Government

Residents Invited to Apply for Citizen’s Legislative Seminar

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger invites residents to apply to be part of the 74th Citizens’ Legislative Seminar (CLS). The seminar will be held this spring on Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the State House. Each senator may nominate one constituent to participate. The CLS is a great opportunity for residents to get a firsthand look at how the legislative process works, and have a better understanding of state government. Sen. Brownsberger encourages constituents in the Second Suffolk and Middlesex District to apply to this two-day seminar.

Development

LETTER: Resident Calls for Resignation of ZBA After CVS Vote

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Councilors,

On January 28, a discouraging event in town governance occurred here in this chamber. Against the wishes of 400 hundred Watertown residents who signed a petition; in disregard of the testimony of approximately 40 East End neighbors; against the advice of the Planning Board; contrary to the expressed goals of the Comprehensive Plan; but in accordance with the advice and counsel of Town Planning staff, the Zoning Board of Appeals voted 5-0 to approve a special permit for a proposed CVS project that a preponderance of Watertown residents feel detrimental to Coolidge Square and the East End in general. This decision is one in a long history of poor development decisions in Watertown that can fairly be described as acts of municipal self-mutilation. Many residents feel that the character of Watertown is being destroyed project by project. This dysfunction must end now.

Environment

Town Council Considering Plastic Bag Ban in Watertown

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A Town Council subcommittee has begun wading into whether the town should have a ban retail stores using plastic bags in Watertown. The Rules & Ordinances Committee discussed a possible ban last week, but did not come up with any decisions, but the committee may start steps toward creating an ordinance, said committee Chairman and Councilor Ken Woodland. “We are forming a draft of an ordinance with the help of the town attorney and will review that draft at the next committee meeting,” said Woodland. “The next meeting is when we will work out the final details and make more concrete decisions.” Woodland said the next meeting is tentatively scheduled for March 3.

Government

Snow Covered Sidewalks Frustrate Watertown Residents

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Trying to take a walk around Watertown these day can be a frustrating and even hazardous because many sidewalks remain un-shoveled and those that are cleared often have piles of snow blocking the end. Many residents have had it with the lack of shoveling and plowing of sidewalks in their neighborhood and around town. They point to the lack of a requirement for residents to clear their sidewalks, as approved in surrounding communities. When the snow-covered walkways are near schools, it is particularly upsetting for parents. “Many routes have huge snow banks, and unplowed sidewalks, leaving kids to have to walk in the streets, which are very narrow and congested during drop-off and pick-up time,” said parent Naomi Ridge.

Government

State Rep. Jonathan Hecht Announces Office Hours

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Have an issue or a question about Watertown or state government, you can bring it up with State Rep. Jon Hecht at his upcoming office hours. Hecht will hold office hours on Thursday, Feb. 26 from 8:30-9:30 a.m. in the small conference room on the third floor of Watertown Town Hall and on Monday, March 2 from 5-6 p.m. in the Raya Stern room in the Watertown Public Library. Constituents are invited to meet with Rep. Hecht to discuss pending legislation or any other issue of concern to them. Anyone unable to attend these office hours can call Rep. Hecht at 617-722-2140 to schedule an appointment at another time.

Government

Snow Impact: Tuesday Closings, Parking Ban & Trash Update

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The latest, ongoing snow storm looks to be a biggie, and will impact Watertown residents this week. 

The National Weather Service forecasts 8-16 inches of snow overnight and during the day Monday. The Watertown Public Schools will be closed Monday and Tuesday. Town Hall, the Watertown Free Public Library and the Watertown Senior Center will be closed Monday. The School Committee meeting has been rescheduled to Feb. 23, said Superintendent Jean Fitzgerald.

Government

Sen. Brownsberger Seeking Summer State House Interns

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger announced this week that up to four part-time unpaid internships in his State House office will be available to students from his district for the summer of 2015. Legislative internships offer students a wide variety of experiences including issue research, constituent service, legislative work and budget tracking. Daily seminars on different aspects of state government are scheduled by the Senate. Internships are open to undergraduate college students and to high school students who will have completed their sophomore year. All applicants must have a permanent residence in the senator’s district which includes Watertown.

Development

Meeting Planned to Discuss Renovating Verizon Building in the East End

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Boylston Properties will discuss plans to renovate and expand the Verizon building in East Watertown at a public meeting. 

The building at 480 Arsenal St., which backs up to Nichols Avenue, will be turned from a warehouse to offices. It will have a total of 185,000 square feet of office space “by carving out and adding to the existing building footprint, and inserting a floor within the existing structure,” according to the announcement sent out by Boylston Properties. Additional improvements included in the project are “connections to the Watertown Greenway, large amenity and open spaces, and a reconstructed parking field with upgraded stormwater management and infiltration systems.” The main access to the building will continue to be at the signalized intersection at Arsenal Street, according to the announcement, with a secondary access and improvements along Nichols Avenue. At the meeting on Wednesday, Feb.