Government

Town’s Vision for Common Street Includes a Rotary at Orchard Street

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Department of Public Works officials showed Town Councilors the first draft of improvements they would like to make to Common Street, which includes installing a rotary at the intersection with Orchard Street. 

The intersection can be very dicey for motorists, and Public Works officials have been working on ways to make it safer.  

Currently, cars on Common Street – which includes a long hill leading into the intersection – have no stop sign or light, but the intersection also includes not just one but two other streets – Orchard Street and Church Street. Both those streets have stop signs, but seeing cars coming down Common – particularly down the hill – can be difficult.

Tuesday night, Town Engineer Matt Schuman showed the Public Works subcommittee a drawing of the rotary. Another change will be an alteration to the intersection of Common and Spring streets, right across from Watertown High School. The present configuration has Spring Street enter Common at an angle as Common curves.

Government

Town Seeking State Money to Repair Watertown Middle School

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It’s time to replace the windows at Watertown Middle School and the town hopes to get help from the state to pay for the work. Superintendent Jean Fitzgerald told the Town Council that the school has 207 windows which are 36 years old. On Tuesday, the Council approved the School Department’s application to the School Building Authority’s accelerated repair program. The School Committee then approved the application at a special meeting on Thursday scheduled just to take the vote. The estimated cost of the project is $310,000. If successful, the town would get nearly half the project paid for by state funds.

Development

Developers to Reveal Final Design of Apartments at Irving & Arsenal

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See the design of the apartment complex at the corner of Irving and Arsenal streets submitted to the Planning Board by Greystar. The project that will go on the former Pirolli brick yard has been following the recommendations of the Watertown design standards and design guidelines, and will include around 270 apartments along with space for stores and a restaurant. The meeting will be held Tuesday, Feb. 24 from 6-8 p.m. at the Watertown Police Station Community Room. Developers Greystar Real Estate Partners and Oaktree FX have periodically met with residents to show designs and get feedback.

Government

New Veteran’s Services Officer Comes to Watertown After 20 Years in the Navy

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Watertown’s new Veteran’s Services Officer has more than 20 years experience in the U.S. Navy and served in recent conflicts overseas. Mark R. Comeiro begin working on Feb. 23, announced Town Manager Michael Driscoll. During his time in the Navy, he helped provide support during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. “Mr. Comeiro’s previous duties and educational background have provided him with operational experience in administration, record keeping and confidentiality of soldier’s concerns and problems, as well as, thorough knowledge of policies and procedures in various settings,” Driscoll said in his announcement of the appointment.

Government

Find Out About the MBTA’s Plans to Improve the 70 Bus

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Find out about measures being considered by the MBTA to improve service on the 70 bus line. The Watertown Public Transit Task Force will hold a public meeting Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. at Watertown’s Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., in the 3rd floor Rehearsal Room. MBTA Service Planner Melissa Dullea will be on hand to give a presentation about some of the possible measures to improve service on the number 70 bus route. The WPTTF will unveil its Bus Incident Report Survey.

Government

DPW Grabs a Rest as Another Storm Heads Toward Watertown

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The Watertown Department of Public Works got a brief rest this week between heavy snow storms, but they will have to go back into action this weekend. 

The National Weather Services has issued a Winter Storm Watch from Saturday at 3 p.m. to Sunday at 7 p.m. Forecasts call for Watertown to get a foot or more of snow, with winds gusting up to 50 mph, according to the NWS. If there is any doubt this is an unusual winter, WCVB reported that Boston set a record for the snowiest February in recorded history. Watertown Public Works Superintendent Gerald Mee got his first night’s sleep on Monday night after being up for 54 hours, and some worked even longer hours. “I haven’t seen anything like this,” Mee said. “The continuous storms and the path of the storms doesn’t appear to be letting up.”

Development

Traffic Concerns Hold Up Plans for Old GE Site on Grove Street

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Neighbors and members of the Planning Board like most parts of the plan to redevelop the GE Ionics site on Grove Street, but the traffic plans upset neighbors and the board, alike. Developer Cresset Grove LLC proposes to reduce the size of the existing building at 65 Grove St. and create a 134,000-square-foot office and research facility, with a multi-story garage. “The proposal encompasses an exciting facelift to an older structure which we think really reinvigorates the structure and reinvigorates the site itself,” said Bill York, the attorney representing the developers. The site has been unused since 2010 when GE move out.

Government

Town Council Looking at Ways to Improve Sidewalk Snow Removal

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Looking for ways to reduce the amount of un-shoveled sidewalks around town, on Tuesday night Town Council President Mark Sideris asked Council subcommittees to look at bolstering the current ordinance and consider a requirement for residential properties to shovel their sidewalks. While concerned with the state of sidewalks around Watertown, Sideris commended the Department of Public Works for their work clearing snow from town streets. “We have all been dealing, over the last couple weeks, with an unprecedented amount of snow,” Sideris said. “I want to thank the DPW for all the work keeping the roads open.”
The town has a requirement for owners of commercial buildings to clear snow from sidewalks around their property. Sideris said he has seen some sidewalks that have not shoveled snow from any of the recents storms, beginning with the blizzard.