Government

Watertown Moving Toward Having an Adopt-an-Island Program

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Looking for a way to beatify more spots around town, the Public Works subcommittee has recommended creating an adopt-an-island program. The concept of having businesses and groups care for plantings in traffic islands around town has been considered in the past, and this week Councilor Ken Woodland brought the request to the Public Works subcommittee. “It will address traffic islands in town along with other identified spaces,” Woodland said. “Local businesses can team up with the town.” The subcommittee considered whether to have a contractor hired by the town do the work, whether to allow businesses to hire their own contractor and/or allowing volunteers do the planting and care for it.

Government

Heroin Epidemic on Front Burner for Council Subcommittee

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The Council’s Human Services subcommittee will continue its effort to find ways to battle the heroin and opioid epidemic that has hit Watertown this year. 

While these drugs have been a problem for years, 2015 has seen a spike of cases, with dozen of reported overdoses, several of which were fatal. Monday night, the Human Services subcommittee meets at 7 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Town Hall to continue looking for ways to help addicts get treatment and enter recovery, as well as taking steps to prevent others from becoming addicted in the first place. Some steps have already been taken. At the July 14 Town Council meeting, councilors voted to recommend that the Town Manager take steps to have all Watertown Police officers trained to use the anti-overdose drug Narcan, and have the medication in all patrol cars. The Fire Department already carries Narcan.

Government

Town Officials Looking at Ways to Tame Watertown’s Dog Park

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When Watertown opened its first dog park about two years ago, it was a dream for local dog owners, but a nightmare for residents living near the park. The fenced in area was added to How Park, which sits near the Charles River on Pleasant Street at Bacon Street. Dogs flock there during daylight hours, which means that there is noise and people parking all over the neighborhood, sometimes on the sidewalk. Tuesday night the Town Council’s Human Services subcommittee met to hash out a set of rules and ways to enforce them. Neighbors have complained to the town, but gotten little help.

Development

Arsenal St. Office Project Approved Despite Concerns About New Entrance

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The Linx office complex which has an Arsenal Street address but backs onto the streets of Coolidge Square received approval from the Zoning Board of Appeals. As part of the project, which will turn the underused Verizon building into a 185,000-square foot office building, a new entrance will be added on the north side of the site onto Nichols Avenue. This feature was a plus for some and a minus for others. Architect John Sullivan said the new entrance will help the office be part of the area. “It will reunite the site back into Watertown and tie it into Coolidge Square and Arsenal Street,” Sullivan said.

Elections

Watertown Election Ballot Starting to Come into Focus

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More candidates have been officially certified to appear on the Nov. 3 Watertown Town Election ballot, and there will be a preliminary election this fall. Here is what the ballot would look like if the election was Wednesday, as of noon. (I = incumbent). Town Council President

Mark Sideris (I)

Town Councilor At Large (Four Seats)

Patryce Gergopoulos
Michael Dattoli
Aaron Dushku (I)
Susan Falkoff (I)
Tony Palomba (I)

District A Councilor

Angeline Kounelis (I)
Bob Erickson

District B Councilor

Kevin McDonald
Lisa Feltner
Patricia Van Dinter

District C Councilor

Vincent Piccirilli (I)

District D Councilor

Kenneth Woodland (I)
Bob McCarthy

School Committee (Three Seats)

Eileen Hsu-Balzer (I)
Candace Miller
Kendra Foley

Library Trustee (Three Seats)

Michael Hanlon (I)
Sheppard Ferguson

A number of incumbents have taken out papers to run, but have yet to get their signatures certified.

Elections

LETTER: Retired Firefighter Announces Candidacy for West End Councilor

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Robert B. McCarthy, a lifelong Watertown resident who resides at 71 Bromfield St., announced that he is a candidate for Town Councilor representing District D.

“I believe it is time for a change. I pledge to vigorously campaign and will listen to the people of Watertown,” McCarthy said. Town Clerk John Flynn notified Mr. McCarthy Friday that his nomination papers have been certified. McCarthy, a Viet Nam Era U.S. Navy Veteran, previously served as an elected Town Meeting Member before the Town voted to change the Town Government and Charter to a Town Manager/Council form of government in 1981. He served for thirty four years in the Watertown Fire Department retiring as a Captain in 2001. He also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts from 1987 to 2011.

Elections

See Who Took Out Papers to Run for Town Council President

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A familiar face in Watertown politics may challenge incumbent Mark Sideris for the position of Town Council President. Clyde Younger, who had two stints as Town Council President, has pulled papers to run for the top position on the Watertown Town Council. Sideris is running for reelection and former firefighter Bob McCarthy has also pulled papers to run. Younger said he has not been satisfied with the way the town’s government has been operated. “After watching a few meetings and seeing the direction of the town, I felt that I needed to get involved in a formal way in order to be heard,” Younger said in an email.

Environment

Grant for ‘Green’ Lights, Fire Negotiations Update & Heroin Crisis Discussion

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Watertown will replace several hundred street lights with energy efficient LED lights thanks to a grant awarded to the town by the state. Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito announced the awarding of a $207,505 Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources grant to Watertown as part of the Green Community Competitive Grant program, Town Manager Michael Driscoll told the Town Council Tuesday. The money, along with $92,495 in incentives from Eversource, will pay for the $300,000 project to replace 800 high-pressure sodium and mercury vapor street lights with LED lights, Driscoll said. The new lights will provide the equivalent amount of light while consuming 62 percent less energy,” Driscoll said. The town is expected to save $50,000 in energy costs annually.