Development

LETTER: Town Officials Out of Sync With Constituents on Development

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To the Editor:

I write in response to Councilor Piccirilli’s recent statements in which he warns that the moratorium on development in the Arsenal Corridor could impact town and school budgets. Indeed the Councillor is one of many who plan on funding new priorities with revenues generated by new development. On its face, this appears to be a good strategy, but it is not a justification to rush ahead and make bad concessions that will affect generations to come. The town has already suffered a good deal of bad real estate development. I support the moratorium, but only with reservations.

Development

Councilor Warns Building Moratorium Could Impact Town, School Budget

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Residents concerned about the pace and size of development in Watertown have requested a building moratorium on Arsenal Street, but a Town Councilor said stopping the projects could impact the town and school budgets. The town relies heavily on property tax revenues to fund town departments, including the Watertown Public Schools. Town Councilor Vincent Piccirilli said that new development is one of the keys to increasing the budget. The schools too rely heavily on the town’s appropriation. “The school appropriation increased almost 7 percent (for Fiscal 2015), and how were we able to do that under Proposition 2 1/2, was though new growth through new development in town,” Piccirilli said.

Development

Council Considering Options for Arsenal Street Moratorium

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The Town Council voted to have a public hearing to consider how to approach a citizens petition asking for a moratorium on development on Arsenal Street. Wednesday night the Council heard from the petitioners, who want to put a hold on new large projects on Arsenal Street. The petition was started after some large projects have been proposed, and others appear to be in the pipeline. The Council will likely decide how to proceed with a moratorium at the meeting on July 22 at 6 p.m. in Town Hall. “Its not only time sensitive because of the petition, but also something being brought forward with all the things (projects being brought),” said Town Council President Mark Sideris.

Government

Town Cemetery Running Low on Space for New Burials

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Space is running low at Watertown’s Ridgelawn Cemetery, but there are some options for opening more space. Public Works Superintendent Gerald Mee said the cemetery has 3-5 years left before filling the currently available spaces. More space can be freed up, but it will take some work, he told the Town Council recently. “We could take some roadways out and add cemetery space,” Mee said. There is also a section near the Waltham line which has not been opened for burials, he said, but they might have some water projects in the near future, Mee said.

Development

Council Discussing Making Transition Zones Between Industrial, Residential Areas

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With a tide of development hitting Watertown, a Town Council subcommittee will discuss creating transition zones between industrial areas and residential neighborhoods. Councilor Aaron Dushku made the motion to analyze and look at creating residential transition zones at last week’s Town Council meeting. The council approved the motion and the issue will be discussed by the Economic Development and Planning subcommittee. The town is in the midst of creating a Comprehensive Plan to help shape the town in the future, but Dushku said he does not think that it has fine enough detail for things such as neighborhoods. “We [the Council] got such pushback over the last few years from Pleasant Street residents, that this has been on my mind,” Dushku said in an email.

Government

Residents Invited to Give Input on Watertown Comprehensive Plan

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Come share your thoughts about the draft of the Watertown Comprehensive Plan, specifically the Land Use section of the plan, on Monday, June 30. Town Councilor Tony Palomba sent out the following announcement about the meeting:
You are invited to a meeting to discuss the draft Comprehensive Plan and development in Watertown on Monday, June  30 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM in the auditorium at the Apartments at Coolidge School, 319 Arlington Street in Watertown.  Parking is available at the back of the complex. The discussion will focus on the Land Use chapter of the Comprehensive Plan, the developments pending on Arsenal Street, and the moratorium recently initiated by a citizen petition. It would be greatly appreciated if those planning to attend had read all or part of the draft Comprehensive Plan before the meeting.  You can find the Plan on the Town’s website at http://www.vhb.com/watertowncompplan/.

Government

Schools Looking for New Ways to Fund Middle School Sports Program

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Parents of middle school athletes could soon face higher fees if the school system can’t find outside help to plug almost $100,000 in cuts to athletic programs in the Fiscal 2015 school budget. The school committee unanimously approved the proposed Fiscal 2015 cost center budget on Wednesday. The $39,232,000 budget is an increase of $2,557,000 from the Fiscal 2014 budget, but includes $92,000 in cuts to the middle school athletic program at the high school and middle school. While the school budget for Fiscal 2015 budget is an increase of $2,557,000 from the FY 2014 budget, it is still below the $6,186,507 increase the committee requested from the Town Council. According to the budget passed Wednesday, the School Committee allocated $598,057 for athletic programs throughout the school system.

Government

Residents Urge Council to Put Moratorium on Major Developments

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A moratorium against large development projects in Watertown and the agreement to borrow $2.5 million for current roadwork were two main points discussed at the Tuesday’s Town Council Meeting. Residents came to discuss one issue Tuesday, a temporary moratorium preventing large developments from going up along Arsenal Street, as well as other parts of town. Lisa Feltner of Parker Street, who is President of the Concerned Citizens Group, presented a petition of 200 signatures to the council. According to Feltner, those who signed the petition supported a temporary moratorium for up to one year while a master plan is developed for the corridor. “Residents are canvasing the impacted neighborhoods about the new proposals in the way of Arsenal Street because our concerns and recurring questions was what is the overall plan, what’s the master plan,” said Feltner.