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.

Government

Town Will Hire Third Party Auditor to Look at School Budget

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After a long and detailed look at the Watertown Public Schools budget this year left Town officials with questions, an outside auditor will be hired to look at the school budget – particularly the special education portion. The rising cost of special education this year concerned Town Councilors. School officials said the district had an unusual number of new students move in with high-cost special needs, plus the town has had a spike in students who need special needs services. Part of this was due to the students who lived near the area of the shootout with the Boston Marathon Bombing suspects having emotional problems. (Read more here). After the Fiscal 2015 was approved, the Town Council voted unanimously to approve Town Manager Michael Driscoll’s request to hire a third-party auditor to examine the school budget.

Government

See How Much Watertown Water, Sewer Rates Could Rise Next Year

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The Town Council will decide the water and sewer rates for next year at its June 24 meeting, and they are proposed to rise. The proposed water rates would raise rates by 3.7 to 3.8 percent, depending on how much water is used. Service charges for meters will also rise 3.7 to 3.8 percent. Sewer rates will also rise, but not as steeply – between 2.8 and 2.9 percent. The one thing that will not be rising will be the fire charge.

Government

House Approves Rep. Lawn’s Bill to Extend Time to File Suits for Child Sex Abuse

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The Massachusetts House of Representatives voted to approve a bill sponsored by Watertown State Rep. John Lawn that will extend the statute of limitations for victims of child sexual assault to bring civil suits against abusers. The House vote was unanimous on Wednesday. Victims of child sex abuse now have an additional 35 years to file a civil claims against their abusers. They will now be able to do so until the age of 53. The statute of limitations has been three years.