Government

Property Tax Rates to be Discussed by City Council

By |

The annual Watertown property tax classification hearing and vote will be held by the City Council on Tuesday, Nov. 22, and taxes look likely to rise in Fiscal Year 2023. City Assessor Earl Smith will present the Tax Classification during the meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. The presentation can be seen by clicking here. The Watertown Board of Assessors recommends adopting the maximum shift from residential properties to CIP (commercial, industrial and personal) properties, which is 150 percent, according to the presentation. Also, the Board recommends that the Council provide a residential exemption of 33 percent, which would be three percentage points higher than Fiscal Year 2022.

Government

Council Approves Adding $4.3 Million to FY23 Budget, Plans to Spend Most of Funds

By |

Watertown City Hall

Watertown’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget increased by $4.325 million when the City Council approved the budget amendment on Nov. 9. Most of the additional funds will go to help purchase the former Parker School or will go into the High School project stabilization fund. City Manager George Proakis gave the details of the budget amendment for the fiscal year that ends on June 30, 2023. The additional fund mostly come from accounts that came in higher than when the budget was approved last spring, Proakis said.

Government

Two Proposed Life Science Buildings to Go Before Planning Board

By |

A rendering of the building proposed for 490 Arsenal Way, known as Linx II. The Planning Board will consider two life science buildings proposed to go on existing biotech sites in Watertown when it meets on Wednesday, Nov. 16. The first is at 490 Arsenal Way, where Columbia Massachusetts Arsenal Office Properties LLC seeks to build a 104,000 sq. ft.

Government

Public Notifications of Development Meetings to be Discussed by Council Committee

By |

The procedure for notifying the public about development projects will be discussed by the City Council’s Committee on Economic Development and Planning on Monday evening. The meeting will be on Monday, Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. in the Third Floor Conference Room in City Hall, and on Zoom. Ways to watch and partcipate:

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

Join the meeting online at this link: https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/83549340015

Participate by phone in audio using these numbers: (877) 853-5257 or (888) 475-4499 (Toll Free) and enter Webinar ID: 835 4934 0015

The public may comment through email: vpiccirilli@watertown-ma.gov

Government

See How Watertown Voted in the 2022 State Election

By |

Charlie Breitrose

Democrats fared better in Watertown than in Massachusetts as a whole in the 2022 State Election, and a majority of city voters supported all four of the ballot questions. More than half of Watertown’s registered voters turned out for the Nov. 8 election, with 13,624 (53.3 percent) of the 25,560 registered voters casting ballots, according to the City Clerk’s election results. In the race for governor and lieutenant governor, Democrats Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll received 77.6 percent of the vote in Watertown, with 10,574 votes. Republicans Geoff Diehl and Leah Allen received 2,733 votes. Libertarians Kevin Reed and Peter Everett got 179 votes.

Government

LETTER: Time to Involve Residents in Planning of Watertown’s Future

By |

At the Nov. 3 District D “Meet the new City Manager” meeting, a resident made a request that I’ve heard very often around the City. Could the Planning Department please give us the big picture of the City and not just the various pieces? This could answer many questions that residents have. I thought that was an excellent idea, and trying to expedite this process, I worked with some residents to demystify the biggest missing piece for people who live in Watertown, the increasing role of the Life Sciences Industry in our community.

Government

VOTER GUIDE: Information for the State Election Day 2022

By |

On Tuesday, Massachusetts voters will choose several new statewide officers, including governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general, and have four ballot questions to consider. Locally, candidates for the State House and other offices are running unopposed. Polls will be open on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

Who’s on the Ballot

Governor & Lieutenant Governor

On the ballot are Republicans are Geoff Diehl and Leah Allen, Democrats Maura Healey and Kim Driscoll, and the Libertarian candidates are Kevin Reed and Peter Everett. Attorney General

The Democratic nominee Andrea Joy Campbell faces Republican James McMahon.