Government

Council Changes Conflict of Interest Rules to Try to Attract More People to Serve on City Boards

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A rule preventing anyone who is a “city employee” from appearing in front of any City committee or board had been limiting the number of candidates for volunteer boards, said City Manager George Proakis, so he asked the City Council to make some changes so they have more freedom under the conflict of interest rules. People serving on volunteer boards, such as the Planning Board, Conservation Commission or Licensing Board, will now be “special municipal employees.” They had been considered municipal employees, which led to some strict rules. “It makes it difficult to recruit and retain someone with certain areas of expertise,” Proakis said. “You may want someone with landscape architecture expertise to be on the Conservation Commission, but if they work for a firm that does a project in front of another board for other business – that is not allowed.”

Government

Meetings This Week: Short Term Rentals & Local Preference for Affordable Housing

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Watertown City Hall

Two City Council Committee meetings will take place this week, the first will discuss the rules for short-term rentals, and whether to give preference to Watertown residents to get affordable housing units in town. Short-Term Rentals

On Monday, April 3, the Committee on Rules & Ordinances will continue to discuss creation of a short term rental ordinance. Currently, short-term rentals (such as Airbnb or VRBO) are not allowed in Watertown, but dozens are listed on the Airbnb site. The Council has held multiple meetings over the past few years about short-term rentals, and in June 2021 they recommended that the Planning Board support a set of rules for short-term rentals. City officials argue that having rules would ensure that the rentals would meet certain standards and fines could be assessed for violations.

Government

Proposals Wanted for Uses for Watertown’s APRA Funds

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Watertown City Hall

The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown received $10.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding and is seeking project proposals. Proposals may be submitted between 9 p.m. on March 27, 2023, and 5 p.m. on May 26, 2023. Visit watertown-ma.gov/arpa for more information. Submitted applications will be posted online here for public review. Before submitting a proposal, please read the guidelines and criteria outlined in these two documents:

Guidelines for Submitting ARPA Proposals February 28, 2023

Criteria for Assessing ARPA Proposals February 28, 2023

Apply Online. Submit your ARPA Project Proposal online here when ready

Residents Discussed How Watertown Should Spend ARPA Money

Government

Meetings to Check Out: Voc Ed Report, Discussion of Neighbor Notifications of Projects

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The School Committee will hear the report on Career and Vocations Education Monday, a Council Committee will discuss notification of proposed projects, and the implementation of the City’s Climate and Energy Plan will be discussed. Also the Council will vote on the replacement of the Filippello Park spray pad. Upcoming meetings:

The Council’s Committee on Climate and Energy will discuss implementation of the City’s Climate & Energy Plan on Monday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall and remote. See more info here. The School Committee will get the final report from the Career, Vocational Technical Eduction Committee and will hear about the State’s Comprehensive Audit. Monday, March 27 at 7 p.m. at Cunniff Elementary School, 246 Warren St. See more here. The Council’s Committee on Economic Development and Planning will discuss enhanced public notification of to neighbors about projects.

Government

Watertown’s New Director of Senior Services Has ‘a Commitment to Seniors’

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Lydia McCoy has been appointed Watertown’s new Director of Senior Services. Watertown’s new Director of Senior Services, Lydia McCoy, comes to town with range of experience working with seniors. Last week, City Manager George Proakis announced McCoy’s appointment. She will oversee the Council on Aging, the Watertown Senior Center, and the Watertown Food Pantry. “Ms. McCoy has a broad range of experience, an educational background, and a real commitment to seniors,” Proakis told the City Council.

Government

City Splitting Up Financial Positions After Failing to Find “Unicorn”

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Watertown City Hall

After the City Council struggled to hire someone to replace retired Auditor and Financial Director Tom Tracy, City Manager George Proakis recommended that the job be split into two. Last week, Proakis told the City Council of his plan to split up the duties that Tracy had, rather than trying to find someone with the same skills. Tracy retired in October after working for nearly 30 years in Watertown, and has stayed on part-time to help Proakis with his first budget as City Manager. “We’ve done a pretty broad search, we hired a consultant and we made some real progress in searching all corners for this type of position,” Proakis said. “After taking a significant look at this I have come to the conclusion that the combined chief financial officer/auditors are unicorns.

Government

Internships Available in State Sen. Will Brownsberger’s Office

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State Sen. Will Brownsberger

The following information was provided by State Sen. Will Brownsberger’s office:

The Office of Senator Will Brownsberger is accepting applications for part-time, unpaid, internships for the summer of 2023. There are two types of opportunities available – general office internships and legislative internships. All applications are due Monday, April 10, 2023. General Office Internships are designed for applicants in the beginning stages of exploring policy-making and government, seeking opportunities to learn more and refine their interests. Legislative Internships are designed for those who have already gained some experience, either professionally or academically, and are looking to delve deeper into a topic of interest.

Government

City’s 5-Year Capital Plan Includes Park Projects, School Improvements, and Demolishing the Old Police Station

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The five-year Capital Improvement Plan includes 43 items, including 19 new items for Fiscal Year 2024. Projects in the pan include the new Watertown High School, the Victory Field track and courts area, the second part of the Arsenal Park renovation, and the demolition of the old Police Station. In addition, the capital plan also includes a field house at Victory Field, an extension of the Community Path, replacement of the spray pad at Filippello Park, lighting improvements at Saltonstall Park, improvements to the baseball field at Casey Park, and improvements to Sullivan Playground. There are also multiple projects at Watertown’s schools, improvement projects at the Library, the newly acquired Parker School office building, and at the John A. Ryan Skating Arena. Purchases of vehicles and equipment for the Fire Department and the Department of Public Works also made the list.