Government

Desired Qualities of Next Police Chief to be Discussed by Council’s Public Safety Committee

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Watertown City Hall

The City Council’s Public Safety Committee will hold a meeting to discuss the desired qualities for Watertown’s next Police Chief. The meeting will be held on Monday, Sept. 11 at 6 p.m. in the Council Chamber in City Hall, 149 Main St. The meeting will also be available for remote participation at: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/84458822834, as well as audio only by phone: (877) 853-5257 or (888)475-4499 (Toll Free) and enter Webinar ID: 844 5882 2834. Public may comment by email by sending a message to vpiccirilli@watertown-ma.gov

The meeting will be televised through WCATV (Watertown Cable Access Television):http://vodwcatv.org/CablecastPublicSite/?channel=3

Government

Property Takings Pave Way for Start of Mt. Auburn Street Project, Expected to Last 4 Years

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The City Council approved some property takings on Tuesday to make way for a $30 million federally-funded reconstruction of one of Watertown’s biggest streets. With the easements in place, the City will be able to go to bid in September on the Mt. Auburn Street Reconstruction project that will be paid for by federal Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) dollars which are awarded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). Most of the easements will be temporary, for a five year period, and a few will be permanent, said City Manager George Proakis. “All easements allow for construction to occur on the Mt.

Government

LETTER: Candidate Kicks off Campaign for Council President

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Clyde Younger

Clyde Younger for City Council President and School Committee Member

I am excited to announce that I am running for City Council and School Committee Member. I am starting my campaign by reaching out to you my friends, neighbors and the community asking for your help. In 1973 Friends Suggested I Run on the Theme “He Listens”

In 2023 “I Can Still Do It”

I am honored to have been elected to serve this Community as a Town Meeting Member, School Committee Member, Elected Charter Commissioner and Town Council President and School Committee Member. I relocated to Watertown after CDC transferred me to assist in managing Boston’s Tuberculosis Program. Over the years I have witnessed the rich values of the Community; its commitment to service and dedication to ensuring that the needs of neighbors are addressed and met.

Government

This Week: Council Vote on Part of Mt. Auburn St. Project, ZBA Meets But Big Projects Delayed

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The City of Watertown will have to get permission from residents along Mt. Auburn Street to temporarily gain access to a portion of their property during the upcoming construction project. Also this week, the Zoning Board of Appeals will meet, but some anticipated projects will not be heard. City Council

Tuesday night, the City Council will vote on taking of easements to be able to construct the Mt. Auburn Street renovation.

Government

Residents, Developers Raise Concerns Over New Demolition Ordinance, OK’d by Split Council Vote

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Photo by Steve OwensThe Shick House on Grove Street was an example of a home on which the Historical Commission placed a demolition delay in efforts to save it. It was torn down after BB&N could not find someone to move it to another site. The property is now an athletic complex. Under Watertown’s new demolition delay ordinance, a large number of homes will no longer have to go through the Historical Commission process to do additions or even to tear them down, but those that do go before the Commission could be subject to a much longer demolition delay. The City Council adopted the changes to the demolition delay ordinance on Aug.

Government

Councilor Vincent Piccirilli Hosting Annual Public Meeting

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Vincent Piccirilli, candidate for District C Town Councilor

As part of the changes to the Watertown Charter all City Councilors must have an annual meeting to meet with the public. District C City Councilor At-Large Vincent Piccirilli announced the date of his meeting. Councilor Vinnie Piccirilli’s Annual Councilor Meeting is Tuesday August 29, 2023 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM in the City Council Chamber in City Hall. This is an in-person meeting only, not hybrid. 

Government

City Manager: Team Working on Watertown Square Study is Creative & Collaborative

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City of Watertown

Work on solving one of the biggest riddles facing Watertown, how to fix Watertown Square, will soon begin, City Manager George Proakis said this week, and the process will include some new approaches with plenty of public participation. Proakis spent a significant chunk of time talking about the Watertown Square study during Wednesday’s State of the City event. “One of the key goals that came out of the Comprehensive Plan is that we need to look at Watertown Square in a holistic manner,” Proakis said. The study will not just look at how the main intersection operates for motor vehicles, but also buses, pedestrians, and bicyclists, Proakis said. The study will not just look at how to get through and around the Square, but also being able to “enjoy the space.”

Government

While the State of the City Looks Good, Manager Also Address Challenges Facing Watertown

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City Manager George Proakis, left, and City Council President Mark Sideris spoke during the first annual State of the City on Wednesday night. Behind them is a photo of a juggler at the Faire on the Square. (Courtesy of the City of Watertown)

The State of the City of Watertown is strong and the future is bright, City Manager George Proakis said during the first annual State of the City on Wednesday night, but there are still many challenges to deal with. The event where the City Manager and the City Council President talk about how the City of Watertown is doing is now required to be held annually, following the changes to Watertown’s City Charter adopted in 2021. At the end of his presentation, Proakis included a photo of a performer at the Faire on the Square.