Business

Move to Raise Tobacco Sale Age to 21 Meets Resistance

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The Watertown Board of Health is considering raising the minimum age to purchase tobacco to 21 in town, but some stores and their fans do not want to see the change. This week, the board held a hearing to discuss changes to Watertown’s tobacco regulations. Probably the biggest change would be to raise the age when it is legal to buy cigarettes, cigars, and other tobacco and nicotine products from 19 to 21. Donna Moultrup, interim Director of Health said one of the main reasons for the change is to prevent youths from getting their hand on cigarettes. “Research has shown that young children 12 and 14 years old are getting cigarettes from people age 18-21,” Moultrup said.

Elections

LETTER: ProgressiveWatertown Endorsements for Nov. 4 Election

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Dear Editor,

On September 28th, a large group of Watertown citizens met to talk about the November 4th Election. We all felt the Ballot Questions were extremely important, and all faced monied opposition. We voted and endorsed our majority opinion on these questions. Later 25 citizens chipped in to print up our positions and take the issue voter to voter. On Question #1 we voted NO to the repeal of the indexed gas tax.

Environment

Council Disbands Watertown Recycling Committee

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After 22 years, Watertown’s Recycling Advisory Committee has been dissolved. 

The decision to end the committee was made by the Town Council last week after the Public Works subcommittee recommended the move. The Recycling Committee and officials in the Watertown Department of Public Works have disagreed about the goal of the committee since Watertown went to a single-stream recycling program, according to Councilor Cecilia Lenk, chair of the Public Works subcommittee. Councilor Aaron Dushku worried about what will happen when issues around recycling arise. “I think we need a place where recycling issues will be discussed in town,” Dushku said. “We need some way to convene residents who want to discuss recycling issues.”

Elections

State Rep. Jonathan Hecht Named Environmental Champion

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Watertown State Rep. Jonathan

Watertown State Rep. Jonathan Hecht received recognition for his work on environmental issues from two groups. Hecht was named an “Environmental Champion” by the Environmental League of Massachusetts Action Fund and the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters (MLEV) and endorsed for re-election for his seat in the 29th Middlesex District. “Our organizations are united in support of the extraordinary commitment to environmental protection made by Jonathan Hecht,” said Chuck Anastas, MLEV board Chairman. “We need his 21st century leadership in the state legislature.”

George Bachrach, president of the ELM Action Fund, said Hecht understands the importance of clean energy technology. “Representative Hecht understands the connection between the environment and the economy,” Bachrach said.

Government

Council Wants to Discuss How to Handle Future Park Projects

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With the recent controversy over how the Victory Field Phase 2 renovation was handled, a Town Council subcommittee will discuss whether a new policy should be developed for handling park projects. Last week, the Council voted to create an ad hoc committee to oversee the design of the renovations of the track and tennis court area at Victory Field. Councilor Aaron Dushku said he wanted to consider having a policy for park rehabilitations and enhancements. Councilor Cecilia Lenk said she is not sure such oversight is needed for all projects. “I understand people are frustrated with what happened,” Lenk said.

Environment

Find Out How to Get a Tree from the Town for Your Property

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Watertown residents can have a tree planted in front of their home, or even on their property by the town – find out how! Watertown Tree Warden Chris Hayward is preparing for the fall 2014 tree planting season and he is looking for places to put new trees. He has nearly 30 species of all sizes to choose from, including variety of dogwood, cherry, maple and many more trees (see the list here). Hayward will put together a database of requests. “They can say these are the trees I want and I’ll come out and see if it works,” Hayward said.

Government

Find Out About Watertown’s Social Services Resource Program

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Watertown officials will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Social Services Resources Specialist Program, and the public is invited to come and meet the specialist. Danielle DeMoss will talk about what she has accomplished in her year as Watertown’s Social Services Resource Specialist and what issues she plans to take on next. The event will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 29 in the Watertown Savings Bank Room at the Watertown Free Public Library from 5 to 7 p.m.

She will be joined by Town Council President Mark Sideris, State Rep. Jonathan Hecht and representatives from St. Patrick’s Parish, the Watertown Housing Authority, Watertown Public Schools, and the Watertown Boys and Girls Club will share their stories about the program, according to an announcement about the event. Also scheduled to attend the celebration are State Sen. Will Brownsberger, State Rep. John Lawn, Town Council and School Committee members as well as representatives from the Watertown Savings Bank, the Commission on Disabilities, the Helen Wright Robinson Fund, the Watertown Community Foundation, Mt.

Government

Town Council Move Aimed at Increasing Affordable Housing in Watertown

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The Town Council voted to approve steps to increase the number of affordable housing units when new developments are built in Watertown. Tuesday night, the council voted 8-1 to increase the requirement of affordable units in complexes from 10 percent to 12.5 percent. The move was made to help Watertown meet the state requirement of having 10 percent of the total housing units in town available at an affordable rate. If a community does not meet the 10 percent requirement under Chapter 40B (sometimes called the anti-snob law), developers could come into town to build projects with 25 percent of the units sold or rented as affordable, and they would not have to comply with the town’s zoning regulations, said Councilor Vincent Piccirilli. To qualify for affordable housing, applicants must make below 80 percent of the Area Median Income.