CAC will ensure that our communities have a seat at the table,” Brownsberger’s Legislative Aide Andrew Bettinelli told The Belmontonian. The problems started in the summer of 2013 when the FAA changed the pattern of flights from runway 33L.

Development

After Long Process, Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan Nears Completion

By |

The Town Council, and the Planning Board gathered with residents at the Watertown Middle School this week to put the final touches on the town’s long anticipated Comprehensive Plan. The Council and the Board presented the plan during a joint conference Wednesday, May 6. The comprehensive plan outlines the town’s goals through 2025, and is the town’s first since 1988, according to the town comprehensive plan website. The plan calls to “reinforce Watertown Square as a town center” transform Arsenal Corridor into a “dynamic mixed-use-corridor.”

The town original aimed to have the plan completed in 2013, but the process took longer than expected, Steve Magoon, Director of Planning and Development said. The Planning Board and the Town Council will vote on the proposed plan at upcoming meetings.