Government

Residents Wanted to Fill Two Seats on Zoning Board of Appeals

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager George J. Proakis is seeking two residents to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals. One full member for a five-year term and one alternate member for a two-year term. The Zoning Board of Appeals grants all special permits and variances needed for certain construction and development projects. Candidates should have knowledge of M.G.L. Chapter 40A, the Zoning Act, as well as architecture, engineering, landscape design, construction, planning, law, or related field. Board meets once a month, usually the last Wednesday of each month; special meetings, as required.

Government

Finalists for City Auditor Will be Interviewed at Council Meeting

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Two finalists for the City Auditor will be interviewed by the City Council this week at a special meeting. The Council will hold the interviews at a public meeting on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be both in person in the Council Chamber in City Hall and remote. The finalists are Donna Tuccinardi and Charles Doherty. They will be taking over from long-term City Auditor Tom Tracy, who retired in 2022 after working in Watertown for 30 years.

Government

How to Spend Federal ARPA Funds Will be Discussed by Council Budget Committee

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Watertown City Hall

The City of Watertown will receive several million from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and the City Council’s Committee on Budget and Fiscal Oversight will be discussing what to do with the funds. Watertown will receiving approximately $10.5 million of ARPA funds, according to an estimate by the Massachusetts Municipal Association. The money could be spent in a number of areas, including public health, water and sewer infrastructure, public broadband networks, paying essential workers, and making up revenue lost due to the pandemic. The Council has already heard a recommendation from the Department of Public Works to spend half of the money on water and sewer infrastructure to make improvements and also keep rates down in future years. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, Jan.

Government

Arsenal Street Renovation Will Go Through Mid-2024, Bids Requested

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A section of Arsenal Street on the east end of the major roadway in Watertown has been redesigned and will be repaved. The project is expected to run though mid-2024. The call for bids put out by the City of Watertown on Dec. 22 is for a project including the reconstruction includes 3,422 feet of roadway from Arsenal Way to Greenough Boulevard, and will install traffic signals at four locations. The full depth of the roadway will be replaced, and granite curbing and cement sidewalks will be installed.

Government

City’s Winter Newsletter: FlashVote, City Census, Motor Excise Tax & More

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The City of Watertown sent out the Winter Newsletter with information about a variety of City programs and departments, including the Library, the City Census, and FlashVote. FlashVote

Do you have one minute a month to help make Watertown better? Join your friends and neighbors and make your voice heard on important local issues. Its free, fast and fun — you’ll get a short 1-minute survey every few months and you’ll get to see full survey results within 48 hours! Plus, FlashVote makes sure your feedback is always anonymous.

Government

See Which Roads Will Be Repaired in 2023, Condition of City’s Roadways Declining

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Six roads made the City’s road repair list for 2023, and another will be part of the longer-road program. City Councilors also heard a report of a meeting where the Department of Public Works said the City’s road rating had dropped. Repair List

On Dec. 13, the City Council approved the funding for the annual road repair program, as well as longer street projects in future years. Roads that will be repaired in 2023 are: Bates Road, Bates Road East, Essex Street, Nash Street, Francis Street and Bradshaw Street.

Government

See When City Facilities Will be Closed for the Christmas Holiday

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown City Hall

City Hall, the Watertown Library, and the Senior Center will be closed certain days in observance of Christmas. On Friday, Dec. 23, Watertown City Hall and the Watertown Senior Center will close at noon, but the Watertown Library will be open. The Library will be closed on Saturday, Dec. 24 and Sunday, Dec.

Government

City Buying Former Parker School, Council Approves Funds & Deal

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City of WatertownThe City of Watertown will purchase the former Parker School building on Watertown Street. The City of Watertown will purchase the former Parker School, now an office building, and use it for municipal offices as well as renting out space. The purchase was approved by the City Council on Dec. 13, along with transferring $12 million to help with the deal. The total cost will be $14 million, and City Manager George Prokis said he expects the purchase to be completed by mid-January 2023.