Government

Residents Wanted for Advisory Group Working on Update of City’s Major Planning Document

By |

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown is seeking three (3) residents to serve on an advisory committee for its Comprehensive Plan Update. The deadline for applying is February 22, 2022. 

The City of Watertown is beginning a process to update its 2015 Comprehensive Plan. Although the update will involve all Plan elements, the update will focus intensively on four: (1) land use, (2) economic development, (3) transportation, circulation and parking and (4) open space and recreation. One of the most critical components of the process will be community engagement in identifying key issues, and revisiting goals and implementation strategies contained in the 2015 Plan. The City has selected a consultant team to work with Planning Staff and a Planning Advisory Committee (PAC) of seven members.

DUA

LETTER: State Rep. Owens Can Help Constituents Who Get DUA Overpayment Notices

By |

State Rep. Steve Owens. Throughout this pandemic, constituents have reached out to me about experiencing delays or difficulty receiving their unemployment benefits from the Department of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). My office is often a last resort for people exhausted and frustrated with not being able to obtain the funds that will keep them afloat. From the conversations I’ve had with constituents, many are unaware that their state legislators can help navigate DUA’s complicated system. The most recent wave of DUA-related issues has been the dramatic increase in overpayment (otherwise known as “claw back”) notices.

City Manager

Retiring City Manager Reflects on His 3 Decades Leading Watertown

By |

Michael Driscoll attended his final City Council meeting during his career as Watertown’s Town and now City Manager that lasted nearly three decades. At the end of the meeting, Driscoll spoke to the Council, the staff and the community and reflected upon his accomplishments, his appreciation of Watertown’s departments and their leaders, and provided some advice for “good government.” Some of the highlights include improving Watertown’s facilities, building three elementary schools and constructing a new high school in coming years, and paying off the deficits in the City’s retirement and benefits accounts. He thanked the City departments, and had some advice for the future direction of some, including the Watertown Police Department. Driscoll also congratulated a couple of department head who will also soon be retiring.

Government

Council Delays Vote on Airbnbs to Discuss Short Term Rental Regulations Further

By |

Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s City Hall. After hearing from concerned residents during Tuesday’s meeting, and in letters and emails, the City Council decided that Watertown’s regulations on short-term rentals (i.e. Airbnb) need more refinement. The issue has been discussed for a number of years and a set of draft regulations came before the Council Tuesday night. Currently, short-term rentals are not allowed in the Watertown Zoning Ordinance, however dozens of homes and rooms — if not more than 100 — can be found on websites such as Airbnb and Vrbo. Draft Ordinance

The proposal would allow three types of short term rentals: entire homes, a unit in a multi-family home, or a bedroom in a residence (up to three bedrooms in a home can be rented but the owner must be in one of the other bedrooms), said Acting Deputy City Manager Steve Magoon.

Entertainment

New Committee, Staff to Create Public Arts & Culture Goals, Priorities for Watertown

By |

Charlie BreitroseThe mural on Melendy Avenue is an example of public art in Watertown. The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

As cities and towns around the country reimagine and reinvest in their public spaces during the COVID-19 pandemic, Watertown is rolling out a public arts and culture program to cultivate a more vibrant, welcoming, inclusive, and connected public realm. Overseeing this effort will be a new addition to the city staff, Public Arts and Culture Planner Liz Helfer, who started in City Hall just after Thanksgiving. Helfer, who previously ran Hatch Makerspace at the Watertown Free Public Library, is a practicing artist experienced in arts administration. She will work in City Community Development and Planning office with the newly-formed Public Arts and Culture Committee that will make recommendations around art in public places, while overseeing fundraising, community partnerships, outreach and more.

Entertainment

Watertown Democrats Hosting Candidate for Governor, Possible AG Hopeful During Virtual Meeting

By |

The following information was provided by the Watertown Democratic Town Committee:

The Watertown Democratic Town Committee will be meeting this Thursday, January 27th at 7:30 over Zoom. We will hear from guest speakers, State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz who is running for Governor and Quinton Palfrey who is exploring a run for Attorney General. To get the Zoom link email the chair of the committee, Will Pennington at watertowndems@gmail.com

Affordable Housing

Six Watertown Residents Wanted to Serve on Affordable Housing Trust Board

By |

The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

City Manager Michael J. Driscoll is seeking six (6) Watertown citizens interested in serving on the Watertown Affordable Housing Trust. The Housing Plan adopted by the City of Watertown on March 23, 2021 documented the need to create and preserve more affordable housing within the City. The Watertown Housing Partnership recommended the formation of a municipal affordable housing trust under M.G.L. c. 44, §55C to establish a trust to facilitate the creation and preservation of affordable housing within the City of Watertown for the benefit of low-to-moderate-income households and for the funding of community housing. The Honorable City Council adopted Ordinance 2021-89, An Ordinance to Accept the Provisions of M.G.L. C. 44, §55c to Establish a Trust to Facilitate the Creation and Preservation of Affordable Housing Within the City of Watertown at their November 23, 2021 meeting. Composition: The Trust shall be governed by a Board of Trustees (the “Board”) in accordance with M.G.L. c. 44, § 55C, as revised from time to time, and the authority granted by the City Council.

Around Town

Council to Consider Rules for Airbnb & Other Short Term Rentals at Upcoming Meeting

By |

Watertown City Hall

The Watertown City Council will hold a public hearing on Jan. 25 to discuss regulations for short-term home rentals, such as Airbnb and Vrbo. Currently, such rentals 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. The Planning Board considered the rules and sent them back to the Council for final approval.