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.

Government

Plastic Bag Ban, Commercial Snow Shoveling Rules Remain Up in the Air

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The Town Council’s Rules & Ordinances subcommittee discussed a possible plastic bag ban and reviewed the rules for the commercial snow shoveling rules, but did not make a recommendation on either issue. At the meeting on March 3, the possibility of creating an ordinance to ban plastic bags being used at some or all stores in town was discussed, but questions remain, said subcommittee chairman and Town Councilor Ken Woodland. “The committee decided to seek additional language changes in the potential plastic bag ordinance so are in the process of consulting with the Town Attorney to finalize changes for discussion at the next meeting,” Woodland said. The evening’s discussion of the town’s snow shoveling ordinance was tabled, however, when the meeting was ended early because of (that’s right) snow! Another subcommittee, the Committee on Public Works, will discuss the possibility of having a residential snow shoveling requirement.

Government

First Sign of Spring – Watertown’s Emergency Parking Ban is Over!

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The emergency parking ban in Watertown is over! Town officials announced the on-street parking ban ended at 3 p.m. on Thursday, March 19, according to an email sent out by Town Councilor Cecilia Lenk. The ban was put in place after the record snows fell on – and stayed – on Watertown’s streets and sidewalks. “Spring is coming!” Lenk added in her note.

Business

Town Council Votes to Request More Liquor Licenses from the State

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The Town Council approved a request to the State Legislature to add more liquor licenses in an effort to attract more economic development in Watertown. Last week, the Council voted to request 15 new liquor licenses. The town has 34 licenses allotted by the state based on the town’s population, but communities can request additional licenses by submitting special legislation and have it approved by lawmakers at the State House. The members of the Rules & Ordinances, Economic Development & Planning, and Public Safety subcommittees recommended 15 new licenses, including five for designated projects or locations. One of those – the Arsenal on the Charles complex – was removed.