Government

Charles River Groups Urges Removing Watertown Dam, Protection for Private Trees

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Charlie BreitroseThe Watertown Dam near Watertown Square slows the flow of the Charles River. A group is advocating removing the dam. Members of the Charles River Watershed Association appeared before the City Council last week to state their case for removing the Watertown Dam, and also encouraged the City to take other steps for climate resilience, including expanding tree protection to those on private property. Along with the recommendation to remove the Watertown Dam, CRWA Executive Director Emily Norton also recommended that the City: adopt a robust tree ordinance including considering protecting trees on private property, adopt a stormwater utility, and strengthen wetlands ordinance to better prepare and respond to climate change. Dam Removal

The CRWA met with residents and officials a year ago during a tour of the Watertown Dam site.

Government

Watertown Voter Information for the 2022 Mass. State Election

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The City of Watertown provided the following information:

The Massachusetts State Election will be held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voters will be asked to choose candidates for elected office, as well as to weigh in on four ballot questions. Ways to Vote in the November Election

You can:

Early vote by mail

Early vote in-person

Absentee ballot (must meet certain requirements)

In-person voting on Election Day

Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. is the last day to register to vote or update party affiliation for this Election. The City Clerk’s Office will be open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on October 29 to facilitate registration. Voter Information & Links

Check your Voter Registration StatusFind out where you are registered to voteRegister to Vote Online

View Sample Ballots

Precincts 1 – 8

Precincts 9 – 12

View Ballot Question Information

Question 1:  Additional Tax on Income Over One Million Dollars

Question 2:  Regulation of Dental Insurance

Question 3:  Expanded Availability for Licenses for the Sale of Alcoholic Beverages

Question 4:  Eligibility for Driver’s Licenses

Early Voting by Mail

To request an early vote by mail ballot:

The deadline to request a mail-in ballot was Tuesday, November 1, 2022 at 5:00 PM.Your ballot request must be signed by the applicant in order to process your request.Your ballot will be mailed to the address you put on the application.

Department of Public Works

Saltonstall Park Project to be Discussed at Meeting With a Prior Site Walk

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The Watertown Department of Public Works invites the public to a meeting on the Upper Saltonstall Park project, with a site walk prior to the meeting. The Upper part of the park is area where the hill sits, near Main Street. The meeting takes place on Tuesday, Nov. 1 at 5:30 p.m. in the 3rd Floor Conference Room in City Hall, 149 Main St., Watertown. The site walk will take place at Saltonstall Park at 4:30 p.m., weather permitting.

Election 2022

OP-ED: Watertown State House Delegation Supports Question 4, Will Lead to Safer Roads

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By State Representative Steve Owens, State Representative John Lawn & State Senator Will Brownsberger

This past June, the legislature approved an important advancement for road safety and immigrant rights in Massachusetts by voting the Work and Family Mobility Act into law. This law allows all Massachusetts residents to apply for a driver’s license, regardless of their immigration status. Years in the making and backed by law enforcement, immigrant advocates, and organized labor, the law passed overwhelmingly with support of more than three-quarters of the Massachusetts House and Senate. This new measure will ensure that all drivers on our roads are licensed and insured. Unfortunately, this law is now in jeopardy; an opposition group obtained enough signatures to attempt to repeal the law on the November 8th ballot.

Government

Council Narrowly Passes Resolution Supporting Fair Share Amendment

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown’s City Hall. Despite every City Councilor personally supporting Massachusetts Ballot Question 1, known as the Fair Share Amendment, the Council narrowly approved a Resolution supporting passage of the ballot measure. The Fair Share Amendment would increase tax on income over $1 million from 5 percent to 9 percent, which includes salary, as well as profits on real estate sales. The additional tax would be spent on education and transportation. On Tuesday, Oct.

Government

Project Approved for Russo’s Site, Developer Makes Adjustments

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JacobsA view from Pleasant Street of the building approved for the former Russo’s site. The penthouse seen at the top was reduced by 3 feet in the front from the September proposal. The developer of the project going on the former Russo’s site adjusted plans after the first Planning Board hearing in September and received approval in October. The development includes a life science building constructed for an established pharmaceutical company, as well as a retail space that will be filled by a “world class” eatery. At the previous meeting, the Planning Board asked for the height of the penthouse holding mechanical equipment to be reduced, the biotech building to be pushed farther off the street, opportunities for public art, and to reduce the amount of asphalt.

Developers from Saracen Properties came back with some changes, and agreed to another at the Oct.

Government

City Manager Hosting Meet & Greet for West Side Residents

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The following information was provided by Councilor Emily Izzo:

City Manager George Proakis will be having a Meet & Greet for residents of District D. This will be taking place on Thursday, Nov. 3 from 6-8 p.m. in the Watertown Police Station Community Room.  

This will be a great opportunity to meet our new Manager and introduce yourself, as well as discuss any questions or concerns for the West End of Watertown! Hope to see you there!

Government

OP-ED: Residents First Watertown Biosafety Committee Leaves Her With Questions

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I noticed that the Biosafety Committee was meeting on October 6th and decided to “zoom in,” curious to know what it was all about. Besides the many buildings being erected all over the City, this seemed like it would be the next step: how does the City vet our new corporate neighbors? This seemed like the place to find this out. On the agenda were three companies:

Arcaea, LLC (155 Arlington Street), which works on cosmetics

AutoIVF, Inc (200 Dexter Ave.). which, obviously is in the IVF business

Abata Therapeutics (100 Forge Road…Arsenal Yards), which was working on diabetes 1 and multiple sclerosis.