Government

Council Asking Legislature to Allow Residential Property Tax Relief

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Wikimedia Commons / ChensiyuanMassachusetts State House. City officials requested that the State Legislature give Watertown an exception to a state law that would give residential property owners a break on their taxes. For years Watertown has shifted the burden of property taxes from residents to commercial, industrial and personal property taxpayers. The City Council has voted for the maximum shift of 175 percent. State law, however says that the total portion of the residential tax cannot be below the higher of 50 percent of the tax levy or the lowest percentage of the tax levy made up by residential property tax since the the City created tax classifications for different types of properties.

Attorney General

Rep. Owens, Watertown Residents Endorse Attorney General Candidate

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Charlie BreitroseWatertown residents cast their ballots at Watertown City Hall. The following announcement was provided by the Quentin Palfrey campaign:

Former Assistant AG and candidate for Attorney General Quentin Palfrey has been endorsed by a group of six elected and community leaders in Watertown, including State Representative Steven Owens and City Councilor Caroline Bays. They have added their names to a list of more than 300 state, local and community leaders who have endorsed Palfrey’s grassroots campaign. “Quentin is someone who shows up, who listens, and who acts on behalf of our community,” said Representative Owens. “He understands the issues that matter most to people in Watertown.

Climate & Energy Plan

Council Approves Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gases & Prepare for Impact of Climate Change

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The Climate & Energy Plan approved by the City Council on Tuesday has multiple goals, including reducing the use of fossil fuels, increasing the number of electric vehicles, cutting the amount of waste created in Watertown, and preparing the City and residents for the impact of severe weather. The City has been working on the plan since March 2021, and formed a 35-member Stakeholder Advisory Group, working groups, conducted two surveys, and held meetings to discuss the five areas of the plan: Building & Energy, Transportation & Mobility, Natural Resources, Infrastructure & Waste Management, and Public Health & Community Preparedness. One of the major goals of the plan calls for making the City of Watertown carbon neutral by 2050, said Ed Lewis, Watertown’s Energy Manager. “Buildings are the biggest (contributor), the fat rabbit in this: 56 percent of gas comes from buildings,” Lewis said. “Transportation accounts for a little over 40 percent.” 

The plan calls for cutting all heating of homes and buildings by oil or natural gas to zero percent by 2050.

City Clerk

Most Watertown Voting Locations Will be Usual Spots, Council to Examine Election Decision Process

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After initially proposing that several precincts would move to different polling locations for the September 2022 election, which would particularly impact residents in the eastern half of Watertown, the final plan only moves one precinct on a temporary basis. The Council not only voted to set the polling locations for the 2022 elections, but also adopted an optional state statute regarding the voter registration deadline, and the process for assigning police officers to voting locations. The City Council received an initial memo from City Clerk Janet Murphy on Aug. 3 that suggested moving precincts 1 and 3 from the Hellenic Center to the Hosmer School, as well as precincts 4 and 5 from the Phillips School to Hibernian Hall. Acting City Manager Tom Tracy said he received a new memo and forwarded it to the Council on the afternoon of the day of the Council meeting on Aug.

Angeline Kounelis

LETTER: Former Councilor Opposes Change of Voting Places in East End

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(Update on Aug. 10: the City Council Adopted a different plan for voting locations, which will not move precincts 1 and 3. To see more click here.):

Dear Honorable City Councilors:

Within this email, please view official communication, as received on 08/01/2022 from the City of Watertown, specific to Voting and Polling locations. Notation should be made of the finite statement: “Please be aware that changes have been made to some of the Polling Precincts.” There is no mention of pending consideration by the City Council, or opportunity for comments from the electorate.

Election 2022

Watertown Voting Places May Move in 2022 Elections

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Many Watertown voters may not be voting at their usual polling places during the Massachusetts State Primary on Sept. 6. The primary will nominate candidates for the general election on Nov. 8 in several elected positions, including: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, auditor, Congress, the Massachusetts Senate and House of Representatives, and the Governor’s Council. Watertown has proposed using five voting locations for the City’s 12 precincts.

Government

Veterans, Seniors Can Apply for Property Tax Work-Off Program

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The following information was provided by the City of Watertown:

The City is offering the Property Tax Work-Off Program to Watertown homeowners who are Veterans or aged 60 and older. This program allows for up to ten residents a $1,500 deduction from their property tax bill in exchange for 100 to 105 hours of work for a City department, from July 1, 2022 until March 1, (Based on $14.25 (2022) or $15 (2023) per hour State minimum wage for all positions.)

To qualify for consideration, applicants must complete the attached application and be:

• Age 60 or older and Retired; OR a Veteran

• Own and occupy the property for which the taxes are deducted

• Applicant’s skills must match those needed by the participating City departments. Past projectshave included: computer data entry, helping to run Zoom programs, answering phones,administrative tasks and projects for the Library, City Hall, Schools Recreation, Veterans orPublic Health Departments, or for the Senior Center. • The City gives preference to individuals whose annual income is 300% of the 2022 FederalPoverty level or less ($40,770 for single, $54,930 for married couple), and who are new to theprogram, and then other applicants will be considered if slots are available. Copies of most recentincome tax returns will be requested to verify income.

Affordable Housing

DATE CHANGE: Learn About Applying for Community Preservation Funds at Upcoming Workshops

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The date of one of the Community Preservation Act Application Workshops has been moved from Aug. 9 to Aug. 10. See the information below:

The first two projects to receive Community Preservation Act (CPA) funding were approved in 2022, and those seeking to submit their projects in the next round of funding can get information about the process at an upcoming CPA Application Workshop. CPA funds can be used in four areas: affordable housing, historic preservation, open space, and outdoor recreation.