Government

LETTERS: Two Write In Support of the Victory Field Phase 2 Project

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Watertown Recreation Director Peter Centola shared a couple of letters supporting the proposed renovation of the track area of Victory Field:

The Watertown High School Athletic Program has benefited greatly from the Victory Field Renovation Project. It has been two years since we first took the field on Thanksgiving Day versus Belmont. We have received many days of playability that we would never have had on the grass field at Victory. We have had very few cancellations due to poor weather. The number of athletes that use the field can be seen on a daily basis.

Elections

Find Out How Faire on the Square Goers Voted on the State Ballot Questions

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The Watertown Democratic Town Committee ran a straw poll at Saturday’s Faire on the Square to see people’s opinion on the four state ballot questions. The majority of respondents also supported the repeal of the Massachusetts Gaming Act and opposed the repeal of the state’s gas tax, said Steve Owen, chairman of the Watertown Democratic Town Committee. Participants were asked to vote “yes” or “no” on the four questions which will appear on this November’s ballot. Of 165 Faire-goers who participated, 69 percent indicated they would vote “No” on Question 1, which would repeal the state’s recently enacted gas tax.  Respondents overwhelmingly supported Question 2, the expanded bottle bill, with 77 percent voting “Yes” to a measure that would add a 5 cent deposit to water and juice containers.  Question 3, which would repeal the state’s 2011 Gaming Act, was supported by 66 percent of those polled. Question 4, which would guarantee earned sick time for all Massachusetts workers, was supported by a record 92 percent of respondents, according to the WDTC’s press release. “This is the sixth year we’ve done a straw poll at the Faire on the Square,” Owens said, “and we’ve never before had anything poll as high as the earned sick time ballot question.”

The poll is not a scientific one, but Owens said the winners of the Committee’s straw poll have gone on to win in Watertown four out of the previous five years.

Around Town

Find Out the Next Step for the Victory Field Project

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Having heard from the public about the proposed renovation of the track area of Victory Field, the Town Council has asked for revisions and will hold a meeting to discuss the project soon. At Monday’s Town Council meeting Town Council President Mark Sideris announced the next steps for Phase 2 of the Victory Field renovation. The proposed project includes replacement of the grass with artificial turf, a new track, resurfacing the tennis courts and the tot lot, addition of lights to the track and replacement lights on the courts. Also, a multi-use court would be added where basketball and street hockey could be played, and a new parking area would be created. Sideris said he and other councilors attended the two public meetings and heard the input from residents.

Government

Opponents, Supporters of Victory Field Phase II Speak Out

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The second public meeting about the proposal to renovate Victory Field II drew supporters and also more people opposed to the proposed artificial turf. Recreation Director Peter Centola told the more than 100 people at the library that the project is still in the draft phase. “This is the second of many meetings. I get frustrated when I hear ‘This is a done deal,'” Centola said. “Go to the neighbors of the Police Station.

Development

Details of New Arsenal St. Development Revealed by Developer

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A new project proposed for the corner of Arsenal and Irving streets will serve as a guinea pig for the town’s new zoning rules and regulations. Developers Greystar Real Estate, which is working with local partners Oaktree FX, met with the general public for the first time on Monday at the Police Station and presented their current vision for the 5.79 acre project that will include 278 apartments and 15,000 square feet of retail space. Brandon Henry, who runs development for Greystar in the Northeast, thanked the town for inviting Greystar to be the “demonstration project” for the new zoning rules. “We want your feedback and ideas so we can incorporate it into the development. I have seen a lot of developments and in my opinion this site is the best one in Watertown,” Henry said.

Elections

Warren Tolman Thanks People for Their Support During the Campaign

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Watertown’s Warren Tolman send out a thank you letter to his supporters during his campaign for Attorney General, despite the outcome. Here is Tolman’s letter:
Dear Friend,
Thank you! These past ten months have been an exciting journey. Even though last Tuesday was not our day, I am incredibly grateful for your support throughout this campaign. While our mission did not end as we had hoped, I am very proud of the campaign we ran and the dedicated team which worked tirelessly to build a winning coalition stretching across Massachusetts.

Government

Find Out How Congresswoman Clark Will Vote on the Syria Bill

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Congresswoman Katherine Clark sent out a letter Wednesday laying out her vote on the amendment to authorize the Secretary of Defense to arm and train Syrian rebels to fight ISIL. Clark represents the Massachusetts Fifth District, which includes Watertown. Here is the letter she sent out:
Dear Friend,
Later today, the House will vote on an amendment to authorize the Secretary of Defense to arm and train Syrian rebels. I want you to be the first to know how I plan to vote and why. ISIL has demonstrated their willingness to use terrorism and violence to meet their goals.

Development

Town Hiring Consultant to Create New Design Standards, Guidelines

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The Town Council agreed to hire local architect to put together a new set of design standards and guidelines in an effort to protect residential neighborhoods from new developments. 

The town will work with David Gamble of Gamble Associates to will put together the new set of rules, Director of Community Development and Planning Steve Magoon said. The work will be done in three phases, Magoon said. During the first phase Gamble will gather information and documents about design standards and guidelines on the local, regional and national levels. He will also meet with stakeholders and reach out to others to find out issues face Watertown. In the second phase, a draft of the design standards and guidelines will be created, and Gamble will look at what changes would result and what problems might arise.