Government

City Auditor (Sort of) Retiring After Nearly 30 Years in Watertown

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Charlie BreitroseCity Manager George Proakis presented retiring City Auditor Tom Tracy with a model gazebo to represent one that will be built near City Hall in Saltonstall Park. When he joined the then-Town of Watertown staff in 1994, Tom Tracy was one of the young kids on the block. He continued to work as the Town Auditor, now City Auditor, for nearly three decades and will retire at the end of this week — mostly. While he will step down from full-time employment, Tracy agreed to come in a couple days a week to help the City until a new Auditor is hired, and to help the new person with the transition. Tracy has always been willing to lend a hand, City Council President Mark Sideris said at Tuesday’s Council meeting.

Government

Learn About How Planning and Zoning Works in Watertown

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The following announcement was provided by City Councilor Tony Palomba:

Please join me and staff from the Department of Community Development and Planning for a program titled “Planning and Zoning in Watertown.” 

This very timely presentation, given the ongoing development in town, will take place on Tuesday, October 18 from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM in the City Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 149 Main St. 

This is a hybrid meeting with remote participation by zoom at https://watertown-ma.zoom.us/j/88996463499. There is no need to register ahead of time. WCA-TV will broadcast and record the meeting. After a few words about the ongoing Comprehensive Plan Review process, we will discuss the role of zoning as a tool for planning, the mechanics of the zoning process, and the role of the Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Most importantly the staff will present two case studies, one of a residential development and one of a commercial development, of how a developer’s proposal moves through the permitting process. There will also be time for questions.

Government

City of Watertown Buying Back Former Parker School for Office Space

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City of WatertownThe City of Watertown has entered into an agreement to purchase the former Parker School building on Watertown Street. For more than 70 years, public school children were educated in the building at 124 Watertown St. Now, more than a century after it was built, the former Parker Elementary School will once again be owned by the City of Watertown. This time, instead of public school pupils, it will be house city employees. On Tuesday night, City Manager George Proakis told the City Council that the City has an agreement to purchase the former elementary school on the south side of Watertown.

Government

Watertown’s New City Manager Holding Pair of Meet and Greets

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Watertown City Manager George Proakis. Watertown City Manager George Proakis, who started his new position in August, will be holding a pair of meet-and-greets where he will be available to speak with residents and members of the public. Proakis will hold the first Meet and Greet with residents on Tuesday, Oct. 11, 2022 from 6-7 p.m. in City Council Chambers on the second floor of City Hall, 149 Main St. The event precedes that evening’s City Council Meeting (the agenda includes the FY 2024 preliminary budget overview).

Government

Council Pays Tribute to Former Cable Executive Director

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WCA-TVHelen Chatel leaves Watertown Cable Access Television after 9.5 years as executive director. The City Council thanked former Watertown Cable Executive Director Helen Chatel for her work at the local cable access station, especially he role in helping Watertown’s government keep holding meetings during the pandemic. City Council President Mark Sideris personally thanked Chatel at the Sept. 29 meeting. “Helen was extremely, extremely helpful, and helped us get through COVID and issues with the Zoom and I can’t thank her enough for everything she has done to get us to the place where we are with technology and cable access,” Sideris said.

Affordable Housing

Watertown Forms Affordable Housing Trust, Six Residents Serving on Committee

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The following announcement was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City of Watertown took the final step on Sept. 21 in forming an affordable housing trust consisting of the new City Manager and six residents with expertise in creating and preserving housing for income-qualified households. The trust, authorized under state law to fund and engage in real estate activities to develop affordable units, held its first meeting on September 22, 2022. “It is important that we start identifying sites where deed-restricted affordable developments can be built,” said City Manager George Proakis. “We plan to do outreach to the affordable housing developers in the area who may be willing to work with the City to provide the kind of housing we need.”

The Watertown Housing Partnership, which recommended forming the trust, will automatically dissolve in 10 days, with its powers and responsibilities automatically transferred.

Government

LETTER: Watertown Elected Officials, Residents Canvas in Support of Fair Share Amendment

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Watertown elected officials — including State Sen. Will Brownsberger (far right) and State Rep. Steve Owens (second from right — and residents gathered Saturday before canvasing in support of the Fair Share Amendment. Elected Officials and Local Activists gathered under raindrops on Saturday Morning for a city-wide canvass for the Question 1 Fair Share Amendment. 

Sen. Will Brownsberger and Steve Owens spoke to the history, extensive support and promise of the Fair Share Amendment to bring a stable new funding source for education and transportation. City Councilors Caroline Bays, Nicole Gardner, Vinnie Piccirilli John Gannon,  Tony Palomba, and Lisa Feltner along with School Committee Member David Stokes, and Library Trustees Maja Young and Sara Keary took part in the canvass. Over 30 residents set out to knock on doors and pass along the Vote Yes on Question 1 message. 

Question 1 is an amendment to the State Constitution that will allow the state to levy an additional tax of 4 percent on any personal income over $1 million dedicated to schools and transportation. Learn more about it at  Why The Fair Share Amendment | Fair Share Amendment for Massachusetts (fairsharema.com). 

In addition to attending elected officials, the canvass was supported by State Senator John Lawn; City Council President Mark Sideris; City Councilors John Airasian and Emily Izzo; School Committee Members Kendra Foley, Lindsay Mosca, Amy Donohue, Jessica Middlebrook, and Lily Layman Reed; and Library Trustees Leanne Hammond, Teddy Kokoros, and Rose Mary Su. The canvass was organized by Watertown4Fair Share, a group with members from Watertown Faces Climate Change, Progressive Watertown, and school advocates. Ann MunsonCaroline BaysDeborah PetersonLani GersonRachel KayRita Colafella

Government

Residents Can Shape Future of Watertown by Participating in Virtual Comprehensive Plan Workshop

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An image from the City of Watertown’s Comprehensive Plan Virtual Workshop website. The City of Watertown recently held a pair of in-person workshops to hear from people for the updating of the document that will shape the future of the City: the Comprehensive Plan. Those who did not attend the meetings can participate in the virtual workshop. The Comprehensive Plan guides the future not just for economic development, but also for housing, transportation, open space and recreation, and sustainability. The original plan was adopted in 2015 and the City is updating it in 2022.